Wine and Her New Year Cowboy
Page 10
Her childhood had been way different than his. She’d always had a support structure, and she realized how her suggestion to give his father the benefit of the doubt must’ve felt like a slap to the face. Like she’d betrayed him.
But, it was the furthest from the truth. If they could just sit down and talk, she was sure they could work through this, she’d just have to be more careful over the subject of his father.
Her friend studied her a moment, then shoved a glass of wine in her hand. “Okay. Here, you look like you could use it.”
She snorted. She needed the whole damn bottle. Hell, the whole case. But, she’d make do with one glass. “Thanks.”
Evie took a sip, then a gulp when a gorgeous cowboy walked in wearing his black Stetson, jeans, and a white dress shirt under a black vest.
Her chest instantly tightened.
God, she’d missed him.
Missed his smile, and the drawl in his voice when he called her darlin’. The incredible way he made her feel when she was in his arms, clothed or naked—exhilarated, happy…complete.
Staying away from him this week had been the toughest challenge she’d ever faced. But, she knew he needed time.
When his gaze found hers from across the room, and lit up brighter than the large, festive tree behind him, her heart regained a pulse. He looked happy to see her. And as he strode purposely for her, she set her glass down and moved to meet him halfway.
“I’m so sorry, Evie. I’ve been an ass. Please say you’ll forgive me.” He grasped her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips.
“Of course,” she replied. “And I’m sorry, too. I should’ve been more sensitive about your father.”
He shook his head. “No. You said nothing wrong. I’m to blame. All my life, no matter where I went, one constant followed me. Lucas Harper was abandoned by his father.”
She opened her mouth, but he squeezed the hand still in his grasp.
“Wait, let me finish.”
When she nodded, he continued.
“What I didn’t know, was Lucas Williams had a father who did actually care.”
She smiled, wanting to ask how he knew, and what had changed his mind, but could tell he needed to say these things, not just for her, but for himself, too.
“Missy found those letters I mentioned. They were in a shoe box up the attic, with return to sender stamped across them. They’d been addressed to Lucas Williams, and sent to an old address. My grandmother’s. But the house no longer existed by that time. It’d been wiped out by a hurricane.”
A clear picture started to form in her brain.
“So, your dad didn’t know you’d moved, or that your mom had changed your last name?”
He shook his head, a deep regret filling his gaze where the anger had once been. “No, I…it turns out he didn’t even know I existed. Not until he’d gotten a registered letter from a lawyer eight years after her death.”
A tightness reached across her chest and squeezed so hard, she could barely breathe. She ached for all he was going through. “I’m sorry, Lucas.”
“At least I know my dad did try to contact me,” he said, his jaw working through his emotions. “I found letters from him in the box, too.” He cleared his throat. “Haven’t opened them yet. I’d like to have you with me when I do.”
By this time, her throat was so swollen, and gaze was too misty to see clearly, so she nodded, and smiled in the direction of the dark blob in front of her.
The next second, she was yanked against something hard, and warm, and wonderful. It felt like home. She eagerly wrapped her arms around him and held tight.
“God, I missed this, Evie.”
The emotions she felt in his touch and heard in his voice breathed life back into her deflated heart.
“I’ve missed you, too, Lucas.” She closed her eyes and melted against him.
They were going to be all right.
“Well, I was going to ask how you were adjusting to the Poconos, Harper, but I can see you’re doing just fine,” a vaguely familiar voice said with a smile evident in the tone.
They broke apart as Lucas jerked back in surprised. “Kade? Great to see you, man.” He smiled, pulling his friend in for a back slapping hug. “What are you doing up here?”
“We borrowed his cousin’s company jet last minute, so I could ring in the New Year up here,” his wife answered, stepping around the handsome gray-eyed man. “I think we should get frequent flyer miles from McCall Enterprises.”
“Brandi!” Evie pulled her friend in for a hug. “It’s nice to see you again. You look great.” The woman had always been beautiful, no matter what size dress she wore. Even in high school.
“Thanks. You, too.”
When they drew apart, Brandi smiled at Lucas. “It’s nice to see you again, Harper.”
He stepped forward to kiss the woman’s cheek. “You, too, Brandi, but, I go by Lucas now.”
“Then Lucas it is.” She turned her twinkling brown gaze to Evie. “I see you fell for a cowboy, too.”
She chuckled, slipping her arm around Lucas’ waist. “Yes, I sure did.”
He squeezed her closer. “I have two wonderful women in my life now.”
“Speaking of that, where’s your sister?” Kade asked, glancing around.
“Right here,” Missy said from behind the other cowboy, her gaze shy but proud. “I’m Missy Williams. It’s nice to meet a friend of my brother’s.”
Kade shook her hand and smiled. “Nice to meet you, too. Your brother’s a good man. He’s been missed.”
“Missy.” Brandi immediately pulled the girl in for a hug. “I’m sorry about your dad, hun. How are you doing?”
“All right, I guess,” the teen replied, drawing back. “Lucas has helped.”
She could feel him literally stand taller, and his chest even appeared to puff out.
“We’re learning as we go,” he said, slipping his other arm around the girl. “It’s been good.”
Evie’s heart warmed, happy to see the siblings in a good place with each other, under the hard circumstances. They were going to be just fine, too.
“Can I have everyone’s attention please?” Mason called, standing between two beautiful, fiber optic candles up on the stage.
When the room quieted down, he continued. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming to ring in the New Year with us Wynes. This year, the festivities are a little different. First of all, say hi to Keiffer, I’ve got him on facetime.” He held his cell phone outward at the crowd, who hollered greetings to the youngest Wyne, until Mason lowered his hand. “This year’s party is also including a wedding…mine and Jill’s.”
Excitement rippled through the guests, along with applause.
She exchanged a shocked look with Brandi, and they hugged each other as the crowd cheered around them.
“I’d hoped that’s why he asked Kade and I to come up,” Brandi said, her voice wobbling with emotion. “And with your cousin marrying my brother, looks like we’re going to be related, Evie.”
Joy rushed through her veins and she squeezed her friend tighter. “Yep. It’s great.”
They drew apart as Mason quieted the crowd. “Can I have our families come up to stand in front of the stage, please?”
She turned to Lucas and smiled. “Come on, I want you and Missy there, too.” And together, they all worked their way through the excited quests to join the Wynes and Martellis by the stage.
The women were given poinsettia bouquets, and men were pinned with a red carnation boutonniere. Her father rushed from the room, and a minute later, appeared in the doorway with her beaming cousin on his arm.
Jill made a stunning bride, wearing a cream colored, ankle-length dress of satin and lace, and the most beautiful, happy smile Evie had ever seen. And together with the Wyne women, she cried like a baby as she witnessed her sweet cousin marry a man who loved her dearly.
A little while later, everyone toasted the Wynes with a special glass of win
e, then devoured the delicious chocolate wedding cake, cut by the happy bride and groom, before the dancing started.
Evie knew how Jill felt. Elated. She melted against Lucas as they enjoyed a few slow dances. She, too, had found her special man. And today, would always be the anniversary of the day they both started new lives with their soulmates.
“Thank you, Evie,” he said against her temple.
“For what?”
“For being you. For understanding. For putting up with me being an ass.”
She smiled against his chest. “No thanks necessary. You had a good reason. Besides, I happen to love your ass. Especially in these jeans.”
Lucas chuckled, and as the crowd suddenly started a countdown, he drew back to cup her face, adoration warming his gaze. When the count ran out, his lips brushed hers. “Happy New Year, darlin’,” he said, then kissed her, slow, and heart-pounding sweet, with an unhurried passion, because they had all the time in the world.
What more could she want?
Tonight, she had wine and her New Year Cowboy.
***
If you enjoyed WINE AND HER NEW YEAR COWBOY, please consider leaving a review. Thank you.
The fun began in Ben’s story Wyne and Dine,
and continues in Mason’s story, Wyne and Chocolate, Ethan’s story, Wyne and Song,
Lucas’ story, Wine and Her New Year Cowboy,
and will continue with Nate’s story, Whine and Rescue (8/16), Keiffer’s story (a Citizen Soldier/Harland County crossover novel rel. in the fall). Nicco, Scott, Jeremy, Ryder, along with a few others will all get their stories, too, so don’t miss the rest of the Citizen Soldier Heroes!
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**♥**
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 June 2016
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Book 4: Cowboy LAWE
Dangerous Curves Series
Releasing 4/05/16
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In order to keep close to an alpha cowboy her boss wants protected, Knight agent Tara Lynch draws on her acting skills to play a scared schoolteacher who witnessed the murder of a hitman, and on her restraint to resist falling for the sexy cowboy.
Former SEAL Callahan ‘Rook’ Lawe agrees to help his old commander, but with his hands already full investigating accidents on his training ranch that put his brother in the hospital, his attraction to the beautiful woman is a distraction he doesn’t need.
***
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
Book Three: Wyne and Song
Book Four: Wine and Her New Year Cowboy
A Harland County/Citizen Soldier Crossover Novella
Book Five: Whine and Rescue (8/16)
***
Harland County Series
Unruly cowboys and the women who tame them
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 *Award Winning
Book Four: Her Forever Cowboy *Award Winning
Book Five: Her Healing Cowboy
Book Six: Her Volunteer Cowboy-Novella
Coming soon:
Book Seven: Her Indulgent Cowboy (Rel. 6/16)
Become a Cowboy Tamer!
Drop me a line at donna_michaels@msn.com and request some Cowboy-Tamer swag!
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Dangerous Curves Series
Curves aren’t the only reason these women are dangerous
Visit my Dangerous Curves Series Page at my website www.donnamichaelsauthor.com for release information and updates!
Book #1: Knight’s SEAL – Hot SEALs Kindle Worlds
Book #2 LOCKE and Load
Book #3: A Daye With A SEAL – Hot SEALs Kindle Worlds
Book #4: Cowboy LAWE - Cowboy Justice 12-Pack Boxed Set (Rel.04/05/16 Avail. For .99 cents Pre-Order HERE)
Book #5: A SEAL for Paige – Hot SEALs Kindle Worlds-(Rel. 4/16)
***
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)
The Wild Rose Press
by Donna Michaels
*Crowned Heart of Excellence – InD’tale Magazine*
Former Marine Captain Brett Brennan loves a good practical joke—when he’s the prankster not the prankee. Unfortunately, his twin brother has learned a lesson or two from the master and springs Operation Payback on him, thrusting Brett into a fake engagement to his former corporal, Trisha Jennings, in front of her matchmaking, District Attorney father.
Relationships are so not his thing, but realizing Trisha is struggling to come to terms with a horrific incident from their recent deployment, Brett takes matters into his own hands, using their fake relationship to keep her on his family’s resort ranch, the perfect place for her to find peace and heal. After all, he would never let one of his own men down.
Except, Trisha is no longer a corporal under his command. Out of uniform, she is all woman, and his unexpected attraction to her soon has him forgetting their prank relationship is only for show. Who knew payback could be so sweet?
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She Does Know Jack
A Romantic Comedy Suspense
by Donna Michaels
**NOR Reviewer Top Pick**
Former Army Ranger Capt. Jack ‘Dodger’ Anderson would rather run naked through a minefield in the Afghan desert than participate in a reality television show, but when his brother Matthew begins to receive threats, Jack quickly becomes Matthew’s shadow. As if the investigation isn’t baffling enough, he has to contend with the addition of a beautiful and vaguely familiar new contestant.
Security specialist, Brielle Chapman reluctantly agrees to help her uncle by going undercover as a contestant on the Meet Your Mate reality show. Having nearly failed on a similar assignment, she wants to prove she stil
l has a future in this business. But when the brother of the groom turns out to be Dodger, the only one-nighter she ever had—while in disguise from a prior undercover case—her job becomes harder. Does he recognize her? And how can she investigate with their sizzling attraction fogging her brain? Determined to finish the job, she brings the case to a surprising climax, uncovers the culprit and meets her own mate.
***
About the Author
Donna Michaels is an award winning, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of Romaginative fiction. Her hot, humorous, and heartwarming stories include cowboys, men in uniform, and some sexy, primal alphas. With a husband in the military fulltime, and a household of nine, she never runs out of material. From short to epic, her books entertain readers across a variety of sub-genres, and one is even being hand drawn into a Japanese MANGA.
To learn more about Donna Michaels and her books, or to join her mailing list, visit www.DonnaMichealsAuthor.com
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Thanks for reading,
~Donna