by Erin Wright
She tried not to read too much into it, though. He probably looked at everyone that way.
She shrugged. “My parents wanted us girls to remember ‘our roots,’ so they named us after plants. Mostly what ended up happening was they couldn’t keep our names straight. I kid you not – I thought my name was Iris-Ivy for the longest time.”
He chuckled, and a warmth spread through her that belied the brisk winter temperatures. She wanted to lean into him again, but this time, not be blotting up spilled apple cider. She wanted—
“Oh, there you are!”
The voice cut through the cold air like a whip – slicing through Ivy’s heart and sending spasms of pain through her. No, not her. She can’t be here! Iris promised me she wouldn’t invite—
And then Tiffany was draping herself over Austin, practically climbing up his side. Tiffany sent Ivy a sickeningly sweet smile that didn’t vaguely reach her eyes, as she looked her up and down. Dismissing her, Tiffany turned back to Austin. “I didn’t realize you’d be here, darlin’,” she said. “I tried calling you about going to the ice skating show tomorrow night, but you didn’t answer.” She ran her fingers up his chest and to his face, bopping him on the nose playfully. If she was going to get any closer to him, she’d have to strip naked to do it.
Ivy began backing up, mumbling something that could’ve been, “Have a good time,” or “Good food tonight,” or “I hope you eat bugs and die…”
Really, it was quite mumbled, and even she wasn’t sure what she said, and then she was spinning on her heel and heading towards the house, the dirtied paper towels still in her hands. She began wringing them in her hands as she walked.
“Austin and Tiffany?” she muttered under her breath as she stalked, blinded by rage as she went. “Tiffany?!” She could forgive him for anyone but Tiffany.
Okay, maybe not Ezzy, either.
But anyone but Tiffany or Ezzy, she could understand. But those two…they just didn’t seem his type.
Not that she knew his type. She barely knew his name. But floozy, bitchy girls didn’t seem like they should be anyone’s type, if you asked her.
Not that anyone had, of course.
She tossed the dirty paper towels into a trashcan as she passed, and then stormed into the kitchen, muttering as she went. “Damn Tiffany, always ruining – Iris!” she yelped in surprise when she spotted her sister at the sink. Beautiful as ever, but a little more fragile than she used to be, Iris turned and shot her a smile.
Ivy scowled. Her sister had promised not to invite those two to the party. “You would not believe who is here!” she announced as she headed for the fruit platter on the counter. Yum – honeycrisp apples. They were her fav, and really only available in the fall and early winter. Which made them an even bigger treat when she could get her hands on them. She snatched one up and began crunching on it as she paced her parent’s small kitchen.
Iris grabbed another potato and gave it a light scrub. “Yeah?” she prompted. She looked like she was in the middle of making the infamous McLain potato salad, which was awesome. If Ivy was going to be stuck in Long Valley for a weekend, she might as well enjoy something amazing to eat.
“Tiffany and Ezzy! You didn’t invite them, did you?” Ivy asked around a mouthful of apple.
Iris turned, and without a word, sent Ivy a death glare.
That death glare. The patented Iris Blue McLain death glare.
Ever since they were kids, Iris had been able to kill with just a look, a look that always made Ivy feel about three feet tall.
Turns out, Iris hadn’t lost her touch when it came to her glares.
Ivy shrunk back. “I didn’t think so, I just thought I’d ask,” she mumbled sheepishly.
Iris just continued to glare, and Ivy continued to feel awful. On second thought, that was a really terrible thing to accuse her sister of doing. Iris knew just as well as anyone how miserable Tiffany and Ezzy had made her life all the way through school. She never would’ve invited them here on purpose.
Ivy knew that…when she wasn’t wrapped up in her own little anger-induced pity party.
When the silence extended out into painful territory, finally Ivy mumbled, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Iris nodded her head – just once, regally, like a queen forgiving her subjects – and just like that, things were okay again. Iris began gathering the potatoes from the kitchen sink and moving them over to the table.
She probably needed to sit down. Ever since her car wreck three months ago, Iris had struggled with simple things, like standing. Or walking. Or staying upright.
It was painful for Ivy to see. Her sister had been the basketball star of Long Valley. She’d helped Sawyer win state championships. She was captain of the girl’s basketball team as both a junior and a senior. She had more athletic talent in her little pinky toe than Ivy did in her whole body, something the whole valley now knew.
When the high school coach had first welcomed Ivy onto the basketball court, his eyes had been bright with excitement. He’d been handed a gift – another McLain who’d help extend the Sawyer High School winning streak for an additional two years after Iris had graduated and moved on to college.
It was an excitement that quickly fizzled out when he saw Ivy’s ball handling skills, which were…nonexistent.
She'd ended up on the JV team all four years of high school.
That sort of thing just wasn’t what a soul could live down in a small town.
Ivy snapped her head up as Iris began to muse, “My best guess is that they heard about the free food and music, and decided to come on down and mooch off us. They’re the kinds of people who would think that’d be okay.”
Ivy considered that for a moment and then sighed. “You’re right.” She grabbed the last item – a bowl of washed potatoes – and carried them over to the table for Iris. She should’ve been paying attention instead of wallowing in her own insecurities, and helped Iris with more of the items. Iris smiled up at her with gratitude anyway, and Ivy forced herself to smile back.
Some days, Iris could be infuriatingly kind. It really wasn’t fair that she was that pretty and that talented and that nice.
“Thanks, sis,” Iris said cheerfully, oblivious to Ivy’s inner turmoil, and drew the bowl towards her, pulling out potatoes so she could begin chopping them.
Ivy headed back to the fruit platter on the counter. Those honeycrisp apples were some of the best she’d ever had, and she couldn’t seem to keep her hands off them.
“Well, they’ve ruined everything,” she informed Iris around a mouthful of apple.
“Everything?” Iris echoed skeptically.
“Yeah! There was this guy, and—”
“Hey, you guys, I need to know where you want this table,” one of the caterers said, popping his head around the kitchen door.
Iris started to struggle to her feet, but Ivy waved her off. “You sit and take a break and get the damn salad done already. There are rumblings in the ranks that no one has brought the famous McLain salad out yet. I’ll go.” It was about time she helped out, instead of just mooning over cowboys. She snagged another apple slice and headed out the door, listening as the caterer outlined the issue. She would get this straightened out, and then go hide in her parent’s broom closet. It was the least she could do for Iris, and for her parents.
It wasn’t their fault that returning to Long Valley was the disaster she knew it would be. That blame could be squarely laid at the feet of two women who’d spent years of their lives making Ivy’s life miserable…
And one hunky cowboy with terrible taste in women.
She was flying back to California tomorrow, and already, she couldn’t wait.
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A FREE Story For You…
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e of Love, the love story of Rex and Kimber, right away as my thank-you gift for choosing to hang out with me.
Stampede of Love
Eight seconds…
That’s all Rex Kingsley wants. Eight seconds on the back of Bodacious, the most feared bull in the PBR. Two years ago, the massive bull threw him and stomped him into the sands of the Tulsa Rodeo in front of ten thousand spectators. Rex survived. Barely. Now his single goal is to conquer the bull touted as “unbeatable.” No bull rider has lasted eight seconds on Bodacious’ back for over five years. Rex aims to break that streak, and his lofty ambition leaves no room in his life for a woman.
Until Kimber…
Kimber Adams just wants to celebrate her birthday with friends. A few drinks. Maybe a spin on the dance floor. But when she falls into Rex’s arms, literally, her plans change. She and Rex share a night of passion but the handsome cowboy wants more. Kimber’s no stranger to the perils of bull riding, though. She makes it clear that Rex needs to choose between eight seconds on Bodacious…or a lifetime with her.
Their love is young and fragile. Can it survive the dangers of a rodeo cowboy’s life?
Read on for a taste of Stampede…
Stampede of Love Preview
(Rex and Kimber have just met in a bar, and sparks are flying…)
“I never caught your name,” he said, realizing that he couldn’t use her name if she hadn’t been the one to tell him. That was just stalkerish and weird.
“Kimber, not Kimberly.”
“Well, Kimber Not Kimberly, I’m Rex.”
“Rex?” She eyeballed him. “Like T-Rex? Who names their child after a dinosaur? I thought I had a weird name…”
“I will say, I’ve never heard of Kimber Not Kimberly.” She stuck her tongue out at him and he winked and grinned. “Rex is…it’s a nickname.”
“And you’re not going to tell me your real name, are you.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Not a chance,” he said with a grin.
“If I guess it, will you tell me if I’m right or not?”
“Not a chance,” he repeated, and grinned wider. She rolled her eyes and plowed ahead.
Roger…
Alonzo…
Maurice…
Crawford…
“You did hear that I wouldn’t tell you even if you were right, right?” he asked, laughing, after she guessed Lesley.
“But I thought I’d bat my baby blues at you and change your mind.” She batted her eyelashes in a mockery of a southern belle, and he laughed.
“Turns out, I’m immune to baby blues.”
“Well I’m just screwed…”
Stampede of Love is ONLY available by signing up for my newsletter – sign up for it here: http://news.erinwright.net
The story doesn’t end…
You’ve met a few people and have fallen in love…
You’re probably wondering when and where you can meet everyone else. Here’s the list of books, current and to-be-released, in the Long Valley world:
Accounting for Love – The bank’s threatening to foreclose on Stetson’s farm…and the auditor on the case is damn hot. Jennifer doesn’t mind a tough job, but handsome Stetson is trouble. And then came the night she had to spend on the farm. Can she find a way for him to save his farm? And if she can’t, will he ever forgive her?
Blizzard of Love – Luke never expects to end up spending Christmas at the Miller farm. Everyone knows he hates Christmas. But Bonnie adores Christmas, so when her best friend invites her to the Miller farm, she jumps at the chance. When a blizzard hits, sparks fly. Can the magic of mistletoe tear down the barriers between them?
Arrested by Love – Deputy Abby Connelly, friends with Chloe, is about to meet her match – Stetson’s brother, Wyatt. Sparks and handcuffs fly in this story about mistakes…and redemption.
Returning for Love – Declan’s high school sweetheart left Long Valley years ago and has never looked back. He tries to move on, but can’t let her go. Then one day, she’s back in town, but everything has changed. Can Declan let his heart guide him?
Christmas of Love – Austin, Declan’s best friend, has sworn off women forever. That is, until he meets Ivy… [COMING NOVEMBER 2017]
Overdue for Love – When Dawson left Arizona nine years ago, he never expected to see Chloe again. Until he runs into her at a diner in Sawyer, Idaho, and finds that she has a memento of their last meeting in tow…
Bundle of Love – Dr. Adam Whitaker, vet extraordinaire, has spent the last nine years helplessly in love with Chloe, and deserves his own happily ever after. Except, what if the love of his life comes with one condition…a baby? [COMING MARCH 2018]
Stampede of Love – Rex the Bull Rider only wants one thing in life: To beat Bodacious, the most feared bull in the PBR. But when he meets Kimber, he has to make choice: Eight seconds…or a love of a lifetime.
Bonus: Stampede of Love is available only to my mailing list. Sign up to receive it today: http://news.erinwright.net
New series coming in 2018…the Firefighters of Long Valley
Flames of Love – Jaxson is the new fire chief of the Long Valley Fire Dept, but he quickly realizes that the idyllic life he’d imagined in Sawyer wasn’t so idyllic after all… [COMING JANUARY 2018]
Also by Erin Wright
~ Long Valley ~
Accounting for Love
Blizzard of Love
Arrested by Love
Returning for Love
Christmas of Love (Coming November 2017)
Overdue for Love
Bundle of Love (Coming March 2018)
Stampede of Love (Exclusive for Newsletter Subscribers)
~ Firefighters of Long Valley ~
Flames of Love (Coming January 2018)
About Erin Wright
USA Today Bestselling author Erin Wright has worked every job under the sun, including library director, barista, teacher, website designer, and ranch hand helping brand cattle, before settling into the career she’s always dreamed about: Author.
She still loves coffee, doesn’t love the smell of cow flesh burning, and is quite happily ensconced with her handsome hubby in a small, charming town in rural Idaho. Find her updates on ErinWright.net, where you can sign up for her newsletter, along with the requisite pictures of Jasmine, her kitty cat muse and snuggle buddy extraordinaire.
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