It was the moment of truth. I took a deep breath. “The minute I saw you on the steps that day in freshman year, I knew. You started to talk, and I fell in love a little. I told Lainey, I just met this guy, and I don’t think I need to see any other man for the next four years. He’s perfect.” I remembered that feeling, that high. The euphoria of a crush when it was new and everything felt possible. “But then I found out you were popular, and you had that whole group of friends. I was totally intimidated. I heard a lot of rumors about you dating a ton of girls, and I thought I’d never have a chance.”
“I was just waiting for you to give me a sign I had a chance. None of those girls were ever serious. They weren’t interested in anything long-term, and they knew I wasn’t.”
“And then the Epsilon party happened, and then grad school—and you went to England.”
“I did.” He nodded. “I was pretty sure you and I had missed our chance by that time, and being on the campus, seeing you every day, was just killing me. I figured putting an ocean between us might help. By the time I came back, you were down here.”
“I kept hoping you might come down and see me.”
“You never invited me.”
“I was afraid you’d say no. Or that if you did say yes, it would only be because—”
“I felt sorry for you.” He finished for me and shook his head. “I don’t get it, Maureen. You’re so confident most of the time, but when it came to our friends or me, you acted like we were doing you a favor letting you hang out with us. I never understood how you could feel that away. Everyone loved you.”
“I was never the popular one, not ever. I had friends, but I didn’t date. Boys in Burton didn’t ask me out. Ali was my closest friend, and she was two years younger than me. I was completely terrified of what college would be like, all those new people—and I couldn’t believe that anyone would really want to be my friend. Lainey was the only one I trusted.”
“But even after everything you worried about, you still called me when you had this opportunity come up. Why?”
I smiled. “I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d ever trust to be my partner. I figured asking you was a long shot, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. And then Ali kept telling me this was our second chance. I didn’t want to believe it, so I might have gone a little overboard in protecting myself.”
“That’s all a great rehashing of history, but you still haven’t told me what I’m waiting to hear.” Smith kissed my cheek, my chin and then my other cheek. I lifted my lips, but he ignored them, lifting one eyebrow. Waiting for me to say the words.
I groaned. “It’s hard. I’ve been bottling this up for ten years, Smith. Ten years. Do you think it’s easy for me to suddenly say how much I love you? That I’ve been in love with you for so long, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t?”
“You just did.” He lowered his lips to mine, a slow kiss that was filled with all the promise and hope I’d ever wanted. I opened my mouth and slid my tongue out to meet his, tracing the inside of his lips, gripping the back of his neck and holding him close. For long moments, words were superfluous, because at last, we were where we were always meant to be.
“Smith?” I murmured his name against his lips.
“Yeah, baby?” He ran one finger down the side of my throat, and I shivered.
“I was thinking about one of the things I said last night during my meltdown. We’re both vets. We should have a dog. Shouldn’t we? It’s a good example to our clients, adopting a dog who needs a home, raising him right.”
Smith laughed softly. “Determined to steal my thunder, huh?” He kissed my jaw, nibbling his way down the column of my neck. “I already figured Jack was coming home to live with us. Bought a bed, a leash and a supply of tennis balls yesterday. I was going to surprise you.”
I held his face between my hands. “Smith Harrington, I think I’m going to love you forever.”
One side of his mouth curved into a half-smile. “Only that long?”
I drew his face down to mine. “Well, it’s a start.”
And then we didn’t talk at all, for a very long time.
The End
“JACK! REENIE, COME GET YOUR dog out from under my feet before he trips me and I drop the turkey.”
I turned around from the kitchen table, where I was slicing sweet potatoes. “My hands are wet. Hold on.” I leaned out of the kitchen and raised my voice. “Smith! Come get Jack. He’s driving Mom crazy.”
Smith came jogging into the kitchen with a squealing Bridget on his back. “Looks like we have a situation here, little lady. Let’s lasso this here varmint and take ‘im out to pasture.”
I rolled my eyes. “You have the most ridiculous cowboy accent I’ve ever heard. John Wayne is rolling over in his grave.”
“Woman, don’t be dissing my Western words. We know what we’re doin’, don’t we, little lady?”
Bridget laughed. “Uncle Smith’s my horse, Auntie Reen. He’s not a cowboy, he’s a horse-talker.”
“Well, whatever he is, y’all need to get out of my kitchen if you want to eat Thanksgiving dinner before midnight.” My mother slid the huge bird, now basted, back into the oven. “Where did the other girls get to? Iona’s supposed to be peeling potatoes, and Ali told me she’d set the table. Meghan and Sam and the Wallaces are going to be here any time now.”
I slipped an arm around my mom’s waist and gave her a side-hug as Smith took Jack outside into the backyard. “Have I thanked you again for inviting everyone here for dinner? It means so much to all of us to be able to be together today.”
“We’re family, Maureen. All of us. You know that. Blood and marriage mean something, sure, but love trumps it.” She smiled and kissed my cheek. “And you know how happy it makes me to have all these faces around my table. Your father would love it.”
“He would.” I sniffled a little. “He’d like Smith, too, don’t you think?”
“Oh, he’d love that boy. No question. Mostly because you do, and then again, because Smith so clearly adores you.” Mom patted my cheek. “Now enough of this. Get back to work.”
I sat back down and began slicing the sweet potatoes again. Preoccupied with my task, I didn’t hear Smith come back inside until I felt his arms slide around me.
“Hey. I could’ve cut off a finger.” I tilted my head up to look into his eyes.
“Never. I was watching and waited until it was safe.” He kissed the side of my neck and splayed his fingers over my ribs, his thumbs a breath away from the bottom of my breasts. I caught my breath and closed my eyes, just feeling.
“Besides.” His lips were at my ear now, whispering. “We’re still making up for lost time. I’ll never miss an opportunity to kiss my woman.”
“Is that a promise?” I covered his hand with mine, lacing our fingers together.
“You know it, baby. And tonight, when we’re at home, I’ll show you more about just how well I keep my promises.”
Happy Thanksgiving to me.
The Always Love Trilogy is the second threesome of books set in Burton, Georgia. If you want to check out what happened first, The One Trilogy is available in a box set that includes an extra short story not available anywhere else.
The One Trilogy
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
And if you want to get ready for The Always Love Trilogy Book 2, Always My Own, be sure to read my short story Underneath My Christmas Tree, part of the anthology 12 Christmas Romances to Melt Your Heart.
In 1989, I saw a movie that defined my generation (for me, at least) and quickly became one of my favorites. When Harry Met Sally made me laugh, brought me to tears and gave my family (and the rest of the world) catchphrases we still use today. Nora Ephron, who wrote the screenplay, went on to write many more excellent movies, including two more of my favorites: Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail. You might not pick it up—the nods are subtle—but Always For You is by way of being a
n homage to Nora and her gift for writing realistic, compassionate works about women, men and the way we relate to each other in the late-20th and early-21st centuries.
We lost this brilliant woman far too soon, in 2012, to the scourge of leukemia, which has taken too many people from us before their time. But I am ever grateful to Nora for bringing me, personally, so much joy through her work.
Thanks of course to my team of usual suspects: Stephanie Nelson for the beautiful (and much-discussed) cover and Kelly Baker for proofreading. An extra-special shout-out, hug, thanks and many bottles of wine to my dear Stacey Blake of Champagne Formats for her work here as well as for a myriad of extra help she’s given me, always. A heap of gratitude to Jen Rattie and Maria Clark for their promotional and VA work. And big thank-you hugs to Mandie Stevens and Olivia Hardin, who help maintain my sanity and listen to me whine.
Love always to my wonderful Temptresses, whose encouragement keeps me rolling.
This is my final book of 2015, and my family has been patient and kind to me all year as I’ve worked hard on the business of books. I couldn’t do what I do without their help and tolerance. I love you all . . . always!
Sleeping With A Friend Neon Trees
You Belong With Me Taylor Swift
Complicated Carolyn Dawn Johnson
My Best Friend Tim McGraw
Say Goodbye Dave Matthews Band
Whenever I Call You Friend Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks
Can’t Help Falling In Love Ingrid Michaelson
Falling In Love With My Best Friend Matt White
Photo by Heather Batchelder
Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books run from YA paranormal romance through NA paranormal and contemporary romance to adult contemporary and paramystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.
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The King Series
Fearless
Breathless
Restless
Endless
Crystal Cove Books
The Posse
The Plan
The Path
The Perfect Dish Series
Best Served Cold
Just Desserts
I Choose You
The One Trilogy Box Set
The Last One
The First One
The Only One
12 Christmas Romances to Melt Your Heart
The Always Love Trilogy
Always For You
Always My Own
The Seredipity Duet
Undeniable
Unquenchable
Recipe for Death Series
Death Fricassee
Death A La Mode
Always My Own
When Elizabeth Hudson and Trent Wagoner met on a Christmas tree lot in Florida, sparks flew, igniting a fire they both thought would burn for a long time.
The problem with fires is that sometimes people get hurt. In this case, both Elizabeth and Trent end up burnt when an impulsive decision results in long-term repercussions.
Trent, still dealing with the aftermath of a painful situation that impacted two families in his hometown of Burton, struggles with the feelings he has for Elizabeth. He’s not sure that committing to her is a good idea when everything he touches seems to end badly.
Elizabeth took a risk when she moved to Burton for Trent. Now she’s stuck in a job she’s not sure she likes, living with people she doesn’t know, in love with a man who may not be capable of the forever she craves.
When it seems as if hope has died . . . there’s always love.
Elizabeth
IT PROBABLY WASN’T A GOOD omen that the first sign of civilization I came across in my brand-new hometown was bar.
But even if seeing it was a bad sign, the Road Block looked like a decent joint. It was huge, a building of raw planks decorated liberally with neon that rose out of the empty fields. The parking lot was pretty packed, even though it wasn’t full-on dark yet on a Thursday night, and the sign near the road announced that it was Ladies Night, with a DJ was spinning tunes and half-priced drinks.
Sounded like my type of place.
I slowed my packed-to-the-gills car, and for a moment, I debated whether stopping at a bar on my way into a town I’d never seen, where I hoped to run a successful law practice, was a good idea. And then the part of me that’d been talking louder and louder of late assured me that one drink wasn’t going to hurt anyone. That sounded about right, so I swung into the parking lot and eased into a spot near the back.
Climbing out, I stretched, feeling the muscles in my back ease when my feet hit the graveled ground. The air was chilly now that the sun was down, and shivering, I reached back into the car for my jacket before I headed for the front of the building.
Inside, the Road Block was a wide open space, with dim lights, plenty of round tables and a large dance floor, which was empty at the moment. Apparently the DJ hadn’t started playing yet. Still, as the parking lot had indicated, the place was fairly crowded, and mostly with women. I guessed Ladies Night was popular in Burton, Georgia.
I found a spot at the bar and eased onto a stool, glancing around the area. Two people were working behind the bar: one was a woman who was probably about twenty years my senior, and the other was an incredibly-well built man, with dark cropped hair. Both of them were moving fast, taking orders, filling them and chatting with the patrons. I waited, biding my time until the man spotted me and moseyed down to my end.
“Hey, thanks for waiting. Sorry, we’re a little busy tonight.” He grinned at me, and I swore my bones melted. Oh, mama.
“Um, no problem.” I flashed what I hoped was a winsome smile. “Can I just have a glass of white wine? Whatever you’re offering tonight for the special is fine.”
Mr. Incredibly Handsome folded his arms over that huge chest and leaned onto the bar, bringing his face to my level. “We have a nice Pinot, but I really recommend the Riesling. It’s new, it’s from Australia, and my wife absolutely loves it. And she’s got a very discerning palate.”
My heart, which had been skipping along merrily as he spoke, dropped. Yeah, it figured. All the good ones were taken. A thread of uneasy guilt wrapped around my stomach, but I pushed it away.
“That sounds perfect. The Riesling, I mean.”
He winked at me. “You got it.” Pulling a wine glass from the rack overhead, he tipped a bottle over the rim, giving me a generous serving. “Here you go.” He studied me for a few seconds. “You’re not from Burton. Just passing through or coming for a visit?”
I grimaced. “Neither. Moving here.”
He raised one eyebrow. “And not very happy about it, apparently. Relax, sugar. We’re a very welcoming community.”
Underneath My Christmas Tree
Elizabeth Hudson has one goal in mind for this holiday season: ignore it. With her complicated family, non-existent love life and demanding job, skipping Christmas seems like the best plan ever.
Until a Christmas tree lot pops up just outside her office, run by the hot and hunky Trent Wagoner.
Trent took this job because he needed to get away from life in his small Georgia hometown. Hauling a truckload of Douglas firs and blue spruces from his cousin’s farm in Michigan to sell in Florida sounded like the perfect plan to find the space he needs and finally get his life on track.
Neither Trent nor Elizabeth planned on the instant sparks of attraction between them. But no matter how hard they fight it, something unexpected—and wonderful—may show up beneath the Christmas tree this year.
; A sneak peek of Underneath My Christmas Tree from 12 Christmas Romances to Melt Your Heart
Friday before Thanksgiving
Elizabeth
“HEY! LADY, DIDN’T YOU HEAR me knocking?”
With no little effort, I pulled my eyes from the computer screen and looked toward my office door, frowning. “What? No. I’m sorry, what do you want?”
For the millionth time, I kicked myself for not hiring a secretary, let alone a receptionist. When Darcy had talked me into moving to Florida to be her law partner, she’d also convinced me that with our computer skills, we didn’t need to hire an office staff yet. Pretty sure she was wrong.
The man standing in the doorway was staring at me as though I’d lost my mind. He was in jeans so faded they were barely blue and so tight they didn’t leave much to my imagination. His gray T-shirt fit pretty damn well, too. But it was the scowl on his face that grabbed my attention.
“Is that your Beamer out there in the parking lot?” He hooked a thumb in the direction of building’s front door.
“Uh, well, yes, if you mean the dark blue one. Oh, God, did you hit it?” Dismay filled me; I didn’t have time to deal with a wrecked car today.
“No, I didn’t hit it.” If it were possible, the guy looked even less friendly. More annoyed. “It’s in the way.”
“I’m sorry, in the way of what now?” My finger twitched over the keyboard. I really needed to get this motion finished.
He stuck his hands in the front pockets of his jeans and leaned against the door jam. “We’re trying to set up the tent for the trees, and your car is the only one that wasn’t moved.”
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