by Claire Marti
“Me?” Was that her voice squeaking? All breathy?
He dropped the duffel bag on the ground and leaned the guitar case on top of it. He pulled her against him and enfolded her in his muscular arms. “Yeah, you.”
He kissed her, and the world fell away. The media. The fire. The world. His embrace was her only world now. Lips parted, tongues tangled, and heat sparked through her veins. Him. This overpowering connection was what mattered.
“Holt, I––” I love you.
“Shhh. We’ll talk after we get your things and get to safety. Angela packed for you and is already on the way to Harry’s. I wanted us to go together.” He placed one finger on her lips.
“No damn it. Wait a second.” She huffed out a breath. “I have something to say and you’ll listen. We have another minute.”
“Sam, we should go.” He started to reach for his guitar case.
She grabbed his arm. “Wait. Holt, I’ve never said these words before, but I’m saying them now to you.” She sucked in a deep breath. “I love you.” Her breath lodged in her throat and she stared into his deepening blue eyes.
He chuckled and before she could respond to his surprising reaction, he swung her up into his arms and spun her around. “Hey world, Samantha McNeill loves me.”
“You’re crazy, Holt. Put me down.” Her breath hitched in her throat. “And don’t you have something to say to me?”
He laughed again and set her lightly on her feet. “Thank you?”
“Thank you?” Her jaw dropped and she shoved him, although he was so damn big and stubborn he didn’t budge. “Are you kidding me? Thank you?”
“Yes, thank you for loving me.” He leaned in and kissed her nose. “I appreciate it.”
“You appreciate it?” Was he kidding? She bared her teeth.
“Because I love you Sam and I want to be with you.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
“You do?” Her heart thumped against her ribcage. “Be with me? What does that mean?”
He held her shoulders and stopped laughing. “It means I love you and I want to spend my life with you. I want to figure out a way we can make this work.”
“But I belong to the ranch, Holt, and I can’t ask you to give up your career for me.” The fluttering in her belly hardened into a knot. What was she thinking? How could they be together? She hadn’t thought beyond her burgeoning feelings.
Running the ranch was her life, everything she’d worked toward for the last several years. His work was on the road.
She couldn’t leave.
He couldn’t stay.
“I don’t have to give up my career and neither do you. I’ve been saving to start my own business. My body can’t take stunt work much longer and this movie was actually my last planned gig. Your dad said the fire department called and the ranch will be safe and we can finish the movie once the fire is contained. With this paycheck, I’ll have enough to start my own stunt person agency and once it is set up, I can run it from just about anywhere.” He smiled.
“Really? Anywhere? Like here?” Her heartbeat accelerated.
“Yeah, like here. It will take a while to get it going and it will have to be based in L.A. But, once it’s up and running and I hire a great manager, I won’t have to be there so much. For now, I can commute between L.A. and Rancho Santa Fe. We’ll make it work. That is if you want me around?” He stroked one strong hand along her cheek and she turned to press her lips to his palm.
Joy flooded through her. He’d adapt around her career? Her beloved ranch? Could she really have it all?
“Oh Holt, I feel like I’m dreaming. Yes, absolutely yes.” She started to wrap her arms around his neck, but he caught both her hands.
He dropped to one knee and kept a firm grip on her fingers. “I don’t have a ring Sam, I want to pick one out together, but I have the words. You are one of a kind. From the first moment I walked in on you and the fluffer, my life changed. I won’t say it was love at first sight, but it’s definitely love now. I love you and I want to marry you. Spend our lives together.” His silvery blue eyes held her captive.
Her entire body trembled and her lips curved upward. “Yes, absolutely yes! You’ll have to put up with my temper, but it will be a fair trade because I have to endure your smartass self.”
“Deal.” He stood, yanked her in close, and lowered his mouth to hers. “Let’s go.”
He grabbed his stuff, and they walked hand in hand to the main house.
Smoke sat on the horizon and assaulted their nostrils with pungent fumes, but Sam smiled anyway. She trusted the fire department to contain the fire, she trusted her horses would remain safe in their temporary sanctuary, and most of all she trusted the man by her side to love her forever.
Epilogue
Seven months later, Pacific Vista Ranch
Samantha McNeill stared at her father and huffed out a breath. What had she been thinking? How in the world would she dismount from Princess Buttercup without tumbling over her voluminous skirts and landing in a heap of tulle? She should have worn trousers and this whole make-an-entrance-as-bride-to-be would be a whole lot easier. The cool February breeze caressed her unbound hair and the Southern California sunshine warmed her bare shoulders.
She looked across her favorite pasture, transformed and filled with people dressed in fancy clothes, to where Holt stood waiting for her under the flower-covered arch, an enormous grin on his handsome face.
Chris McNeill reached for her with his strong arms. He looked dapper in a charcoal grey tuxedo, boots, and his wide-brimmed cowboy hat. “Come on, Sammy, I’ve got you. You can do this.”
“Here goes nothing.” She sighed and as gracefully as she could, swung her legs to the side of her horse. So far, so good. The layers of shimmering ivory gown shifted with her, and she leaned down to grasp her dad’s broad shoulders.
He caught her waist and lifted her to the ground. The moment her favorite boots touched the brilliant green grass, the crowd applauded. Her knees wobbled and her pulse kicked in. This was it.
“Are you ready for your Hollywood ending, my sweet beautiful girl?” Her dad clasped her hand in his warm one.
She drew in a deep inhale, savoring the clean afternoon air. She smoothed down her dress, and exhaled. She was ready.
She handed the reins to her step-brother Grant and he led Buttercup to the special rail they’d set up for her to observe the wedding. Then Dylan and Amanda were handing her a giant bouquet of pale pink roses, the same shade as their silk bridesmaid dresses. Amanda kissed her cheek. “You’re glowing, Samantha. Savor every moment.”
Her sisters glided down the flower petal strewn aisle and took their places opposite Holt at the altar.
The guitarist began playing a beautiful tune and tears sprang to Sam’s eyes when she recognized the song Holt had written for her. When he’d first played it for her, back when they’d first declared their love for each other, she’d shed tears of happiness. She didn’t want to cry today, she only wanted to smile and laugh and celebrate the beginning of their new life together. Her heart tightened in her chest and she squeezed her father’s arm.
Each step led her closer to this wonderful man, this man who’d challenged her, made her laugh, and most importantly, made her feel. After the successful completion of the movie, he’d retired and started his business, as promised. They were now living in the guesthouse together, so she could run the ranch and he could have a true home base. Holt was now officially an integral part of the McNeill clan. She couldn’t stop grinning. Her dad pressed a kiss on her forehead and joined Angela in the front row of chairs set up on the grassy hill.
Holt came to her, both hands outstretched. He grasped her hands and squeezed. His silvery blue eyes were glistening and full of emotion. “You’re look so beautiful, Samantha. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
“You look beautiful too. I love you.” Warmth flooded her from head to toe.
Together they turned to face the wedding officia
nt, who smiled and addressed them and all of the guests. “Today we are here to celebrate Holt and Samantha, who from what I understand had a quite unique first meeting here on Pacific Vista Ranch.” Familiar with the story, the crowd laughed.
And so it began.
~ The End~
Thank You!
Thank you for reading Nobody Else But You! I hope you loved Samantha and Holt’s story as much as I loved writing it. The next book in the Pacific Vista Ranch series is The Very Thought of You and is an unrequited love story featuring Amanda McNeill and sexy firefighter Jake Cruz. http://www.clairemarti.com/mybooks.html
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If you love steamy beach romances, check out my award winning Finding Forever in Laguna series. You’ll find previews of Second Chance in Laguna, At Last in Laguna, and Sunset in Laguna here: http://www.clairemarti.com/mybooks.html
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Also by Claire Marti
Second Chance in Laguna
At Last in Laguna
Sunset in Laguna
About the Author
Claire Marti started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.
Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga. She lives in San Diego with her husband and furry kids.
Contact Claire
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Find out more about Claire
@clairepmarti
ClaireMartiAuthor
https://www.clairemarti.com/