Rocky Mountain Heart

by Dawson, Kay P.

  His fingers were leaving fire everywhere he touched. “When I came back to town, I knew I had to finally convince that girl who used to work at the ice cream shop to give me a chance.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  His gaze was on her, and overhead lights reflected in his eyes. “I was always so afraid that I wasn’t good enough for you, so I didn’t want to push it. You were Emma Roberts, the amazing, wonderful girl who I knew was always going to be out of reach for a guy like me. But for some reason, I just couldn’t give up.”

  Emma was having trouble concentrating on what he was saying as his fingers continued their assault on her senses.

  “And now that I’ve got to know you, and the woman you’ve become, I know you’re even more than I could have imagined.” His head lowered, and Emma longed for his lips to touch hers.

  He kept his eyes on her, his hand moving around to cup the back of her neck. “I love you, Emma.”

  Her heart soared as his head made its way down, and his lips found hers. This kiss was different than any of the others they’d shared over the past few weeks. As their lips moved together, her head started to spin. The promise in the kiss held her in its grip.

  When he pulled back, she let her eyes open slowly as she tried to get her body to stop trembling. For a moment, she saw that young boy smiling at her with uncertainty, wanting a chance with her, but not sure he was good enough.

  “I love you too, Cooper.”

  The words didn’t seem to be enough for how she felt. How could she possibly tell him everything that was in her heart?

  Twenty-One

  Emma sat and watched them place the “Sold” board on top of the sign out front of the lot next door. Her stomach knotted as she worried what it meant for her future. Maybe she should have at least gone and talked to the bank, to see if there was something she could do to buy it. But there had been so much going on, and the truth was, she knew there wouldn’t be any way she could have afforded it.

  The bank wouldn’t give her a loan for a lot she didn’t plan to develop. Loans for parking lots, and to keep other businesses from competing with them, weren’t something a bank would consider.

  She sunk back on the leather of the couch, and pulled her knees up under her. The book she’d been reading sat open beside her. Katie was managing the front, and she could hear the whirring of the machines as the coffee was brewed for waiting customers.

  Resting her head against the back of the couch, she closed her eyes and let the sound of Cooper’s voice coming softly through the speakers soothe her. She started thinking about how fast things could change in someone’s life. A couple of months ago, her business was thriving and she was focused on keeping it that way.

  Then a new business opened in town, and a man rode into town on a motorcycle and her whole life was turned upside down.

  “Don’t you have a party to get ready for tonight?”

  Emma’s eyes flew open as her best friend’s voice interrupted her rest. “I do, but I just needed a moment to myself before everything gets too crazy.”

  Erin plopped down on the couch beside her. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

  Emma shook her head. “Only if you can give me about ten more sets of hands.”

  Every year, her family got together for a Halloween celebration, and this year it was her turn to host it.

  “So, how’s Belle settling in with Sadie and Cooper?”

  Emma smiled as she thought about the little dog that had moved in with Cooper. Belle had become a firm part of their little family. No one could believe how much she had changed.

  Well, except Sadie. She said she always knew the dog just needed the right home when she saw her.

  “She’s been the perfect addition for Sadie, and even Cooper has grudgingly admitted it was a good idea to get her.”

  “And how are things with you and Cooper?”

  Emma rolled her eyes at her friend.

  “I knew you weren’t just popping in to say hello.”

  Erin laughed and held her hands up in front of her. “No, honestly, I was just coming in for a coffee and to see my friend who I never get to see anymore.”

  “I know. I’m sorry about that. It just seems like there’s been so much happening lately, it’s hard to find time for everything.”

  Emma’s eyes moved back outside as the vehicle pulled away with the man who’d been putting the sold sign up next door.

  She sighed loudly. “But I’ll probably soon find myself with more time than I can handle, so I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”

  Erin sat up to look out the window too, trying to see what Emma was looking at. Suddenly, the song that had been playing ended and Cooper’s voice could be heard loud and clear in the background of the coffee shop. Had someone just turned the volume up?

  “All right, listeners, you’ve all been following along with the ongoing saga of a certain radio DJ and the lovely Miss Emma Roberts. You helped convince her to go on a date with me not once, but twice, and now I need to ask you another favor. You see, she’s become kind of important to me, and I’ve realized I really don’t want to live without her in my life another minute.”

  Emma sat stunned, unsure what he was saying. Her heart was pounding, vibrating against her chest.

  “I’ve got a few people here in the studio today that I’ve asked to come and help me out. I know she’s going to kill me for doing all of this publicly, but I think she also knows by now, I do things my own way.”

  Erin grinned at her as she sat listening. Emma’s mouth hung open, and the dryness of the air made her throat constrict.

  “The first person here today is none other than Ralph Roberts, Emma’s father. Would you like to say hello?”

  Her father’s voice rang in her ears as he said hello to the audience.

  What was happening? Emma’s stomach churned.

  “Sir, I’ve asked you here today so I could do things properly and ask you for your daughter’s hand. I’d like to marry her.”

  Emma slowly stood, vaguely hearing the sound of people clapping from the front of the coffee shop.

  As her dad gushed and said he would be happy to give his blessing, Emma wasn’t really hearing the words anymore.

  Then Cooper’s voice came through again, announcing another guest. “All right, I have someone else here who I thought should be consulted on the matter. I’d like you all to meet Sadie, my niece. Sadie, you’ve just heard me ask Emma’s dad if I can marry her, but I wanted to ask you too since you’re going to be a part of her life. What do you think? Would it be all right if Emma married me?”

  Sadie’s small voice came over the speakers. “I’d love it if Emma would marry you. Then she can live with us and be a part of our family.”

  Emma stood in shock, staring out the window at the radio station where all those people were announcing to the world that she should marry Cooper Levine. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion.

  “Now, Emma’s best friend is going to escort her outside, where a few of us will meet her to see what her answer will be. I’m asking you all right now to get on Facebook and vote. Tell her if she should say yes or no.”

  Emma slowly turned to face Erin, who was holding her hand out to drag her outside. She couldn’t get her voice above a whisper. “You knew?”

  “I had an idea, but I didn’t know what he was doing for sure. He just said to make sure you were listening, and that someone turn it up enough for you to hear at the right time.”

  Emma’s throat was so dry she couldn’t even swallow. As she came outside the door at the back and made her way around to the empty lot, with Erin helping her navigate on legs that suddenly felt like rubber, Cooper came out the side door of the KHRT building.

  Her dad was behind him, staying back with Chuck and Sadie by the door. Cooper strode across the lot toward her, never taking his eyes off her. Emma suddenly found her legs. She pulled her hand from Erin’s and ran into his arms. He lifted
her and spun her around.

  “Does that mean you’ll say yes? Even without seeing the results of the online voting?” The smile he wore covered his entire face.

  She couldn’t talk, her throat was tight as she fought unshed tears. All she could do was nod her head.

  His lips pressed against hers, as he held her against him. When they broke apart, he looked down into her eyes and smiled. “Are you sure? You know, it won’t always be easy being with a man whose past can always threaten to find him again.”

  “I’ve never been more sure. I love you, Cooper, and I don’t care about anything from your past. It made you who you are, and that’s a man who loves and cherishes the people who matter to him. He’s a man I know would do anything for the people he loves. All I want to focus on now is our future together.”

  He swallowed hard as his hand came up to cup her cheek. His thumb made tiny circles on her jaw while he spoke. “I wanted to get you a beautiful ring, but then I thought maybe there was something you might like a bit more. I had some money put aside, so I used it as the down payment toward a loan for this lot. I wanted you to have it.”

  The air rushed from her lungs as the words sunk in.

  “You’re the one who bought this lot?”

  He was grinning as he pulled back, one hand still holding hers while he swept his other hand around the empty lot. “This is yours, so no one can buy it and put anything there. I thought we could make it into a real parking lot, and you could maybe even add a nice little patio area out here for your customers.”

  Cars started driving past and honking. They’d obviously been listening to the radio and heard there was a proposal happening outside in the parking lot.

  Emma stood in shock, unsure what had just happened. She’d just had the most public proposal ever, and her soon-to-be husband had bought her a parking lot instead of a ring.

  But before she had any more time to try and figure it out, a small body launched itself at her. Sadie threw her arms around Emma’s waist, and she rested her head on her shoulder.

  “I’m glad you said yes, Emma. I love my Uncle Cooper and Uncle Chuck, but it will be nice to have a girl around too. Plus, you make him smile a lot, so that makes me happy.”

  Emma looked at Cooper over the girl’s head. The love in his eyes was apparent as he watched them.

  “Well, I couldn’t say no when I heard you asking. And besides, your uncle makes me smile a lot too.”

  Cooper reached out and gently wove his fingers through her hair as he came over to put his arms around both of them.

  “And he intends to do his best to make sure you never stop.”

  Epilogue

  The sound of creepy music churned out softly in the background, as Books N’ Beans continued to fill with Roberts family members, regular customers, and friends. Everyone was dressed up—it was a tradition they didn’t take lightly.

  Jack sauntered over to her, perfecting his Jack Sparrow swagger. He’d dressed as the Johnny Depp character, figuring it was the ideal costume for someone like him.

  “So, sis, you and Cooper sure picked the perfect costumes for yourselves. Almost as good as mine.”

  She was dressed as Sandy from the Grease movie, while Cooper had put gel in his hair, then pulled out the black T-shirt and leather jacket to play the famous John Travolta character.

  They’d figured it was fitting for their own story.

  “Where’s Erin?” She hadn’t seen her friend since the party had started. Erin had been so happy after the proposal, Emma was almost sure she was crying even more than herself.

  “She’s over there talking to Bekah.” He pointed to where Erin stood dressed like some kind of peasant girl. “She’s my saucy tavern wench.”

  Turning back to her brother, she groaned. “You made her dress as your tavern wench?”

  He shrugged and grinned over at his wife who was now waving at them.

  Just then, Bri walked over to join them. She was dressed as the green witch from Wicked, as if anyone was surprised about that. Anthony hadn’t even tried to match a costume, and was dressed all in yellow. “Bri, I have to ask, what is Anthony supposed to be?”

  Bri sighed loudly and shook her head. “He said he’s supposed to be a banana. Honestly, I don’t even know what goes through his head sometimes. But he’s all mine.”

  Sadie and Cooper came over from where he’d been trying to teach her how to bob for apples. She was dressed like Belle from Beauty and the Beast, her favorite movie.

  “So, now that my uncle is marrying Emma, does that mean you guys are going to be my aunt and uncle?”

  Sadie had become so much more relaxed around everyone now that she seemed to understand she wasn’t going to be taken away from Cooper. They had no doubt there would still be some fight in their future as far as Sadie’s father was concerned, not to mention Cooper’s father. But they also knew they had an entire force of Roberts behind them, so they were ready to deal with anything that came their way.

  Jack bowed extravagantly in front of Sadie. “Aye, yer right, young lassie. I will be yer Uncle Jack, and I’ll be expectin’ ya to earn yer keep by helpin’ me take care of me scallywag of a dog.”

  Emma laughed loudly at Jack’s awful attempt at a pirate accent. But Sadie seemed quite thrilled, bringing her hand up to giggle behind her fingers as Jack performed.

  Bri was rolling her eyes in Jack’s direction. “Seriously, Jack, I could even do a better pirate than you.” She turned to face Sadie. “Welcome to the family, Sadie. Of course I will be your aunt, and that man over there dressed as a really lame-looking banana will be your uncle.”

  Anthony looked up from the food he was eating and waved as though he could sense they were talking about him.

  Cooper put his hands on Emma’s shoulders from behind, pulling her gently back against his chest. What she wouldn’t give for just a few minutes alone with this man who’d knocked her completely off her feet today. But they’d had to get everything ready for the party, and hadn’t had any time alone together since.

  “Why don’t you come with me, and I’ll show you the games Emma has set up at the front? There are a couple of kids playing there already.” Bri reached her hand out to Sadie.

  Emma gave her sister a big smile, knowing she’d been able to see the need they had for some alone time.

  Bri started to walk away holding Sadie’s hand, then stopped and shot a glare back in Jack’s direction. Their brother was still standing there leaning against the counter, throwing a bacon wrapped zombie eye in his mouth, completely unaware that the newly engaged couple hoped to sneak away alone.

  “What?” Jack looked at Bri, then Emma, before he finally seemed to understand what was happening. “Oh, right. Guess I better go check on my wife, or something.”

  Cooper leaned down and whispered in her ear, his hands still holding her shoulders, “Let’s sneak outside.”

  She was already moving, headed to the back door of the coffee shop where they could get some privacy away from the world.

  As soon as they stepped outside, he pulled her into his arms. He just stood there holding her, and she wrapped her own arms around his waist to hold him close.

  They stood in each other’s arms for what seemed an eternity, before he finally pulled back, gazing down into her face. It was dark except for the light from the street.

  “So, when are we getting married?” His eyes searched his. “I really don’t want to wait, and I would prefer something that doesn’t require me wearing a suit.”

  She laughed. “Well, I’d prefer not to wait too long either, and with all the weddings happening around here lately, I’d be more than happy to run off with you somewhere and just have something for us. And Sadie, of course.”

  In the quiet of the evening air, she could hear him swallow. “Thank you for welcoming her into your life and for loving her.”

  She brought her hand up to trace the outline of his jaw. “Don’t you understand yet, Cooper? Sadie’s easy to lo
ve, and I love her because she’s important to you. You’ve managed to sneak into my heart, and now I can’t imagine life without you both.”

  “I don’t know what I ever did to deserve a woman like you agreeing to be my wife, but I promise you, I will never, ever turn out like my father.”

  Emma’s breath caught in her throat. “Of course you won’t, Cooper. Is that what you’ve been afraid of?” He’d never mentioned anything about it before.

  He lifted his shoulders slightly. “I guess the thought is always there. And after seeing him this week, it just brought it all back into my mind.”

  Emma stood up onto her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, thankful for the warmth from his body in the cool night air.

  “You will never be like your father. You’re a man like no one else, and I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you in my life.”

  She knew that she’d been given a gift—a man who knew what it meant to love, and who was willing to share it with her.

  He was willing to fight to be a good man, and there was no one else in the world she could imagine loving this fiercely.

  She realized that the boy who’d been so sure he wasn’t good enough for her, was actually more of a man than anyone else she knew.

  And she was more than happy to give him her heart.

  * * *

  I hope you enjoyed Rocky Mountain Heart. If you could take a few moments to head back to Amazon and leave a review, it would be much appreciated :)

  Keep reading for the first chapter of the next book in the series, Rocky Mountain Baby by Nadia Lee.

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  Rocky Mountain Baby Excerpt

  Sam's younger sister, Molly Roberts, is about to get a chance to get closer to Charlie Hackman, Sam's best friend and the man she's had a never-ending crush on...