Letting out a huge sigh, Jim nodded. "Yes, in college."
"Hardly her fault. But this time you have a choice. If Shadow is what you want, go after her. Go seize what you want. Show her you love her and see if there is any way she will not publish that story if it means that much to you."
Keiko whined from the playpen, his heart ripping inside at the sound of the dog calling for her.
"Or you can stay here, be lonely and miserable the rest of your life. Your choice, man."
The idea of putting his fist through a wall was satisfying. Anything to make him focus on some other area of pain besides his chest. Cody had a way of laying it out there like it was with no sugar coating. Sometimes he was a little too honest and this time his words were like a swift kick in the ying yang.
"Damnit. There are times when I love you and then there are times nothing would please me more than to kick your ass."
Cody sat grinning at him. "So which time is this."
Leaning back in his chair, he sighed. "You're so damn honest, it hurts. It's the time I love you for pointing out to me I'm being a stupid fool. Still, that ass kicking sounds mighty good."
"That's what the Cupid statue does. It wears you down, points out your flaws and grabs you by the heart and gives you what you're dreaming of." Cody laughed. "Now, go get your woman."
"What if she won't see me? That morning, I acted a fool. Why I didn't tell her days ago, I loved her is beyond me. This would all been for naught if I'd opened up and told her how I felt."
"All you can do is try. Don't waste another minute. Get going or I'll bring your sister over here."
Standing, Jim sighed. "I'm going."
All her life, Shadow promised herself she would never be like her mother. Sleeping around indiscriminately or have a baby out of wedlock.
Staring down at the pee stick, her chest tightened in pain. Shadow had broken her own cardinal rule. All because that damn old condom ripped when they had sex the first time.
Stunned, she stared not knowing what to do. Could this be how her mother felt when she learned of her pregnancy. Oh, Shadow wanted children in a bad way, but in a happy family situation with a husband by her side who would help her raise the kids and when she acted a little crazy, bring her back to the reality of their clan.
Not as a single parent. Not like this. This must be a mistake. Oh no, she couldn't be pregnant with Jim's baby. When he found out, he would hate her even more. Now she didn't have the money from the magazine to help pay for this child.
Calling the magazine to tell them there was no story had been difficult. Fortunate for her, Todd had been fired the day before and the new guy accepted her response. But she also suspected he would never buy an article from her again.
Staring at the results, she didn't know what to do. Tossing the app in the trash, she walked out of the bathroom and stepped into the kitchen. No one was home at the moment. They were all out doing the club scene while she stayed home nauseous all day. Going to listen to loud music, dance, and meet attractive men didn't appeal.
Her heart still belonged to a tall Texas cowboy whose brown eyes and dark hair made her chest ache with longing. She missed Keiko. She missed Jim. She was tempted to call him, but she refused. After all, he didn't believe in the superstition and would never marry her, not even for the baby.
The doorbell rang and she frowned. Then she heard a whine she would know anywhere that brought a rush of tears to her eyes. Running to the door she flung it open.
Jim Lawrence, stood holding a squirming Keiko in his arms. At the sight of him, her chest squeezed, her heart giving an extra thump. The large cowboy looked so handsome standing at her door.
"Keiko," she cried and took the puppy from him, cuddling with the precious little dog. What was Jim doing here? What was she going to tell him?
After a moment, she gazed at him, her eyes filled with tears. "Do you want to come in."
"Yes, please," he said.
If he expected a cheerful welcome, he was in for disappointment. Though part of her was singing with joy, she would not be warm and fuzzy and accepting of how he treated her that last morning. In the space of about thirty minutes they had gone from she couldn't live without him to walking out the door. Even now the hurt resided within her and she would not tell him about the baby. That was her secret.
"Please, sit," she said, still standing holding Keiko. "Why are you here?"
Removing his hat, he sank onto her couch, his knees rising higher. He looked small sitting there, though she knew he was a big man.
"The puppy missed you and I thought you might like to see her. She's growing so fast now."
The little dog snuggled in her arms, lavishing her with puppy kisses like she knew she'd found her once again. "Thank you."
The atmosphere was tense and Shadow didn't say a word.
"Could you please sit beside me," Jim said his fingers twirling his hat in his hand.
Sinking down on the sofa, she left distance between them. The wound still too fresh, making her chest tight with tension.
Jim appeared uncomfortable, glancing at her nervously. "Look, I said a lot of things I didn't mean that morning. It was such a shock to learn you were writing a story about me and the Cupid statue."
"How did you find out?"
"My brother Drew is an attorney, and I asked him to do a background check on you," Jim gulped.
"Oh, that makes me feel better," she said. "So you thought I was a serial killer?"
"No, after I found out you wrote erotica, I wanted to make certain there was nothing else I didn't know about you," he said looking sheepish.
A sarcastic laugh escaped her. "I'm hiding so much from you."
"I deserve that, but you did keep the story from me."
"Jim, I had no choice. That was my purpose in coming to Cupid and then you showed up that night rescuing me."
Keiko whimpered and she rubbed her ears.
Biting his lip, he turned towards her. "I'm a jackass. I'm conservative. I'm rigid. I'm a man who doesn't like surprises and yet you bring out the best in me. We had fun together, we laughed. And I miss you so much, I can't sleep at night. I can't breathe. I'm dying without you.
“It's hard to believe a statue would find my true love, but it did. I love you, Shadow. I'm a damn fool for not telling you sooner, but I love you with all my heart. Can we please try again? Give me a second chance."
Looking down at Keiko, the tears started to roll down her cheeks. "The day I feared you were in the path of a tornado, I realized I loved you. You're my hero. You are my rock. My foundation. You make me more stable and secure and I hopefully bring light and love into your life. And I've been miserable without you."
Grabbing her, he pulled her into his arms. "I love you so much."
Trying to balance the puppy in between them and not get her squashed, she yanked his mouth down to hers and kissed him, giving her heart and soul to this man.
Leaning back, she broke the kiss, wanting him to know everything. "The article will not be published. After that morning, I couldn't do that to you or the town of Cupid. Especially after you helped me."
With visible relief, he sighed. "Thank you, that must have been hard."
"Yes," she said. "Let's just say circumstances have forced me to move back in with my mother."
His eyes grew wide and he shook his head vigorously. "Oh no, you're not," he said. "I want the whole enchilada."
Dropping down to his knee, she gasped as he grinned and then pulled out a ring box from his back pocket. "Shadow Heart Wilson, I want you to be my wife. You make me happy, you make me laugh, you give me joy and you are the keeper of my heart. Marry me and make me the happiest man in Cupid."
"Oh my," she said with a laugh of happiness. "Yes, oh yes. I love you so much, Jim."
Slipping the ring on her finger, she noticed it wasn't a typical engagement band. Smiling at him, she loved the blue topaz stone surrounded by a circle of diamonds.
"My wife is an unu
sual person and needed a special ring. If you don't like it, we'll find one you do. Don't ever stop loving me, Shadow," he said possessing her mouth, kissing her like he'd never let her go.
She pulled back.
"It's perfect," she said, gazing at the band.
When they finally came apart, he picked up her hand and held it. "That last morning before Drew called, I was searching on the Internet for a ring and making plans to tell you I love you and ask you to be my wife."
Shadow reached over and gave him another kiss. If only they had been honest with one another these horrible last few days would never have happened.
Pushing back, gasping for breath, still holding Keiko on her lap, she stared into his brown eyes, determined to get her way. "There are two things we should talk about."
"What?" he said, frowning.
"One," she said looking down at the dog. "Keiko goes nowhere. She stays with us so our children have a protector and a playmate."
"Okay," he said, grinning. "But I told you I would keep her."
"Two," she smiled. "This wedding needs to happen quickly. Keiko is going to have her first babysitting job in about eight months."
Jim's mouth dropped open and a grin spread across his face. "Are you sure."
"Just took the test tonight. Right before you arrived. Baby Lawrence tested positive."
Pulling her tight, Keiko yelped. "Oh my, I'm thrilled. The condom broke that night, but we had no idea we'd created a child."
"No, but Cupid did. I love you, Jim."
"My true love, my wife."
Cupid Cures
Dr. Tempest Tangier sat in the darkened parking lot, waiting for the sun to rise. Driving through Cupid, she noticed the only hotel in town was closed for repairs according to the sign on the marquee. So instead of coming in tomorrow morning, she drove to the veterinary clinic and rang the bell. No answer.
Now here she sat hanging around waiting for daylight to come with news that no veterinarian enjoyed hearing. Brucellosis. Or at least a suspected case of the venereal disease for cattle. An entire herd could be wiped out because some randy bull got the clap.
Sighing, she gazed out at the darkness. Someday she would own her own veterinarian hospital and could put traipsing across the country telling ranchers, their cows had an illness that warranted the death of the bull or at the very least all the cattle affected. It was not a pleasant job, but a necessary one that paid the bills and helped her plan for the next stage in her life.
A truck pulled into the lot where she sat. She slumped down further in the seat of her rental car and watched as a naked man, hopped out of the vehicle. A worn cowboy hat covered his loins. But the rest of him bare assed as the day he came from his mother's womb.
And he wasn't bad looking. Tall, muscular with dark curly hair and glasses that gave the man the appearance of a professor. Shame that topper hid his manhood.
Reaching under the mat, he pulled out a key and the idea struck her. Why would the good doctor be picking a lock on the door? What if he was a naked homeless man or a robber breaking in to steal the clinics drugs or harm the animals. Time she dialed for backup.
Pulling her phone from the console, she punched in 911.
"What's your emergency?"
"I'd like to report a break-in."
"Location."
"I'm sitting outside the Lawrence Veterinary clinic and a naked man just went into the building?"
The man on the other end started laughing, startling Tempe and she gazed at her phone. "Excuse me."
"Sorry, ma'am. The sheriff is on his way."
"Thank you," she said.
Less than five minutes later, a patrol car pulled into the parking lot. A man in a uniform with a gun hanging from his waist glanced over at her in the car. Strolling over, she rolled down the window.
"Did you report a break-in by a naked man?"
"Yes, sir."
"May I ask what you're doing sitting here?"
"Doctor Tempest Tangier from the USDA here to see doctor Jim Lawrence. When I arrived in town, the only hotel was closed."
"Yes, ma'am, a tornado took off the roof."
"Oh," she said. "Sorry to hear that. What about the naked man? I rang the emergency bell and no one answered."
"What did he look like?"
A blush flamed her face in the darkness. What should she say. All bronze muscles with a cowboy hat covering his privates?
"Curly, sandy brown hair with glasses on."
The sheriff chuckled. "I'd lay odds, he did the Cupid dance."
"What?" She had no clue what he was saying. A dance? Naked? What kind of party required you attend not wearing clothes. The swingers club? Oh boy, this little town was rapidly becoming not her kind of place.
"Come with me," he said, opening her door. "My hunch is you saw Doctor Lawrence going in the building. Let's go check."
Crawling out of the car, grabbing her phone, in case she needed to dial for back up on the sheriff. As she walked alongside the man, he chuckled to himself. "I almost caught them."
What? What did he think he caught them doing. Maybe it was better she stayed silent and let the law take the lead.
The lawman pounded on the door and soon the same man, only this time wearing scrubs answered.
"Sheriff, what brings you here this time of night. Come in."
They walked through the door and Tempest saw a clinic that appeared brand new. The waiting room had nice chairs, a coffee pot and in the center, the command center. Where the receptionist could control the flow of patients to the doctor.
"Report of a burglary by a naked man. Is this the man you saw," he asked her.
"Yes," she said, thinking he still looked even better in a set of scrubs.
The man's brows raised and he glared at her. "Sorry, I work and live here."
"What was I supposed to think? You had no clothes on."
The sheriff started to laugh again. "Did you do the Stupid Cupid dance?"
The man sighed. "Blame Cody. He tricked us. We lost a bet and had to dance around the fountain. And no you won't catch me doing it a second time."
Shaking his head, the lawman glanced at him. "You're just lucky I didn't see you or you would have been arrested."
"What kind of town is this? You dance naked around a fountain?"
"We're a great little city, but we have some traditions that can get you arrested," the lawman informed her.
"Why were you waiting on me?" Kyle asked, gazing at her, suspicion glinting his eyes.
"Dr. Tempest Tangier from the USDA. "
A frown crossed his face and he ran his hand through his hair. "What do you want?"
"It's in regard to the test you sent us. I'm here to do my own investigation."
At this moment she refused to tell him anything more. All she needed was for him to decide not to help her out. In the year spent working for the USDA, she quickly learned not every rancher was happy to see her arrival.
"Oh crap," he said shaking his head. "I don't think I'm elated to see you at all."
"Most people aren't."
Click Here for More Information
Can Cupid Cure Not Only a Disease, But a Heart as Well?
Kyle Lawrence must fulfill a bet by dancing naked around the Cupid statue at midnight. Only he doesn’t believe in the superstition of finding true love, and at this moment, he doesn’t have time for forever after. A beautiful investigator from the USDA has arrived to warn of a possible cattle epidemic.
Life has not been easy for Dr. Tempest Tangier. A no nonsense veterinarian, who arrives in Cupid to investigate the possibility of a deadly cattle disease and stop the infectious spread. But when she shows up at the Lawrence clinic, only to see a naked man breaking in, she quickly realizes the town holds more secrets than her past.
Can a rigid doctor with a famous past and a veterinarian with a gentle heart save the cattle and the livelihood of his neighbors, while working together and in the process rescue each other?
&nb
sp; Thank You For Reading!
Dear Reader,
Thanks for reading! This series came about when I needed to write something for a charity box set. Out of that box set, I made the USA Today’s List, but more important I’ve had more fun with this series. I’m currently working on Drew’s story and all I can say is he bumps into someone you would never imagine dancing around the statue. I hope you enjoy the Cupid superstition.
As always, if you’re inclined, please go to your favorite retailer and let others know what you think. Whether or not you loved the book or hated, it-I’d enjoy your feedback.
Sign up for my newsletter if you’d like to learn about my new releases before everyone else. Thanks for venturing into my world and I hope to see you here again soon.. And remember, I do not condone dancing naked around a Cupid statue!!
Sincerely,
Sylvia McDaniel
@SylviaJMcDaniel
SylviaMcDanielAuthor
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nothing says bad judgement like trying to prove a superstition true…
Taylor Braxton, along with a few adventurous girlfriends, decides to test one such superstition on Valentine’s Day – the day Taylor’s ex-fiancé is to be married. A few bottles of wine help lower her inhibition and go a long way to giving her the courage to try to heal her broken heart. After all, Taylor reasons, what is the worst thing that can happen – the superstition of finding her true love might come true?
Sheriff Ryan Jones is used to getting calls about the odd dancing around the downtown fountain. When you live in Cupid, Texas, there were always some residents who believed if you dance naked around the fountain, you were guaranteed to find your true love. What he doesn’t expect is to find the lovely, but spirited Taylor Braxton confronting him at midnight – sans clothing. Unfortunately, a long-held promise and his badge stand between him and what he wants – Taylor.
Cupid Help Me! (Return to Cupid, Texas Book 4) Page 13