by Tina Leonard
Tempest’s eyes sparkled with joy. “I’ve dreamed of being a real wife to you, Shaman. One with no strings attached.”
“And no contracts,” Shaman said. “No prenups. We’re together, all in, you and me. And these little tigers. I want to build you a house for a wedding gift, to replace the one you had. A big house, where we can have plenty of kids. And a media room, so the kids can watch their mother’s movies.”
“I would love a house you build for me. Thank you, Shaman. It’s a wonderful wedding gift.” Tempest’s heart swelled with happiness and love. She smiled at him. “Want to hear a secret?”
“Sure.” Although there had been enough secrets they’d had to dig through to be together. He hoped this one was a good secret.
“If you didn’t ask me, I was going to propose to you.”
“Really.” He perked up, feeling as if he’d caught the moon. “I would have said yes, beautiful.”
She kissed him again, a little longer this time. “And I’m saying yes, soldier.”
The babies squirmed between them, and Tempest smiled down at her sons, taking one from Shaman. With one hand now free, Shaman framed Tempest’s face with his palm and gave her a kiss nothing like the one the fake doctor had given her.
“Wow,” she said, “if that’s the way you’re going to kiss me when we’re really married, I’m going to be a very happy wife.” She peered at him. “Are we really going to do this?”
He kissed her again, making certain she had no doubt about his intentions.
“I think that’s a yes,” she said breathlessly.
Shaman smiled. “And I hear there’s a magic wedding dress that’s been offered, if that’s of any interest to you. I don’t know if you believe in magic.”
Tempest leaned her head against Shaman’s. “All my life, I dreamed of being swept away by a handsome prince. And now it’s happening.” She kissed him with her whole heart. “I believe in magic every time you hold me.”
Shaman held his wife and his babies to him. From beast to prince... He was the happiest man on earth.
Soldier, husband, father. It was all about family.
Happily ever after.
Epilogue
Three months later, after filming wrapped
The magic wedding dress fitted Tempest the way she always dreamed her wedding dress would. It fell in soft folds around her, shimmering and luminous, and she held her breath every time she glanced in the mirror.
“Did you see him?” Cat asked, her little face shining with delight.
“Who?” Tempest asked, pretending she didn’t know about the legend of the gown’s magic. “Did I see who?”
“The man of your dreams, Aunt Tempest!” Cat seemed as if she could barely stand the excitement. She looked darling in a long, sky-blue dress, feeling very important because she got to be a junior bridesmaid.
Chelsea, her matron of honor, gazed at Tempest. “Did you?” she asked. “I will admit that I didn’t really believe in the magic wedding gown, but I definitely saw my true love once I put it on.”
Tempest was very familiar with the world of make-believe and fairy tales. She smiled at Kendall, her maid of honor, and the others. “Of course I did. But then, I saw him in Las Vegas, too.”
She’d always known that Shaman was the only man for her. Maybe she’d tried to ignore it, and maybe she hadn’t thought she deserved a man as wonderful as him.
“I can’t wait for my turn to wear the magic wedding dress,” Cat said breathlessly, and her aunts groaned.
“Not for many, many years, sweetie.” Tempest hugged the little girl who’d brought her back home. “First college. Then we’ll see.”
Cat touched the fabric with one finger. “It is so beautiful.”
It was a perfect gown, but then again, it was a perfect day. Rancho Diablo was abloom with Fiona’s special touches, and come evening, lots of white twinkly lights would make the grounds a romantic fantasy. Bows and flowers adorned chairs set out for the guests. Looking out the upstairs window, Tempest had spied a lovely wedding cake on a lace-covered table, and so many friends milling around chatting that it made her happy to have such wonderful people in her life.
There had been many blessings in their lives, and she could hardly wait to say yes to Shaman all over again. “I love him,” she murmured. “So much.”
“I know.” Chelsea smiled.
“The Phillips brothers are great guys,” Kendall said, nodding.
“Shaman’s such a good father.” Tempest looked in the mirror one last time, adjusting her veil.
“We’re going to take Cat across the hall and put the sparkly barrette in her hair,” Chelsea said. “It’ll give you a moment of calm.”
Tempest smiled warmly, then said, “You’re beautiful, Cat.”
The teen beamed. “Thanks, Aunt Tempest.” She followed Chelsea and Kendall out the door, practically skipping with excitement.
Then Tempest was alone, her first moment by herself since she’d gotten dressed. She looked down at the stunning engagement ring Shaman had given her, a sparkling two-carat oval he said represented the two precious sons she’d given him. Then she closed her eyes, thinking about what a wonderful day today was, and how much it meant to her that Shaman wanted to be her husband, wanted to be with her for the rest of their lives.
She opened her eyes and found him standing behind her, smiling at her. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. She turned to tell him how much she loved him—and realized she was alone in the room at Rancho Diablo.
And then Tempest knew the legend was true. There was a difference between make-believe and the magic of love.
And she was truly in love with her cowboy soldier.
* * *
SHAMAN THOUGHT HIS HEART was going to beat right out of his chest as first Cat, and then Kendall, and then Chelsea walked to their places. And finally his gorgeous bride walked down the beribboned pathway to the altar.
Tempest looked like a fairy princess, and he could hardly believe she was all his. He hoped the photographer was snapping photos like mad because he wanted their sons to see how beautiful their mother was on her wedding day. She was on Shinny’s arm, and her stand-in father looked as proud as he could possibly be.
Millicent and Fitzgerald were smiling from the first row, and Shaman thought his mother might even have tears sparkling in her eyes, which was surprising, because she’d never been sentimental.
They had all changed so much, and he appreciated those changes as only a man whose heart had been touched could.
Tempest walked toward him as Diablo’s string quartet played a soft bridal march, and then she was at his side, smiling up at him. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. But he must have said it too loudly, or the words were picked up by the deacon’s microphone, because the guests laughed with pleasure at his compliment.
Tempest gazed into his eyes. “I love you, Shaman Phillips.”
“I love you, Cupertino. You’re the magic in my life.”
“I should probably start the ceremony,” the deacon teased.
Shaman grinned as widely as he ever had in his entire life, except for when he’d realized that he was a father to two wonderful babies. Tempest had brought him so many good things.
Suddenly, Shaman thought he heard the sound of Rancho Diablo’s famous Diablos running through the canyons, a portent of magical things to come, and peace washed over him.
Tempest’s eyes widened, and he knew she’d heard them, too. “Magic,” she whispered.
Shaman just smiled. He knew all about magic, and Tempest and the boys were the magic he’d finally found after so many years of searching.
Wonderful, beautiful magic. Forever.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of Bet on a Cowboy by Julie Benson!
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Chapter One
“He’s married. I’m beginning to think this season is cursed.” Maggie Sullivan stared at the wedding picture of Rory McAlister, Devlin Designs’ cowboy model, on the Twin Creeks Ranch website. Tall, dark-haired and built like only a real cowboy could be, he’d have been perfect. Now here she was, two weeks from the start of taping for her reality show, Finding Mrs. Right, and they were short one key component—a bachelor.
Samantha, Maggie’s assistant director, turned from her computer monitor. “Who’s married?”
“Rory McAlister. The man we hoped would be this season’s bachelor.”
“Isn’t it Kate’s job to check into that?”
“She’s got the flu, and since we have to sign a new bachelor ASAP, I get to play casting director.” Maggie frowned. What luck. She’d also get to deliver the bad news about Rory to her boss. Right now having the flu sounded pretty good.
When their quarterback bachelor unretired in midseason, the powers that be had decided to capitalize on the current popularity of cowboys, and hoped to sign Devlin Designs’ gorgeous new model as the next bachelor. The man was featured in every popular fashion magazine, and his rugged good looks were a hot conversation topic among women around office watercoolers all over the country. Maggie had been sent to research the idea, which led her to the unfortunate news of his marriage.
Unfortunate for her, that is, not for Rory.
“What’re we going to do now that our prime candidate is off the market?”
“I’m working on plan B even as we speak.” However, all she’d come up with was an actor dressed up as a cowboy, but they needed authenticity. There was something about real cowboys. No one could define it exactly, but everyone knew when it was missing.
Think. She fingered the sterling-silver frame holding the last picture of her and her mother together. What would her mom think of her only daughter, an upstate New York farm girl, working on a reality show in L.A.?
I know it’s not what you would’ve wished for me, Mom, but the job will get me what I want out of life.
“How about a rodeo cowboy?” Samantha asked as she rolled her desk chair across Maggie’s pristinely organized office to join her at her computer.
“The National Finals are two months away. Anyone with a name is gearing up for that.” Maggie rubbed the back of her neck, trying to loosen the tension knot.
When she scrolled further down the ranch’s web page, a picture of the wedding party appeared. Beside Maggie, Samantha sighed and pointed at the screen. “Look at the best man. He’s too good for words.”
Slightly taller than Rory, the man had charisma that leaped off the screen. The tux fit him to perfection, emphasizing his broad shoulders. The sun highlighted the golden tones in his hair.
“He’s definitely what great dreams are made of.” Maggie scanned the copy beside the picture. Hope eternal burst through her. “He’s Rory’s brother, Griffin. Could that be more perfect? We can still capitalize on Rory’s popularity if his brother is our bachelor.” She could see the trailer now: Rory McAlister is off the marriage market, but don’t worry. He has a brother. Tune in every week to Finding Mrs. Right, and meet Griffin McAlister!
She frowned as another thought occurred to her. “How could a man this gorgeous be available?”
Samantha clicked her ruby-red fingernail against the monitor. “Look at the wedding photos. Each one shows him dancing or cuddling with a different woman. No way is that guy in a serious relationship.”
“I have to be sure.”
“Then call him and ask.”
Why not, since plan B stunk and plan C failed to materialize? Maggie clicked on the Contact Us page. “What do I have to lose?”
“Exactly. We can’t be any worse off than we are now.”
“Why don’t I find that comforting?” Maggie took a minute to compose her thoughts and study the Twin Creeks website, discovering the ranch offered horseback riding tours and other tourist activities. She’d lead with what a great opportunity being on the show was, emphasizing how the publicity would bring more visitors to the ranch and increase business. Then she’d tell Griffin how wonderful the bachelorettes were.
With the conversation and her pitch mapped out, she located the ranch’s phone number, picked up her iPhone and dialed. “Cross your fingers.”
Samantha crossed her fingers and held up her hands. Then she crossed her legs. “Extra insurance never hurts.”
A smooth feminine voice answered, throwing Maggie off stride. Calm down. Just because a woman answers the phone doesn’t mean Griffin’s married. She could be Rory’s pretty little wife, or a family member. Barreling forward, Maggie explained she had business to discuss with Griffin, and asked to speak with him. A minute later, she had his cell phone number. Then as an afterthought, she blurted out, “I know this is an odd question, but is Griffin married or engaged?”
Soft laughter floated over the phone lines. “Believe it or not, that’s not an unusual question, and no, he’s not married, or even dating anyone seriously.”
Maggie ended the call. “He’s available.”
“That’s good news,” Samantha said.
She punched in Griffin’s cell number. When he answered, his low sexy voice rippled through her. His voice was as good as his looks.
“Hello, Griffin. I’m Maggie Sullivan, the director on the reality show Finding Mrs. Right. We’re looking for a bachelor this season—”
“I’m not interested.”
“Being on the show would be great publicity—”
“I’ve got horses to see to.” Then he hung up.
Maggie stared at her phone. Their conversation had gone much better in her head.
“He hung up on me.” She sat there, unsure of how to proceed. “He wouldn’t even let me make the pitch.”
“Call him back.”
“What makes you think the second time will go any better than the first?”
“Divine intervention?” Samantha said, as she pointed upward.
“I think the Lord might be a little busy.” But knowing she couldn’t give up, Maggie called again. This time when Griffin answered, she blurted out, “Don’t hang up. Give me a chance to outline my—”
Click.
Maggie clutched her phone so hard her fingers tingled. “Maybe we don’t want Griffin McAlister on the show. He definitely needs to work on his social skills—he hung up on me again.”
“They say the third time’s the charm,” Samantha said encouragingly.
“The best indication for future behavior is past behavior, and I’m sensing a pattern here.”
“Then email him.”
Maggie shook her head. “He’ll just delete the message without reading it. I need to see Griffin in person. It’ll be harder to dismiss me if I’m standing in front of him.” She tapped her neatly manicured nail against her desk. “I need to develop the right approach, because he won’t give me much time. I have to hook him immediately.”
Samantha grinned and pointed to a photo of Griffin surrounded by women. “I know exactly what will work. Start with showing him the bachelorettes’ photos. That’ll
get his attention.”
“Are you sure?” Maggie still believed leading with the publicity for the ranch was best, but what she knew about men could be written on a matchbook cover. Samantha, on the other hand, could write a three-book series and have material left over.
“After seeing him with all those women? Absolutely.”
But before Maggie decided, her cell phone belted out “Defying Gravity.” Glancing at the touch screen revealed the number of the fertility clinic she’d contacted. Once the years started zooming by and her eggs grew older, with no marital prospects on the horizon, Maggie had realized she had two choices—never have children or be a single parent.
After tossing out a quick “I’ve got to take this call” to Samantha, she answered her phone. As she jotted down notes regarding the cost of the various procedures she would undergo for in vitro fertilization, she kept her responses vague and to a minimum.
Whichever way she went, adoption or having a child with a sperm donor, achieving her dream wouldn’t be cheap.
“Is everything okay?” Samantha asked when Maggie ended her call.
“It was the dentist reminding me about my appointment.” She paused.
Samantha tilted her head and looked as though she might probe further. “I’m glad there’s nothing wrong. You seem concerned.”
She should tell Samantha something plausible. The woman was the biggest gossip on the show, and if she didn’t know the reasons for someone’s actions, she speculated instead, and the theory spread through the office like a cold in a preschool. “I need a filling replaced. I was a little surprised at how much it’s going to cost.”
Having dampened Samantha’s insatiable curiosity, Maggie continued. “Now back to business. I’ve got to convince Griffin to do the show. We don’t have time to start the search process over.”