by Oliver, Tess
He grabbed the treat and flopped directly down to eat it. My phone buzzed on the kitchen island. It was yet another text from Marley letting me know that the offers were flowing in and would I please consider coming in to talk about the offers. I texted back this time. "Give me a few more months of freedom and we'll talk. Please." I added in a smiley face.
The movie had been a mega hit as big or possibly even bigger than Forever Kisses. After yanking me over the coals and pointing fingers at me for the Jameson and Harlow breakup, the fans were begging for Cassie and Nate to get back together. Once again, we were a beloved fictional couple. No one ever seemed to realize that there were real people with real feelings behind the characters.
I'd been keeping track of Jameson's career. Shelby had been the last to bring me the news that he had signed a big three movie deal with Andrea Smart, a huge director who was considered at the top of the industry at the moment. I was happy for him, even though I was sad for myself. I'd blown my own happiness by being too worried about what everyone thought of me. Harlow's big, dramatic posts had been a bunch of bullshit. I now saw her main motive was to make sure that Jameson and I didn't end up together.
Bucky got up and pranced to the door.
"Good boy. You're getting a hang of this whole potty outside thing." I opened the door, and he bounded straight toward the unsuspecting chickens. They clucked and flapped wings and let the dog know they were a force to be reckoned with.
I laughed as my biggest hen chased the pup away from the rest of the brood. "That's it, Marcia. You let him know who's boss."
Bucky quickly lost interest in the chickens and headed straight toward the open barn. There were no animals inside yet. I'd been using it as the nighttime chicken coop. I was sure he was going in to roll in their straw.
"Bucky, get back out here." He raced back out . . . with a new friend. Orbit was a lot grayer and a little slower than I remembered, but he was still the same, amazing dog.
"Orbit? What the—?"
Jameson walked out of the barn, dressed in the same blue flannel shirt he'd worn on set. His long hair was combed back and jammed under a black cowboy hat. His eyes were as green as I'd ever seen them. And that smile—shit, how many times had I dreamt about that smile. He was worth every fucking penny the producers paid him. Even the hens were smitten. Dogs or not, they came waddling across the yard to meet the shiny new stranger.
"Did I just hear you call that chicken Marcia?"
I stuck my hands in my back pockets and strolled toward him. "Of course. Jan and Cindy are there too. I've named them all after female television characters." I stopped in front of him and peered up at his face. "What brings you out here to the country?" I asked, using my best countrified accent.
"You're only five miles from downtown Santa Barbara," he reminded me. "But this place is pretty fucking awesome." He reached forward, grabbed my hand and pulled me into his arms. "Thought you might need a farmhand."
"Hmm, a farmhand, eh? What about your career? Heard you got a big three movie contract."
He shook his head. "Haven't signed yet. I'm thinking of taking some smaller projects, so I can spend some time with my soul mate."
"Oh?" I batted my lashes. "You've found a soul mate?"
"Better fucking believe it." He pulled me closer and kissed me.
* * *
Dear friend, we've arrived in this new, wonderful place and I must say I don't miss the dust, the bitter tasting wind, the dry chapped skin and waking to grit between my teeth. The sun seems to never stop shining on the west coast, but there is plenty of green everywhere. Nate is building our house from the ground up. I confess there is nothing more stirring than watching that man hammer nails and saw planks of wood. I don't think my heart has stopped racing since I first laid eyes on him. Baby Nancy is taking up so much of my time these days, I barely have time to finish chores, but she is so worth not finishing laundry. She has a smile just like her daddy and she knows how to use it. Just like her daddy. Today she took her first step. I fear that means the end of even a moment's rest for me for a very long time.
Friend, we have come so far and long together. I've grown so much, I hardly remember the girl I once was, but I think it has been for the better. I'm fond of the woman I've become. I think mother would be too. Father sent me a letter and somehow the post forwarded it here to California. The envelope was shabby and torn, so it must have gone through quite an ordeal. I confess I couldn't work up the interest to read what he had to say. He is no longer part of my life. I've come too far to ever look back. But for now, I will put my pen to rest. There is supper to make for my hardworking husband, and Nancy will be wanting her smashed banana as well. I've never been able to give you a proper thank you for being my confidante and one true friend during this entire life's journey. Thank you.
* * *
About the Author
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Tess Oliver is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of sexy romances. She’s always working on new and exciting projects. You can stay up to date, and get a free book by visiting her website and subscribing to her newsletter.
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