Her long hair was up in a chignon, with sparkling gems throughout. She knew she would glow when Liam took her in his arms on the dance floor.
The carriage started down the road, rounded a corner, and entered the small town square. She’d grown so attached to the beautiful small town, everyone kind and helpful.
After about half an hour’s ride, the carriage arrived at the beautiful old church. It was where Frederick had been married, and where Liam had been baptized. It was where her sister should have married Vincent. No, Whitney wouldn’t go there. No sadness allowed on her wedding day.
The door opened and Mr. Smotter was there to help her from the carriage. She took his hand and stepped onto the red carpet that was rolled out before her.
“You’re look enchanting, Ms. Steele,” Mr. Smotter told her, making her beam again.
“Thank you, Mr. Smotter,” she replied.
Attendants came forward and straightened her train so it was flowing on the carpet behind her.
“Aunt Whitney, you look like a princess,” Ally said as she came barreling through the doors, looking adorable in her matching dress, with her hair almost identical to Whitney’s.
“You’re so beautiful, Ally. I do love you, but you know that,” Whitney said, and she bent down to take her niece in her arms. She ignored the murmurs from the attendants, who were grumbling about having to redo her wedding train. She needed to hold her niece in her arms.
“I have a basket full of roses I’m going to drop on the floor. Uncle Liam says you’re so beautiful you should walk on rose petals every day of your life,” Ally said with a big smile.
“Your Uncle Liam is quite the romantic, isn’t he?” Whitney felt such warmth in her chest.
Ally just looked at her, confused. Whitney hugged her again and then let the attendants get them into position.
“It’s time,” someone said, and Whitney’s nerves spiked. No, no. She could get through this. It was only a couple more hours and then she’d get Liam all to herself. She took a large breath and began walking behind Ally, keeping her eyes forward.
She glided into the historic church, everything a blur, and she didn’t even see the people in the pews, though they were all standing, watching her every move. Once she approached the altar and caught her first site of Liam, it took everything in her not to rush forward into his arms.
Though he turned her legs to jelly and her stomach inside out, she also felt a calming deep down inside. This amazing man would be her husband in just a few moments.
They repeated their vows and lit a candle, unifying them as one. They were pronounced husband and wife.
Liam pulled her close and pressed his lips softly to hers, making her tremble when his tongue slipped out to rub against her bottom lip. It was her first kiss as Liam’s wife, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
They pulled apart when they heard some throats clearing, and Whitney felt her cheeks glow with embarrassment, but the kiss had been well worth it. As their guests called out their congratulations and goodwill, Frederick led them away.
The newlyweds rode back to the mansion. The reception there was an incredible fairy tale, and Whitney hoped it would never end. She laughed as she cut the cake with Liam, and he kissed away the extra frosting. Cameras snapped and reporters asked questions, but she floated along in her own perfect bubble.
When it came time for her first dance as a married woman, she glided into Liam’s arms. There was still too much material separating them, but soon they’d be alone.
Epilogue
Whitney walked toward the laughter coming from the back of the house. She knew Liam had to be up to no good with the kids. That was the only reason they’d be causing so much ruckus. She turned the corner and stepped through the patio doors. She didn’t know whether she should laugh or run for cover.
Brayden was home for the summer. He called home regularly, but loved college, where he was excelling. He’d already brought home a few girlfriends, which made his uncle proud of him but worried Whitney. He was only nineteen, far too young to get too serious.
Ally was thriving in high school. She was so beautiful, it took Whitney’s breath away. The girl reminded her so much of her sister, and Whitney dreaded the time that this child would also leave for college.
“Momma, we’re having a water fight!” Little Vincent came running up to her, soaking wet and with a big smile on his face. The boy seemed to grow a few more inches every day. He’d been conceived during the honeymoon, and the newlyweds both wanted to name their firstborn son after Liam’s brother. Frederick was delighted.
“I see that, Vincent. Are you having fun with your cousins?” she asked. He giggled and dashed away. She spotted Frederick sitting in what she assumed was a safety zone, since he was holding her two-year-old daughter.
“Good morning,” she said, kissing both him and her daughter on the cheek. “I’m surprised you’re not in the middle of all this.”
“Ah, my precious granddaughter wanted to cuddle here with me,” he said in answer.
Whitney wasn’t surprised he’d rather hold Jade. They’d been close since she was born. He’d greatly been looking forward to another granddaughter because he and Ally were so close.
“Has Liam given you the good news yet?” she asked Frederick.
He just stared at her.
“I was just getting around to that when my nephew decided to tag me with a water balloon. Of course, I had to pay him back first,” Liam said as he walked up and kissed her. Even after all these years together, he had the ability to take her breath away.
“Well, don’t keep an old man waiting,” Frederick demanded. He knew well that once those two got distracted, the rest of the world would fade away.
“Sorry, Dad. We’re going to have another baby,” Liam said. He placed his hand against Whitney’s still-flat stomach and beamed with pride.
“Oh, that’s wonderful news, indeed,” Frederick told him. “There is so much joy these days, and it just keeps getting better.” He got up from his seat and hugged them both.
Whitney looked at the patio, filled with her family, and counted her blessings. Dreams really could come true.
About Melody Anne
NYT and USA Today Best Selling Author Melody Anne has written the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, Surrender, Baby for the Billionaire, and she also has a young adult series: Midnight Fire, Midnight Moon and Midnight Storm – Rise of the Dark Angel.
Originally from the picturesque coastal town of Florence, Oregon, Melody often takes her readers to small town locations, not too unlike the small town she grew up in. As an aspiring author she wrote for years, until publishing in 2011 her first three books, which would later become the wildly successful Billionaire Bachelors series.
Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in business, and having left behind the airline industry with all of its business travelers, she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen and the corporate world.
When Melody isn’t writing, she cultivates strong bonds with her family and relatives and enjoys time spent with them as well as her friends, and beloved pets. Living in the heart of Oregon’s wine country, the Willamette Valley, Melody continues to be a country girl at heart. She loves the small town and strong community she lives in and is involved in many community projects.
Find Melody here:
http://www.melodyanne.com/
https://www.facebook.com/melodyanneauthor
https://twitter.com/authmelodyanne
https://plus.google.com/+MelodyAnneAuthor/posts
http://www.goodreads.com/authormelodyanne
Jackson
Copyright © 2015 Violet Duke
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, this book and any portion thereof may not be reproduced, scanned, transferred, or distributed in any print or electronic form without the express written permission of the author. Participation in any aspect of piracy of copyrighted materials, inclusive o
f the obtainment of this book through non-retail or other unauthorized means, is in actionable violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, media, brands, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events is purely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and registered trademark owners of all branded names referenced without TM, SM, or (R) symbols due to formatting constraints, and is not claiming ownership of or collaboration with said trademark brands.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
When behind-the-scenes sports analyst Jackson Gray is assigned the task of teaching the ins and outs of college and pro football to the network’s newest on-camera beauty, sideline reporter Leila Hart, the last thing he expects is to become the one getting schooled—in lessons in love, that is—from a woman who clearly knows way more about sports than she lets on.
Praise for New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Violet Duke
"I laughed and cried in this incredible romance. One of the BEST I've read this year. Emotionally charged with wonderful characters, I couldn't stop reading!"
--New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
J.S. Scott on the Can’t Resist series
"Sexy, emotional, and so unique. A moving trilogy and spin-off that will take you
on a roller coaster of emotions. I couldn't put these books down!"
--New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Carly Phillips on the Can’t Resist series
"A heartfelt, fast-paced, and fun read!"
-- New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Lauren Blakely on the Can’t Resist series
"A new must-read series. Not only will you fall in love with the characters,
you'll fall in love with romance."
--New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Kathleen Brooks on the Cactus Creek series
"Guaranteed feel-good, swoon-worthy romance."
-- New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Erin Nicholas on the Cactus Creek series
"Heart-melting and guaranteed to make you laugh and cry before you finish the last page."
-- New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author
Sawyer Bennett on the Cactus Creek series
DEDICATION
To MVD (Mr. Violet Duke) for all his unparalleled football coaching expertise.
CHAPTER ONE
What a beautiful little liar.
Jackson Gray kept his face neutral as he continued to listen to the introductions going on outside of his office between the other analysts on his floor and DBC Sports Network’s gorgeous new on-screen talent—the same memorable new on-screen talent he’d caught a glimpse of yesterday, not long after she’d been hired.
Leila Hart.
The glimpse he’d gotten of her yesterday had been just that. A brief, second-long glance. But that distractingly cute smile of hers had stuck with him for quite a while after.
Even through his date last night.
If it hadn’t been such a godawful evening, he would’ve felt a tad guilty over that fact. Truthfully though, that one smile had been the equivalent of a survival kit for the disaster that had come packaged in a painted-on mini dress so short, he was certain it was really technically a long halter top. Sans any underwear whatsoever.
Thank God for that smile.
It truly had saved him last night…from inflicting a mortal wound to his own body just so he’d have a good enough reason to flee from the mad woman, that is.
He shuddered at the traumatic flashbacks. Lordy, that had been one long-ass, apocalyptic date.
Of course, in the light of day today, he had to admit that despite his usual vigilance on such matters, he had in fact been completely ill-prepared. He imagined this was why the National Weather Service recommended a periodic inspection and update of all survival kits.
His was clearly outdated.
What he’d thought were the two only real preparation procedures he needed to exercise before going out with a woman—a thorough screening for any I-want-your-kids-now vibes, followed by his standard explanation about how he could only offer a casual night of fun and nothing more—was simply not enough nowadays.
Now, he knew to also look out for: 1) women who got drunk at home before going out man-hunting, 2) women who treated grocery stores as their hunting ground of choice, and 3) what he could only describe as a ‘come dirty up my pre-ordered white picket fence’ vibe that could roll in quicker than a freak storm front on an otherwise normal looking day.
Silly him for not having known to be on disaster preparation alert for these sorts of things.
Had he been prepared, he would never have agreed to let-me-make-it-up-to-you drinks with the woman who—he’d realized too late—probably should’ve been given a breathalyzer after she’d crashed her shopping cart into his at the supermarket yesterday evening. Because apparently, women that intoxicated sometimes forget to put air quotes around the key word when she admitted to ‘knowing’ both of his best friends, Bennett and Donovan.
Lesson learned.
From now on, he’d have to restrict his female companions to the microscopic population of women in Arizona who Bennett hadn’t flirted his way into—and quickly out of—the panties of, and women who weren’t unknowingly ruined for all other men thanks to Donovan’s style of…err ‘dating.’ Oh, and also a woman that Jackson himself hadn’t already had his usual, and always mutually agreed upon, friendly one-nighter with.
He’d learned a valuable lesson about the last criteria a few years back, after his one and only ‘two-nighter’ with a woman had somehow turned her into a crazed little stalker he still sometimes looked over his shoulder for when he climbed into his car…and under his bed for when he climbed into bed. Seriously.
Two days ago, he would’ve said these new added pre-date criteria would mean an inevitable drought for him of slightly disconcerting proportions.
But that was before yesterday’s glimpse of ‘the smile.’
Not only was the owner of ‘the smile’ refreshingly different, but Jackson sincerely doubted she’d ever have cavorted with either of his old high school buddies. From what the rumor mill had churned out about the woman yesterday, and based on what he was seeing today, all evidence pointed to a high probability that she was equipped with an immunity to both Bennett’s and Donovan’s unique charms, not unlike the two female friends who were the closest thing to sisters that Jackson, Bennett, and Donovan had. One a diehard tomboy and the other a take-no-crap ball-buster—he had a strong feeling Leila would fit in like a third musketeer with the pair.
Of course, in Leila’s case, it was quickly becoming clear that he felt decidedly unbrotherly toward her, which was interesting because truth be told, she was currently inspiring more fascination in him than lust—though he was certain the latter would catch up quickly enough. Perhaps that was the root of his undivided attention at the moment. He had to assume this lopsided reaction to the unique woman was due to it being clear as day to him—and apparently, him alone—that she was lying her neat little ponytail off, left and right, to everyone there.
While that should have triggered the emergency broadcast system warning him that a calamity not unlike last night’s date from hell was imminent, strangely, he was simply intrigued. Mostly due to what the gorgeous little enigma was lying about.
The woman knew football.
Yet, she was standing here lying about that fact.
Jackson had first noticed it after their network producer Lloyd had finished explaining to Leila—who had apparently come up from their local station in Phoenix—how DBC Sports Network’s main operations consisted of sports-specific departments, a different set-up from what she was used to. The Phoenix station, like their four other regional affiliates in Vegas, Denver, Albuquerq
ue, and Salt Lake City, operated on a much smaller scale. And every time Lloyd kept emphasizing how she’d be working on just football, Jackson saw a tiny little sparkle dance around in her eyes.
Though she did her best to hide it well.
Then, when Lloyd shifted over to the logistics of NFL drafting, free-agent contracts, and the off-season changes that the teams went through before pre-season, Jackson watched Leila do a valiant job of looking like Lloyd wasn’t reciting the alphabet to her…slowly and loudly. Lloyd was none the wiser. In fact, when she gave him an ‘are-you-friggin-serious’ look after he asked her whether she knew which three NFL teams their network covered, he’d basically patted her on the head reassuringly and came up with a helpful little Schoolhouse Rock type lesson to aid her in remembering that: “The Hawks flew proudly in Arizona, while Reno was notorious for their Outlaws, who Utah’s Miners were always scared of.”
Jackson had almost pissed his pants laughing.
Likewise, Lloyd had been completely oblivious to the flare of exasperation she’d smothered when he suggested she make some flashcards and spend a few minutes every day quizzing herself on which sixteen NFL teams were in the four NFC divisions, and which were in the AFC divisions.
She’d looked like she’d been counting to ten silently to keep her cool.
But then came the big one. The spectacular flame ball of muted annoyance that Jackson witnessed igniting Leila’s catlike eyes when Lloyd made a passing comment about her also having to know little things like how—quote, unquote—the Miners had the best defense in their conference, so she didn’t get too lost during the sideline interview questions they’d be feeding her on air.
From what Jackson could gather, it wasn’t the inadvertently condescending way that Lloyd was speaking to her that was making her positively spark right before Jackson’s eyes…it was his comment on the Miners having the best defense in the conference. He was certain of it.
Sweet Talk Boxed Set (Ten NEW Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research plus BONUS Novel) Page 10