Champagne and Cowboys

by Donna Michaels

  She filled a thermos with coffee. “Stay warm and stay safe.”

  “Will do.” He ached to kiss her on the cheek, but he decided against it. He gave her a big grin and left.

  Chapter Eight

  Anora couldn’t believe the woman in the mirror was she. The bathroom had unusually great lighting. It was the only thing that made sense. There was a glow about her. She hardly needed any makeup. Just a whisk of mascara and a bit of lipstick was all she needed. Her cheeks were rosy enough. Heck, even her hair had a nice shine. The dress fit perfectly, and it made her feel feminine and the feeling didn’t scare her.

  Turning this way and that, she smiled. Belle certainly had good taste. She pulled on one of Belle’s wraps and strolled to the window. The snow was coming down fast and hard. Maverick would have to shovel his truck out if they were to get to town. At least she had boots to wear.

  Cooper’s truck flew up the driveway through all the snow. He parked near the barn and both he and Maverick got out. They talked for a few minutes then Maverick turned toward the house. He immediately glanced up at her bedroom window. He waved and she stepped back not wanting him to think she was spying on him.

  She waited until the door closed before she headed for the stairs. She took one step at a time, and her stomach felt full of butterflies. Maverick watched her from below. His smile of appreciation didn’t go unnoticed. There were flames of desire in his eyes, and she knew her expression mirrored his.

  “You look lovely.” He took her hand and helped her down the last step. He took a step back holding her at arm’s length and whistled. “You sure do look great.”

  Her face heated. “Thank you but I think it’s all due to the dress Belle gave me.”

  “You never give yourself enough credit. You are so beautiful inside and out. I feel blessed to have you here.”

  Here it was, her Cinderella moment and she wasn’t going to ruin it with doubts. No, she needed to talk to him. She needed to spill her feelings for him. “I feel blessed to be here with you too.”

  He smiled and dropped her hand. “We won’t be able to go to the party. The roads are closed. I’m afraid it’ll just be us.”

  “Us is fine. You haven’t had anything to eat. Let me make you something.”

  “I’m not hungry. Let’s go into the library and make a fire. It really is cold out there.”

  “Like the first night we met?”

  “Actually this storm is much worse, but we’re safe inside.”

  She followed him into the library and sat on the couch. She watched him build a fire. He bent over and something strange came over her. Of course, she’d seen him bend many times but it never sent her pulse to racing before.

  “You okay?” He asked as he turned toward her.

  “I’m a bit nervous is all.”

  He frowned. “That wasn’t my intent. I want you to feel comfortable here. Comfortable with me too. I know you’ve survived horrific things, and I’m betting you may not be able to get over them. I want you to know I’m here for you.”

  Nodding she glanced away. The Cinderella moment had passed and would never return. Pain lanced her heart. Of course, she’d never be completely healed from Andy’s abuse, but she had hoped she was enough. Unfortunately, she wasn’t enough for Maverick. Why would she? He had his pick of women if he wanted. He didn’t need her hanging around.

  “Thank you. You’ve been more than kind. You and Belle both.” She racked her brain for something more to say, but she came up empty. What a mistake tonight was. They’d end up making forced conversation while her heart broke.

  The room grew quiet and he seemed to have nothing to say either. She should have stayed home alone. Alone was better than this.

  “Did they say how long the storm would last?” she asked.

  “A least until tomorrow. I feel awkward with you.”

  Stabbing her in the heart would have felt better. “I’m sorry.” She stood.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Upstairs. Listen, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable in your own house.”

  He stood and grabbed her hand. “I feel inadequate. I don’t know much about women. I’ve always been close to Belle, but that’s it. I wish I had the right words.”

  “The right words for what?”

  He leaned in toward her and captured her lips with his. It was a searing kiss and it left her breathless. She kissed him back and felt her knees grow weak. Somehow, he maneuvered them on to the couch without breaking the kiss.

  “You taste like mint and coffee. I can’t get enough of you. I’ve dreamt about kissing you,” he whispered.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and shivered as his tongue entered her mouth. Oh, Lord, she’d never enjoyed a kiss so much. She tingled from her head to her toes. He pulled back allowing himself access to her neck. How could he make her feel loved with just a few kisses? She was reading things into his kiss, but she wasn’t ready to forget her dream of him loving her.

  She groaned and it almost put him over the top. He’d never wanted a woman like he wanted Anora. Her skin was so soft and she smelled of lavender and another scent he wasn’t sure of. They seemed to fit together so well. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and looked her in the eye. “I’m not hurting you am I? I don’t want to scare you.”

  Her answering smile lit the whole room. “You could never scare me, Maverick. I feel safe with you and I’m glad you like me.”

  He almost got lost in her sparkling eyes. “Like? Oh, honey, I feel so much more for you. I never wanted to say this to any woman, but I love you. You’re my everything. I’m just afraid you don’t feel the same way.”

  She appeared dazed and then a smile spread across her face. “I do feel the same way. I love you too. Look it’s almost midnight.”

  “So it is.” They stood and watched as the seconds ticked down and when both hands were on the twelve he leaned in and kissed her.

  “Happy New Year! You are my first New Year’s kiss.” She smiled. “I love you, Maverick with my heart and soul.”

  “Do you know how long I’ve waited for you to tell me you love me? Just meeting you made me realize how lonely my life was. The only passion I had was for my horses, and you heated a very different kind of passion inside me. I was a goner that first night when you got into my truck. This past year I’ve worried and wondered. I wanted to come to you, but I didn’t want to intrude on your healing. I thought your family would be the best for you.”

  “I thought about you too, Maverick. When it got to be too much, I would curl up inside myself and remember, your smile, your strong arms and your compassion. I figured it was just a dream. A man like you could never love a broken woman like me.”

  “Darlin’, you’re not broken. Fragile at times, yes but that’s to be expected don’t you think?”

  “You’re asking me about myself? Everyone at home told me how I should act. You are a breath of fresh air.”

  “I had two presents for you for Christmas. I was only going to give you one. I jumped the gun by buying the second one. Sit down and I’ll get them.” He went to his desk, opened the drawer and pulled out a thin rectangular box. “This is the first one.” He handed her the box.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Open it.” He smiled at her reaction. It was a silver charm bracelet with a gemmed horseshoe hanging from it.

  Anora gasped. “It’s beautiful.”

  “The horseshoe is for luck, and I was hoping you’d stick around so I could add more charms.”

  A tear rolled down her face. “You’re the sweetest man.”

  “Hey no tears. I have another one for you.” He went back to his desk and pulled another box out. He walked to where she sat and got down on one knee. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He opened the box to display a square cut diamond ring in a sterling silver setting.

  Her eyes widened as she stared at the ring. “You just think you want to marry me. We don’t even know if
I could ever be a real wife to you.”

  “Honey, your reaction to me makes me confident we’ll do just fine together. So? Can I get an answer so I can kiss you?”

  “Yes, oh my, yes.”

  He stood up, took both of her hands in his, and pulled her into a standing position. “I love you, Anora.”

  “I love you too.” She gasped as he enfolded her in a hug.

  “We’ll just take our time and do everything slow and right.” He rocked her in his embrace and kissed her neck. Loosening his hold, he kissed her cheek and finally covered her cherry red lips with his. They were every bit as soft as he imagined. Her groan of pleasure filled his heart and when she stood on tip toe to deepen the kiss, he wanted to shout out to the world.

  “It’s a shame we missed the party,” she said as she pulled away and gave him a sweet smile.

  “Truly a horrible shame,” he whispered as he pulled her back into his arms. “When?”

  “When what?” she asked between kisses.

  “When did you want to get married?”

  She gazed into his eye. “I wish I could say today, but I think we’ll wait until after Belle graduates this spring.”

  “Did I mention I love you?” His voice grew husky.

  “Yes, and I love you.” Her smile lit up the whole room.

  “Happy New Year,” he said.

  “It absolutely will be.”

  Epilogue

  Seven Months Later

  Anora looked over the top of her Waterford crystal champagne flute and smiled at Maverick. Her love knew no bounds her joy no limits. They waited for Cooper to finish his toast and clinked their glasses together before taking a sip. Their gaze never once broke.

  “I’m glad we tried to do the locking of arms to drink the toast and realized we weren’t coordinated enough to do it. We’d be drenched now,” Maverick said his eyes twinkling.

  “It wouldn’t have mattered. All that matters is that we’re together. Look at how animated Belle’s face is when she talks to Cooper. I’m glad she decided to stay on the ranch.”

  “They both have the same goals and they love each other but they are sure taking their sweet time telling each other.”

  “It’ll happen. At least now that we’ve turned the security cameras off, they have some privacy. Belle would die if she knew what we almost saw in the hay loft.” She grinned, glad Andy no longer was a threat. He was murdered and it didn’t sadden her one bit.

  He was the past and Maverick was her future. Gazing at his handsome face, she knew their future would be a happy one.

  The End

  Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them…

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  Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including:

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  A New Year’s Cowboy

  Rhonda Lee Carver

  Prologue

  “Morning, momma.”

  Charlie felt a feather-like stroke across her cheek. She fluttered her eyes open and a bright light made her squint. It took her a moment to adjust from the darkness. Lifting herself up on elbow, she focused on the vision before her. “Sunny?”

  “It’s Christmas, momma.” The little girl giggled and turned in a circle, her arms held out wide like a bird ready to take flight.

  Blinking, Charlie attempted to wrap her brain around what she was seeing.

  Slipping from bed, she laughed while watching her daughter happily dance around the room, her feet gracefully gliding over the floor. “Yes, it’s Christmas, my love.”

  Sunny suddenly stopped, her green eyes so pale they were almost transparent, and she tiptoed over. “I brought you something,” she whispered.

  “You’ve finally come to take me home with you?”

  The child’s harmonious giggle matched that of a magical harp. “Silly, mommy. You know you belong here. There’s lots to do”

  Charlie took a step backward, her stomach twisting. The backs of her knees struck the edge of the bed and she dropped. “I-I don’t want to stay. I want to be with you.” Tears misted her eyes.

  “One day we will play lots.” Sunny cupped Charlie’s cheeks. Her small, delicate hands warmed Charlie unlike anything she’d ever felt. She inhaled deeply, taking in her child’s scent, filling her lungs with innocence. “I have a present for you.”

  Reaching out to touch her daughter’s angelic face, her fingers slipped through the vision. “Stay. Don’t go. That’s the present I want.”

  “Time to wake up and you’ll see. The drawing, mommy. Remember the drawing…”

  Charlie jerked awake, covered in sweat, her hair clinging to her cheeks and her lungs aching. She jumped out of bed, her bare feet hitting the floor with a loud thump. “Sunny? Where are you?” She searched under the bed, in the closet, racing down the hallway frantically to check every room, but found only emptiness as every time before when she’d had a dream about her daughter. It had seemed so real…

  Going back into her bedroom, she swiped at the tears falling to her cheeks and she saw the picture laying in the middle of the planked floor—the drawing she kept on her nightstand. She bent and picked it up, staring down at the colorful crayon drawing Sunny had given to her on Christmas five years ago…the last holiday they would share together. The last time she’d see her daughter’s infectious smile, her bright eyes, and watch her dance outside of dreaming.

  Charlie traced the uneven lines of the stick figures of her and Sunny. They were holding hands with large, colorful flowers in their hair. Yogi, their shaggy-haired dog, had his tongue sticking out and his ears perked. The tall man standing in the background by the house always confused, and bewildered, Charlie. She’d never seen him in real life before and appeared he had black birds surrounding his head. When she’d asked Sunny who he was, she’d answered, “Snowman.”

  Placing the picture in the top drawer of her nightstand, Charlie dressed, brushed her hair and downstairs she found her father, Brent, in the kitchen making pancakes. “Hey, what’s the pleasure?”

  Brent waved the spatula in the air as a greeting. “It’s Christmas morning.” He flipped a pancake on the griddle.

  She poured herself a cup of coffee in her favorite mug, added creamer, and sat down at the table. “Just like any other morning. I should head over to the diner.” Yogi nuzzled up next to her feet and she scratched him behind the ear.

  He placed a plate of pancakes covered in syrup in front of her. “No, it’s not like ‘any other morning’. There’s a reason for the season. And don’t bother with opening the diner. It’s C
hristmas and the weather is calling for snowfall. No one will be around.”

  “I wasn’t thinking of opening, just going through the inventory and deep cleaning while we’re closed for the day.” She cut into the fluffy pancake and popped it into her mouth. She wasn’t hungry, but she couldn’t disappoint her dad. Although she was an adult, he still felt it was his responsibility to watch over her like she was a child again.

  He sat down across from her. “You’re always cleaning. Today, take a break. You deserve it.”

  She shrugged. “I like keeping busy.”

  “You work too much. You haven’ been sleeping well. The dark circles are back.”

  Laying her fork down, she sipped her coffee, then got up. “I’m heading over. If you need anything, call me.” She kissed him on the forehead and started for the door, calling for Yogi to follow.

  “I’m sorry, Charlie. If I said something—”

  “No, you didn’t.” She turned and gave him a forced smile. “You know today isn’t easy for me and I’m best alone. I’ll be back later. I promise.”

  Being alone had become normal to her.

  Chapter One

  Storm Rich Decided this was a very bad idea.

  The window fogged up and he could barely see ten feet ahead of him. It didn’t look like the snow was going to let up any time soon. At least traffic wasn’t congested on the highway. He had to be grateful for that. It was Christmas. Most people were indoors, enjoying the holiday with family and friends. Eating ham, turkey, and all of the fixins. Opening presents, laughing, and making a mental list of what gifts they’d re-gift. Those were the things normal people did on the holidays. Not him, nope. He was hauling ass across Tennessee, slowly making his way to Ohio for the gala.

  Turning the defroster on, a puff of cool air burst through the vents, clearing the window some. Visibility still sucked through the blanket of snow. He turned the heat on high and hoped his truck stayed firm to the road.