by Sam Crescent
Luke paid her visits. Her sister stopped by to make sure she was okay. The Haney family each made turns keeping her company, Cheyenne being the most in residence. She saw the younger woman enjoyed the responsibility.
“You don’t have to take care of me,” she said one day as Cheyenne fussed about her.
“I know. It’s nice doing for someone else for a change.”
After the confession, she’d enjoyed the friendly company more.
Bathing was the worst. Being near Neal in any way disarmed her defenses. When he held her naked in the shower so she wouldn’t get her leg wet, her body plastered against his, she weakened with every wash. He dried her body and combed her hair.
The only real fault she could find was with his cooking. He couldn’t make a descent meal for anything. He even managed to burn toast. Eggs were either burnt or runny.
Thankfully, his mom stopped by to feed her.
He helped her with her exercises when he got back from the ranch. She missed him through the day. She found herself daydreaming about a life as his wife. He’d go off and work on the ranch while she cooked and cleaned. Looked after their babies. They’d have five babies. All girls.
Everything would be perfect.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Neal asked as he walked into the room. She jumped. She felt a flush rush to her face.
“Nothing.”
“Really. From that blush I’d say it was something.”
“No. I’m fine.”
“Mom sent you over some chicken soup. I cut the bread myself.” He laid the tray across her lap. Like every meal before he sat opposite her.
His legs bounced. He kept looking at her, then at the tray.
She spooned the delicious tasting soup into her mouth. The heady taste of chicken made her mouth water for more.
“I’ve got to get the recipe off your mother. She makes the best soup in town.”
“She’s waiting for you to get better so she can have more company in the kitchen.”
Smiling, she took some bread and dipped it into her bowl, taking her time to enjoy the meal.
“Do you have anywhere else to be?” she asked when the leg jumping started to get on her nerves.
“No.”
“Then what’s with the dancing knee?”
“Finish your soup,” he said.
His voice commanded respect. She found her body responding to his tone. The dominant was back and she liked it. With her leg on the mend she wouldn’t be able to do much, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want to.
“I wanted to say thank you for bringing me here,” she said.
“You’re welcome. Eat your soup.”
When she got half way down the bowl. Neal moved closer to her on the bed. “I’ve been thinking a lot lately, about us. I love you, Sandy. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my forever.”
She started to reply, but Neal pushed the spoon back to her mouth.
“Keep eating.”
On the last few spoonfuls, she heard a clinking sound in the bottom of her bowl. As she took the last mouthful, she saw a ring lying in the bottom of the bowl.
“I know I’ve said some stupid things. I can’t say anything to make up for the way I’ve treated you. What I can say is, you own my heart, Sandy. You own me. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. I want you every second of every day.”
“That’s a lot of every’s in there.”
“I want to grow old with you. To see you pregnant with my child. I want to hold you and know there is no other place in the world you’d rather be. I’m not like Luke—carefree and easy going. If you say yes, I want this to be forever but most importantly, I want you to be mine.”
Tears spilled from her eyes.
“You put an engagement ring in my soup?” she whispered.
“I knew you’d eat the soup. I could build up the courage to ask while you did.”
She picked up the ring, coating the tip of her fingers in the soup. “Are you saying I’m fat?”
“Never. You’re all woman. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I love you.”
He took the ring, placed it in his mouth and sucked the juice off. Next he wrapped the ring in a paper towel to dry.
“Miss Sandy Breeden. I’m a complete shit but I promise to cherish and love you for the rest of my life. Would you put me out of my misery and promise to be my bride?”
How could any woman refuse such a proposal?
“Yes,” she said.
The door to the room burst open. His family including her sister and Rory charged in. Each hugged her in turn.
Bursting out laughing, Neal took her in his arms as he sat on the bed.
“You’re going to make me the happiest man alive.”
“Why? Are you going to bend me to your will?” she asked with tease.
“No. Because you’re my girl. I love you.”
He leaned down and kissed her.
Never had she felt so at peace and so accepted. She had a broken leg, no home to go to and a man who loved her.
She wasn’t going to complain.
Epilogue
Luke Haney swallowed more of his beer contemplating his current position. Sandy had been deeply unfair in making him her maid of honor. Her only explanation for the horrid title had been that he was her only friend.
The best friend always did the job no one else liked.
He wished he’d made more friends in high school. Staring out over the dance floor, he saw the happy couple in each others arms. Dancing. Sandy still wore a cast on her leg. Her dress covered up the worse of the damage. Two months after Neal proposed his brother decided they couldn’t wait another day.
Sandy looked beautiful. He’d always thought she was with her fuller figure and charming smile. On the day they met he knew she’d be a big part of his life.
Turning away from the couple, he searched the party in time to see Natalie and her husband. He glared at the pompous ass manhandling her away from the crowd. Tipping the remaining beer down his throat, he walked in the direction of his best friend’s sister.
“Will you stop it?” He heard Natalie demand.
“You’re the one who wanted to come today. Even your parents seemed disgusted with your whore of a sister,” the man slurred.
“Don’t talk about my sister like that. You don’t even know her.”
“And you do?”
Some scuffling sounded, then a short cry came from Natalie.
“Stop it.”
“Your sister is so much better looking than you anyway. I bet she’s hot in the sack. Not a cold fucking fish like you.”
Luke had heard enough. Stepping around the corner, he saw tears pouring from Natalie’s eyes while her husband stared at her with hatred.
“I think you should get back to the party.”
“Whatever. I’m out of here.” The guy walked off.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
“Yes. I made a mistake coming here,” she said. Her hands shook where she dabbed at her eyes.
“Why? Sandy would have been devastated if you missed her big day. Besides, you’re the only bridesmaid not gunning for my head,” he teased.
“I wasn’t surprised when she picked you for the role.”
“I was. Attending a bachelorette party will disturb me for the rest of my life.” As the maid of honor he’d been forced to watch a guy shake his cock around while his brothers probably got a stripper.
Rory had been the best man.
Natalie chuckled. The sound went straight through him, warming him all over. In all the years he’d known her, he’d never heard her laugh.
Instinct took over as he looked at her in the conservative gown she wore. Her curves were slighter than Sandy’s. Her breasts smaller. In the dress they were covered. An image came to him of her stripped naked, lying on his bed.
When he’d first met Natalie, he’d been attracted to her. That cold ice queen exterior.
He knew deep down inside a passionate woman lay hoping to break free.
The Christmas of his and Sandy’s eighteenth birthday popped into his head. Sandy had gone to bed early. He’d stayed over at her parent’s. Their last official Christmas together. Natalie had walked downstairs when he was completely toasted.
He’d kissed her underneath the mistletoe. Shaking his head, the image would not change.
Moving closer, he held her waist and cupped her neck. Tilting her head back, he gazed into her beautiful brown eyes.
“Why do I get the sense I’ve done this before,” he whispered.
Her eyes widened. He knew the image in his mind wasn’t a dream.
“Let’s see if I can remember more this time.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. The touch didn’t startle him. Staring into her eyes, he deepened the kiss, running his tongue along her lips, seeking entry inside her mouth.
The response from her was immediate. Her hands circled his neck, her back arched.
She went up in flames in his arms.
The moment he didn’t want it to end, Natalie pulled away.
“What the hell happened all them years ago?” he asked.
There was several years between them, he couldn’t be sure how many. Ten he believed. She’d been the sister who’d been in school at the same time as Neal.
“Nothing.”
“Then why do I get a picture of you in my head with a ponytail and a shirt as a nightgown?” he demanded. His dick hurt in his trousers. His mind wouldn’t let go of the image.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m married, Luke.” She pulled away from him.
“Do you really think that’s going to stop me?”
She froze.
“My husband is not a man to be messed with,” she warned.
“I’m a Haney, sweetheart. I don’t give a fuck.”
Natalie stopped, turned and walked the few steps back to him. “I’m older than you. What happened back then shouldn’t have.”
“You were engaged to the prick, figures,” he snarled, every possessive instinct coming to life in him.
“Don’t mess this up, Luke. Please.”
She left him to deal with his thoughts.
What the fuck just happened?
Luke went back to the party in time to see Natalie leaving. He was a Haney and when a Haney wanted something, they went after it. Neal got Sandy. Luke wanted to know what was going on between him and the ice queen.
*The End*
About the Author
Sam Crescent is passionate about fiction. She loves a good erotic romance and so it only made sense for her to spread her wings and start writing. She began writing in 2009 and finally got that first acceptance in 2011.
She loves creating new characters and delving into the worlds that she creates. When she’s not panicking about a story or arguing with a character, she can be found in her kitchen creating all kinds of havoc. Like her stories the creations in the kitchen can be just as dubious but sometimes things turn out great.
Other books by Sam
A Wild Older Woman
Ryan's Christmas Miracle
Trust Me
Secret Cravings Publishing
www.secretcravingspublishing.com