by Mary Leo
Reese waited, as Janice quietly slipped out of the room.
“It’s me, Mama. Avery. Your little girl,” Avery said, walking over, then crouching down to her mom’s level.
For a few more seconds Pamela remained motionless, then her eyes welled up, and she reached over and ran a finger along Avery’s cheek. “I didn’t mean to leave you in that movie theater,” she said, her voice low and fragile. “Can you ever forgive me?”
His heart broke for these two women who had been kept apart for the last twenty years. Uncontrollable tears streamed down his face.
“Oh Mama, I’ve never been angry with you,” Avery cajoled, as she took her mom’s hand in hers. “Not once. Not ever. I’ve missed you so much.”
Reese could hear the emotion in Avery’s voice as she and her mom hugged and cried and laughed all at the same time. It was a moment he would never forget as his own raw emotion poured out of him. He couldn’t help thinking back to the loss of his dad, and the ache he still felt for him.
As he watched these two remarkable women rock and soothe each other, he thought of his own remarkable mom, and how happy he was they’d finally come to terms. After all, no matter what transpired between them, he still loved her with all his heart.
After several minutes of hugs and tears, Pamela finally said in a clear, crisp voice, “My sweet darling girl, I’ve been in this place long enough. Can you please take me home now?”
Avery stood, wiped the tears from her cheeks, grinned and said, “Yes, Mama. Let’s go home.”
Her mom seemed to hesitate.
“The first step is always the hardest,” Avery whispered, gently tugging on her mom’s hand.
Pamela’s eyes watered again. “And after that?”
“The world is yours.”
“The whole world, my darling?”
“The whole world, Mama.”
Then Avery turned to Reese. “Mama, this is Reese Cooper, the man I love. Reese, this is my mother, Pamela Temp . . . no, this is Pamela Harding.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Pamela Harding,” Reese said, holding out his hand.
She grabbed hold of his hand, and at once Reese felt as though she wasn’t about to let go any time soon. “Believe me, Reese, the pleasure is all mine,” she said, and the three of them walked out of Pamela’s room, together.
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To get updates on my new releases, giveaways, and my latest pair of stilettos, sign up for BOOTS N’ HEELS, my newsletter. Just for signing up you will receive a gift only available to newsletter subscribers. ROPIN’ THE COWBOY OF STARLIGHT BEND is a Christmas novella that will warm your heart anytime of the year. This book is no longer available on any retailer platform.
Jolie Shepherd didn’t want to spend Christmas alone. So when she accepts an open invitation to visit Starlight Bend, Montana from her best friend, Jolie expects to pass most of the holiday season holed up inside a cozy cabin, not playing cowgirl with quite possibly the most adorable cowboy in the entire state.
Red Weisman is a man who prefers to ride alone . . . that is until he meets Jolie Shepherd. She doesn’t know the first thing about ranching, and she certainly can’t ride a horse, but once they team up to grant a Christmas wish for a needy child, something magical happens between them. Has Santa truly granted their most secret wish, or is this simply a temporary Christmas enchantment?
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About The Author
Mary Leo is preoccupied with writing her next book, her latest pair of fabulous heels, the great food of Italy and everything chocolate . . . as long as it’s gluten free. She crafts stories that both entertain and take readers on yet one more adventure of love and happily ever after. Mary is the USA Today bestselling author of Cowboy Romance and humors Cozy Mysteries. The former integrated circuit layout designer can be found on social media where she loves to talk books, gorgeous shoes, and Italy. Stop by for a chat!
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Books by Mary Leo
Wild Creek Cowboys Series
Cowboy Undone
Cowboy Romance Series
Falling For The Cowboy
Aiming For The Cowboy
Christmas With The Rancher
Her Favorite Cowboy
A Christmas Wedding For The Cowboy
A Cowboy In Her Arms
A Cowboy To Kiss
A Baby For The Sheriff
Contemporary Romance
A Pinch of Cool
Stick Shift
For Better Or Cursed
Cabin Fever
Romantic Suspense
Trusting Evil
Kiss Of Magic Romance Series (boxed sets)
Jackie Cupid’s First Love & It’s Written In The Stars, Book One
Romancing Rudy Raindear & Loving Hamilton Winchester, Book Two
A Christmas In Time & The Ghost of Dillon Spencer, Book Three
The Lone Cowboy of Starlight Bend & The Fortuneteller’s Valentine, Book Four
His Irish Kiss & Jackie Cupid Gets Her Wings, Book Five
Cozy Mystery
Writing as Mary Leoni
(available mid-September)
The Spia Family Presses On
The Spia Family Branches Out
(available mid-December)
The Spia Family Avoids The Pits