by Lexi Post
Her contented sigh was all he needed to hear.
EPILOGUE
Meghan glanced up at the sign that hung over the dirt driveway then looked at Tyler. “Why do they call this place Broken Oak? That’s a strange name for a horse farm.”
“Wait, you’ll see.”
Happy to be checking out the place she’d been invited to work at, she patiently waited. She hadn’t committed to the position yet, but with both Jessie and Tyler singing its praises, she had agreed to take a look.
As Tyler drove around a grove of trees, the reason for the name became clear. “That’s an amazing tree.”
He smiled. “And the people who live here and who will live here are amazing as well.”
Ah, now she understood. They could all grow, live and even love beyond horrific events like the split oak tree that was the farm’s namesake. She liked the metaphor.
Tyler pulled up in front of a freshly painted two-story home with a wide porch along the front. He jumped out of his truck and opened her door. “Did I mention how hot you look in a pair of jeans and sneakers?”
She laughed, happier inside than she ever remembered being. “Yes, you did. Twice already.”
He winked at her as she pulled down the simple tan blazer she wore over her white tank. Tyler seemed to enjoy her attempts at more casual clothing, or rather enjoyed getting her out of it.
The screen door on the porch slammed and a woman about her age jogged down the steps. She really looked like a cowgirl with her straw cowboy hat, short sleeved buttoned down white shirt, jean shorts and cowboy boots.
She ran up to Tyler and gave him a hug. “Good to see you again, Tyler.” Letting him go, she turned toward Meghan. “You must be the Doc. Hi, my name is Lynzie.”
Lynzie’s southern accent was so charming, Meghan was able to forgive her for hugging Tyler. She held out her hand. “I’m Dr. Meghan Haskell.”
Lynzie ignored her hand. “Oh, we give hugs around here.” Then she wrapped her arms around her.
She liked Lynzie already and smiled her approval over her shoulder at Tyler who looked very pleased with himself.
“Hey sis, don’t I get a hug too?”
She spun around at the sound of Jessie’s voice and smiled with tears in her eyes. Jessie looked amazing as she strode toward her, the hitch in her step ignored. She wasn’t nearly as lean as she had been and her face was tan from being in the sun, which made her look healthy and showed off her dark hair. Farm life must agree with her.
Meghan opened her arms and hugged her sister hard. She hadn’t seen her in almost a year after all. Jessie even smelled good, like hay, wood and outdoors.
Jessie pretended to struggle. “Have you been lifting weights? I swear you’re hugging the breath from me.”
She laughed and let her sister go. “You look fantastic.”
“Right, especially with sawdust all over my jeans.” She looked behind her. “Cooper, come here and meet my sister.”
The man walked forward slowly but purposefully. He had to be at least six foot six and his shoulders were so wide she wondered if he could fit through doorways. His buzz cut was a little long like it’d been done a month ago, and his brown hair might be wavy if let to grow.
“Okay Tank, I’d like you to meet Dr. Meghan Haskell.”
The pride in Jessie’s voice surprised Meghan and she reached out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Cooper.”
“Ma’am, the pleasure is mine.” He gave her a soft smile and she immediately liked him.
Lynzie practically bounced toward the steps. “Okay, come on in everyone. We made us a big lunch.”
Cooper stepped next to her and lowered his head to speak. “Lynzie’s idea of big isn’t the same as mine.”
Meghan laughed and hooked Tyler’s arm as they all moseyed inside. The lunch was sandwiches and while most of them had one or two, Cooper had seven at her last count. Tyler even stopped at four.
Ryan clinked his glass with a fork. “We all know why Dr. Haskell really came to visit us today.”
Jessie grinned. “Of course, to see me.” They all chuckled, but Meghan loved that her sister appeared to be in a much happier state than last time she’d seen her.
Lynzie shook her head. “Of course not. She already knows you. She came to see who could possibly have married such a crazy man as my husband.”
“Gee thanks, Lynz.” Ryan pretended to be hurt before his lip quirked up.
Tyler squeezed her hand beneath the table and she looked at him. He didn’t say a word, but his eyes glowed with love.
“No, we are here to see if we can convince Dr. Haskell, Meghan, to come work here.”
Everyone at the table smiled except Cooper. She focused on him. “Cooper, are you unsure about this?”
He shook his head. “No, just not excited about having to build another house.”
“House?” She looked at Ryan who shrugged. “Why would you have to build a house if I came to work here?”
“Because you and Tyler wouldn’t want to sleep in the bunk house with all of us who live here and there isn’t enough room in this house with Lynzie, Ryan and Jessie in here, so you’d need your own house.”
Her heart warmed at his thoughtfulness and she smiled. “Actually, if I were to work here, I wouldn’t live here. I already have a home, not too far away.”
He seemed to relax a bit at that. “And if, say, a person staying here had an episode where they needed you at night? Would you come?”
She glanced at Ryan who seemed perplexed, but Jessie patted the man’s arm. “I think she would. Would you, Meg?”
She nodded. “Of course, but I haven’t decided yet.”
Ryan stood. “Then it’s our job to help you. How about a tour of the farm?”
“I’d like that.” She stood and looked down at Tyler. “Are you coming?”
He shook his head. “No, I’ve seen the place. I’ll stay here and chat with your sister and see what secrets about you I can get her to spill. You go. This is your decision.” He smiled encouragingly, but there was something holding him back.
“Okay, if you’re sure?” She leaned down and gave him a kiss. He lowered her glasses from the top of her head to her nose. “You’ll definitely want these.”
She squeezed his hand before following Ryan out the door.
It didn’t take her long to see what an amazing idea Ryan had. He had already started on a small gym, but most of the therapy was to happen outside with the horses and the upkeep. When he had finished the tour, she was anxious to talk it over with Tyler.
He was standing outside chatting with Jessie and Lynzie, Cooper was nowhere in sight.
“Meg, we came up with a great idea.” Jessie smiled, an action Meghan hadn’t seen much of before today.
She hooked her arm in Tyler’s. “You did? What’s the idea?”
He looked at her. “I think we should suggest that Alix come here for her rehabilitation. That way she doesn’t have to go home to her dad and brothers and she gets to be on a farm which is what she grew up on. Plus, whether you decided to work here or not, she can still have the benefit of your services.”
“Wow, that is a fantastic idea.”
“Mind if I suggest it next time I talk to her?” Jessie smirked. “I’ve kind of been telling her what I’m doing here, and she sounds interested. Maybe if it comes from me, she’d be more likely to say yes.”
“I think that’s a good idea. Thank you for thinking of it. Both of you.” Her heart filled to see the man she loved and her sister, not just getting along, but working together. It was almost too good to be true.
Ryan pulled his wife against his side. “Have they finished building their case against Drew yet?” He glanced at Tyler. “I know how long those things can take.”
Meghan shrugged. “I don’t know. They subpoenaed all my notes on him and took my statement and said they’d get back to me if they needed me to testify. I’m not sure, but I think Drew may either plead guilty or be found i
ncompetent to stand trial. I’m not sure which and frankly I don’t care.” She shivered.
Tyler wrapped his arms around her from behind. “The kid got off easy. If I had caught him before the police—”
Ryan shook his head. “Yeah, I think you would have had to stand in line.”
Meghan looked back at Tyler. “Behind Alix’s father.” His arms tightened around her.
Jessie spit on the ground. “The military is about honor. I hope they throw the book at him.”
Lynzie frowned. “I don’t understand. Why would a man sign up for the Coast Guard if he has no honor?”
“He had poisoned honor.” At Tyler’s words, everyone nodded. It made sense in a twisted way.
He unhooked his arms from around her and laid his hand against her lower back. “Are you ready to go home and think about this possible job?”
“I am.” She stepped away from him and gave her sister another hug. “Talk to you later.”
Jessie nodded.
In no time, she and Tyler were headed back to her place, but his silence was troubling.
She placed her hand on his thigh. “Is something bothering you?”
He glanced at her and sighed. “You are way too observant.”
“Only of those I love. Tell me.”
He pulled off the road into the dirt parking lot of a closed bar. “I’ve been thinking about you taking this job and about my job.”
“Yes. You know I’m considering it because I feel that counselling people you know may make it difficult for us.”
He turned and faced her. “On one hand, I feel guilty about that, but on the other hand, I’m not sorry because I want you in my life.”
Oh wow. “You don’t have to feel guilty. I feel the same way you do. I’d move mountains to be with you now that I have you.”
His whole body relaxed. “I’m glad to hear you say that because there is another subject that has to do with my job that may cause a problem.”
“And that is?”
“My next assignment. I’m only here for another sixteen months. I can put in for another year or two here and might get it if I receive that promotion, but after that I don’t know where I will have to go.”
“So, what are you saying?”
His eyes turned dark and he took her hands in his. “When I get transferred, I want you to come with me. The Coast Guard is very supportive of wives and I think you could easily find another position. We could even discuss together which places we’d like to try for where you could work too.”
She stared at him stunned. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
His smile formed slowly. “I guess, I mean, yes, I am. I mean, eventually. You don’t have to decide right now. Maybe just live with me and see if any of my habits drive you crazy and then—”
“Oh, my God. Yes!” She threw her arms around him, her heart pounding so hard with happiness it felt as if it should be shaking the truck.
He squeezed her to him then pulled back to look at her. “Wow, I didn’t plan that or anything. I don’t even have a ring.”
Her heart filled with love. “I don’t need one. All I need is you.” She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.
His tongue swept into her mouth, promising her years of love and happiness. She had no doubt, her heart would always be safe with him.
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Read on for an excerpt from When Love Chimes (Broken Valor #1)
CHAPTER ONE
I’m pregnant.” Lynzie Mullins stared at the word “yes” on the home pregnancy test-strip. Joy, fear, and anger collided inside her.
“Are you sure?” Her best friend, Coco Baker, grabbed the stick out of her hand. “Oh boy, that makes it pretty clear, but I’ve heard that you should get a real test done by a doctor. These aren’t always accurate.”
Lynzie took the stick back, still stunned. How could this have happened? Sure, she wanted children someday, but she’d like to have a husband first. Cocktail waitressing wasn’t the most lucrative profession, and the only horse farm in town was falling apart, so training horses was out.
“You aren’t going to tell him, are you?” Coco’s question pulled her back from her worried thoughts.
“Who?”
Coco rolled her eyes. “Andrew. Who else? Unless you’ve been sleeping with someone other than him. I thought you guys use protection.”
“We do.” But she’d stopped taking the pill because of the expense. Besides, Andrew could afford the really good condoms. She flopped down on the couch. Would Andrew help with child support? Would he insist on a DNA test? How much would that cost? Maybe he’d ask her to marry him.
Who was she kidding? He was nice and he liked getting into bed with her, but she knew he considered himself above her. He came from the new section of Lucasville.
They had fun together. It wasn’t as if they were in love and while she hadn’t slept with anyone while with him, she was pretty sure he had a few other women he saw on a regular basis. A perk of having money.
Coco sat down next to her. “What are you going to do?” Her friend’s eyes were honestly concerned. Coco had too soft a heart. She also had a weird ability to recognize people who were soulmates, though she never volunteered that information.
Maybe Lynzie should ask Coco if she and Andrew were soulmates, but she swore she’d never to do that. Everyone bothered Coco about that and as her best friend, she refused to do the same. Besides, she knew the answer already—no. “I don’t know. I just found out. I’m still reeling a bit.”
“A bit? If it was me, I think I’d faint.” Coco laid back over the arm of the couch with the back of her hand on her forehead.
Lynzie smiled. She appreciated her friend trying to cheer her up. “I think I’ll do what you said, go to a doctor. In the meantime, let’s keep this between us.”
Coco sat up and nodded. “Of course.”
They sat in silence a few minutes, Lynzie still staring at the word “yes.” It probably wasn’t going to magically change to a “no” just because she wanted it to. Sighing, she rose and threw it away.
Coco crossed and re-crossed her legs. She didn’t like silence very much. “Not to change the subject, but I’m guessing you won’t mind too much if I do. Did you hear that Ryan Crawford came back to town last night?”
Lynzie’s heart sped up at the very mention of her old high school crush. “No, I didn’t hear.”
Coco nodded. “According to Antony, Ryan has come back to help his grandpa sell his old horse farm. I haven’t seen him yet, but I hear he looks a lot different.”
Just great. “Why? Does he have a limp, burn scars, a big belly? He looked pretty good to me when we were in school.”
Coco laughed. “You were the only one who thought so. I think you mixed up his kindness with his looks. That boy was a nerd before they even had a term for it.”
She leaned on the counter separating her kitchenette from her living room. “He wasn’t that bad. He didn’t even wear glasses.”
“Well, from what I hear, he’s looking mighty fine now. I guess he went into the Army.”
“Really? Now how did you find out about that if he just came in last night?”
Coco winked. “I ran into Margot and she said Ryan called Antony about some part-time work at the Love Garage. Want to take a walk and see if we bump into him? You don’t have to work until later.”
She must be an idiot because she actually considered Coco’s idea. “No. I’m sure we’ll connect eventually.”
“Suit yourself.”
If she’d suited herself, she would have run away with Ryan when he first left town. At this point in her life, she wasn’t sure if she could handle meeting his wife and kids, if he had them. “Maybe I should—”
A knock at her door stopped her. She stood to answer it, and Coco put her finger to her lips. If it was Andrew, she’d keep
the baby stuff to herself…until she’d had a doctor’s visit.
She opened the door. “Hello?”
A man with dark hair and a white cowboy hat stood there filling out his blue t-shirt to its max, the outline of his pectorals clear as day. Her entire body took notice.
He smiled, his white teeth gleaming against his tan skin. “Hi, Lynzie.”
Huh? A customer from the bar maybe? She would have never missed such a hot hunk of a man. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“I hope so, it’s me. Ryan Crawford.”
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She couldn’t stop herself from cataloging everything about him from his very short haircut, to his bulging biceps to the breadth of his chest. “Ryan Crawford?”
He grinned. “Yeah, I’ve been getting a lot of that today.”
She returned her gaze to his mesmerizing eyes. “Oh, my God, Ryan!” She threw her arms around him, beyond thrilled. When his strong arms captured her against his chest, she gave in to the feel of his hard body pressed against her own.
As soon as he loosened his hold, she reluctantly stepped back, old feelings rushing through her. “It’s so good to see you. Coco just told me you were in town, but even so, I would have walked right past you in the street and not have known it was you.”
“Ahem.” Coco cleared her throat.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Come in.” She opened the door wider and let him walk by. He took his cowboy hat off and held it in both hands. She closed the door and stepped next to him. “Do you remember Coco Baker?”
He gave her friend a smirk. “How could I forget hot Coco.”
Coco squinched her nose up at the old nickname then looked at Lynzie before she cocked her head and studied Ryan from the top of his head to the bottom of his black cowboy boots. “My, my, have you changed.”
He grimaced. “So I’ve heard.” Then he grinned. “But you haven’t much, though the pink streak in your hair makes me think of peppermint hot chocolate.” He winked.