Valentine’s Day dawned clear and cold. The shop was crazy busy with all hands on deck, but she made sure that sales were recorded and inventory tracked. The new regime was in place. Ingrid’s Love at First Sight coffee drink brought in a boatload of money.
Abigail gave Doug and Yolanda big hugs at the end of the day and sent them home. Then she collapsed into a bistro chair across from where Ingrid was sitting with two mugs of Love at First Sight coffee.
“Because we deserve it.” She raised her cup. “To you, Abigail.”
“To you, Ingrid.”
“Roxanne and I are going over to the Guzzling Grizzly for the Valentine’s bash tonight. Want to come?”
“No, thanks.”
“I’m just curious. Did you get Luke a gift?”
“I got Delilah a gift.” She described it.
“Aw! That’s precious. You need to take it over there. Doesn’t have to be today, I guess.”
She gazed at her friend. “I think it does. I think it’s time for this girl to admit she’s been wrong.”
Ingrid went into spasms of joy. “Drink your coffee and get out of here, then. But what are you giving Luke? I mean, aside from the obvious, lots of nookie.”
“I’ll show you.” Leaving the table, she went into her office and came back with the heart-shaped bakery boxes they’d special-ordered because they looked so classy.
“Bakery items are always a hit.”
“It isn’t a bakery item.” She opened it and showed Ingrid the contents.
“Oh, my God, you do know that man. Okay, now leave, leave right now. I’ll finish up here.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She hurried upstairs to fetch the tag and hopped in her SUV. What if he wasn’t home? She could text him. No. She wouldn’t have the slightest idea what to say in a text.
The drive seemed to take forever, but at last she pulled up in front of his house. Smoke drifted up from the chimney. He was home.
Delilah’s bark sounded from inside the house and he came out on the porch with her by his side. He was so beautiful she teared up. They were both beautiful. She’d almost blown her chance at something wonderful.
When she climbed out, Delilah dashed toward her, tongue out, tail going a mile-a-minute. Luke called her back, but she paid no attention.
Abigail tucked the box under her arm and crouched down. “I’ve missed you, girl.” Her voice was a little wobbly as she stroked the dog’s silky head. “Missed you so much.”
Then she stood and faced the man standing on the porch. He hadn’t bothered to put on a jacket. He had to be cold, but he held his ground.
As well he should. She walked toward him, Delilah prancing by her side. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
He didn’t respond, but his gaze locked with hers. She couldn’t read it.
“You were right.”
He cleared his throat. “About what?”
“Me taking control of my own finances, my own business.” She climbed the steps and held out the box. “This is for you. You can keep it or throw it in the fire. I have another copy plus a backup on my computer.”
He took the heart-shaped box and opened it. His eyes widened. Then he pulled out the printed sheets. “You did this?”
“Yep. Roxanne loaned me her book, but I did it all myself.”
“Congratulations.”
She could read his expression, now. His eyes glowed with warmth and…dared she believe something more? “Thank you. I, um, have something else, something for Delilah.” She took the tag out of her pocket, put it in her palm and held it out to him.
He glanced down. His throat moved and he looked up again. “Abby…”
“I know you were thinking of getting one, but if this isn’t right, or you’ve already—”
“I haven’t.” He sounded a little hoarse. He tucked the spreadsheets back in the box, took the metal tag and put that in before closing the flaps. “Do you want to come in?”
“That would be nice.”
He opened the door and waited for her to go through. Delilah followed, beside herself with excitement.
After walking in, he set the box on the coffee table before turning to her. “Before you say anything else, there’s something you need to know.”
Her stomach churned. He looked so serious. Had her behavior ruined what they had, after all? Was he going to ask her to leave? Well, she would, but she wouldn’t give up hope. They’d had something great and they could still—
“I needed time to think, but if you hadn’t come out here tonight, I was planning to come to you on Saturday.”
“Oh.” To break up with her for good? Anxiety made her tremble.
“I don’t want to be your business partner, but—” He paused and took a deep breath. “I’m hoping we can still build a life together.”
She stared at him at bewilderment. He wasn’t angry with her. Instead he—
“I love you, Abby.”
Her vision blurred and she pressed a hand to her chest. She was shaking so bad she didn’t know if she’d be able to get the words out.
But she had to. He needed to hear them. ”I…l-love y-you, t-too.”
“Thank God.” In two strides, he was there and his mouth covered hers.
That was all it took for her world to make sense—the warmth of his love, the shelter of his arms…and the magic of his kiss.
But Wait, There’s More!
FREE McGavin Brothers Prequel!!
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Coming in March! A COWBOY’S LUCK, book eight in the McGavin Brothers series.
And don’t miss Zane, Cody, Ryker, Bryce and Trevor’s stories, available now!
Want more cowboys? Check out my Sons of Chance and Thunder Mountain Brotherhood series!
MIDNIGHT THUNDER – (TMB #1) Cade Gallagher must save his foster parents’ ranch and win the heart of the woman he left behind.
WANTED! – (SOC #1) Can sexy cowboy Nick Chance convince a beautiful photographer to see the man behind the muscles?
Praise for Vicki’s cowboy series
“Vicki Lewis Thompson has a reputation for putting enough sizzle between the pages to actually create steam.”
Fresh Fiction
“This modern cowboy tale expertly balances sex and emotion with a touch of humor. It’s one of the hottest western romances of the year!”
RT Book Reviews
“Once again Ms. Thompson’s writing is crisp and straightforward, with an uncanny ability to weave the beautiful western landscape of the Grand Tetons into the storyline. Overall a hot, sexy read.”
Harlequin Junkie
Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson
The McGavin Brothers
A Cowboy’s Strength
A Cowboy’s Honor
A Cowboy’s Return
A Cowboy’s Heart
A Cowboy’s Courage
A Cowboy’s Christmas
Thunder Mountain Brotherhood
Midnight Thunder
Thunderstruck
Rolling Like Thunder
A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe
Cowboy All Night
Cowboy After Dark
Cowboy Untamed
Cowboy Unwrapped
In the Cowboy’s Arms
Say Yes to the Cowboy
Do You Take This Cowboy?
Sons of Chance
Wanted!
Ambushed!
Claimed!
Should've Been a Cowboy
Cowboy Up
Cowboys Like Us
Long Road Home
Lead Me Home
Feels Lik
e Home
I Cross My Heart
Wild at Heart
The Heart Won't Lie
Cowboys and Angels
Riding High
Riding Hard
Riding Home
A Last Chance Christmas
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson’s love affair with cowboys started with the Lone Ranger, continued through Maverick, and took a turn south of the border with Zorro. She views cowboys as the Western version of knights in shining armor, rugged men who value honor, honesty and hard work. Fortunately for her, she lives in the Arizona desert, where broad-shouldered, lean-hipped cowboys abound. Blessed with such an abundance of inspiration, she only hopes that she can do them justice.
Connect with Vicki online!
VickiLewisThompson.com
[email protected]
A Cowboy's Kiss (The McGavin Brothers Book 7) Page 19