Hunks, Hammers, and Happily Ever Afters

by Cari Quinn

  “Yeah, I’ve always made a great first impression.” She laughed when his gaze narrowed. “I love you, too, Brodie. Probably more than you could ever believe.”

  “Cilla, too?”

  “Cilla, too.” She kissed him again and when she pulled away, she rested her head in the crook of his shoulder and watched him trace the pulse in her wrist. “You know what I want to do tomorrow?” She caught his hand in hers. “I’d like a heart, a tattoo, right here.” She tapped his fingers against her skin. “Just like you said I should have. My heart.”

  “No.” He kissed her forehead. “You have mine.”

  Epilogue

  "Oh, Daddy, look! Miss Audra opened another bookstore!" Cilla knocked her fists against Brodie's shoulders as he and Regan threaded their way through the growing crowd in Lancaster Park.

  The turnout was impressive, almost as impressive as Toshi's offer to cover MARKED's booth until noon so Brodie and Cilla, along with Regan, could enjoy the morning together. Maura had enough forethought to put a sign up in the store window letting potential customers know they could be found at the festival. Smart girl. Almost as smart as her sister.

  "Can I go look, Daddy, please?"

  "Don't you have enough books?" Brodie released Regan's hand so he could lower Cilla to the grass. Within seconds she was racing ahead of them into the depths of the purple and turquoise tent with orange crates filled with story books and a collection of poofy pillows for reading.

  "One can never have enough books." Regan snuggled under his arm as they followed. "Something I should probably give you fair warning of now that we're official and all. I come with a huge library."

  "Official." Brodie pressed his mouth to hers until he felt her smile under his touch. "I like the sound of that."

  "Don't get ahead of yourself, Romeo." She patted a hand against his chest, but as he felt her fingers curl into the heat of his shirt, he knew there wasn't anywhere he wanted to get to faster. He'd been hers from the second she'd stormed into his shop. "You did really well with my brood last night," Regan said. "But don't think they'll always go so easy on you. The longer you hang around me, the less respect you'll get."

  "They treated Cilla like a princess." Brodie watched his daughter hold up a copy of Little Women to Audra, who, after signing Cilla's cast, took a seat on one of the pillows and tugged Cilla onto her lap for a quick read. "That's more than enough for me."

  "Regan, look!" Fallon raced over to them, a dripping plastic cup overflowing with colored ice in her hands. "Italian ice! I got raspberry."

  "How'd you get that?" Still clinging to Brodie, Regan looked around him toward the J & J Market stall where he spotted Theresa Juliano waving at them. "Ah, okay. Theresa?" She waved back.

  "She said it was my reward for being brave yesterday." Fallon swiped a sticky hand under her swollen chin. "She's nice." She blinked shocked eyes beyond them and raced forward. "Dad!"

  "Dad? Oh, ow." Regan pressed a hand against her ribs and cringed. "Boy, that's gonna hurt for a while."

  Brodie didn't want to think how much pain Regan was in after her take-down of Cilla's grandfather. The idea she'd been hurt because of Ray's actions made him want to rescind his offer not to press charges against his ex-in-laws. But the dazed smile on Regan's face as she watched her father stroll toward them took the edge off his anger. They'd had enough battles to last them a while. It was time to step back and enjoy life.

  "Thought I'd come check out what all the fuss was about," Cormac said. Brodie thought the older man looked more uncertain than uncomfortable as he scanned the throngs of people bustling about food tents, shopping stalls, and well-wishers. "You had your hand in this, didn't you, Regan?"

  "I did. What do you think?"

  Brodie tightened his arm around her at the uncertainty in Regan's voice. Their conversation that had lasted long into the night had been a revelation, but not without its share of what he'd call a miracle given Cormac's shift in attitude.

  "I think I'm very proud of my girl." Cormac's green eyes narrowed against the streaming sunlight. "All my girls," he added when Fallon tugged on his sleeve.

  "Dad, they have Italian ices over at J & J. Do you want one?" She slurped on the thick syrup.

  "I think I might." Cormac held out his hand to Fallon and the two of them headed off.

  Brodie heard Regan's breath catch in her throat. "I never thought I'd see that," she whispered.

  "Hi, Regan!"

  Brodie spun them around as a pretty blonde in a stunning white summer dress sauntered over, her hand wrapped securely in the grasp of a dark haired man wearing thick sunglasses.

  "Hi, Loni. Patrick." Regan laughed. "I'm guessing she dragged you out here against your will?"

  "There might have been some bribery involved," Patrick said. "We all know how much I love crowds."

  "That's why I'm here," Loni said with a kick of attitude. "Heard there was some excitement with you yesterday. Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine. Oh, sorry," Regan said when Brodie cleared his throat. "You all haven't met. Brodie Crawford, this is Loni Talbot and Patrick Quinn. Patrick's a sculptor and Loni's his assistant."

  "Pleasure." Patrick held out his hand.

  "I recognize the name." Brodie returned the greeting and marveled how anyone who was legally blind could create such beautiful artwork. "I'm a fan. My daughter loves that horse you did for Pages Unlimited. Except she thought it should be a unicorn."

  "I don't think you've ever done a unicorn, have you?" Loni asked.

  "I have not." Patrick's brow knitted. "Interesting idea. A fairy tale series. What's your daughter's name, Brodie?"

  "Cilla. Short for Priscilla."

  "But don't tell her you know that," Regan added. "She's not a fan."

  "I like Cilla." Patrick gave a slow nod. "Stop by the studio with her some time. I'd love to hear some more of her ideas."

  "Great. Now I probably won't get two words out of him for the next month."

  Brodie might have thought Loni sounded sour if he hadn't seen the admiration shining on her face.

  "We'd love to visit," Brodie said. "Thanks."

  "Have you seen Cassidy?" Loni asked Regan. "I just saw Ella at her tent. She's got the cutest little terrariums in glass jars from Blossoms and Bows. I bet your little girl would love them."

  "Thanks," Brodie said. "Her birthday's coming up. I'll check them out."

  "Yeah, she's over at Murphy's helping Ethan serve drinks."

  "A beer sounds great about now," Patrick said. "Why don't you join us?"

  "We'll be there in a few minutes," Brodie said. "There's something I want to show Regan before I have to get to work."

  "There is?" Regan asked as he led her away. "What?"

  "Just something I saw earlier this morning before you got here. Cilla liked it, too, so..."

  "Okay, you've piqued my curiosity."

  "Ah, Brodie, there you are." The middle-aged man behind the cloth lined table held up a hand, his Irish brogue chiming musically in the air.

  "These are beautiful." Regan leaned over to get a better look at the hand-cast jewelry. "My mother had a Claddagh ring very similar to this. It belonged to her grandmother, I believe. I put it away for Fallon when she's older."

  The last time Brodie had been this nervous, he'd been waiting for Cilla to be born. As Regan moved away, he slipped the money out of his pocket and handed it over in exchange. Before he lost his nerve, he moved up behind Regan and slipped the box in front of her nose.

  "I got you something."

  "For me?" The smile on his face erased the last traces of loneliness around his heart. She pushed open the hinged lid and gasped. "Brodie." Tears spiked her lashes. "It's beautiful." She pulled the delicate chain and Claddagh pendant out and held it up, watching the emerald topped shamrock glisten in the sun. "Put it on me." She turned her back and lifted her beautiful hair.

  With fumbling fingers well versed in little-girl hair bands, he clasped the chain around her neck. She had her h
and pressed against it when she faced him again.

  "Thank you." She kissed him, long enough to have him wishing they were anywhere but in public but quick enough not to draw a crowd.

  "Consider it a down-payment on another piece of jewelry." He lifted her hand and pressed his lips against her ring finger.

  "I'll never argue," she said. "But you know, there is one thing I'd like to do today. Something just the two of us can do."

  "Oh?"

  "Not that," she laughed. "Not yet." She moved in and linked her arms around her neck until her mouth was scant inches from him. "Let's say you and I head over to that tattoo parlor of yours so you can have your way with me?"

  "What way would that be?" He linked his hands behind her back.

  "My tattoo, Brodie. It's time you marked me once and for all." She kissed him again.

  "It would be my pleasure."

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you for reading this special edition of MARKED FOR LOVE, the third in my Lantano Valley sweet novella series. I'm beyond thrilled to have been included in this boxed set with such amazing authors. Huge thanks to Amie for inviting me to participate.

  Of all the Lantano Valley Book Club friends, Regan's story was the one I really looked forward to writing. Her story popped for me the second she walked on the page in READING BETWEEN THE LINES (novella #1) and then I had to reel her in during THROUGH HIS EYES (novella #2). She came with her own attitude, her own issues, and one of the biggest hearts despite having one that never seemed quite full. Matching her with Brodie was a natural fit. The last thing Regan would need in her life is yet another person or two to care—and worry—about. But some characters just belong together.

  I'd like to give a special shout-out to my friend, mentor and editor author Melinda Curtis for keeping me on track along with Cari Gunsallus who is always the voice of logic and reason. Thanks to Debbie Shields Lyon and Judy Ashley for their attention to detail and to the readers who have found a place on their reading list for the Lantano Valley novellas.

  If you have enjoyed your time here, please make sure you check out my Tremayne Family Romance Trilogy. For those who found Theresa Juliano entertaining, she plays a pretty significant role in those books. ASKING FOR TROUBLE (4-1/2 stars, RT Book Reviews) and HERE COMES TROUBLE (5-stars, THE ROMANCE REVIEWS) are on sale now. THE TROUBLE WITH NATHAN will be released February 16, 2016.

  Stay tuned for Ella's and Audra's stories (coming in late 2015/early 2016).

  If you're interested in connecting with me online, you can find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnaJStewart and on Twitter as @AJStewartWriter. Sign up for my newsletter to be entered in to my subscriber only giveaways or drop me a note anytime via http://www.authorannastewart.com. I would love to hear from you!

  Happy reading!

  ~Anna J

  Anna J. Stewart

  PRAISE AND AWARDS

  USA Today & National Bestselling Author

  2012 RWA ® Golden Heart ® Nominee, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements

  "True to life characters, palpable emotion, and spine-tingling romance. The talented Anna J Stewart delivers every time!"

  ~NYTimes & USA Today Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

  "[Anna J Stewart writes] refreshingly unique, quietly humorous, and profoundly moving romance." ~RT Book Reviews

  Knotty Magic

  By Jodi Redford

  Knotty Magic

  Copyright © Jodi Redford 2015

  All’s fair in love and war...until voyeuristic nature spirits break out the Spanish Fly.

  Two things routinely drive professional axe man, Huck McKenzie, to drink—tree-huggers and Tully Eastwood. The woman might be a walking wet dream, but she’s also the biggest pain in Huck’s backside.

  And right now she's dead-set on bringing his current logging operation to a grinding halt because of some supposedly magical tree.

  Between a tree and a hard place.

  Tully has been up against some blockhead men in her days, but Huck pushes her buttons like no other. Unfortunately, those gorgeous muscles and adorable dimples of his also make her long to rip off his flannel-covered buttons and get down to some frisky business with the sexy and infuriating man.

  Hormones be damned, she won’t succumb to her attraction for Huck—until she finds herself trapped overnight with him in the woods.

  Barking up the wrong tree can have sinful consequences.

  When a full moon and an enchanted forest spin their wicked spell on Huck and Tully, resistance drops faster than their clothes. The hot passion that flares between them is enough to make a garden gnome blush. Giving into lust is one thing. Can two stubborn hearts take a chance on love? It’ll take a whole lotta knotty magic to pull off this miracle...

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Why do I have a bad feeling you’re going to call me in an hour needing bail money?”

  Tuning out her grandmother’s dire prediction, Tully Eastwood gunned the engine of her ancient station wagon and slammed the gear into reverse. A car horn blared, presumably in response to her nearly clipping its front end. She offered the offended driver a wave in apology and received the woman’s middle finger in return.

  Well, that was just plain rude and uncalled for. Grumping under her breath, Tully finished backing up, allowing the vehicle to speed past her. Shaking her head, she straightened the steering wheel and dared a glance toward the curb fronting Blue Moon Books. Her granny remained glued in place, worry stitching a new batch of wrinkles across her brow.

  Sighing, Tully ducked her head out the window. “Stop your fretting. I promise to keep my cool.”

  “Dearest, you don’t know the meaning of that word. It’s the curse of being a redhead and an Eastwood. That poor man doesn’t stand a chance.”

  No, he doesn’t. Whatever it took, she was going to knock some sense into Huck McKenzie’s thick noggin. Grinding her teeth, Tully shifted into drive and stomped on the gas.

  Trying to keep track of the occasions she and Huck butted heads could be its own full time job. Seriously. Yes, she was outspoken about certain things, especially when it came to preserving the pristine beauty of their small community. But someone needed to give a damn. If the logging outfit Huck worked for had their way, they’d end up felling every tree in a hundred mile radius.

  Bad as that might be—and it certainly would be, in her book—this latest development amounted to an all-time low. According to the gossip she’d overheard in the store earlier, Blue Moon’s magic tree was about to face the chopping block. Only this time, a greedy, conscienceless corporation wasn’t to blame. No, that rested squarely on Huck’s shoulders, seeing how he owned the property containing the tree.

  She wasn’t merely pissed about what he was doing. It was a complete act of betrayal. Because for her and Huck, the tree wasn’t only a magical wonder, it was also responsible for their very existence. But instead of honoring that fact and protecting the oak from money grubbing developers, he was cashing in.

  That motherfucker.

  Her grandmother’s words chose that inconvenient moment to pop to the forefront of Tully’s mind. “Go easy on him, Dearest. You know he’s going through a difficult time right now.”

  Beneath the hazy of fury causing her to white-knuckle the steering wheel, another emotion settled in. One far more uncomfortable to acknowledge in the harsh light of day.

  Three days ago Huck’s ex gallivanted back into town after a two year hiatus, flashing an engagement ring—put there by his former best friend. It had to have been a gut punch to Huck. How did she know? She’d experienced that lovely sensation every second of every day during Huck and Melanie’s couplehood.

  Yeah, being in love with her biggest enemy? Clearly she had a Ph.D in irony and WTF are you thinking.

  The half hour drive through the heavily forested terrain of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gave her ample time to wallow to her heart’s content in a big ole tub of self-flagellation. She really needed to get
over this obsession with Huck. Kick it to the curb once and for all. Two decades of pining for the impossible was plenty enough. No more wasted years or tears.

  If they’d started out as sworn enemies maybe she wouldn’t be saddled with these contrary stirrings from her heart. She didn’t want to remember the endearingly sweet boy from her youth. The one who’d always stuck up for her when the bullies picked on her for being weird and awkward.

  Except he’d changed over the last few years. Something hardened him. It didn’t take a psychic to figure out the cause.

  Damn that bitch, Melanie. Why couldn’t she have stayed gone for good? Yes, an uncharitable thought. But considering the current disastrous circumstances, it would have been best for everybody.

  Without warning, the station wagon hit a pothole the size of Alaska, unceremoniously preempting Tully’s mental grousing. She bounced hard in her seat, her head ramming into the roof. Wincing, she scrambled to regain control of the wheel. The vehicle veered wildly to the right, bee-lining straight for a stand of trees. Pulse accelerating in tandem with the runaway car, she pumped the brakes, her stomach pitching when they refused to catch.

  All of that bullshit about seeing your life flash before your eyes in a moment like that? Totally true.

  The station wagon’s front tires slid down the embankment, picking up speed. A towering wall of birch loomed beyond the windshield. Oh my God. This was it. The final checkout. At least she put on underwear this morning. When cashing in an express pass to certain death you’ve gotta grasp any silver lining.

  She steeled herself for the inevitable impact.

  A shudder vibrated through the seat. It took forever to realize the sensation came from somewhere other than her tensed frame. Her cells buzzing from the adrenaline cocktail rush, she stared out the windshield.

  The forest edge remained in the exact spot she’d glimpsed it moments ago. But instead of barreling toward it, her vehicle seemed to be...suspended in mid-air. The instant that miraculous observation bloom into fruition the odd shuddering stopped and the station wagon thumped to the ground with a teeth-rattling clank.