Her Forbidden Cowboy

by Charlene Sands

  Bluegrass music played in the background, but no one could hear a word. The place was hopping, conversations from crowded tables going a mile a minute.

  She was halfway through her salad when someone tapped on a microphone, the screeching sound check enough to bust an eardrum. Finally, the sound leveled out, the background bluegrass was history, and George, the restaurant manager, spoke into the mike. “We have a little surprise in store for you tonight,” he said from the front of the room. She had to crane her neck to see him above the heads bobbing to catch a look. “Our own Zane Williams is back in town, and he’s got a new song he wants to sing for all of you. Sort of a trial run, so to speak. I know not a single one of you will mind being serenaded tonight. So let’s give Zane a big Beckon welcome.”

  Applause broke out, and just like that, Zane stepped up with a guitar strap slung over his shoulder. His six-foot-two frame, black hat and studded white shirt made him stand out from the crowd like no one else could, especially since a spotlight miraculously shone on him like a sainted cowboy who traveled with his own glow.

  Lord, help her. He was amazing. She’d almost forgotten how much. And her heart did a little flip. She faced her mother who refused to look at her. And suddenly it clicked. The innuendo at the cemetery, her mother’s suspicious behavior today, the we’ll sees and the I’m sure she wills.

  Oh, Mama, what did you do?

  Sally was beaming and mouthing, Did you know?

  She shook her head.

  And then Zane commanded his audience with simple words. “Thank y’all for letting me interrupt your meal and try out my new song on you. George, I owe you one, buddy,” he said, smiling at the man standing to his side. “This one here, it’s intended to wish someone I love a happy birthday. So here goes. Oh, it’s called ‘Janie’s Song.’”

  Ohs and ahs swept through the crowd. Everyone knew about Zane’s undying love for Janie. A cold rash of dread kicked Jessica in the gut. Her belly ached. Bile rushed up to her mouth. How could she sit here and listen to the lyrics of the song she’d secretly read, a tribute to the love Zane still had for Janie? His voice was a beautifully rich torture instrument that would crumble her heart to powdery dust.

  Her gaze darted to the door. Could she make an escape without being noticed?

  Zane began to sing. Too late for an escape. He had the floor and a captivated audience. The words she’d remembered, words she’d repeated inside her head a hundred times, poured out of his mouth in a ballad pure and honest, just Zane and his guitar.

  “I will always love you, Janie girl. Without you here, my road was bleak, my path unclear. My heart was yours without a doubt...”

  Her mama took her hand from underneath the table and squeezed. Jessica glanced at her and found warmth brimming in her eyes. Her mother nodded toward Zane with her chin, her gaze fondly returning to him. Jessica looked down. She couldn’t bear to see him sing a love song to another woman, not even to Janie. Not now, not after what they’d shared together. Was that terrible of her?

  He crooned, mesmerizing everyone in the place with his deeply wrought emotions. The pain in his voice was unmistakable, but the lyrics that filled the now quiet room were new, different, changed.

  “I loved you once, and it was fine. The finest love I’d ever known. But I’m movin’ on, my Janie Girl, with a love so true, I know you’d approve. You see, my girl, you love her, too. You love her, too. You love her, too. You love her, too.”

  Jessica snapped her head up. Zane’s eyes were closed, his head tilted, his hand strumming the chords on the guitar gently as the song eased out of him. He seemed free, liberated, somehow unburdened, even as he put his heart and soul into that song.

  She stared at him, unable to shift her eyes away, her mind in an uproar. When he lifted his lids, he focused on her. Only her. He removed his hat in a gallant gesture, and the dark soulful depths of his eyes reeled her in further. All heads in the restaurant turned around. Some people were gaping, others smiling. She recognized quite a few who’d attended her almost-wedding. Her face flamed. What was he doing to her?

  He removed the guitar strap from his shoulder and held his instrument with one hand now. He didn’t seem to care that he was making a spectacle of himself. And her.

  She rose from her seat. The spotlight swiveled to her and flashed in her eyes, making her squint.

  Zane took a step toward her.

  Her heart was beating so fast, she thought she’d faint.

  There was only one thing she could manage right now.

  She bolted.

  Out of the restaurant.

  Into the street.

  And kept on running.

  * * *

  “Ah, hell,” Zane muttered, ignoring the applause from the crowd and granting Mae Holcomb an apologetic shrug before he took off after Jess. It hadn’t gone as he’d planned, that was for doggone sure. His chin held high, he walked out of the restaurant matter-of-factly as if women ran from him every day of the week. As soon as he made it to the street, he darted his head back and forth. Once he spotted Jess nearly a half a football field away, he took off at a sprint. If Doobie Purdy, his track coach, had seen her, he would’ve signed her up.

  But he wasn’t anything if not determined, his long legs no match for her. He caught up to her in no time but slowed to a few paces behind, rethinking what he wanted to say to her. He couldn’t blow it. Not again. Jess meant the world to him.

  “Go away,” she tossed over her shoulder.

  “That’s not nice.” What was nice was seeing her tanned, coltish legs making strides. Lifting his gaze higher to her beautiful backside reminded him of how soft and supple she was, how amazingly gifted she was in the female department.

  She didn’t slow her pace, not for a second.

  “Ouch, damn it. I hurt my foot,” Zane yelped.

  She stopped then and turned, her eyes focused on his fake injury. He saw the depth of her compassion, the love she had for him glowing in her eyes—Dylan hadn’t been wrong—and loved her so damn much right now, he could hardly breathe.

  “You’re not hurt, are you?”

  “My heart is bleeding.”

  She gasped. A good sign.

  “But your foot is fine, right?” She stared at his feet.

  “Well, my foot could be hurt, Jess. Running like a bat outta hell to catch you in these boots isn’t the kind of therapy I need.”

  She shook her head, and the gorgeous mass of blonde hair curled around her face. The run had put a rosy blush on her face, and the material of her coral dress lifted her ample chest with every breath she took, nearly killing him. He inhaled now and was grateful she wasn’t moving again. “You really don’t play fair, Zane.”

  “I needed to see you today. On your birthday.”

  “Zane, what were you thinking? You made a spectacle of me in that restaurant. You of all people know I don’t need another scandal in my life. I’ve had enough of being the laughingstock in this town. I... Why are you really here?”

  “I came for you.”

  Hope popped into her eyes. Another good sign.

  “You changed the words of the song.”

  “Dylan said he thought you’d seen those lyrics. He was right, wasn’t he? Is that why you wouldn’t stay with me?”

  “Dylan? Are you taking advice from the Casanova now?”

  “Don’t knock Dylan. He’s the one who made me see how much I missed you. How stupid I’ve been. And yes, after you left,
I reworked the song, the lyrics coming easy and straight outta my heart. I sang it tonight just for you.”

  She folded her arms, and a warm glint entered her eyes. “But why there, in front of half the town?”

  “I let you go. I was running scared. When you told me you might’ve been carrying my child, I couldn’t deal with it, Jess. I’ve been blaming myself for Janie’s death all this time, feeling guilty about losing her and our child. Deep down, I hated myself. I didn’t think I’d ever want again, or love again. It was easier to live in the moment and not look to the future. But then you left, and I was hollowed out, gutted to my sorry bones. I missed you something fierce. I didn’t think me saying it would be enough. I didn’t know if you’d believe me unless I shouted it from the rooftops.

  “I’m not doing the movie, and the restaurant is the last one I’m building. I’m going to finish up my tour, Jess. I’m through hiding my head in the sand. I’m through not being me.”

  The corners of her mouth lifted. He wanted to see her pretty smile again, but it wasn’t there, not yet. “That’s good, Zane. I’m happy for you.”

  Cars swerved around them. Someone honked a horn. Zane took her hand and guided her out of the middle of the street, to the sidewalk in front of the Cinema Palace. Ironically, it was nearly the same spot where he’d fallen in love with Janie. And now, here he was coming full circle, praying that her sister would agree to spend her life with him.

  “Do you love me, Jess?”

  She stared at him as if he were a three-headed monster.

  “Do you?”

  She pulled her hands free of him. “Yes, you idiot.”

  His face split wide open, and he didn’t care if he looked like a grinning fool. Joy rushed out so fast he couldn’t stop himself from telling her his plans. “I’m selling off my place, Jess. Finally. The land where I lived with your sister will belong to someone else one day soon. I’ll never forget Janie, but it’s time to move on. There’s this beautiful parcel of land I’ve got my eye on. But I want you to see it, too. I want you to love it as much as I do. I’m digging in and putting down roots again, here in Beckon.”

  “But you said you’re going back on tour.”

  “I have to finish it up. I’m bound by the contract, but after that, Jess, I’ll stay here in Beckon and tour only during the summer months, when you’re not teaching.”

  The smile he was praying for was almost there. “Zane, what are you saying?”

  “Oh, yeah, got ahead of myself, didn’t I?” He inhaled deeply and took hold of her hands. “I’ve already spoken to your mama, Jess. She and I worked things out, and she’s given me her blessing. Sweet Jess, my Jess, you’ve helped me heal my body and my heart. And I can’t imagine my life without you. Jessica Holcomb, I’m getting down on one knee,” he said, his knee hitting the pavement. He tilted his head up and gazed into her eyes. “You taught me to look toward the future again. Knowing you, loving you the way I do, has given me the courage I needed to find my true self. I’m not afraid anymore. And I’m asking you for a second chance. I’m asking you to share your life with me. I’m asking you to be my wife, Jess. And Lord knows, have my baby one day. I want that. I really do. I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me, sweet Jess?”

  Her beautiful, soft, grass-green eyes teared up, but her smile was real and genuine and the most beautiful thing about her. She hesitated so long he thought he’d blown it, but then she pulled him up and he stood facing her, his heart in her hands. “No girl marries her rebound guy,” she said, her smile widening. “But me. I love you, Zane. I want to be your wife and spend the rest of my life with you.”

  “I’m so happy you said yes. ’Cause I wasn’t gonna take no for an answer. It’s all sorta weird and wonderful and unexpected, sweetheart, but my love is true. You have to know that.”

  “I do. And I think just like you said in your song, Janie would approve. She’s looking down on us now and giving her blessing, too.”

  Holcomb women sure had a hold on him. “I’d love to believe so.”

  “I believe it, Zane. Let’s go back to the restaurant and share our good news. Mama looked worried when I walked out.”

  “She wasn’t the only one.” Zane took her into his arms and pressed a kiss onto her soft, sweet lips. Planting his stake, claiming his woman. He was gonna hold on tight and never let her go.

  Ever again.

  * * * * *

  If you loved this story from USA TODAY bestselling author Charlene Sands, pick up the books in her series

  THE SLADES OF SUNSET RANCH:

  The sun never sets on love and redemption for these rich Nevada ranchers!

  SUNSET SURRENDER

  SUNSET SEDUCTION

  THE SECRET HEIR OF SUNSET RANCH

  REDEEMING THE CEO COWBOY

  All available now from Harlequin Desire!

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  Keep reading for an excerpt from THIRTY DAYS TO WIN HIS WIFE by Andrea Laurence.

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  Prologue

  “Do you want to get out of here?”

  Amelia Kennedy turned and looked up into the cool blue eyes of her best friend, Tyler Dixon. Of course he would be the one to save her. “Yes, please.” She got up from the banquet table and accepted his hand, happily following him out of the ballroom, through the casino and out to the glittering lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

  Just breathing in the cool desert air made her feel better. Why had she thought her high school reunion would be fun? It was just a room filled with people she never liked, gloating about how great their lives were. Even though she couldn’t care less about what Tammy Richardson—cheerleader and all-around stuck-up brat—had done with her life, hearing Tammy brag had somehow made Amelia feel less enthusiastic about her own achievements.

  It was ridiculous, really. She co-owned her own company and was very successful, but the lack of a ring on her hand and toddler photos on her phone made her the odd girl out tonight. This entire trip was a waste of her precious vacation time.

  Well, not the whole thing. It was worth it to see Tyler. They had been best friends since the ninth grade, but recently they had both gotten so busy they were lucky to see each other once a year. The reunion was a good excuse.

  They stumbled down the sidewalk hand in hand with no destination in mind. It didn’t matter where they ended up. Every step they put between them and the reunion improved Amelia’s mood. That, or—if her softening knees were any indication—the tequila was finally kicking in. A low rumble caught their attention, and they stopped outside the Mirage to watch the periodic eruption of the volcano out front.

  They leaned against the railing, Amelia resting her head on Tyler’s shoulder and sighing with contentment. She really missed spending time with him. There was just something about being with Tyl
er that made the world seem better. There was a comfort and ease in his arms that she’d never found in another man. Although they’d never dated, Tyler had set the bar high for her future relationships. Maybe too high, considering she was still single.

  “Feel better?” he asked.

  “Yes, thank you. I just couldn’t look at any more pictures of weddings and babies.”

  Tyler wrapped his arm around her, chasing away the January desert chill. “That’s what happens at reunions, you know.”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t expect it to make me feel like such a...”

  “Successful, talented businesswoman in control of her own destiny?”

  Amelia sighed. “I was thinking more along the lines of a relationship failure on the fast track to a house with too many cats.”

  “Quit it,” he said in a stern voice. He turned toward her and tipped her chin up so she had to look him in the eye. “You are amazing. You’re beautiful, talented, successful... Any man would be lucky to have you in his life. You just haven’t found one worthy of you yet.”

  That was a nice thought, but it didn’t change the fact that she’d been on a fruitless quest for Mr. Right since she’d come of age. “Thanks, Ty,” she said anyway, as she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in the lapel of his suit.

  He held her tight, resting his chin on the top of her head. It was a simple hug. One they’d shared a hundred times before. But tonight, somehow, it was different. She was suddenly very aware of the movement of his hard muscles beneath his shirt. His cologne tickled her nose, so familiar and yet so enticing in the moment. It made her want to bury her face in his neck and inhale the warm scent of his skin. Run her palms across the rough stubble of his jaw...

  A wave of heat licked at Amelia’s cheeks, and she realized it had nothing to do with the flames shooting across the water beside them. There was a warmth curling in her belly, a need building inside her. It was a familiar arousal, but one she’d never associated with Tyler. He was her best friend. Nothing more.