Unexpectedly Hers (Sterling Canyon #3)
Page 30
“Were you?” Emma’s pulse kicked up again.
“It has its charms.” He winked.
Flirting. Flirting was good. Emma could flirt.
“Such as?”
Wyatt brought his hand up to his mouth, as if he were whispering a secret. “The innkeeper’s sweet and helpful. Almost perfect.”
“Only almost?”
Wyatt shrugged, now looking a little wistful. “She’s afraid to really live her own life.”
Emma shook her head. “Not anymore, actually.”
“No?” He came fully alert, dropping all games.
“No. She learned a tough lesson recently. Even told her mom and a few friends about these naughty books she writes on the side. I think you’d be surprised by how she’s changing.”
A slow grin spread across his beautiful face. “That sounds like something we should celebrate.”
“Like your victory here today?”
He reached for her hands and squeezed them. “If I remember correctly, you’re pretty good at celebrating my victories.”
“And here I thought I wasn’t memorable at all.”
“To the contrary, you’re rather unforgettable.” He tugged her hands to his mouth and kissed them. “I think we have some unfinished business and a trip to Switzerland to plan.”
Her heart nearly burst at the renewed invitation. “You seem pretty sure of yourself on several fronts.”
“I’ve never failed to reach any goal I’ve set. If that makes me cocky, so be it.” He kissed her hand again. “Stay with me tonight?”
“Why not.” Emma leaned across the table and kissed him, right there in front of everyone. Proving to him, and herself, she’d no longer run from love.
Epilogue
A stunning June sunset hung low in the sky, casting an orange and purple glow over the patio where Grey and Avery’s wedding reception was being held. Everything about the afternoon and evening had been so romantic, Emma didn’t want it to end.
Avery and Grey were making their way around to all the guests. Kelsey’s small baby bump was concealed by the flowing bridesmaid’s dress Avery had picked for her and Emma.
Her friends were happy and settled. While Emma couldn’t claim to be quite so settled, she had been very happy these past few months, thanks to Wyatt.
“Your mom still doesn’t like me much,” Wyatt whispered in Emma’s ear while they danced, and she knew she’d never get tired of being in his arms.
Emma peeked at her mom, who was sitting with the Callihans and Randalls. It had taken several weeks postpublication for her mother to really look her in the eyes without getting emotional, and another month before she’d reluctantly accepted that Emma wasn’t going to stop writing.
Since then, the fact that Emma offered to use her royalties to help update the inn had helped, as did the fact that her friends had kept their promises and, so far, no one in town knew a thing about Alexa. Between the renovations and Wyatt’s continued efforts to promote the inn, business was better than it had been in years. One would think her mom would feel indebted.
Of course, her mom’s suspicions about Wyatt extended beyond the “coincidental” nature of his being a champion snowboarder and Emma’s books involving one who resembles him.
“I’m sorry. She worries that you’re going to take off, like my dad.” Emma snuggled closer, grateful that he’d not only survived the Freeride International Tour, but placed second overall. Since then, he’d visited often, but had continued to travel all over the world shooting extreme ski videos. Whenever he came to town, she savored every second of their time together. “She’ll relax someday, I promise. In the meantime, I like you a whole lot. Love you, even.”
“Love you, too.” He spun her around and pulled her close again, his one hand resting low on her back. He kissed her temple. “Still, I think she blames me for your books.”
“Well, you did inspire them.” She rested her head on his shoulder and breathed in the scent of him.
His husky voice rumbled over her. “Must be why they sell so well.”
“Cocky as ever.”
Wyatt shrugged. “Some things never change.”
“Good to know. I wouldn’t want you to change.” Then again, she did wish he’d take fewer risks with his life. She never pressured him about it, though, or asked him to move to Sterling Canyon. Trip badgered him enough on that score.
But she wanted him to settle down here with her. She couldn’t deny that, at thirty-two, she’d started to think about marriage, of starting a family of her own. One she’d raise in a guilt-free environment, of course.
“I have been thinking about changing one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“My address.”
This caught her attention. She raised her head to look him in the eyes. “Oh?”
“Turns out I have an inside track on a truly ugly apartment.” He grinned.
Emma’s heart leapt. “Backtrax?”
Wyatt nodded.
“Really?” She tried not to let her excitement overwhelm him or call too much attention to them. Rather than press him or push him, she waited.
“Trip’s a pain in the ass. Wants my name on the door in the worst way. I’m thinking it might not be a bad gig.” He smirked, watching her work hard to control her emotions. Then he brushed his hand along her jaw and kissed her. A long, slow kiss. The kind she wrote about in her books. When he eased away, he said, “But you’re the real reason I’d come here, Emma. I’m tired of missing you for weeks at a time. So, if I come, do you think your mom could handle that?”
“Honestly, I don’t care.” Emma tightened her arms around his neck. “I love her, but I love you more.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” He kissed her. “Consider it done.”
Acknowledgments
I have many people to thank for helping me bring the Sterling Canyon books to all of you, not the least of which include my family and friends for their continued love, encouragement, and support.
Thanks, also, to my agent, Jill Marsal, as well as to my patient editors Chris Werner and Krista Stroever, and the entire Montlake family for believing in me, and working so hard on my behalf.
A special thanks to Brock Butterfield, a former freeride competitor, who answered all of my questions about the sport and even suggested some great plot points. Also, I need to thank Abbi Nyberg of the United States Ski and Snowboard Association for teaching me a bit about the ins and outs of the Olympics and the X Games and about pro ski sponsorship. Of course, for the sake of fiction, I modified some of what I learned from these two, but their input was invaluable and appreciated. Also, many thanks to documentary filmmaker and producer Megan Smith-Harris. She taught me a lot about that process (notwithstanding my fictitious interpretations), and is much, much nicer than the character I created in this story!
My Beta Babes (Christie, Siri, Katherine, Suzanne, Tami, and Shelley) are the best, always providing invaluable input on various drafts of this manuscript. Also, thanks to Heidi Ulrich for the hours she spent critiquing the story. Finally, thanks to my real-life hero (dearest hubby), who gave Emma’s fictional book its Steep and Deep title.
And I can’t leave out the wonderful members of my CTRWA chapter. Year after year, all of the CTRWA members provide endless hours of support, feedback, and guidance. I love and thank them for that.
Finally, and most importantly, thank you, readers, for making my work worthwhile. With so many available options, I’m honored by your choice to spend your time with me.
About the Author
Photo © 2013 Lora Haskins
Jamie Beck is a former attorney with a passion for inventing stories about love and redemption. A recent inductee into the Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll, her popular stories include her sassy Sterling Canyon books and emotionally complex St. James novels. In addition to writing romantic women’s fiction, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking, and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Ut
ah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family. Visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks.