by Jo Grafford
“Married less than an hour and already cruising other guys, huh?” Josh muttered in her ear. He had his good arm wrapped around her, and he was gently rocking her in time to the music. It was one of those sweet, slow songs.
For an answer, she turned her face to find her husband’s mouth. “You make me happy, Josh,” she murmured against his lips. “So happy that I guess I want everyone else around me to be happy, too.”
He raised his head a fraction to gaze into her eyes. “I take it we’re talking about your ex-billionaire boyfriend?”
“Technically, we never dated.” She longed to lay Josh’s jealousy to rest, once and for all. She really didn’t want to give up her friendship with Kellan, altogether. “I was just his plus one a few times to charity events and such. We never once did this.” She brushed her lips against her husband’s hard mouth again.
“You’re kidding? Not even once?” His expression turned incredulous.
“Not even,” she assured.
His lips twitched. “Are you trying to make me feel bad about breaking his hand earlier?”
“Josh! You did not—?” She twisted in his embrace to glance again at Kellan. “Wow! I guess that explains why Patty was playing doctor over there.”
Josh nuzzled the side of her neck. “You’re welcome.”
She smiled at the husky adoration in his voice.
“I love you, Josh. So much,” she sighed.
“Does that mean you’re about ready to kick out the rest of the herd, so I can have you all to myself?” he asked hopefully.
“Soon,” she promised, reaching up to touch his cheek.
Gosh, but they had a million challenges ahead as they continued to jointly steer Heart Lake High toward a better tomorrow. But tonight, the most pressing task at hand was swaying beneath the twinkling white bulbs, lost in the magic of each other’s eyes, intoxicated with the wonder of being Mr. and Mrs. at long last.
Like this book? Leave a review now!
Join Jo’s List and never miss a new release or a great sale on her books.
Ready to read about about Kellan’s pursuit of the lovely Dr. Iwasaki, who is convinced she doesn’t have time to date? Not that she’d be foolish enough to risk her heart on a billionaire playboy, anyway…
Keep turning for a sneak peek at Song of Nightingales.
Much love,
Jo
Sneak Preview: Song of Nightingales
A billionaire playboy trying to turn over a new leaf, a lovely doctor claiming to be too busy to commit to a relationship, and his relentless pursuit of a second chance at love…
As the new CEO of the Black Ties philanthropic foundation, Kellan Maddox is determined to revamp his image from a billionaire playboy to that of a socially responsible executive. The first big project he tackles is helping to rebuild the small town of Heart Lake, Texas, which has been severely damaged by tornadoes. Naturally, he chose this particular project in this particular town in the hopes of turning his amazing friendship with a hometown girl into something more. Old habits die hard. But he sees no reason why he can’t turn over a new leaf plus win the heart of a beautiful, successful woman at the same time. It’s a win-win, right? Until it becomes painfully clear she has unfinished business with a bull riding champion from her past…
A former nurse who worked her way through medical school, Dr. Patty Iwasaki has chosen to set up practice at the rural Heart Lake Medical Center to continue dodging the pressures of old family money, ancient family politics, and their latest attempt at an arranged marriage. Small town life suits her just fine. She loves working with country folks — ranchers, farmers, and rodeo riders. Plus, she’s slowly making a difference in the quality of medical care available on the adjacent Native reservation. Everything is going fine until her bestie insists on introducing her to the billionaire playboy newcomer in town. A guy who represents everything she hates. A guy who’s also spent the last few months pursuing that same best friend.
Neither is prepared for the spark of instant attraction, which Patty quickly chalks up to long work hours and exhaustion. However, she’s never gone head-to-head with a man possessing his brand of devastating charm. Though her better judgment keeps issuing a resounding no, her heart keeps saying yes. Unfortunately, a man of Kellan’s reputation can’t claim she’s his first, second, third or even his tenth choice. But can he convince her that she’s his final choice? The right choice? The one and only for him?
Welcome to Heart Lake! A small town teaming with old family rivalries, the rumble of horses’ hooves, and folks — on both sides of the law and everywhere in between — that you’ll never forget.
HEART LAKE #2: Song of Nightingales
Coming June, 2021 to eBook, paperback, and Kindle Unlimited!
Much love,
Jo
Sneak Preview: Accidental Hero
Matt
I can’t believe I fell for her lies!
Feeling like the world’s biggest fool, Matt Romero gripped the steering wheel of his white Ford F-150. He was cruising up the sunny interstate toward Amarillo, where he had an interview in the morning; but he was arriving a day early to get the lay of the land. Well, that was partly true, anyway. The real reason he couldn’t leave Sweetwater, Texas fast enough was because she lived there.
It was one thing to be blinded by love. It was another thing entirely to fall for the stupidest line in a cheater’s handbook.
Cat sitting. I actually allowed her to talk me into cat sitting! Or house sitting, which was what it actually amounted to by the time he’d collected his fiancée’s mail and carried her latest batch of Amazon deliveries inside. All of that was in addition to feeding and watering her cat and scooping out the litter box.
It wasn’t that he minded doing a favor now and then for the woman he planned to spend the rest of his life with. What he minded was that she wasn’t in New York City doing her latest modeling gig, like she’d claimed. Nope. Nowhere near the Big Apple. She’d been shacked up with another guy. In town. Less than ten miles away from where he’d been cat sitting.
To make matters worse, she’d recently talked Matt into leaving the Army — for her. Or them, she’d insisted. A bittersweet decision he’d gladly made, so they could spend more quality time together as a couple. So he could give her the attention she wanted and deserved. So they could have a real marriage when the time came.
Unfortunately, by the time he’d finished serving his last few months of duty as an Army Ranger, she’d already found another guy and moved on. She hadn’t even had the decency to tell him! If it wasn’t for her own cat blowing her cover, heaven only knew when he would’ve found out about her unfaithfulness. Two days before their wedding, however, on that fateful cat sitting mission, Sugarball had knocked their first-date picture off the coffee table, broken the glass, and revealed the condemning snapshot his bride-to-be had hidden beneath the top photo. One of her and her newest boyfriend.
And now I’m single, jobless, and mad as a—
The scream of sirens jolted Matt back to the present. A glance in his rearview mirror confirmed his suspicions. He was getting pulled over. For what? A scowl down at his speedometer revealed he was cruising at no less than 95 mph. Whoa! It was a good twenty miles over the posted speed limit. Okay, this is bad. He’d be lucky if he didn’t lose his license over this — his fault entirely for driving distracted without his cruise control on. My day just keeps getting better.
Slowing and pulling his truck to the shoulder, he coasted to a stop and waited. And waited. And waited some more. A peek at his side mirror showed the cop was still sitting in his car and talking on his phone. Give me a break.
To ease the ache between his temples, Matt reached for the red cooler he’d propped on the passenger seat and dragged out a can of soda. He popped the tab and tipped it up to chug down a much-needed shot of caffeine. He hadn’t slept much the last couple of nights. Sleeping in a hotel bed wasn’t all that restful. Nor was staying in a hotel in the same town where h
is ex lived. His very public figure of an ex, whose super-model figure appeared in all too many commercials, posters, magazine articles, and online gossip rags.
Movement in his rearview mirror caught his attention. He watched as the police officer finally opened his door, unfolded his large frame from the front seat of his black SUV, and stood. But he continued talking on his phone. Are you kidding me? Matt swallowed a dry chuckle and took another swig of his soda. It was a good thing he’d hit the road the day before his interview at the Pantex nuclear plant. The way things were going, it might take the rest of the day to collect his speeding ticket.
By his best estimate, he’d reached the outskirts of Amarillo, maybe twenty or thirty miles out from his final destination. He’d already passed the exit signs for Hereford. Or the beef capital of the world, as the small farm town was often called.
He reached across the dashboard to open his glove compartment and fish out his registration card and proof of insurance. There was going to be no talking his way out of this one, unless the officer happened to have a soft spot for soldiers. He seriously doubted any guy in blue worth his spit would have much sympathy for someone going twenty miles over the speed limit, though.
Digging for his wallet, he pulled out his driver’s license. Out of sheer habit, he reached inside the slot where he normally kept his military ID and found it empty. Right. He no longer possessed one, which left him with an oddly empty feeling.
He took another gulp of soda and watched as the officer finally pocketed his cell phone. Okay, then. Time to get this party started. Matt chunked his soda can in the nearest cup holder and stuck his driver’s license, truck registration, and insurance card between two fingers. Hitting an automatic button on the door, he lowered his window a few inches and waited.
The guy heading his way wore the uniform of a Texas state trooper — blue tie, tan Stetson pulled low over his eyes, and a bit of a swagger as he strode to stand beside Matt’s window.
“License and registration, soldier.”
Guess I didn’t need my military ID, after all, to prove I’m a soldier. An ex soldier, that is. Matt had all but forgotten about the Ranger tab displayed on his license plate. He wordlessly poked the requested items through the window opening.
“Any reason you’re in such a hurry this morning?” the officer mused in a curious voice as he glanced over Matt’s identification. He was so tall, he had to stoop to peer through the window. Like Matt, he was tan, brown haired, and sporting a goatee. However, the officer was a good several inches taller.
“Nothing worth hearing, officer.” My problem. Not yours. Don’t want to talk about it. Matt squinted through the glaring sun to read the guy’s name on his tag. McCarty.
“Yeah, well, we have plenty of time to chat, since this is going to be a hefty ticket to write up.” Officer McCarty’s tone was mildly sympathetic, though it was impossible to read his expression behind his sunglasses. “I clocked you going twenty-two miles over the posted limit, Mr. Romero.”
Twenty-two miles? Not good. Not good at all. Matt’s jaw tightened, and he could feel the veins in his temples throbbing. Looked like he was going to have to share his story, after all. Maybe, just maybe, the trooper would feel so sorry for him that he’d give him a warning. It was worth a try, anyway. If nothing else, it’ll give you something to snicker about over your next coffee break.
“Today was supposed to be my wedding day.” He spoke through stiff lips, finding a strange sort of relief in confessing that sorry fact to a perfect stranger. Fortunately, they’d never have to see each other again.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” Officer McCarty glanced up from Matt’s license to give him what felt like a hard stare. Probably trying to gauge if he was telling the truth or not.
Matt glanced away, wanting to set the man’s misconception straight but not wishing to witness his pity when he did. “She’s still alive,” he muttered. “Found somebody else, that’s all.” He gripped the steering wheel and drummed his thumbs against it. I’m just the poor sap she lied to and cheated on heaven only knew how many times.
He was so done with women, as in never again going to put his heart on the chopping block of love. Better to live a lonely life than to let another person destroy you like that. She’d taken everything from him that mattered — his pride, his dignity, and his career.
“Ouch!” Officer McCarty sighed. “Well, here comes the tough part about my job. Despite your reasons, you were shooting down the highway like a bat out of Hades, which was putting lives at risk. Yours, included.”
“Can’t disagree with that.” Matt stared straight ahead, past the small spidery nick in his windshield. He’d gotten hit by a rock earlier while passing a semi tractor trailer. It really hadn’t been his day. Or his week. Or his year, for that matter. It didn’t mean he was going to grovel, though. The guy might as well give him his ticket and be done with it.
A massive dump truck on the oncoming side of the highway abruptly swerved into the narrow, grassy median. It was a few hundred yards or so away, but his front left tire dipped down, way down, and the truck pitched heavily to one side.
“Whoa!” Matt shouted, pointing to get Officer McCarty’s attention. “That guy’s in trouble!”
Two vehicles on their side of the road passed their parked vehicles in quick succession. A rusted blue van pulling a fifth wheel and a shiny red Dodge Ram. New looking.
Matt laid on his horn to warn them, just as the dump truck started to roll. It was like watching a horror movie in slow motion, knowing something bad was about to happen while being helpless to stop it.
The dump truck slammed onto its side and skidded noisily across Matt’s lane. The blue van whipped to the right shoulder in a vain attempt to avoid a collision. Matt winced as the van’s bumper caught the hood of the skidding dump truck nearly head on, then jack-knifed into the air like a gigantic inchworm.
The driver of the red truck was only a few car lengths behind, jamming so hard on its brakes that it left two dark smoking lines of rubber on the pavement. Seconds later, it careened into the median and flipped on its side. It wasn’t immediately clear if the red pickup had collided with any part of the dump truck. However, an ominous swirl of smoke seeped from its hood.
For a split second, Matt and Officer McCarty stared in shock at each other. Then the officer shoved his license and registration back through the opening in the window. “Suddenly got better things to do than give you a ticket.” He sprinted for his SUV, leaped inside, and gunned it around Matt with his sirens blaring and lights flashing. He drove a short distance and stopped with his vehicle canted across both lanes, forming a temporary blockade.
Matt might no longer be in the military, but his protect-and-defend instincts kicked in. There was no telling how long it could take the emergency vehicles to arrive, and he didn’t like the way the red pick up was smoking. The driver hadn’t climbed out of the cab which wasn’t a good sign.
Officer McCarty reached the blue van first, probably because it was the closest, and assisted a dazed man from one of the back passenger doors. He led the guy to the side of the road, helped him get seated on a small incline, then jogged back to help the next passenger exit the van. Unfortunately, Officer McCarty was only one man, and this was much bigger than a one-man job.
Following his gut, Matt flung off his emergency brake and gunned his motor up the shoulder, pausing a few car lengths back from the collision. Turning off his motor, he leaped from his truck and jogged across the double lane to the red pickup. The motor was still running, and the smoke was rising more thickly now.
Holy snap! Whoever was in there needed to get out immediately before it caught fire or exploded. Arriving at the suspended tailgate of the doomed truck, he took a flying leap and nimbly scaled the cab to reach the driver’s door. Unsurprisingly, it was locked.
Pounding on the window, Matt shouted at the driver. “You okay in there?”
There was no answer and no movement. Peering closer,
he could make out the still form of a woman. Blonde, pale, and curled to one side. The only thing holding her in place was the snarl of a seatbelt around her waist. A trickle of red ran across one cheek.
Matt’s survival training kicked in. Crouching over the side of the truck, he quickly assessed the damage to the windshield and decided it wasn’t enough to make it the best entry point. Too bad. Because his only other option was to shower the driver with glass. Sorry, lady! Swinging a leg, he jabbed the back edge of his boot heel into the edge of the glass, nearest the lock. His luck held when he managed to pop a fist-sized hole instead of shattering the entire pane.
Reaching inside, he unlocked the door and pulled it open. The next part was a little trickier, since he had to reach down, way down, to unbuckle the woman and catch her weight before she fell. It would’ve been easier is she was conscious and able to follow instructions. Instead, he was going to have to rely on his many years of physical training.
I can do this. I have to do this. An ominous hiss of steam and smoke from beneath the front hood stiffened his resolve and made him move faster.
“Come on, lady,” Matt muttered, releasing her seatbelt and catching her. With a grunt of exertion, he hefted her free of the mangled cab. Then he half-slid, half hopped to the ground with her in his arms and took off at a jog.
Clad in jeans, boots, and a pink and white plaid shirt, she was lighter than he’d been expecting. Her upper arm, that his left hand was cupped around, felt desperately thin despite her baggy shirt. It was as if she’d recently been ill and lost a lot of weight. One long, strawberry blonde braid dangled over her shoulder, and a sprinkle of freckles stood out in stark relief against her pale cheeks.