by Cora Seton
He kissed her this time, putting a stop to her words, showing her that he felt exactly the same and was more than happy to take his chances.
When they broke for air, he finally pulled her in close and held her tight, because, God, it felt so good to hold her. He needed to hold her. To keep her close.
“I love you, too.” He kissed her head. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
She drew back and shook her head, gaze dulling with self-loathing. “You deserve so much better than me—”
“Don’t say that.” He cupped her face and frowned. “Don’t ever say that again. You are exactly perfect for me, Gwen. You’re beautiful and kind. You know guilt and pain and the trials of turning your life around. I love that about you. You’re not showroom. You’re used. With bumps and dings to prove you’ve lived and learned. Just like me.” He set his forehead to hers. “You’re a gift. A sweet, beautiful, very precious gift.”
More tears spilled down her face. “Thank you.” She burrowed into him and sniffled near his ear. “And thanks for putting up with my tears. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think I’m broken.”
She felt so damn good pressed against him, he closed his eyes as he soaked in her calming presence.
“That’s why we fit together so well.” He opened his eyes as she drew back and gazed at him with so much love and support in her warm expression his chest ached.
“I promise I’ll always have your back, Tanner.” She reached up to lightly cup his face. “And together, we’ll help Barry get his personal things in order, and help him prepare to be admitted into the nursing home. We’ll make sure he’s never forgotten.”
His throat closed on that, and he hugged her tight. He was so damn blessed. Having someone by his side that understood what he was going through with his old friend humbled him. He truly was the luckiest man in the world.
He held her close, until he was able to find his voice. “Thanks, Gwen. I—”
First tones dropped from his pager and echoed through the barn, followed by that of his department, calling him to a garage fire.
“Sorry.” He drew back and sighed. “I’ve got to go.”
“I know.” Love warmed her gaze as she brushed his jaw with her thumb. “I’m not the only one who needs you.”
He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. “Will you be okay here? The house is open. I’m sorry, but I can’t drop you off at your cottage. The fire isn’t near town.”
She nodded. “I’ll call Caitlin. You go ahead. Just make sure you come back to me when you’re done.”
He pressed their entwined fingers to his chest. “I’ll always come back to you, Gwen.”
And he would, because she was worth coming back to. Worth fighting for. Worth loving. The only one to ever stick around, sneak under his skin, and get to know the real him. Accept the real him. She was the only one he’d ever cared enough to volunteer his heart.
The End
**♥**
Sparks aren’t the only things to fly whenever a certain dark-haired cowboy is near Lacey and her smart mouth. Which is often, since her brother asked his guard buddy to watch over her while he is away. Too bad she wants more than the cowboy’s delicious, dark gaze on her.
Can the two find another way to show how they feel, or will words get in the way?
♥
Her Indulgent Cowboy
Harland County Series: Book Seven/Jesse
Coming early 2016
**♥**
**♥**
Phoebe’s temporary gig as a substitute music teacher at an elementary school is just what the burnt out, former Broadway star needs to regroup from a demanding, and lately, unsatisfying career. Exposing children to the magic of music has reawakened her love for the basics. The Poconos is a great place to find herself, and she was finding her frequent encounters with the handsome, single father of one of her students has reawakened a different type of passion.
But he’s made it clear he’s not looking for permanent, and for the first time in her life, she’s not looking for temporary. Maybe what his locked up, guarded heart needs is a little song.
♥
Wyne and Song
Citizen Soldier Series: Book Three/Ethan
Coming November 2015
**♥**
***
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Visit me at: www.donnamichaelsauthor.com
***
Harland County Series
Visit my Harland County Series Page at my website www.donnamichaelsauthor.com for release information and updates!
Prequel Book .05: Harland County Christmas-Novella
Book One: Her Fated Cowboy
Book Two: Her Unbridled Cowboy
Book Three: Her Uniform Cowboy
Book Four: Her Forever Cowboy
Book Five: Her Healing Cowboy
Book Six: Her Volunteer Cowboy-Novella
Coming soon:
Book Seven: Her Indulgent Cowboy
Become a Cowboy Tamer!
Drop me a line at [email protected] and request some Cowboy-Tamer swag!
***
Cowboy-Fiancé
Honky Tonk Hearts Series with
The Wild Rose Press
by Donna Michaels
**4 Star RT Magazine Review*&*NOR Reviewer Top Pick**
**Going Global! Now being translated into Japanese as a MANGA!**
Finn Brennan was used to his brother playing practical jokes, but this time he’d gone too far—sending him a woman as a ranch hand, and not just a woman, but a Marine.
When Lt. Camilla Walker’s CO asks her to help out at his family’s dude ranch until he returns from deployment, she never expected to be thrust into a mistaken engagement to his sexy, cowboy twin—a former Navy SEAL who hates the Corps.
The Corps took Finn’s father, his girlfriend and threatened his naval career. He’s worked hard for another shot at getting back to active duty and won’t let his brother’s prank interfere. The last thing he needs is the temptation of a headstrong, unyielding, hot Marine getting in the way.
COWBOY PAYBACK
(Brett’s story)
Coming Soon!
through The Wild Rose Press
***
Citizen Soldier Series
Guarding the hearts of the Pocono Valley
A Harland County Spinoff
Visit my Citizen Soldier Series Page at my website www.donnamichaelsauthor.com for release information and updates!
Book One: Wyne and Dine
Book Two: Wyne and Chocolate
Coming soon:
Book Three: Wyne and Song (Rel. Nov. 2015)
***
Dangerous Curves Series
Guarding the hearts of the Pocono Valley
A Harland County Spinoff
Visit my Dangerous Curves Series Page at my website www.donnamichaelsauthor.com for release information and updates!
Book 1: Locke and Load
Rel. Sept, 9, 2015
Locke and Load
Former Naval Intelligence Officer Lt. Nicole Locke is asked to assist the local police in a murder investigation, and finds herself face-to-face with the only man she ever loved—the man she was forced to jilt in order to save his life.
Det. Cage Burnett vows to do whatever it takes to bring down his partner’s killer, even work with the woman who crushed his heart four years ago when she left him for another man. The dangerous investigation rekindles their desire, but when someone from Nikki’s past reappears and threatens Cage’s future, once again, Locke is loaded with determination to keep the man she loves alive at any cost.
***
Thanks for reading,
~Donna!
Cowboy’s Match
Novel #2 in the Poker Flat series
Lexi Post
‡
Copyright © 2015 by Lex
i Post
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.
For information contact Lexi Post at www.lexipostbooks.com
Cover design by Syneca Featherstone
Cover photo by Billie Dee Williams at www.facebook.com/AbSoluteFotog
Cover model: Don Allen
Desert photo: Robert A. Fabich, Sr.
Excerpt of Pleasures of Christmas Past: A Christmas Carol Book 1 Copyright © 2015 by Lexi Post.
Cowboy’s Match
Two Hearts, Two Fires…
Cowboy Cole Hatcher became a firefighter to support his horse rescue ranch. He never dreamed it would lead him back to his first love, but a fire at the Poker Flat Nudist Resort lands him face-to-face with Lacey Winters. She may have started the fire that ended their relationship, but the sight of her reignites his long buried feelings.
Lacey is shocked the hunky firefighter is the same man who dumped her eight years ago. Cole burned Lacey in the past when he failed to stand by her and she’s determined not to let him back into her heart. But everything about the new Cole is just too hot to resist. He melts her defenses, sweeping her away into a night of erotic passion only to rip open old wounds.
Determined to prove who set the Poker Flat fire and the original fire that destroyed their relationship, Cole investigates both, unearthing ugly truths that reveal even more damage. Now, he’s not sure he can catch the arsonist or the heart of the woman he never stopped loving.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to my better half, Chief Robert Fabich, Sr., for his invaluable help and knowledge of arson, fires and fire suppression. I learned so much…as usual.
For Paige Wood, who really enjoyed this story and keeps the pressure on for me to write the next one. And for my mom, Jo Brous, who came up with the title when I was at a complete loss.
Thank you to Spur Cross Stables in Cave Creek, Arizona for accepting less than perfect horses for trail rides and for allowing me to visit. I especially have to thank the Spur Cross Stables head wrangler Boot (his real name) for spending hours answering all my questions and introducing me to their wonderful horses.
Of course, I dragged my critique partner, Marie Patrick, out to the ranch as well and she was so patient (and learned a lot, too). I struck gold when I met up with her. Last, I’d like to thank Merritt Crowder for her sharp eye and excellent vocabulary.
I couldn’t ask for better resources on this story. Any incorrect information is completely the fault of the author.
Author’s Note
Cowboy’s Match was inspired by Bret Harte’s short story, The Outcasts of Poker Flat, first published in 1869. In Harte’s story, four members of Poker Flat society—a gambler, a prostitute, a madam, and a drunk—are banned from the western settlement when a sudden urge to be virtuous overtakes the citizens. On their way to the next settlement, the outcasts stop to rest at the base of some high mountains. An innocent couple, a young man and his fiancée (a tavern waitress), comes down from the mountains and rests with them. This cast of characters explores the relationship between the innocent and the tainted in Harte’s story.
But what if the lines blur and it becomes unclear who is innocent and who is tainted? Can love become the fire by which the truth is revealed?
Chapter One
‡
Cole Hatcher ignored the yellow and orange streaks of the Arizona sunset and focused on the same colors rising from the burning building as flames moved with the breeze. He spoke into the radio. “Move the two and a half inch to the northwest corner.”
Two firefighters lugged the hose toward the base of the fire at the edge of the partially constructed building. Not more than fifteen feet away was a pile of old barn wood just waiting to ignite.
Stepping back toward the engine, Cole received a nod from Mason, the fire engine monitor, before speaking into the radio again. “Tanker, is the dry hydrant hooked yet?”
“Almost.” The reply was not the answer Cole wanted. They would need more water than an engine and tanker could provide, and the chance of the winds picking up once the sun disappeared were better than a horse getting loose through an open gate.
As if on cue, the whinny of several frightened horses in the nearby barn caused him to tense. There was no way he would let the fire spread that way.
The radio clicked before a firefighter’s voice came through. “We’re hooked.”
Cole breathed easier. As long as he had water, he could put this baby out. “Good. Stay with the tanker. I’ll need someone to come over here and grab the one and a half inch with Clark.” He watched as Clark unwound the hose, already heading toward the construction site that hid behind the smoke and flames of the fire’s onslaught.
Glancing back to where the tanker was parked thirty yards away, Cole swore. “What the hell?” Coming up the hill along the dirt road his trucks had just rolled in on, were at least a half dozen golf carts filled with naked people.
He stifled a laugh. What’d they think this was? A campfire? A Wild West show? Did they plan to make s’mores? This would be a story to tell at the firehouse for sure. Still, as with all spectators to a disaster, it wasn’t safe for them to be there. He silently wished he had a radio to communicate with the owner, who had enough sense to keep the resort guests from getting any closer.
For over a year, he’d been curious about the Poker Flat Nudist Resort, but Clark had been chosen to give the fire extinguisher class to all the employees before the resort opened three months ago, and Cole had no official reason to come check it out. Fighting a fire wasn’t a good way to learn about a place. Whatever this new construction was, it was toast. His concern was with the barn and the horses and which way the wind would blow next.
An explosion from the fire shook the ground as flames shot into the air. “Shit.” What the hell did they have in that unfinished building? The two men with the smaller hose lost their footing and fell, but since they hadn’t made it to the fire yet, they were unharmed.
He’d be damned if he’d put his men in harm’s way when no lives were at stake.
He turned toward the owner and motioned her closer, then faced the burning construction site. As the sky behind the fire turned a dull pink, the breeze picked up, changing the direction of the flames toward the open desert. Good for the horses, but not for wildfire potential. It’d been the driest summer on record. October temperature highs had finally dropped below triple digits and the nights were already getting cold, but there had been no rain during monsoon season.
Cole spoke into the radio again. “I need the two and half inch to lay down a curtain between the building and the open desert on your side.”
“Got it.” The two firefighters adjusted their hose and started a continual spray, wetting and cooling the area toward the open desert even as the men with the one and a half inch hose moved in to cover the fire base.
“Lieutenant, you wanted us?” The female voice had him turning around.
He’d forgotten he’d called over the owner. At least she and the cowboy with her were dressed. “You need to get those people out of here. I can’t control the fire’s embers and right now the wind is picking up.”
The tall man nodded. “I’ll take care of that.” He immediately strode toward the golf cart brigade.
Cole turned his attention to the woman. “I’ve got my men focused on keeping the fire from spreading to your barn or out into the desert. A wildfire would be catastrophic, but we won’t be able to save the building.”
She waved her hand as if it meant little to her. “I’m not worried about the building as long as everyone is safe.”
“Have you accounte
d for all your employees and guests?”
“Yes.”
Another explosion had Cole turning away to check on his men. A voice came across his radio. “What the fuck is in here? A chemical lab?”
Cole frowned. He’d never thought of how convenient it would be to have a meth lab out at a nudist resort. He’d make sure the police investigated the place in case there had been illegal activity.
He looked at the owner. “How many more explosions should we expect?”
She frowned. “We had one before you arrived, that’s what alerted me to the fire, but there shouldn’t be anything that would explode over there. The plywood for the roof was completed, but they hadn’t even set the windows in yet. All that was there was whatever the construction crew left.”
“Do you have electricity out there yet?”
She shook her head.
Shit. “Gasoline for their generator.” He spoke into his radio again. “Possible gas containers.”
A gust of wind compounded his problems and he quickly repositioned his men. A siren could barely be heard in the distance, but the red and blue lights of a sheriff department car reflected far into the desert. About time they got here.
Cole spared a glance to where the golf carts had been parked and was relieved to see only a few left, but he scowled as a young woman with golden hair moved toward him and the owner, a tray of food and drinks in her hands. Shit, didn’t these people realize this was a working fire? This was dangerous!
A third explosion rocked the ground and he spun in time to see a gust of wind pick up the roiling flames and throw them toward his men. He pressed the button on his radio. “Fall back!”