It was noon before he checked out of the hotel with his suitcase and bowling bag loaded into the trunk of his car. He promised to stop by the bowling alley before leaving town to sign a few posters. If he got behind the wheel by one, two o’clock at the latest, he'd be in Strawn by three or four. His shoulder pain had barely let up, and his stomach grumbled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten yet. Maybe I’ll catch her before she heads to work.
Stopping only for food and gas, he kept straightaway on the highway. His car chewed up the miles with ease, and it wasn’t long before the exit sign for Strawn came into view. Making the turn off the highway, he drove north as the large billboard caught his attention again.
WELCOME TO STRAWN, TEXAS. HOME OF THE NATIONAL BOWLING CHAMPION MASON JENNINGS
Sterling chuckled. “Can’t imagine Las Cruces will be doing that for me anytime soon.”
He turned the corner to her little mobile home park and pulled up in front of her trailer. Her car was gone. Hell, maybe she’s at work. Sterling backed up and headed in that direction, keeping his eyes peeled as he drove by the few shopping plazas along the way, just in case she was there.
As he approached Bowling Dreams and pulled in, he spotted the tail end of Candy’s car parked next to the building. Hoping that she would let him explain, he parked his car, got out, and placed his hat on his head. It was time to make things right or go home having tried.
Sterling rubbed his sore shoulder as he entered and saw the place busy with the after-work crowd. Mason stood behind the counter, but Candy was nowhere in sight. He peered down to the far end of the lanes—still no sight of her. When he turned, Trudie, looking sassy as ever with a new pink strip dyed in her hair, stood in front of him, hands on her hips.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in. Congrats on the win, sugar.” She looked him up and down.
“Thanks, Trudie, you got to watch, huh?”
“Yup, watched the whole thang. Didn’t think we’d be seein’ you back in these parts anytime soon.” She popped her gum and pursed her lips. “What can I get ya? A lane, a drink, or maybe some Candy?”
Sterling took a step back and popped his thumbs in his jean pockets. “Now that you mention it, seen Candy? I was hoping to find her here tonight.”
“What’s it worth to ya?” Trudie narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m not much on you big-city boys comin’ round here and breakin’ my girl’s heart.”
“If that was the case, I wouldn’t even be here.” He cocked his head to the side, appreciating her protectiveness over Candy. “Feel like helpin’ out an old pro?”
“All right, cowboy.” She sighed. “I guess you have a point. She’s in the pinsetting area behind the lanes getting Joe to actually work, last time I checked.”
“Thanks, Trudie.” He tipped his hat in appreciation and stepped around her.
“Good luck, sugar,” she hollered after him.
Sterling waved in thanks and made a beeline to where she directed him. His stomach started knotting up. What if she didn’t want anything to do with him? Man up, cowboy. You know what you want, go get her. He made his way through the door to the back.
If he thought the bowling area seemed loud, it was nothing compared to the close confines of the pinsetting machines and constant echoes of crashing balls and pins.
Candy stood just ahead with her back to him, talking to who he assumed had to be Joe.
Eyes locked on his target, Sterling moved in her direction. Apparently done with her conversation, she turned around and stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted him.
Without breaking stride, he walked up to her and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tight against his chest. Tangling his fingers in her long hair, he captured her lips in a deep kiss.
Chapter 28
Candy blinked, then blinked again, convinced she was imagining things. Sterling approached her with such a determined look in his eyes, she took a step back.
Before she could make heads or tails of what was happening, he’d grabbed her, pulled her against his lean muscled chest, and planted a deep kiss on her lips. It sent a blazing inferno throughout her entire body, searing her from head to toe and thawing the thin ice she’d formed around her heart toward him.
She stiffened at first, but quickly gave in to the heat of his body surrounding her and opened for him. He groaned and deepened the kiss further, his mouth urgent and possessive.
She melted against him, her hands shaking and clinging to his shoulders, her heart helpless to deny him. Sips of breath between the shifting of warm lips, tangling of hot tongues, and desperate grasping arms. Heaven on earth.
When Sterling pulled away, they were both breathing heavily. He pressed her head to his chest and stroked her hair. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
Candy closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat and heavy breaths—too frightened to give life to what she might have felt in his kiss. She willed her own rapid heart to calm.
When she could speak, she lifted her head and met his gaze. “What are you doing here?”
“I had to see you, we need to talk.” He stroked her cheek. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Candy blushed and lowered her lashes at his sweet compliment.
Joe coughed. “I’ll leave you two alone.” He scooted past them toward the exit.
“I missed you. I missed you more than I’ve ever missed anyone, and considerin’ I’ve never really had anyone to miss before, I figure that’s a pretty big deal.”
“Come with me.” She pulled him into a nearby storeroom away from the noise of the machines and closed the door behind them.
“I’m sorry about my text message,” he said when she turned to face him. “Look.” He set his hat down on a stack of boxes and ran his palm over his short hair. “I’m not very good at this, but I know I can do better. You deserve better.”
“You don’t owe me anything. We had a good time. That’s all. I don’t expect more.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s okay, Sterling. Really, it is.”
“What if I want more?”
“Now you’re talkin’ crazy. We’ve only known each other a month.”
“That’s the thing. I felt somethin’ with you.” He shook his head. “Did you feel anythin’?” He sat down on an overturned crate. “Shit, am I makin’ a fool of myself here?”
Candy leaned against the door, hope rising inside her heart despite her best efforts to keep it roped down. “No, you’re not makin’ a fool of yourself. I felt it, too.” She avoided his gaze and held herself still, trying to keep some form of control over her swirling emotions.
“I won, ya know? I worked so hard to get ready to win that damn tournament.” He stood and started pacing the small space. “It’s all I’ve thought about for years.”
“You earned it. I’m—”
“Let me finish, please.”
“Okay. Go on.” She stepped away from the door and sat down on the crate he’d vacated.
“The whole time I was there, round after round, win after win, I felt incredible, and then at night, when it was quiet, it wasn’t enough. I’d get in bed alone and read a little message from you, and all I could think about was how much I wanted you there with me. And that’s crazy, right?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Because like you said, we only spent a short time together, but regardless of how short a time I’ve known you, I felt it anyway. I couldn’t shake it, and it became all I could think about.” He stopped pacing and faced her.
Candy’s mind spun in circles as she tried to track the words he was saying. He talked so fast and paced in front of her like some sort of caged animal. He couldn’t possibly mean what she thought he was saying to her, could he?
“Sterling. I—”
“I couldn’t recognize it for what it was, but I get it now. It was wrong because you weren’t there. This victory… this opportunity means nothing now if I can’t have you there to share it with.” He stepped closer. “I’m asking you to come with me. Candy, will yo
u come with me?”
She jumped up. “Are you nuts?”
“Maybe.”
“I’ve got a job, responsibilities, a huge debt to pay.” Now it was her turn to pace.
“You hate it here. You told me that yourself.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is the hand that life dealt me.” What in the hell was he trying to do to her? Good Lord, her heart raced a mile a minute at the idea he was laying out. Could this really be happening?
“Candy, look at me.”
She stopped moving, but kept her back to him. “I’m scared,” she whispered. Her body trembled with nervous tension, and she clenched her hands at her sides.
Candy felt more than heard him move behind her. His warmth rolled over her, sending bursts of electricity dancing over her already sensitive skin.
Sterling snaked his arms around her waist and pressed himself against her back.
She released the breath she didn’t realize she’d held, wrapped her arms around his, and let her head fall back against his chest. “I’m scared,” she said again.
“So am I.”
“What if we find out it doesn’t work between us?”
“What if it does?”
“Sweet Jesus, where did you come from?”
“Las Cruces.” He chuckled and nuzzled her neck. “Come home with me. I want to love you every night in my bed.” He kissed her shoulder. “I want to wake up next to you every mornin’.” He turned her to face him. “And I want to win that tournament with you by my side.” He kissed her lips. “And even if I don’t win it, I’ll still have you.”
Candy rose up on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“You may be right, but I’m okay with that.” He winced as he picked her up and kissed her again.
She wrapped her legs around his waist and matched the rub of his tongue with her own. A fevered kiss laced with the promise of a new future, a new beginning.
“Yes,” she said against his lips.
“Yeow!” He gripped her ass and hiked her up higher on his waist.
A squeal burst out of her at his excitement. “You’re probably gonna regret this in a matter of days.”
“Doubt it.” He strode for the door. “Though I make no promises that you won’t wanna kill me. I’ve been told I’m a huge pain in the ass.”
“You can put me down now. I saw that wince, I know your shoulder must be sore, sweetheart.”
“Hush, I like you just where you are.”
“Well, isn’t this all Officer and a Gentleman like,” she said. “Where’s your hat? I should wear it while you whisk me into happy ever after.”
“Oh damn, see what you do to me? Almost forgot my hat.” He located it and leaned forward with her still in his arms. “G’on, scoop it up and place it on that gorgeous head of yours.”
Candy grabbed the hat and did as he said. She locked her ankles around his lower back and held tight to his shoulders while he made his way down the concrete walkway next to the lanes toward to exit. Hiking herself up farther, she pulled the hat off her head as they neared the open area and waved it in the air above them. “Giddy-up, cowboy!” She bounced in his arms.
“Keep bouncin’ like that and we’ll never make it outta here.” He gripped her ass tighter.
Trudie stood in the hall holding Candy’s purse, grinning and clapping when she spotted them approaching. “Way to go, Candy! Way to go!” she shouted and clapped. Quoting the very movie Candy had just teased Sterling about.
“Okay, put me down now. That was just far beyond corny.” She rubbed his shoulder and Sterling released his hold on her, letting her slide down his tall body. She gave him his hat and a quick peck on his sweet lips, then turned toward Trudie. “You knew, didn’t you?” She took her purse from her friend’s hands.
“I had a feelin’.”
“Will you come visit?”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Trudie pulled her into an embrace. “You’re gonna be happy, honey. I know it,” she whispered.
“I love you, Trudie.” She kissed her cheek.
“I love you too, sugar. Now get on outta here. I’ll worry about gettin’ your car home for you.”
“Thanks. Tell Joe and Mason good-bye for me, too?”
“ ’Course I will.” Trudie cupped Candy’s cheek in her palm. To Sterling she said, “You take care of my girl.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” He tipped his hat. “You ready?” he asked Candy.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He reached for her hand and she took it, laced her fingers with his, and they headed for the door.
The sun had just started to set as they walked across the parking lot. Shades of pink and gold spread across the broad Texas sky in front of them, and wild flowers from the open field across the street filled the air with sweetness, making everything smell new and fresh. It all felt like one of those happy endings in Hollywood movies.
“We need to go get my clothes,” she said.
“Clothes? You mean you’re not gonna be walkin’ around buck nekkid for me?”
“Oh Lord, you need some home trainin’, don’t you?”
“Sugar, you can train me all you want.” He swatted her backside.
Candy yelped and rubbed her butt cheek, then rewarded him with a devilish grin.
“We’ll grab some clothes and figure out how to get the rest of your stuff later.”
“Already got this all worked out, huh?”
“Nah.” He unlocked her door and opened it for her. “I’m flyin’ blind here. How’m I doin’ so far?”
“Pretty damn good.” She turned and kissed him before getting in the car.
When Sterling settled in the driver’s seat beside her, she looked at him, taking in his profile: his straight nose, full lips, and strong chin.
“You okay, darlin’?”
“Yep. Just appreciatin’ my knight in shining bowling shoes.”
“Well, damn. If I’m a knight, then that makes you my princess. Hey, we might need a nicer carriage.” He raised both brows. “But at least this one doesn’t turn into a pumpkin after midnight.”
“Ooh, clever! Must be that new Candy you got yourself.” She nudged his side as they drove away from Bowling Dreams. She looked back at the neon sign, and hope rose in her heart for the first time in a long time. Things would be different now, and even if it didn’t turn out perfect, she planned to enjoy every minute of it.
She turned around, leaned her head on Sterling’s shoulder looking forward, determined never to look back again.
Acknowledgments
From both
Jennifer Sylvia, Christa Desir, and Louisa Baccio for their excellent editing skills and willingness to kick our butts in order to get this book ready for submission.
Megan Hart, Crystal Posey, and Wendi Darlin for their author eyes, much-needed feedback, and constant encouragement.
All our wonderful beta readers: Barbi, Marchelle, Lu, Allison, Charlene, Adrienne, and Holly.
Love, appreciation, and thanks to all of you. We couldn’t have done this without you. Also, to our editor at Grand Central. Because you love bowling!
From Dorothy
To my husband, Wookie. Thank you for seeing Sterling so clearly in your mind and writing this fun story with me. I love you. To my agent, Donna, for taking a chance on me. I’m forever grateful. And finally, to Carrie Clevenger, an incredible author, for inspiring my first poem and then pushing me to keep writing! Thank you for being my inspiration.
From T.D.
Special thanks to my high school English teacher, Mrs. White, for encouraging me to share my stories and my parents for teaching me to believe I can do anything.
About the Authors
Dorothy F. Shaw
The stirrings of the potential author within Dorothy F. Shaw became evident when she first blogged a detailed account of how she met and married her husband. Shortly after, she s
tumbled, quite accidentally, into writing poetry. Poetry begat short stories. Short stories gave way to her novels.
Evident from the very beginning was her voice as an author that is welcoming, real, and charming, packed with wit and sarcasm. Although she’s a sucker for a heart-wrenching romance with no happy ending, she does give her readers the happy ending they desire. But her stories will always include slightly broken people forming relationships full of heartbreak, pain, and angst along the way, as well as plenty of sharp humor and sex appeal. As she sees it, the journey is the best part.
When Dorothy’s not writing, she’s a wife, a mother, a friend to many, and a corporate VP. When asked about her tattoos, she’ll tell you she has only one. She loves Sunday dinners with her family and friends in her home, prefers riding her motorcycle beside her husband all around Arizona and spending weekends in their camping trailer, aka The Rolling Condo. She truly lives and loves in Technicolor!
Dorothy welcomes e-mails at: [email protected]
Facebook.com/dorothyfshaw and twitter @dorothyfshaw
www.dorothyfshaw.com
T.D. HOFFMAN
T.D. Hoffman is a man of many talents. Not only is he an award-winning tattoo artist, known in the tattoo community as Wookie, he’s also a biker as well as a dedicated father of four who was never afraid of dirty diapers or putting pigtails in his daughter’s hair. He rides his Harley-Davidson in his cool and sexy Wookie style way that most could never begin to match.
Unafraid to try new things, T.D. simply decided he wanted to write a novel and so it began from there. He experiences life to its fullest and loves to express it through his family, art, and stories. Drawing inspiration from his favorite authors such as J.R. Ward, Kresley Cole, and Lora Leigh, he’s currently working on his Urban Fantasy novel series.
When he’s done slinging ink for the day, designing promo items and logos for authors, doing dishes or laundry, and chasing kids around, he spends his time on his back patio, enjoying the Arizona evenings with his wife, writing.
Spare Hearts Page 16