“I should have let you explain. I should have been ready to listen. I should have trusted what you said to me.” He shook his head, looked down, moved the toe of his boot to the tip of Ann’s stiletto. “With Al’s help, I think I’m figuring out why I acted the way I did, and I’m sorry. I want you to give me a second chance.” He looked back up at her, light reflecting in his pleading eyes.
“I would love that,” Ann said, bringing him in for another hug. “I just… I couldn’t stop the piece from printing. It comes out next month.”
He shook his head. “I don’t care.”
“You don’t?” A great weight soared off of her shoulders.
“Not at all,” he said with a grin. He looked so adorably out of place here in Seattle. And she loved it. “Oh,” she said. “I have an interview here.”
“I know,” Trey said. “But it’s actually not until one.”
Ann tilted her head. “You know about it?”
He nodded.
She guessed that made sense, since he’d met her here. “And, it’s really not until one?” Things started to click. Cassie on the phone in her pocket. Zoe dropping her off… Or was she still there? Ann spun in place, searching the area before spotting Zoe right there in the foyer. She stood beside a potted plant, donning a pair of sunglasses while thumbing blindly through a magazine.
Zoe pulled the shades down to reveal her eyes. “Kiss him!” she shouted from across the room.
“Yeah,” someone else hollered. A guy in a suit. “Kiss her!”
Trey lifted a brow, removed his hat, and brought his arm back around her.
Ann rushed in to meet him partway, pressing her lips against his in a wonderful, celebratory kiss.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the article.”
“I know,” he mumbled against her lips. “I love you, Annie Simpson.”
Ann kissed him once more, then tucked her face against his chest. She relished the scent of his cologne as she breathed him in, then let out a deep sigh. “I love you, too.”
“Are you nervous?” Shane asked Trey.
“Of course he is,” Al said, rubbing him on the back.
“That’s okay,” Ray said. “Should have seen me when I asked your mother.
Trey took in the faces of the men huddled around him, grateful to have so much support. “You sure Cassie won’t mind if we do it here? I mean, it’s her baby shower and all.”
Randy shook his head. “Chicks don’t care about stuff like that when it’s their second baby.”
“Yeah, but it’s their first boy,” Max said.
All eyes turned to Shane. “Trust me,” he mumbled under his breath. “Cassie’s going to be thrilled. Can’t believe I’ve been able to actually keep quiet about it.”
“Okay, shh, shh, shh,” Randy said. “Here comes Zoe.”
Trey tipped his head. “Zoe already knows about it. She’s the one who’s getting Ann’s parents on the computer so they can watch.”
Zoe stepped into the circle. “Hello, boys. I hate to break it, but you’re looking awfully suspicious over here. Time to break up the huddle and go eat food.”
The men dispersed at Zoe’s suggestion, Al and Ray going one way, Shane and Max going the other. But as Randy tried stepping past her, Zoe grabbed onto his arm. “Not you, big boy. Stand here and hide the screen for a minute so Ann doesn’t see what I’m doing.”
Trey blew out a nervous breath. “I think I’m going to pass out.”
“You’re not,” Zoe said flatly. “But your woman might when she sees that stone.”
He glanced over, saw Ann holding Cassie and Shane’s baby on her lap. Eyes wide and playful as she chimed patty cake with the smiling babe.
“We better have somebody take baby Mia from her,” Trey said.
Ann looked up and caught his eye then, flashing him a wink. Dang, she was gorgeous. She’d be a great mother one day. He was grateful she’d gotten the job with Ignite. Not only had the position allowed her to work from Montana, it let her use her gift for writing what she enjoyed most. Once a month she traveled to the spot of a reported injustice and then wrote a piece that exposed it. Of course, she always gave the business/individual a chance to rectify the wrong, and if they did, she included that in her piece.
And boy, was Ann good at what she did. Part of her heart went into every article she wrote, along with a new word fact, of course, which put her personality in her writing. Already, her impressive rankings on the magazine’s online website were gaining attention from the higher ups.
“Okay,” Zoe hissed, clicking one final button on the laptop. “I’ve got Ann’s family online with us. And they’re ready.”
Trey leaned down and gave them a wave. What a group. Kids ranging from school-aged to toddlers sat on laps, knelt on the floor, or galloped around the group. The adults sat scrunched on couches, smiles wide and encouraging.
“Hope she says yes,” Ann’s brother, Jeff spat.
The comment earned Jeff a swat on the arm from his wife. “Of course she will. Hi, Trey.”
Trey had gone to Seattle to meet Ann’s family twice now. And the last time, just a month ago, he’d taken a moment to ask her father for Ann’s hand in marriage. Thank heavens he’d said yes, because Trey had planned to marry her either way.
“Well let’s get this show on the road,” Al said. “Sherry wants to get back to the hotel and watch Bachelorette.”
“Yeah right, I bet it’s you who wants to watch it,” Randy teased.
“So what if I do?” Al said with a laugh.
Zoe motioned for Randy to continue shielding her as she stepped closer to the group. Once she placed the laptop on the small table, Zoe aimed the screen in Ann’s direction while Randy blocked sight of it with his bodyguard stance.
Shane walked over to where the ladies gathered, each going gaga over baby Mia. “I better take this little stink,” he said. “She needs a diaper change.”
He hoisted the baby onto his hip and stepped out of the circle. “Also,” Shane added, walking to stand next to the ranch hands. “Trey would like everyone’s attention.”
This just got real. Trey’s cheeks must be flaring.
A hush fell over the crowd.
Trey’s sisters gave him a knowing look. His mother did too. Ray and Al had moved to the back of the room, the two mumbling to one another. Probably betting on whether or not he would mess this up.
He allowed his gaze to fall back to Ann at last. Those green eyes curious as he stepped toward her. Trey gave Randy a nod, and he stepped aside like a soldier, revealing the bright screen with her family front and center, waiting.
Trey could almost see enlightenment trickle in as it clicked. The group, the family, the quiet moment. Him, dropping to one knee…
Ann brought a hand to her mouth and gasped, eyes shifting to her family, where she gave them a teary smile before setting her gaze back on Trey.
“Annie, you came into town and took hold of my heart. It’s been written that you did it within ten short days…”
The group chuckled. Ann nodded and sniffed.
“But,” he said, “that’s not actually the case. Because you roped me in back on that very first day, and now that I’ve caught you in return, I’m hoping to never let you go.”
He brought the box from behind his back and popped it open. Tucked into a blue, velvety fold, the diamond ring gleamed. “Annie Simpson, I love you to the moon and stars and back again. Will you be my bride?”
A pin dropping wouldn’t have gone unnoticed.
Baby Mia cooed.
And then Ann nodded, wiping tears from her eyes. “Yes,” she said, hopping off the couch. “Definitely!” She threw her arms around him as the family cheered. Simon and Sam began galloping around the room. On the screen, Ann’s nieces and nephews followed suit from miles away. The rest of the group clapped and hollered out congratulations and when’s the date comments.
“Did you know,” Trey said, “that diamonds are made from a
single element? They’re almost one-hundred percent carbon.”
Ann giggled, her gorgeous smile wide and amused. “You’re kidding.”
Trey shook his head. “And guess what else. The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas, which means indestructible or invincible. Which is fitting, because it explains my love for you.”
Ann brought her lips to Trey’s ear. “I’m so happy,” she said.
Trey nodded, catching a glimpse of Al giving him a thumb’s up.
“Me too,” Trey said. “Me too.”
Epilogue
There might not be another chapel more fitting than this one. A deep gratitude settled into Ann’s heart as she took it all in. The vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and tall windows were beautiful on their own. But add to it the sight of nearly every person she deeply loved all gathered in one place, and she was overcome with emotion.
Ann rested a hand on the banister, watching the goings on below. The wedding party was making its way down the aisle, two by two. Ann chuckled as Randy and Zoe walked arm-in-arm, wondering if they’d ever make a trip down the aisle in a different way. Finally, the nieces and nephews had their chance. Simon had guessed the lucky number, which scored him the honor of caring the ring pillow. And Darcy, Jeff’s little girl, scored the chance to be flower girl number one. Since Ann didn’t see any harm in it, she decided to let whoever else wanted to follow with petals to join in.
Soon the white, satin runner was coated with bright red petals.
Ann didn’t dare lean over the banister to see where Trey stood up front with Pastor Dean. She couldn’t risk having him see her before appearing at the top of the stairs with her dad.
Two professional photographers waited below, courtesy of Shimmer Magazine. Thanks to the article’s success, the magazine paid top dollar to take pictures at her wedding and post a follow-up piece about the popular (at least in the Shimmer world) couple. Ann had finally learned how to embrace the attention with grace. After all, she enjoyed a good romance as much as the next gal (well, maybe more than the next), why fight the wide celebration of her own, personal romance?
“You ready, hon?” Ann’s dad reached his hand out to her.
She nodded, her breath hitching as she spotted tears welling in his hazel eyes.
“Can’t believe I’m giving away my final daughter.” He caught a tear with the back of his hand. “My sweet little Ann. You’ve always insisted on walking your own path. You never tried to copy your brothers or sisters or felt like you had to measure up. Your mom and I have always admired that about you.”
Her eyes widened, and her heart melted a bit. “You have?”
“Of course. And your articles… I’m just glad you’re finally able to show off that talent of yours. I always knew you’d do something special with it.”
Ann used to love watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas with her dad every year. She used to sit on his lap, tipping her head back in laughter as they shared a bowl of popcorn. As she grew, they sat side by side on the couch, sharing a larger bowl of popcorn, and waiting for the part where the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes. All because he learns the truth—and it’s beautiful!
Had Ann been missing the beautiful truth all along?
Perhaps. All Ann knew is that her heart was swelling so much she felt it might burst. “Thanks, Dad,” she said, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. “When we come for Christmas this year,” she whispered, “I want to keep up our tradition and watch our shows, okay?”
Her father chuckled under his breath. “I’d love that, sweetie.”
The music switched, that old, familiar song floating clear up to the rafters.
“They’re playing our song,” he said.
Ann nodded, feeling the excitement in her toes.
“Shall we?”
She grinned. “Yes.”
After a few steps along the banister, Ann got a better view of the front of the chapel. But with everyone standing, she couldn’t see Trey yet.
They reached the stairs, took the first few, and he came into view at last. Standing tall and handsome in black and white, Trey locked his gaze on her.
Ann’s heart pumped wildly out of beat as something passed between them in that gaze. He was her everything, and she couldn’t wait to be his wife. She blinked a tear from her eye, only to notice moisture well up in Trey’s eyes, too. “I love you,” he mouthed.
Ann returned the sentiment, and Trey flashed her a smile—the one that made her feel like all was right with the world.
Ann returned the grin, mentally thanking the Lord above for all that He’d given her. Each face that turned to watch as she walked down the aisle added to her list of blessings.
She was excited for their honeymoon (a trip to Tampa Bay courtesy of Al), but even more, Ann looked forward to finally living under one roof with Trey. The house was lovely, the barn charming, and the horses rode like a dream. Already, Trey had plans to triple the amount of cattle by next year and hire a ranch hand. One day, they might even need to build a separate dwelling for a house of rowdy ranch hands like the ones at Emerson Ranch.
Ann felt herself relax as she neared the man she was about to marry. It turned out the book she’d read really had helped her discover a new her she never knew. Of course, she dared to speak up more often, but more importantly, it had helped Ann figure out who she had been all along. And the best part was, she’d discovered a woman that she—like her father—was proud of.
And now… now, it was time to start her happily ever after.
Thanks for reading How to Catch a Cowboy in 10 Days: An Unlikely Cowgirl Romance from bestselling author Kimberly Krey.
You may also enjoy Once Hitched Twice Shy: An Unlikely Cowgirl Romance available by clicking here.
And, you can find other great romances from Kimberly Krey by clicking here.
About the Author
Kimberly Krey specializes in writing "romance that's clean without losing the steam!" She's a reader of good, clean romance, a lover of family time and Diet Coke, and the ultimate hater of laundry. She lives in the Salt Lake Valley with her husband, four children, and two hyper Chihuahuas. To receive a free book (Ranch Hand for Auction) by this author, join her mailing list! Also get updates @ Kimberly’s Author Page on FB for details, or go to kimberlykrey.com.
Also by Kimberly Krey
The Sweet Montana Bride Series
Reese’s Cowboy Kiss
Texan pageant winner, Reese Taylor, has a former classmate who wants her dead. Now she must leave her friends and family to enter a protection program on Emerson Ranch. A group of good-looking cowboys awaits her, but Reese has her eye on Blake Emerson, the one man too busy with the ranch to give her a chance.
Jade’s Cowboy Crush
Single mother, Jade Miller, has just witnessed a murder. Now, set to testify against the cold-blooded killer, Jade must be placed under protection. While she is grateful to the kind folks who've offered to take in her and her son, Jade is surprised to find the man escorting them from L.A. to Montana is Gavin Emerson. A womanizing, far-too-attractive-for-his-own-good, rebel cowboy. Jade assures Gavin that she has sworn off men until her son is grown, but all too soon she finds herself fighting back feelings for the man who's agreed to care for them.
Cassie’s Cowboy Crave
Twenty-four-year-old Cassie Lovell has a great job, good friends, and an apartment with a killer view. That is, until life is turned upside down. Without the chance to say goodbye, Cassie is forced into a witness protection program on Emerson Ranch. Just when she fears life is doomed, Cassie meets Shane Emerson, the stunningly handsome cowboy who'll be posing as her newlywed groom.
Second Chances Series:
Rough Edges
Allie’s ex-husband might have left Montana in search of greener pastures, but his old high school friend, Braden Fox, is still running the woodshop just miles down the road. The handsome carpenter has been in love with Allie since he can remember. Now, with Terrance out of
the picture, will he finally have a chance? Or will bitterness and hurt from years back keep him from welcoming her into his heart? Find out in this newly released novel, Rough Edges, where Allie and the carpenter try to smooth out the past.
Mending Hearts
Logan and Candice have struggled over the years. With hardships ranging from their inability to conceive, to loved ones lost, the two have finally called it quits. Almost. Logan Emerson isn’t ready to let go just yet, and he'll do what it takes to show Candice that it's worth the fight. Can this married couple rekindle their love and mend their broken hearts?
Fresh Starts
Bree has had her fair share of difficulties. The loss of her parents, a not-so-recent divorce, and the disruption of her life caused by a dangerous stalker who’s serving jail time. When the determined criminal finishes his sentence, Bree is sent into hiding. And while she’s doing all she can to steer clear of this frightening piece of her past, a new man enters the scene, determined to be part of her future.
Novellas
Getting Kole for Christmas
Kylie’s been crushing on Kole for two years now, but can she get him to see her as more than a friend? For years Kylie has watched her older sisters get asked to every school dance there is. Yet once she’s old enough to go, the invites are in short supply. While getting overlooked has never felt good, it hasn’t really hurt the way it does this year. Because now there’s someone she really wants to go with: Kole Kingston. Kole is charming and funny. Gorgeous and kind. And everything she wants in a guy. Trouble is, he’s also her very best friend. Can Kylie tear herself free from the friend-zone in time to get asked to the Christmas dance? Or will she – like so many others – find that a romance between them will never be?
How to Catch a Cowboy in 10 Days Page 18