“Yes, Mom,” Nora said. “I do know she’s beautiful. She’d be beautiful even if she did have red hair.” She turned to Tristan. “I’m starved. Let’s check on our daughters and get some food.”
He touched the tip of his hat. “Yes, ma’am.” Tristan held the door for Nora, nodding as Sandy entered.
***
In Destiny’s bedroom that night, they tucked her in, ending with a goodnight kiss. “The baby might wake you up tonight. Babies wake up in the night to get fed.”
“It’s okay, Mama.” Destiny wrapped her arms around both of them at the same time. “I love you. Goodnight.” She clutched her teddy bear and snuggled beneath the covers.
Nora turned her main light off and they attempted to leave.
“Dad?”
Tristan stopped. “Yeah, baby cakes?”
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” She pulled her arms out from under the blanket, beckoning him with her index finger.
“Sure.” He faced Nora with a lifted eyebrow. “I’ll be right to bed,” he whispered. “Did I miss the tooth fairy?”
“Nope.” She left the room to settle in.
Tristan sat on the side of Destiny’s bed. “What’s up?” He bent forward and kissed her forehead. “Everything okay with you?”
“Do you think Nora would care if I called her mom or mommy…or even mama like I just did?”
Tristan was proud of his little girl. Wow. “No, she wouldn’t care. She considers you her daughter.”
Destiny ran her fingers over the knuckles of his right hand. Her tongue pressed against her top lip and her eyebrows pulled down as if in deep thought. “Daddy?” She peered down at her feet while wiggling her toes. “Do you think my mommy would care?”
Tristan gulped, her question catching him off guard. She seemed to be good at that. “Um, your mom would want you to be happy. If calling Nora mommy makes that happen, then your real mom would be glad.” He brought the blanket up to her chest. “Does that make sense?”
“Yep. Kind of like you getting married to Nora. Mommy wants you to be happy, too.”
Tristan coughed, almost choking when his throat tightened. Destiny didn’t know they had been broken up before she was born. One day he might tell her the story. “Yeah, sweetheart, like that.”
“So, everybody’s happy, right?”
“Yes, honey.” She stared at him for a moment as if letting his words sink in, but soon a satisfied smile appeared on her lips. In turn, her joy brought the same to him. “You’re correct.”
“Okay.” She snuggled back into her blankets and teddy bear.
He kissed her cheek. “Daddy loves you. See ya in the mornin’.” At the door Tristan turned. “You sure got to be a grown up girl. Sweet dreams, sweetheart.” He closed the door partway.
Down the hallway he entered their bedroom, first stopping at Trista’s bed. She was awake with her fist pressed against her lips, making little sucking motions. Tristan bent forward and kissed her atop the head—the baby smell of her to be forever ingrained in his memory.
Tristan removed his sling and picked her up, holding her tight in the crook of his arm. Waltzing her to the window, he faced the night. Resting his cheek atop Trista’s warm forehead, the full moon lit their faces. He whispered to his child, “It’s your world out there, my baby daughter. All yours to claim. You’ve been born into the best family ever. As your father, I’ll do what I can to make your life happy. Safe.” Tristan kissed her cheek. Catching the sight of Nora sleeping soundly, his heart hammered in his chest. She’d forever live in his soul.
He strolled over to the crib and laid Trista Rose in her bed. Tristan got out of his clothes, slowly crawling in next to his wife. Her warmth sent his brain into a twirl, knowing that the past couple months could have gone totally the other way. All three of them could’ve been gone in a heartbeat—or one would’ve existed alone without the other. He had found a way to almost stop hating the young driver who injured Nora. The kid apologized via Sheriff Thompson, but no way could he see the kid without wanting to do some damage. It would take more time than this, if ever.
Nora released a contented sigh and she rolled to her side, spooning him as he held her. Tristan took comfort in her body snuggled so close. This redhead was his life. His lover. The mother to his children. Closing his eyes, he pictured the image he took of them the day she’d left the hospital. My girls—all three of them…my destiny.
THE END
To My Readers
Thank you for reading.
If this is the first book you’ve picked up in this series, know that its book #1.5 and a “Bonus Book” to be read after Cowboy Boss and his Destiny, and contains spoilers regarding that book if read first.
You’ll find the tone for Tristan’s Destiny to be a bit more serious than Cowboy boss—which was written with a lighter tone and less drama and conflict. All in all, I write happy endings either way!
Are you new to the series? Welcome to Canyon Junction, Arizona, the small town where the characters from the Double Dutch Ranch Series: Love at First Sight, live. The Carlson’s are a close-knit and loving family, and they’ll pop up in each other’s stories.
Cowboy Boss and his Destiny is standalone, but I wanted their story to continue. Heartbreak’s Reward, Book #2 is also standalone and can be read out of order.
The idea of love at first sight came to me out of the blue when I planned this series. I can’t pinpoint the moment when, or the reason I wanted to make two people fall in love “at first sight.” Maybe because, once, I fell in love at first sight.
This is when I ask, and I don’t like to, but, if you could, please leave a review at your place of purchase. You don’t have to write much. Thank you in advance.
I hope you’ll come back to Canyon Junction and the majestic Superstition Mountains. Judy Carlson and her family are waiting to set another plate on the table at the Double Dutch Ranch in upcoming books in this series. You’ll see the beginning of a new love bloom in this book.
The Carlson cowboys have a cousin who is briefly mentioned in this book and others in the series. You can read about Caulder and Velia in their story in the Bull Rider Series—books with a more serious and dramatic tone.
Visit my website if you’d like to leave a private comment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my books.
Mary~
Click here http://eepurl.com/WyOcn for my Mailing List signup to receive information on new releases and important book updates. Thanks in advance!
Other Works of Fiction by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Double Dutch Ranch Series:
Love at First Sight #1
Cowboy Boss and his Destiny (Standalone)
Buy Links/ and Information: http://www.maryjdresselbooks.com
Romantic and Passionate without all the drama and conflict. Warm your heart and give your nerve endings a tingle at the same time.
Tristan Carlson does the best he can to raise his four-year-old daughter on his own. His mother remains on the Double Dutch to lend a hand—giving him the ability to maintain the ranch, tend to his horses, and keep up his small-time ranching magazine. His pretty, new assistant is everything he wants in a woman, including her ginger-red hair. But from his experience with women lately, he’s learned some don’t want a ready-made family. This one seems different, and he’s falling hard. But, there’s his little blue-eyed girl, and he’ll protect Destiny’s heart with everything within him. Until he knows for sure…
Living the good life in a big city for many years, Nora Trinity ends up a statistic after the magazine she works for makes cutbacks. Despite a family betrayal from her past that still needs mending, she moves back home to the small town of Canyon Junction, Arizona, with forgiveness on her mind. When she is hired by a local rancher to help with his ranching magazine, she finds herself profoundly attracted to him. The thing is, her sexy boss comes as a package deal, and his little girl is immediately drawn to her. It’s not just about two hearts taking a chance
now—or two people falling in love…
Double Dutch Ranch Series:
Love at First Sight #2
Heartbreak’s Reward (Standalone)
Buy Links/ and Information: http://www.maryjdresselbooks.com
One Wrong Turn. Two Broken Families. Brought together by chance, and need.
Rancher Jase Carlson doesn’t understand the ache in the hollow of his chest, since his ex-wife ripped his heart out. She doesn’t follow the court rules where his children are concerned, making him even more pissed off. Harboring a bad attitude, he wishes he wasn’t a gentleman when he comes to the aid of a quick-tempered, sexy blonde. He can’t allow her tight jeans and sweet smile to sway him, even after he’s coerced into spending time alone with her. Fighting the torturous battle going on within his own mind and body, he can either deal with it—or succumb to the woman who appears to be everything he didn’t know he needed.
In an attempt to save her rebellious teen sister from herself—as her guardian, Brenna Page leaves everything behind and moves to Canyon Junction, Arizona. When she unexpectedly meets a hot-headed cowboy with intense blue eyes and muscles to die for, the first thing she wants to do is get away. Since she can’t seem to shake him, Brenna wonders if that same grudge-filled cowboy with an attitude is something worth taking on. But still dealing with painful memories, and a sister who wants nothing to do with Arizona, the last thing she needs right now is a horse ranching cowboy interfering.
Bull Rider Series #1
The Carlson’s cousin. Caulder and Velia’s beginning.
Howdy, Ma’am
Buy Links/ and Information: http://www.maryjdresselbooks.com/
Blurb: Bull rider Caulder McCutchen wants to start living again. But this year he has a good chance of winning the coveted gold buckle, knowing he has to ride harder, go bigger, or go home. Winning consumes him, but it doesn't take away the pain from a tremendous loss less than two years ago. On a whim, he hires a feisty photographer to travel the bull riding circuit with him for a season. A little extra publicity can't hurt, and she's easy on the eyes.
When he finds himself passionately attracted to her, will this sassy little Italian photographer prove to be just what his claim to fame needs—or a disastrous distraction?
Velia Armano had the strength to walk away from an abusive husband. After throwing a dart on the map, she moves from Chicago to Tucson, Arizona and opens her own photography studio—at the cost of leaving behind her close-knit, prominent Italian family.
Six months into her well-ordered life alone, a hunky cowboy saunters in with his howdy, ma'am and flame blue eyes, offering a job any photographer would find hard to refuse. She accepts his offer and discovers they both have their own obstacles to overcome. Staying out of each other's arms is only one of them.
Before the season ends, they both hope to find the right answer—to remain in their self-appointed exiles, or give in to a “happily ever after.” When the season ends, who wins the real prize?
Reader’s Advisory: Occasional harsh and unsavory language. Sensual love scenes. Dramatic scenes.
Bull Rider Series #2
Hey, Cowboy
Buy Links/ and Information: http://www.maryjdresselbooks.com
Emotional and Compelling. Passionate and Romantic.
Blurb: A break in the season finds Velia Armano and Caulder McCutchen back in Tucson, Arizona. Family, friends, and rowdy cowboys are brought together to share in their joy…and sometimes their pain.
The last year with Caulder has given Velia trust and strength like she’s never known. But, her strength is weakened. Enemies harbor a vendetta against her and her family…and anyone who gets in their way.
Caulder vows to protect Velia, yet little does he know the lengths he’ll have to go. He learns that sometimes a hero has to prove he is one. He wants to give her the world, be the man she needs, but an injury during break threatens his career. How can he give her everything when his future hangs in the balance?
All they ask for is a peaceful life together—a new bull riding season, and their happily ever after. Happiness is within reach if their burning love is strong enough to overcome enemies plotting against Velia’s family, and a possible career-ending injury for Caulder.
Reader’s Advisory: Occasional harsh and unsavory language. Sensual love scenes. Dramatic scenes.
Upcoming Books
Double Dutch Ranch Series:
Love at First Sight
Book #3
Coming 2015: Army Ranger, Dane Carlson decided he had enough of ranch life years ago, and dedicates his life to the military—his choice. He soon learns some choices are beyond his control. Please visit Mary’s website for future news on this book.
Expect More Books to Follow in this Series.
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Bull Rider Series
Book #3
Coming Late 2015: Cousins come together in a holiday story featuring Caulder McCutchen and his family, combined with the Carlson family from the Double Dutch Ranch.
Visit Mary’s website for more information on all her books.
Acknowledgement
A very special acknowledgement and thank you to James Collins for allowing
me to use the title of his song, “Frozen in Time (The New Wedding Song)” in my book.
This song can be purchased online. Give it a listen. The song is beautiful.
The talented woman who works magic with my book covers, Dawné Dominique, cover designer at DusktilDawn Designs.
My editor at Creative Manuscripts. Thank you so much.
Digital formatting by LK E-Book Formatting Services.
To my family, friends, online friends, and author/writing groups.
And, thanks to God above.
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A Special Thanks to Readers
Thank you for the time you invest in reading my books.
About the Author
Early days of reading romance novels and women's fiction laid the groundwork for Mary to take up the pen and write her own memorable love stories. She writes sensual contemporary western romance with strong family ties. Some of her characters don't have an easy time of getting what they want, but their reward is sweet and sexy. Other times, Mary’s stories are sensual and heartwarming with less conflict and drama. On occasion she writes paranormal romance, and dramatic romantic fiction.
She’s the very proud mom of two sons and a beautiful fur baby dog. Photography is her hobby…another way her muse runs free.
Mary loves to hear from her readers.
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