Forever in My Heart
Page 40
They had been away four years while Maggie went to school. Connor had left the ranch in Luke's capable hands. Dancer gave up prospecting and stayed on as a cook. Ben and Patrick and Buck remained loyal to their boss in his long absence. There were a few more hands Luke had hired that Connor didn't even know. Leasing the back quarter of the property to Northeast Rail had made the ranch busier than ever. Cattle drives were shorter, civilization closer, but the valley was largely untouched. Maggie had no fears of how their daughter would respond to the breadth of the sky and the lay of the land. "She's every inch her father's daughter. She'll love it."
She said it with such conviction that Connor was forced to believe her. "Did you hear her this afternoon?" he asked. "She was so excited."
"Everyone heard her," Maggie said dryly. "At least I think she was the only child there who interrupted my speech with, 'Is Mama ever going to stop talking?'"
Connor squeezed Maggie's shoulders, chuckling. "You've never been accused of talking too much before."
She had to smile. "Everyone important in my life was there."
"Jay Mac was beaming. You would have thought the entire thing was his idea."
"I'm sure it was... in his mind." She began stroking his arm again. "It doesn't bother you?"
He shook his head. "I know the truth."
So did Maggie. Connor Holiday had made his magnificent gesture a reality. His long-lost poker winnings bankrolled her education and their home in Philadelphia for the duration of her studies. He argued with her objections until she tripped over herself and mentioned the acceptance she had turned down a year earlier. After that he just ignored her. He knew it was what she wanted and in the end she admitted it to both of them. "Rushton will be sorry to see you go."
"He'll have to find someone else to manage his Philadelphia steel mills."
She tapped him lightly on the arm. "He'll miss you for more than that."
"I know," Connor said after a moment. "It will take some getting used to. I've become accustomed to this arrangement... the closeness."
Maggie knew he wasn't merely speaking of geography. She slid one arm across his chest. "You heard him today at the reception—they'll visit us."
Connor kissed the crown of her head. She couldn't see his wicked smile. "Do you realize we'll have to add more rooms to the ranch house?" he asked.
She became very still. "Why is that?" she asked, carefully neutral.
"Because if everyone who said they'd visit, does, we'll be sleeping under the stars ourselves."
She relaxed. "You can't imagine how much I'd like that."
"Hmm," he said, kissing her again. "I'd like that, too." The pressure of his mouth changed slightly as the kiss lingered, then deepened. "But we should probably still add a room," he whispered against her lips. "For the baby."
Maggie's eyes opened. "Meredith's not a—" She stared at him more intently, saw the hint of laughter in the shape of his mouth and the warmth of his eyes. "How long have you known?"
"A few days."
"I was going to surprise you."
"I'm surprised," he said agreeably. He rolled Maggie onto her back.
Her arms looped loosely around his neck, her fingers threading through the dark hair at his nape. His eyes darkened, touching her with their unwavering intensity. "Love me," she said softly.
He touched her nose with his, his lips a moment away. "Shh," he whispered. "I don't want a chatterbox."
The End
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ALWAYS IN MY DREAMS
The Dennehy Sisters Series
Book Four
Excerpt from
Always in My Dreams
The Dennehy Sisters Series
Book Four
by
Jo Goodman
USA Today Bestselling Author
ALWAYS IN MY DREAMS
Reviews & Accolades
"A romance to savor."
~Library Journal
.
Skye approached Walker, stopping only when she was within a foot of him. Her hands went to the tiny jet buttons on her gown, and she began to unfasten them. She didn't watch her fingers; she watched him.
Walker's eyes dropped to Skye's hands when she touched the first button. The material parted and he had a glimpse of the hollow of her throat. A second button was undone and more of her skin came into view. She undid another. Then another. He looked at her again, a question in his eyes this time. She merely stared back and moved her fingers to the next button.
"Skye." His voice had a deep, raspy quality to it. It also held a warning.
"Hmm?" She sounded innocent even as she played the temptress.
Walker was looking at the bare curves of her breasts as her bodice gaped wider. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Flirting?" she asked hopefully.
Walker fairly groaned. "I hope this isn't what you did with the desk clerk."
Her smile was a sensual siren's call and she let him wonder. She flicked another button and eased the gown off her shoulders.
Walker pushed away from the window. His palms grazed her arms, her shoulders. His thumbs passed along her collarbone, then traveled lower, brushing the sides of her breasts. She leaned into him and raised her face. Her lips parted as she stood on tiptoe and reached for him. Her fingers threaded at the back of his neck and she pulled gently, bringing him closer. Her mouth closed over his, hungry and searching.
She was lifted, carried. She felt the edge of the bed at the back of her knees. He pushed the gown over her hips. It spread like a dark green pool at her feet. Her shoes and socks, and finally her petticoat, followed. When she was tumbled backward on the bed, she pulled him with her. The weight of his body held her still for a moment, stealing her breath. He covered her, surrounded her. Her breasts swelled against his chest and her legs rubbed his. She kissed his jaw, his cheek. She pressed tiny, tasting kisses along the length of his neck.
He rolled on his back and she straddled him. Leaning forward, she removed the ribbon from her hair. She shook her head just once, slowly, from side to side, and her unbound hair slipped softly over her shoulders. Her hips moved lower as she slid comfortably over him. She rocked, teasing him again with kisses on the underside of his jaw and just below his ear. She felt his breathing quicken, then catch.
She kissed him again, softly, slowly. She raised her head before she was caught deeply by it. He was searching her face, his eyes dark. She dipped again, grazing his mouth, nudging his nose. Above him, she smiled.
"One of us has too many clothes on," she said.
It was gratifying, Walker reflected, that they thought so much alike.
Always in My Dreams
The Dennehy Sisters Series
Book Four
by
Jo Goodman
~
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Always in My Dreams
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Meet Jo Goodman
Jo Goodman is a licensed professional counselor working with children and families in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle. Always a fan of the happily ever after, Jo turned to writing romances early in her career as a child care worker when she realized the only life script she could control was the one she wrote herself. She is inspired by the resiliency and courage of the children she meets and feels privileged to be trusted with their stories, the one that they alone have the right to tell.
Once upon a time, Jo believed she was going to be a marine biologist. She feels lucky that seasickness made her change course. She lives with her family in Colliers, West Virginia. Please visit her website at www.jogoodman.com.
Table of Contents
> Cover
A Note from the Publisher
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Excerpt from ALWAYS IN MY DREAMS (The Dennehy Sisters Series, Book 4)
Meet the Author