by Annie Rains
“You could’ve let me decide that,” she whispered, fighting back her tears. He’d hurt her when he’d taken back his love. It still hurt to think about that night.
“You’re right. Julie, I love you. There’s no stopping that, not even if I wanted to. And I don’t want to.”
Her body trembled as she listened.
Then he dropped to his knees in front of her. “This is the Please-Forgive-This-Stupid-Jerk pose. I plan on holding it for as long as it takes.”
“For what?” she asked, lifting her chin and wishing she wasn’t hanging on his every word.
“For you to say that you forgive me. This is a tandem pose. Forgiveness takes two people. One to ask and the other to say they will. I’m so sorry I hurt you, Julie.”
She took a long breath. “Lawson, you’re only doing this because you’re staying. If you were still leaving, you wouldn’t be taking me with you. I never mattered to you enough.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn’t hold them back anymore.
He reached for her hand and held it in his as he remained on his knees. “That’s where you’re wrong. You mattered too much. I didn’t want to tear you away from your home.”
“You’re a Marine. You could get orders five minutes from now. Then what?”
He stood, leveling his gaze with hers. “Then I’ll selfishly beg you to go with me. I don’t want to lose you ever again. I meant it when I first told you I’m in love with you. I mean it even more now.”
Her breath hitched in her chest. He lifted a finger and wiped away her tears.
“I love you, too,” she whispered, unable to hold on to her anger. “And you’re wrong. This town is where I was born, but with you is where I’m home.”
“Can you forgive me?” he asked.
She sniffled and nodded. “Don’t even think about leaving without me ever again, though,” she said, forcing a stern voice.
“Yes, ma’am.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her mouth softly for a long moment. Then, pulling back, he met her tear-filled gaze again. “This is the pose I like best. My arms around you, holding you, loving you.”
“Do you have a name for this one, too, Captain?” she asked, pressing her body into his, melting against his warmth.
“Yeah. This is called the Forever pose.”
She smiled up at him, so in love with this man. “It’s my favorite.”
“Mine, too.”
Then, as the sun melted on the horizon, painting a backdrop of pink and orange and blue, Lawson laid out a blanket and guided Julie to the ground, laying her back in the middle of the field of dandelions.
“Don’t ever try to leave me again,” she whispered, as he sprinkled kisses along her neck.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He lifted his head, looking down at her, serious. “You tame every wild part of me. You calm my storm and make me feel like I’m flying. You are everything to me, Julie, and I will spend every second, of every day, for the rest of my life hoping I can be the same for you.”
She cupped her hands around his face. “You have yourself a deal, cowboy.” Although he was already all those things to her and more. “Now make love to me,” she said, laughing.
Lawson dipped and pressed his mouth to hers. “Forever,” he whispered.
She savored the sound of that word on his lips. “Forever,” she answered back.
Epilogue
Julie smiled at the reflection of her and Lawson in their full-length bedroom mirror. He was standing behind her with his arms around her waist, his chin propped on her shoulder. They looked picture-perfect with her in her favorite little black dress and highest high heels. And him in a nice button-down shirt and dark pants. His hair was still wet from his shower—which she’d momentarily joined in on—and his face was cleanly shaven.
He kissed the curve of her neck. “Ready to go?”
She nodded, suddenly consumed with gratitude. Happiness. Disbelief that in a matter of a few months everything had changed for her. “Let’s go.”
The “sex party,” as Val had titled it, was taking place in a private room at one of the nicer restaurants in Seaside. There was excited chatter as Julie and Lawson walked in.
“Julie!” Kat called, heading in their direction. She was holding a longneck wineglass, which had Julie’s eyes widening.
“What is that?” Julie asked, pointing at the clear liquid inside.
“Ginger ale, of course. Hey, Lawson,” Kat said, smiling over at him.
“I half-expected Val to decorate the room with male and female parts on everything,” Julie joked.
“I vetoed that idea.” Kat shook her head and then rested a hand on her barely visible stomach.
Julie’s heart squeezed. “I can’t wait to find out the news.”
“Well, you don’t have to wait long,” Val announced, walking up from behind. “Because at this party, we have dessert first.” She held up a silver tray of cupcakes. They were all neutral-colored with a buttercream frosting on top, sprinkled with chocolate shavings. On each one was a small plastic baby’s rattle
“They’re almost too pretty to eat,” Lawson said.
All three women looked at him.
“No cupcake is ever too pretty to eat. Especially when you’re pregnant.” Kat looped her arm with Micah’s, who was standing beside her now. “Besides, I can’t wait another second to find out what kind of baby we’re having.”
“Hopefully a human one.” Lawson grinned at Ben, seated in his wheelchair at the table. He was going to be a big brother to a little girl or boy. That’s what they were all here to find out. Beside Ben, Sabrina squirmed in her chair, eyes fixed on the cupcakes. Julie could already imagine the fight she’d put up tonight when it was time for Beth to put her to bed.
Setting the tray on the long rectangular table, Val cleared her throat. “Sit down, everyone.” She looked at Kat and Micah. “Not you two. You two stand, so we all have a clear view when you take that first bite.” She lifted a cupcake and handed it to Micah. “You’re supposed to feed it to her. Kind of like a wedding cake.”
“And the cake will be blue or pink?” Kat asked.
“That’s right.” Val rubbed her hands together.
Julie reached for Lawson’s hand under the table. She really didn’t care if she was getting a niece or a nephew, as long as the baby was healthy, and happy, which it would be coming into this growing family.
“Here we go.” Micah lifted the cake to Kat’s mouth and Kat took a large, messy bite, leaving frosting on the top of her lip. Everyone laughed and then there was a collective “Awww!”
“It’s pink!” Ben announced loudly. “I’m getting a sister!”
Julie stood and threw her arms around Kat’s neck. “I’m getting a niece! Congratulations, big sister!”
There were tears and laughter, and excited chatter.
Val joined them in the group hug. “And I’m getting a mini-Kat. I can’t wait!”
They ate their meals after that and just before Julie was ready to nudge Lawson out the door, a waiter walked in holding another tray with a large chocolate cake and flickering candles.
“Not so fast,” Lawson said, tapping a spoon to his glass. No one else seemed to be surprised. Only Julie.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Did you think we’d forget your birthday?” Lawson said.
Julie lowered her voice. “I thought we were having a private celebration later.”
“We can still do that. It’s your night and you get what you want.” He winked at her and all her feelings came bubbling to the surface along with tears in her eyes. “But first you get cake. It’s half chocolate, half vanilla because a woman gets to choose on her birthday.”
Julie laughed, pushing back memories of her last birthday when she’d had no say in her cake. She turned to look back at Kat. “But this is your party.”
“We’re family. We share things.”
There were more warm feelings, lots of them. The
candles of the cake flickered in front of her, inviting her to lean in and prepare to blow them out.
“What are you going to wish for?” Lawson asked, wrapping an arm around her.
“I have everything I could ever wish for,” she said, meaning it. There wasn’t one thing she could think of that she wanted right now. Cliché as it sounded, she had it all.
Leaning forward toward the cake, she closed her eyes and wished that everything would stay this perfect forever. It was an impractical wish, not one that could be wrapped up in brightly colored paper and a bow. She took a deep breath, slid her eyes toward Lawson, then blew out the thirty candles on her cake, hoping with every cell in her body that her wish would come true.
“I have another present for you when we get home,” Lawson said as the cake was cut and passed around.
She looked at him. He’d already given her too much.
“It’s hidden somewhere on my body,” he said, teasing her. “Or you could just look in my shirt pocket.”
She noticed a piece of paper folded there now. “Can I have it now?” she asked.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot that you’re not much on surprises.” He pulled it out and held it for a long moment. Looking at her, he said, “You have changed me, Julie Chandler, in all the best ways. I love you. I thought it might be time to take the next step in our relationship.”
Her heart kicked into triple beat. They’d already moved in with each other. What was the next step? Surely they weren’t ready for marriage just yet. They’d discussed it and they both wanted to wait. “Next step?”
His smile twitched. “Uh-huh. It’s time for us to take our first couple’s vacation.”
“Vacation,” she repeated, feeling the tension in each muscle dissolve. She loved Lawson and she’d marry him tomorrow, but she wanted to savor dating each other just a while longer. She took the paper he handed her, unfolded it, and read:
HAWAII COUPLE’S YOGA RETREAT
“Oh, my—” She held a hand to her mouth. Happy tears came spilling over onto her cheeks. She couldn’t stop them as they sat quietly together, unnoticed by everyone else. “This is the best gift anyone has ever given me. It’s perfect.”
Lawson shrugged and, if she wasn’t mistaken, his eyes were shiny, too. “I’m actually looking forward to it. Tropical island, yoga, you.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you so much. I love it,” she whispered in his ear. Pulling back, she looked at him and grinned. “Now take me home, cowboy, and let me thank you properly.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Yes, ma’am.”
For my children. Being your mother will always be my favorite thing.
Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank in the making of this book. I want to thank my family, who inspire and motivate me every day. Sonny, you have always been my biggest fan, believing in my dream and pushing me to go after it. I couldn’t do this without you!
Thanks to my agent, Sarah Younger, whom I adore and who keeps the Derek and Debbie Downers at bay. And to my editor, Junessa Viloria, whom I also adore, for taking my writing and making it shine. I also want to thank Gina Watchel, Erika Seyfried, Ashleigh Heaton, Lynn Andreozzi, Nancy Elgin, Penny Haynes, and all of the Loveswept/Random House Publishing Group team for their part in putting this book on the virtual shelves.
Thank you to my critique partner, Rachel Lacey. You inspire me so much. This writing life would be absolutely boring without you. A big shout-out and thanks also goes out to my #girlswritenight crew: Rachel Lacey, April Hunt, Sidney Halston, and Tif Marcelo. You are an amazing group of women that I am so lucky to have on this journey. I look forward to celebrating all of your successes!
Thank you to Charles for letting me pick your brain on Marine Corps pilots. And to all the military men and women who demonstrate what true heroes and heroines looks like. Thank you for your service and for the inspiring way you lead and protect this country.
Thanks, first and foremost, to God. Every day that I get to write and do what I love, surrounded by all of these amazing people, is a true blessing. I am so grateful.
BY ANNIE RAINS
Welcome to Forever
Welcome Home, Cowboy
PHOTO: SARAH SAVAGE PHOTOGRAPHY
ANNIE RAINS is a contemporary romance author who writes small-town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their country, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and three children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.
annierains.com
@AnnieRains_
Find Annie Rains on Facebook
The Editor’s Corner
April is a promise of spring, and Loveswept romance is here to warm things up.
L. P. Dover continues her edgy, emotionally gripping Second Chances series with the story of a beautiful widow who can’t resist a chiseled NFL player in Catching Summer. The Society of Gentlemen series from K. J. Charles continues with the sizzling A Gentleman’s Position. For a new series, ladies, meet Micah, a man who takes what he wants—until he meets the one woman he needs in Stacey Kennedy’s Bound Beneath His Pain. An epic love affair steals the show in Stina Lindenblatt’s This One Moment. Annie Rains continues her small-town Hero’s Welcome series with a cowboy turned Marine in Welcome Home, Cowboy. Gillian Archer is hot on the trend of MC romance, introducing her True Brothers series with Ruthless. And MC Sons of Odin returns with Violetta Rand’s irresistible novel about a sexy-as-sin biker who tempts a good girl to go bad, Possession.
Off the Hook from USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry is the first in her Fishing for Trouble series featuring three unforgettable brothers—each of whom is a great catch. Then the swoon-worthy McKinney Brothers series from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor continues with J.T. in Worth It All. USA Today bestselling author Alexis Morgan kicks off her new Sergeant Joe’s Boys series with Always for You: Jack, where a foster son learns about love and life in record time. And the new Fireside series tells a story of an old love reunited in His to Love from new Loveswept author Stacey Lynn. USA Today bestselling writing duo M. J. Fields and Chelsea Camaron are back with the Caldwell brothers in Jagger, which is not only full of swagger and sensuality, but also packs an emotional punch as the last bachelor standing fights for a woman who’s worth every ounce of trouble. And yet another Aces Hockey romance from Kelly Jamieson releases this month featuring pro hockey hunk Duncan in Icing. There’s also something naughty for you from New York Times bestselling author Jen McLaughlin in Lust Is the Thorn, where a soon-to-be ordained priest has to decide whom he loves more. Then prepare yourself for razor-sharp suspense from New York Times bestselling author Patricia Rosemoor with His Deception. Two words for you: secret bodyguard. And for fans of the hit TV show Empire, Lisa Marie Perry’s Sin for Me kicks off the sizzling Devil’s Music series.
Friend Loveswept and let the romance begin!
Until next month ~ Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
Read on for a sneak peek of the next book in Annie Rains’s Hero’s Welcome series
Welcoming the Bad Boy
Available from Loveswept
Chapter 1
Val was in an epic stare-down with her blank computer screen. She tapped her lilac-painted fingernails on the edge of her desk and waited for her muse to feed her the next great love story.
A knock sounded on her front door and Val flinched as the small but loud Pomeranian in the next room went berserk. The stare-down was lost. So was Val’s concentration.
With a growl—she’d learned that from Sweet Cheeks since she’d been caring for the little yapper while her neighbor, Alma Edwards, recuperated from hip surgery—Val stood up at her desk. It was the end of her first week of summer vacation from her
school secretary job. She’d been hoping that by now Sophie Evans, her much smarter, way cooler alter ego, would have finished writing the first few chapters of her next book. Instead, Val had typed one sentence, deleted it, and repeated—for five days running.
She walked to the front door and picked up Sweet Cheeks, rubbing her softly between her ears. “Good girl,” she lied, then went to see what the UPS man had delivered. She hoped it was the Train Your Dog in a Week book she’d ordered last night, when she’d been desperate and grieving the loss of the last glass of wine she’d planned to enjoy while enduring yet another stare-down with her computer. But Sweet Cheeks, a.k.a. Devil Pup, had gotten under her feet as she’d carried the glass to her desk, sending her flying and spilling the red wine all over her tan rug. At least she hadn’t ended up with a broken hip like Alma.
Val picked up the box on her doorstep and smiled to herself. She would be reading this book just as soon as she got back from her book club meeting at Seaside Harbor nursing home this morning. The last thing Alma needed when she returned home was another puppy-induced fall. Collecting the little dog and the purse that she rode in, Val grabbed her keys and headed to her old Volvo in the driveway. A book club with a group of elderly women wasn’t exactly going to get her creative juices flowing so she could meet her August deadline, but it would take her mind off things like bills and devil pups, and that first gray eyebrow hair she’d discovered while tweezing this morning. She was only thirty. Thirty-year-olds did not have graying hair—at least, not without undue stress, which her latest deadline was causing.
As she drove, Val tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, singing along with the music. Then she squealed as Sweet Cheeks jumped onto her lap and slid her grainy wet tongue across Val’s cheek. Disgusting. Slobber was one reason she didn’t have a dog of her own. Sweet Cheeks licked her again. “Stop that,” Val said, shooing the puppy away. Maybe it was her vanilla ChapStick that had Sweet Cheeks all but French-kissing her as she drove. The puppy wasn’t giving up. Hopping over the center console, Sweet Cheeks landed back in Val’s lap and dug her little nails into the bare skin of her thighs. Then the little dog started licking her again.