Just One of the Groomsmen

by Cindi Madsen

  “Thank you,” he said, forcing a smile. “I really appreciate what you’ve done.”

  She waved a hand. “Don’t have to thank me—that’s what friends are for. Now go on and say hi to your papa. I know seeing you will cheer him up.”

  Standing there, watching her gather her purse and keys, he desperately tried to figure out what the hell he was going to say to him. Eight years ago, his father had stood tall and proud. He’d been fit, the ranch keeping him active and strong. But the death of his wife had brought the man to his knees, and it had been the first time Ty had seen his father as something other than invincible—and then everything had unraveled after that. After his mother had died, he realized just how tenuous their relationship had been. But it wasn’t until that last night, that last argument, that he realized why his father could let him go.

  Tyler rolled his shoulders, braced himself, then slowly walked over to the living room door. Regardless of their argument, he owed his father. Tyler had always considered himself a pretty rational person, but the situation with his dad, his emotions about everything were irrational, and he didn’t like that. He didn’t like being at the mercy of his feelings.

  He gave the door a knock and then opened it.

  Nothing could have prepared him for seeing his father like this. He was lying in the hospital bed, his once-strong face now weathered and hanging loosely on one side. His eyes were closed. His hair had thinned out, the gray having given way to the white. He wasn’t the man Ty knew. His father was strong. This man lying in the bed was broken.

  He blinked, forcing the emotion away, not letting himself dwell on it, the passage of time, the stroke, the regrets.

  Walking forward a little, he cleared his throat. “Hi, Dad,” he said.

  There was no indication he’d heard him. Ty walked around the bed slowly, noting the way all the old furniture had been piled up at the other end of the room. It was nothing like the living room he remembered. The plaid curtains his mother had painstakingly sewn were all closed up, hiding the large picture windows she’d loved. They had remodeled the house to his mother’s liking, and she had made sure it was perfect at all times. It was nothing like the house of his childhood.

  Taking a deep breath, he sat in the chair beside the bed. His gaze traveled from the disturbing image of his father sleeping to the slew of medication bottles on the nightstand. And the picture of his mother. He turned away quickly as emotion hit him in the gut.

  He ran his sweaty palms down the front of his jeans and leaned back in the chair. His father’s eyelids flickered but didn’t open. Did his dad know he was here? Had he heard him? Heat washed over his body at the idea his father knew he was there and just didn’t want to see him.

  “Dad?”

  His father’s good hand moved slightly, and Ty stared at it as a wave of memories tumbled into his mind. He’d held that hand. As a child, he’d clung to it, hadn’t given it a second thought. He’d reached for his father’s hand so many times growing up, in the pastures, in the barns, when learning to ride a horse. It had always been powerful, rough, large, and Ty thought his father could save him from anything. The hand lying on top of the blanket wasn’t a hand that could save him anymore. It was thin, without his tan, and with age spots and wrinkles.

  He blinked past the pool of moisture in his eyes. Hell. This was hell. When had everything changed? His childhood was over in a blink of an eye. The family of three that they had been no longer existed. He’d walked out on the man who had raised him, who had given him everything of himself, who had taught him all he needed to survive in the world. Their years together had meant nothing when the center of their world died. They hadn’t been able to hold it together after she’d passed. They’d said harsh words to each other his last night at home.

  They each blamed the other for her death.

  But it was the last thing his father had said to him that had sent him packing, though, because the knife had been too deep.

  Ty tried to breathe despite the heaviness in his chest. He cleared his throat and whispered his father’s name, but it came out sounding more like a plea.

  This time, his father’s eyes did open. Faded blue ones, which he’d once thought so similar to his own, latched onto his. It was clear his father’s mind hadn’t been affected by the stroke, because the animosity shining in them took his breath away. Ty sat there, staring at his father, silently hoping for something—a softening, an indication that he was happy to see him.

  “I, uh, came back as soon as I found out what happened. I’m going to stay as long as you need me. I’ll help you get back on your feet, Dad.” The words poured out of him, like when he was a kid and had done something wrong, how he’d always try and get out of whatever punishment was coming by making a million promises and speaking as fast as he could. His dad had never bought it.

  He didn’t question calling him “Dad” even though he swore he’d never do it again. But that’s what this man would always be to him, regardless of their argument, of the words that had been exchanged. He had raised him; he had loved him. He was the only father he loved.

  Tyler held his breath, waiting for something from the man, just the tiniest sign that he had done the right thing by coming home.

  Instead his father just shut his eyes, but not before he let him know, more powerfully than words could ever speak, that it didn’t matter. None of it mattered. He didn’t matter. His promises, his presence. It was all too late.

  Northern Exposure meets Two Weeks Notice in this new romantic comedy series from USA Today bestselling author Amy Andrews.

  Nothing but Trouble

  By Amy Andrews

  For five years, Cecilia Morgan’s entire existence has revolved around playing personal assistant to self-centered former NFL quarterback Wade Carter. But just when she finally gives her notice, his father’s health fails, and Wade whisks her back to his hometown. CC will stay for his dad—for now—even if that means ignoring how sexy her boss is starting to look in his Wranglers.

  To say CC’s notice is a bombshell is an insult to bombs. Wade can’t imagine his life without his “left tackle.” She’s the only person who can tell him “no” and strangely, it’s his favorite quality. He’ll do anything to keep her from leaving, even if it means playing dirty and dragging her back to Credence, Colorado, with him.

  But now they’re living under the same roof, getting involved in small-town politics, and bickering like an old married couple. Suddenly, five years of fighting is starting to feel a whole lot like foreplay. What’s a quarterback to do when he realizes he might be falling for his “left tackle”? Throw a Hail Mary she’ll never see coming, of course.

  How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days meets Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis in this head-over-heels romantic comedy with a hot-as-hell flame.

  The Aussie Next Door

  by USA Today bestselling author

  Stefanie London

  When American Angie Donovan discovers the tiny seaside town of Margaret River, Australia, she feels at home for the first time. And nothing, especially not a little thing like a green card, is going to keep her from staying past her six-month visa. It only took two days to fall in love with Australia. Surely she can fall in love with an Australian—and get engaged—in less than thirty. Especially if he’s as hot and funny as her next-door neighbor…

  Jace Walters has never wanted much––except a bathroom he didn’t have to share. The last cookie all to himself. And solitude. But when you grow up in a family of seven, you can kiss those things goodbye. At least now he’s finally living alone and working on his syndicated comic strip in privacy. Sure, his American neighbor is distractingly sexy and annoyingly nosy, but she’ll be gone in six months. He can make it that long.

  Except now she’s determined to date every eligible male in the area, and her choices are even more distracting. He doesn’t want to, but he’s g
oing to have to intervene and help her if he ever hopes to get back to his quiet life again. It’s a sacrifice, but, well, his parents raised him to never leave a lady in distress…

  The Last Letter

  An emotional, touching story for fans of Nicholas Sparks...

  “A stunning, emotional romance.”

  —Jill Shalvism, NYT bestselling author

  “Yarros’ novel is a deeply felt and emotionally nuanced contemporary romance…”

  —Kirkus starred review

  “The Last Letter is a haunting, heartbreaking and ultimately inspirational love story.”

  —InTouch Weekly

  “I cannot imagine a world without this story.”

  —Hypable