by Jane Porter
“I cried because the sex we had, you and me, was so good. I cried because it felt so right. I cried because I realized what I once felt for Leo was nothing compared to what I feel for you.” She grabbed him by the shirt and gave it a fierce shake. “Being with you, making love with you, made me realize how lucky I am to have found you—”
He interrupted her words, silencing them with a kiss. The kiss went on and on, and she clung to him, thinking no one and nothing had ever felt better.
When he finally lifted his head, she smiled a watery smile up at him. “I love you. Madly in love with you, Joe, and terrified you will stop wanting me—”
“No, never. Ever. Sophie, I love you.”
Her skin prickled all over. Her hair rose on her nape. “Did you just say…”
“Yes. I love you, and I think I fell in love with you the moment you stepped off that plane and walked into the terminal with your long gorgeous hair and those polarized sunglasses. You looked like a movie star and then you took your glasses off and I saw you’d been crying and all I’ve wanted since that day was to take care of you. I want a life with you, a big life, a happy life. I want everything with you.”
“Say it again,” she whispered.
“I love you and want everything with you.”
“And again.”
“I love you—”
“Once more.”
“I love you.”
“Thank God.” She smiled even as tears fell. “And I love you, Joe Wyatt, with all of my heart and all of my soul.”
Then he kissed her, deeply, passionately, and Sophie’s bruised heart healed, and her world was complete.
Epilogue
Sunday arrived with a breathtaking rose-and-gold sunrise, the brilliant rays casting a peach glow over Paradise Valley. The wedding wouldn’t be for hours yet, but Sophie lingered with her coffee at the window in Joe’s room, which, as of today, was officially her room, too. Joe had helped her clear her things out of Sam’s room and move her into his room, even as he apologized for not having a bigger, nicer bedroom. She didn’t care about the size of the room; the bed was big and comfortable, topped with a fluffy feather duvet.
She’d been secretly sleeping in here every night since she and Joe had made up—not that it was probably a secret to the rest of the household. But no one said anything and Sophie was just so happy to finally be totally comfortable here at the ranch house. She didn’t ever want to have another big fight with Joe. It had been horrible, and scary, and incredibly sad, but the fight—and the aftermath—had changed something in them. It’d changed their relationship, too. They felt like a real couple, and their relationship felt solid, and safe.
In the future, she expected they’d have arguments and would lose their tempers, but there would be no walking out, or running away. There would be no extended periods of silence or hurtful distancing. They’d both agreed they would never again go to bed angry with the other. They’d promised to talk more, and work on communication. But, honestly, communication had changed tremendously already. Just being together in the same bed at night made communication easy. Joe had dropped the last of his guard and he smiled so much more, even his expression when he looked at Sophie made her heart melt. His lovely blue eyes warmed when he looked her way, his expression so full of tenderness and love that it made her feel breathless. No one had ever looked at her this way, or made her feel so special, as if she was something miraculous.
She loved the laughter in the house now, too. Granddad was exactly as he’d always been—strong, quiet, but loving. It was Summer who’d changed. She was happy, and so lighthearted, she struck Sophie as almost girlish. Joe still wasn’t pleased that his mom had deliberately been cold to Sophie, but Sophie understood.
“Don’t be upset with her,” Sophie said last night, snuggling against his chest. “She wanted what was best for you, and you got it… me!”
He laughed, the sound a warm rumble, and his arms tightened around her and he dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Tomorrow we have wedding number two. Are you really good with it, or have you just become an exceptional actress?”
“I’m actually really excited. I never did have a wedding. I had an engagement. But I never did wear a pretty dress, or walk down an aisle, or have a first dance or cut a cake.” She fell silent a moment, picturing everything that would happen tomorrow. “Even if no one comes, it will be special just being with you, celebrating us.”
And now here it was, the big day, and Sophie felt another jolt of excitement as she heard and then saw a big white truck come into view. The dogs dashed out into the driveway, beyond excited, with Runt practically doing backflips in his eagerness to get to the passengers.
Joe’s brothers had arrived.
And then Joe was stepping out of the house, heading to the driveway and she watched as the truck doors opened and three big cowboys climbed out and then Joe was hugging them, and they were back-slapping and laughing, and hugging some more.
Sophie’s eyes filled with tears, but they were happy tears.
Joe had been so lonely here with them gone. He’d been so lonely at the ranch before she arrived, and now he never had to be the oldest, doing the responsible thing, alone. She’d be at his side, supporting him, and caring for him, and instead of being practical and businesslike, they’d fill this old ranch house full of love and laughter. And babies. Hopefully at least four or five.
Suddenly, all the guys outside were looking up to the window where she stood and they waved. She waved back and then she quickly wiped away a tear. She was happy. She loved it here. She felt as if she’d truly come home.
*
Sophie was in her dressing room at Emerson Barn getting ready. The wedding was just an hour away now, and Amanda had arrived to do Sophie’s hair and makeup. Summer knocked at the door, asking if she could come in, and Sophie had welcomed her. “I’m glad you’re here,” Sophie said. “It makes it more special.”
Summer carefully sat in one of the chairs by the window. She looked almost radiant in her cream gown with the antique lace overlay. Amanda had done Summer’s hair earlier, and her silvery-blonde style flattered her immensely.
Summer couldn’t help beaming as she watched Amanda curl Sophie’s hair. “I have to tell you, Sophie, I haven’t had this much fun in ages. Thank you so much for indulging me. I know you didn’t want to do all of this—”
“In the beginning,” Sophie agreed, “but I’m glad you insisted we have a wedding. This is wonderful, it is.”
“Well, I appreciate you including me, and letting me help create a dream wedding for you and Joe. I just want you two to know how much we love you.”
“I do know.” Sophie’s gaze met Summer’s in the mirror. “How does it feel, having all your boys home?”
“Wonderful. They have so much fun together. The photographer, McKenna Sheenan, is with them now, taking pictures. She’ll be coming here soon to take pictures of you in your dress.”
“I don’t think I’ve met her yet.”
“She grew up in this valley. Her family were ranchers, too.”
Amanda leaned down and whispered into Sophie’s ear, “McKenna’s brother, Quinn, is the baseball player that married Charity.”
Sophie was almost finished dressing when the photographer arrived. McKenna quickly set up lights and began taking candids of Summer straightening Sophie’s veil, and Amanda touching up Sophie’s makeup.
And then it was time to go and Sophie’s heart beat faster.
*
Joe had been standing with the minister, waiting for Sophie to arrive. The guests filled the folding chairs and his mother had been seated five minutes earlier, walked to her chair up front by Sam. Joe had given her a wink as she sat down and she gave him a proud smile. This day meant so much to her. She’d made that promise to Joe’s dad to do her best for the boys, and she had. Today, her eldest was getting married.
Turning his head, Joe glanced at his brothers who stood by his side, quietly joking
and talking. Joe had known they were driving through the night to make the wedding, but seeing Sam’s truck this morning pull into the driveway, and then having them spill out of the truck, boisterous and happy to be home, had given him peace. Everyone told him that his brothers looked a lot like him, and he supposed they did. The Wyatts inherited Melvin’s height, and lean, athletic build. His brothers were also tan and tough, hardened by competition, and weathered by competing in all elements.
Joe’s gaze met Sam’s, and Sam grinned. Joe grinned back. Smiled. Even though he was no longer on the road with Sam, Billy, and Tommy, they were still close, and he knew they’d be here today. He would have bet the ranch on it.
Suddenly, the music changed and the familiar strains of the bridal march played. Joe looked up, and there was Sophie, entering the big barn on his grandfather’s arm.
His heart kind of stopped.
He, who never cried, felt his eyes sting. Joe blinked hard to see her better.
She wasn’t wearing white. She wore a light blue gown with a delicate lace bodice with a frothy tulle skirt that floated around her, making her look like a cloud as she walked down the aisle on Granddad’s arm. Her long hair had been curled and styled, and she carried a bouquet of white roses and lilies. She finally had the flowers she deserved. She was so beautiful, perfect in every way.
She smiled at him as she approached, and for a second, Joe couldn’t breathe. It was impossible when his chest ached, his heart full.
He’d placed an ad for a wife, and God had sent him an angel.
The End
The Wyatt Brothers of Montana series
Book 1: Montana Cowboy Romance
View the series here!
Book 2: Montana Cowboy Christmas
Pre-order now!
Book 3: Montana Cowboy Daddy
Coming soon!
Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from Charity Wright’s romance
Not Christmas Without You
Jane Porter
Keep reading below or Buy now!
It wasn’t the worst breakup in history.
Charity Wright knew that on the spectrum of heartbreaks, hers was mild. It was the sort of thing that someone might say “I have a touch of the flu,” except hers was a touch of heartbreak. Not so devastating that the holidays would be completely ruined but dispiriting, for sure. She secretly suspected that she might be getting too old to believe that happy-ever-afters could exist. And yet, she wasn’t a good pessimist. She preferred to see the glass as half-full, but on the inside she was increasingly worried. Was something wrong with her?
Why couldn’t she meet “the one”? Or, had she met the one—her thoughts immediately went to her first love, Joe Wyatt, before shying away—and she’d blown her only opportunity for happy-ever-after? Maybe soul mates didn’t exist. Maybe there wouldn’t be a Mr. Right for her, never mind a Mr. Perfect.
Her younger sister, Amanda, said Charity hadn’t found Mr. Right because Charity’s standards weren’t high enough—at least not since Joe, and he was years ago.
Older-sister Jenny said it was because all those romance novels Charity had read growing up had poisoned her brain, making her think that love was easy and fun. Obviously Jenny had never read a romance novel, because in romance, love was not easy or fun. Love was a battlefield, with a little nod to the great 80s’ singer, Pat Benatar.
This was why Charity needed a break from men and dating. She was just too banged up. A little too bruised. Charity was usually a never-ending well of hope, but at the moment, her hope was running dry. Which was why she kept thinking about Tricia’s offer to attend the travel agent familiarization trip in Wyoming in Tricia’s place.
It’d be a chance to get away from Marietta, a chance to have a break from the real estate office—as she unfortunately worked with her ex, the double-timing Greg—and a chance to go somewhere she’d never been. The Tetons were only a five-hour drive from Marietta, but she’d never been.
Growing up, the Wright sisters hadn’t traveled much because the family didn’t have the means to travel, never mind manage rent and food. But Charity was thirty now, and this travel agent familiarization would get her there, and even better, it was free. A four-night, five-day all-expense paid trip to a little ski resort in Wyoming. Would it be so wrong to go?
Was it so awful to pretend to be Tricia Thorpe instead of Charity Wright?
It wasn’t as if Tricia was a stranger. Tricia had been a close friend since they were girls, and Tricia’s brother married Charity’s sister, Jenny, making them family. And since Tricia couldn’t go on the trip due to a work conflict, and the Little Teton ski resort really wanted Marietta Travel to participate, why couldn’t Charity represent Marietta Travel?
It wasn’t as if Charity knew nothing about the travel agency. She’d worked for them one summer when they were shorthanded and she was in between jobs. True, she hadn’t actually booked travel, but she’d filed brochures and printed travel itineraries and assisted the agents with their research. She actually quite liked the job. She’d hoped they would hire her and train her, but they had wanted someone with experience, someone who already knew how to use the computer software and had a client base. That’s how Charity had ended up working for Sam Melk at Melk Realty, and then how she met Greg, who’d been hired a year after she started there. They were no longer dating, but Greg remained a problem, making little digs, constantly goading her. Charity shouldn’t have ever dated him in the first place, but what was done was done. All she could do was move forward.
A trip to Wyoming sounded like the perfect break, a most welcome break. Provided she didn’t have to ski—of course she’d been skiing at Bridger Bowl, just outside of Bozeman and she’d also done a little bit of skiing at Big Sky—but she was still quite an intermediate skier, and wasn’t cut out for black diamond anything.
Tricia had said no skiing was required. Tricia said Charity simply needed to soak up all the information and report back, and if there was anything Charity did well, it was taking notes.
Charity shut down her computer, walked through Melk Realty turning off printers and lights, adjusting the thermostat for the night, before locking the door on the office and making her way two blocks south on Main Street to Marietta Travel.
Outside, festive white lights framed the windows and green garland wrapped around the light posts lining the street. The decorations on Main Street were familiar and beloved, and while Charity cherished her life in Marietta, there were disadvantages to living in a small town. She knew everyone, and everyone knew her, which also meant they knew when her romantic life derailed.
Marietta Travel still blazed with light and, peeking through the front window painted with a huge blue globe, topped with a jaunty red ribbon and the words The World is Yours in a gorgeous font, Charity spotted Tricia still at her desk in the glassed-in office at the very back.
Charity gave the painted window a quick critical study before trying the door. The paint was holding up. Good. She’d worried it might crack with the cold but it looked perfect still. No one but Tricia knew Charity had painted the window when Tricia’s usual sign painter tripped on his own icy sidewalk and broke his wrist, preventing him from doing the job. Tricia knew that Charity was forever sketching clothes, and asked Charity if she’d be willing to decorate their window for the Marietta Stroll, and Charity hadn’t been able to turn down the chance to make a little extra money on the side. With both of her parents now retired, money in her family was always tight.
Charity stuck her head inside the front door and called to Tricia, “Hey, Trish, am I interrupting?”
Tricia left her desk and waved her in. “Just wrapping up a few things. Come on back.”
“Anything I can help with?”
“Nope, just organizing itineraries to go out to customers tomorrow.” Tricia gave her a hopeful look. “Have you decided about the Little Teton familiarization trip?”
“I think I want to do it.”
“Good! It should be fun
. Most of the agents will probably be older, but there might be a few other young ones.”
“I don’t care about that. I’d love to be able to help you. You’re always looking out for me.”
“Well, it would help us. The owners really want Marietta Travel there, aware that we have some clients with deep pockets, and you know our clientele. You know what people here are looking for when they say they want a great weekend getaway, or a cool, but affordable ski trip.”
“I do think it’d be fun to learn something new. I promise to take extensive notes.”
“I know you will. That’s why I’m encouraging you to go. You go be our ears and eyes, report back if Little Teton is the new place for us to recommend.” Tricia gave her a sly look. “It also means you’d miss the Stroll this weekend, and we all know Greg is going to parade his Miss Livingston around all weekend. Do you really want to be there to see that?”
“No.” That alone made Charity shudder. “Definitely don’t want to be party to that, but at the same time, I don’t want to get you in trouble.”
“You won’t. They want us there. They’re excited Marietta Travel is participating. I’ll send some of my business cards with you, and an old driver’s license for checking in.”
“Do I need to dye my hair brown? Mandy could—”
“No, don’t! It’d never be the same. And no one will say anything about the hair color, not when everyone is turning their hair blue these days. Just go and have fun and forget about Greg and what a two-timing schmuck he is, okay?”
“Easier said than done, but yes, that’s the plan.”
*
The last time Quinn Douglas had flown into Jackson Hole he’d been with his former girlfriend, Alice, and her father Leo Sterling on their private plane, flying in from Seattle for Christmas at the Sterling’s vast Wyoming ranch with the equally impressive, sprawling ten-thousand-square-foot “lodge.”