"Because I believe Cody loves you and is just waiting. Giving you time," Meghan said.
Could she be right? Had he backed away to let them cool off and be objective when they came back together.
"When I left his house, I was pretty mad at everyone."
"In order to find happiness, sometimes you need to struggle through issues," Taylor said. "At least, we did."
"Us, too," Meghan replied. "Love does not come easily."
Rising from her chair, she glanced around the table at the two girls, her heart swelled with emotion. "I love you all so much. You both deserve happiness."
"We'll be thrilled for you as well," they said in unison.
"Speaking for the two of us, there are no doubts the two of you can work things out, and you'll be happy," Meghan said.
"Perhaps you should go to him," Taylor said. "Show your strength and approach him."
Is that what she should do? Was she ready to talk to Cody? Not yet.
"I've got to go." Kelsey shook her head and waved goodbye. "Later."
Walking out the door, she thought about what Taylor said. Was she afraid he would act like her brothers? Kelsey didn't need a parent, she wanted a partner, a best friend, a lover. A husband.
* * *
Cody decided he'd waited long enough. Two days seemed like enough time to cool off, and yet, she hadn't contacted him. The need for talking was long overdue. And it was happening today.
First, he went to the boutique, but she was gone. The girl told him she went to the restaurant to meet her friends, but when he arrived there, they looked at him with big wide eyes.
"You just missed her. She left a couple of minutes ago," Taylor said.
"Thanks," he said.
As he walked out of the cafe, he saw out of the corner of his eye the two girls hitting each other on the arm. What was that about?
Cody began to hurry to her store, and observed people strolling down the sidewalk or crossing the road, but no Kelsey. Puzzled, he stopped and pondered where she went.
A niggling feeling along his spine made him glance in the opposite direction where he spotted her headed toward the town square. He started following her, hoping to catch up.
A car got in the way and she disappeared as he waited for the light to change. The signal took forever before all three cars crawled through the intersection and he crossed the highway.
Quickly, he hurried around some slow-moving people searching for Kelsey. Unable to find her, panic begin to grip him.
Crap!
Where was she headed? And then it hit him like a bolt of lightning between the eyes. The Cupid statue. Running, he took off, certain of his destination. Certain of finding the woman he loved.
As he came around the corner, he stopped and watched her, standing there gazing up at the God of Love like she wanted to murder him.
"Kelsey," he said softly.
For a moment, she froze before she turned toward him. "Cody."
"Are you all right?" he asked.
With a nod, she released a deep sigh. "Yes. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you."
"That's okay. After everything happened, I thought we both needed time."
The first day, he spent pushing himself to the point of exhaustion, trying to decide if his best friends could become his brothers-in-law. In the end, his love for Kelsey made him think there was a lot he could put up with to have her by his side.
"Thanks, the time was necessary," she said.
"I want to apolog--"
Grabbing his hands, she squeezed them tightly. "Why are you apologizing. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Because I need to tell you I'm sorry I didn't listen as closely as I should about your brothers. All along, you were right and I pushed you. I regret we got caught."
With a lift of her chin, she gazed at him defiantly. "I'm not."
Still holding his hands in hers, she pulled him to the bench and sat. "I've been so tired of being under the care of my family that I let it cloud my judgement. From the beginning, I should have shouted to the world that you and I were dating and told them if they didn't like it, too bad.
“Instead I hid our relationship. When they all came crashing in the other morning, I became angry at them and frightened of you. Confused, I wondered how could I be afraid of Cody."
Squeezing her hands tightly in his, he gazed at her, listening to the sound of her voice, his chest tightening.
"This afternoon, the girls helped me see I'm fearful you'll become like them. Even though you are innocent, I feared you would take their place, telling me what to do and how to do my business."
"Because you're a strong woman, you'll never let me do that." He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. "But I have to make a confession as well. Part of me was nervous to trust you. Just like my first wife, I thought you would tire of Cupid and leave me to return to Dallas."
"No," she said. "I threatened to move because of my brothers, but they're going to learn their distance. Cupid is my home and I'm not going anywhere."
"Later, I realized I was comparing you to a mistake I married and you're not the same person. Kelsey, you're nothing like my first wife. You're Kelsey, the woman I love with all my heart."
Her brown eyes teared up and she gasped. "I'm here to stay. The night of the party, I knew I loved you and meant to tell you that night. The next morning, I became scared when my family arrived. That morning made me question everything."
"They love you as well."
Nodding, she gazed into his eyes. "Promise me you will never treat me like I have no brain. Though my brothers don't think so, I'm a smart, educated woman who owns her own business. I'm not looking for a father figure, but a partner, a best friend, a lover, a husband. A man who will love me until the end of time. A man like you."
"Always. My wants and needs aren't much different from yours. I want a partner, who will stand by my side and never leave me for greener pastures," he said knowing with certainty what his next steps were. All his doubts vanished.
Sliding down onto one knee, smiling, he held her hands in his. "Kelsey Lawrence, here in front of the Cupid statue, the very thing that brought us together, I'm asking you to marry me, love me, grow old and stay with me until I take my last breath. Will you marry me?"
Tears streamed down her face and she pulled him up and into her arms. "Yes, oh yes, I love you so much Cody. I want to be your wife. Yes, I'll be your partner."
His mouth covered hers and he kissed her knowing the Cupid statue had brought him the love of his life.
Chapter 10
Jim Lawrence stood in front of the family as they raised their glasses in a toast. He could feel his mother’s and father's spirit here with them, celebrating their youngest daughter, his sister's engagement.
"May the two of you have many happy years together and be blessed with lots of children," he said, hoping his best friend, Cody would not remember the bet.
His two brothers, Kyle and Drew, were sitting at the table kidding with Kelsey.
"You really did like him all along," Drew asked stunned.
"Yes, I did," she said. "I hid our relationship from you because I knew you guys would not give us any peace."
A frown crossed Jim's face, as much as he would try never to admit it, she was right. If they had known Cody and Kelsey were seeing each other, their first instinct would be to protect their sister. And they would remind Cody of his pledge never to date her.
Kelsey showed intelligence in keeping the knowledge from them.
"Or a chance of getting together," Cody said.
"So tell us how the two of you became reacquainted," Jim asked. "When did you start dating?"
Kelsey glanced down at her plate and Cody grinned.
"After I picked her up when she'd been dancing naked around the Cupid statue."
The table went silent and the three men's mouths gaped open.
"Oh my God, I can't believe you did that," Kyle said.
"What i
f you'd been arrested," Drew said.
Jim didn't say anything, knowing it was best to let this one pass, since they would all probably be racing around that stupid statue themselves.
"So about that bet," Cody said laughing. "When should we plan on all of you doing the Cupid dance?"
Oh crap! Cody hadn't forgotten. Now they would have to dance in their birthday suits in the public square, which went against all Jim's morals. Nudity should be private, not shared with everyone in town.
That was the stupidest superstition, he'd ever heard and if he ever got on the city council, he would remove that damn piece of rock and replace it with a big fish hook for all the suckers who believed this nonsense.
"I'm not doing it," Kyle said. "I can't."
"If I'd lost, you expected me to take you to Vegas," Cody said quietly.
A man of his word, Jim had no choice as he sighed and glared at Cody. "Name the time and place. I'll do it."
"All right," Kyle agreed reluctantly.
Kelsey laughed. "Don't even tell me the day, I promise I won't be around. I'm warning you, you'll be shocked when you meet the love of your life. And then you'll thank the God of Love."
She gazed at Cody and smiled. "Just like I did."
Kelsey certainly thought the superstition was true. Jim had been lonely for a long, long time. Still this wasn't logical. Yet, he made a bet and his word was as good as gold.
Jim shook his head vowing to never do a wager with anyone ever again. Seemed like he was sprinting without his clothes around the Cupid statue.
Cupid Help Me!! Coming Soon!!
Thank You For Reading!
Dear Reader,
Thanks for reading! This series came about when I needed to write something for a charity box set. Out of that box set, I made the USA Today’s List, but more important I’ve had more fun writing than I have in a long time. I hope you enjoy the Cupid superstition. And Jim’s story…it’s so fun. I can’t wait to share it with you.
As always, if you’re inclined, please go to your favorite retailer and let others know what you think. Whether or not you loved the book or hated, it-I’d enjoy your feedback.
Sign up for my newsletter if you’d like to learn about my new releases before everyone else. Thanks for venturing into my world and I hope to see you here again soon.. And remember, I do not condone dancing naked around a Cupid statue!!
Sincerely,
Sylvia McDaniel
For More Information!
@SylviaJMcDaniel
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Nothing says bad judgement like trying to prove a superstition true…
Taylor Braxton, along with a few adventurous girlfriends, decides to test one such superstition on Valentine’s Day – the day Taylor’s ex-fiancé is to be married. A few bottles of wine help lower her inhibition and go a long way to giving her the courage to try to heal her broken heart. After all, Taylor reasons, what is the worst thing that can happen – the superstition of finding her true love might come true?
Sheriff Ryan Jones is used to getting calls about the odd dancing around the downtown fountain. When you live in Cupid, Texas, there were always some residents who believed if you dance naked around the fountain, you were guaranteed to find your true love. What he doesn’t expect is to find the lovely, but spirited Taylor Braxton confronting him at midnight – sans clothing. Unfortunately, a long-held promise and his badge stand between him and what he wants – Taylor.
Will the Cupid Superstition help Taylor and Ryan overcome the past and take a chance on love again? Or will a promise he made to her best friend, and his career, deflect Cupid’s arrow?
Available Free Everywhere March 28!
Dancing naked around Cupid’s fountain seemed like a good idea…until the law showed up.
Meghan Scott is not a typical school librarian. When her girlfriends convince her to test the Cupid superstition and dance naked around the statue, she reluctantly agrees. Eager to find her soulmate and start a family Meghan reasons, nothing else has worked.
Former professional football player, Max Vandenburg can’t believe his eyes, when he sees Meghan Scott running down the street naked. Seven years ago she broke his heart and did the unthinkable. Rescuing Meghan is the first step in finally learning the truth, but when she refuses to discuss the past, can he charm the real story from her?
When Cupid’s arrow is aimed straight at their hearts, can two high school sweethearts learn everything in the past is not what it seems?
Also By Sylvia McDaniel
Contemporary Romance
Return to Cupid, Texas
Once Upon A Valentine
Cupid Stupid
Cupid Scores
Cupid Dances
My Sister's Boyfriend
The Wanted Bride
The Reluctant Santa
The Relationship Coach
Secrets, Lies, & Online Dating
Short Sexy Reads
Racy Reunions Series
Paying For the Past
Her Christmas Lie
Cupid’s Revenge
Science/Fiction Paranormal
The Magic Mirror Series
Touch of Decadence
Touch of Deceit
Western Historicals
A Hero’s Heart
Ace’s Bride
Second Chance Cowboy
Ethan
American Brides
Katie: Bride of Virginia
The Burnett Brides Series
The Rancher Takes A Bride
The Outlaw Takes A Bride
The Marshal Takes A Bride
The Christmas Bride
Boxed Set
Lipstick and Lead Series
Desperate
Deadly
Dangerous
Daring
Determined
Deceived — Coming Soon!
Scandalous Suffragettes of the West
Abigail
Bella
Callie – Coming Soon
Faith
Mistletoe Scandal - November 2016
Southern Historical Romance
A Scarlet Bride
The Cuvier Women
Wronged
Betrayed
Beguiled
Boxed Set
Box Sets
Wild Western Women
Wild Western Women Ride Again
Wild Western Women Spring Into Love
Wild Western Women Mistletoe, Montana Coming
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USA Today Best-selling author, Sylvia McDaniel is an award-winning author of over thirty western historical romance and contemporary romance novels. Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented romances, Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides a historical western series, The Cuvier Widows, a Louisiana historical series, Lipstick and Lead, a western historical series and several short contemporary romances.
Former President of the Dallas Area Romance Authors, a member of the Romance Writers of America®, and a member of Novelists Inc, her novel, A Hero’s Heart was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Several other books have placed or won in the San Antonio Romance Authors Contest, LERA Contest, and she was a Golden Network Finalist.
Married for over twenty years to her best friend, they have two dachshunds and a good-looking, grown son who thinks there’s no place like home. She loves gardening, hiking, shopping, knitting and football (Cowboys and Bronco’s fan).
You can write to Sylvia at P.O. Box 2542, Coppell, TX 75019 or visit www.SylviaMcDaniel.com.
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Cupid's Dance: Western Small Town Contemporary Romance (Return to Cupid, Texas Book 3) Page 11