by SJ McCoy
Spider jumped, and the room hushed when Mav clapped his hands together. “Let’s have some quiet, folks!”
“Why?” called Frankie from the back of the room. “This is supposed to be a party!”
Everyone laughed and Mav rolled his eyes. “It is a party. Your party. So why don’t you get your ass up here to the front, birthday girl?”
She laughed and made her way up to where he was standing in front of the counter where Spider had joined him.
~ ~ ~
“What’s up, big brother? Do you have a special gift for me or something?” Frankie looked around when everyone laughed at that. She didn’t think it was that funny.
“As a matter of fact, I do.” Mav grinned at her and grasped Spider’s shoulder.
The look they exchanged sent a shiver down her spine. Why were they so damned serious? This was a party; it was supposed to be fun. It was supposed … oh. She figured it out when Mav winked at her, and Spider went down on one knee.
Her eyes filled with tears and her heart began to race. Shit. She was going to embarrass herself.
“Frankie.” Spider reached for her hand, and she could feel that his was trembling, too.
“Yes!” She didn’t want to put him through the waiting and the wondering and the having to speak in front of all these people.
All these people, who were now laughing – apparently because she’d said yes before he even asked.
He was smiling up at her. Mav still stood beside him, and he rolled his eyes at her. “Give him a chance, honey.”
She nodded, unable to force any words out, and her free hand came up to cover her heart as tears streamed down her face. She blinked them away as she looked down into the eyes of the man she loved.
He cleared his throat and started speaking. “You know I’m not great with words, but I need to say this. Before I met you, I didn’t think I’d ever fall in love, and I’d long ago given up hope that anyone would ever love me. Then you, crazy cowgirl, you came along, and you turned my life upside down. We might not look like a great match on the outside, but you’re the perfect, the only, match for me. It’s what’s on the inside that matters, not the way we look but the way we feel. You feel like home to me. I never had a family, but I want to build one with you. I love you, Frankie. Will you marry me?”
She could barely see him anymore through the tears, but she’d been nodding along with everything he said. Loving what he had to say but just waiting for the moment when she could say, “Yes.” It came out as barely more than a whisper. But he heard it and slid the ring onto her finger. It was beautiful. A big square solitaire diamond in a platinum band. She loved it.
Then he got to his feet and his arms closed around her, and she got lost in his kiss, just like she had ever since their very first kiss. The sounds of whistles and cheering seemed to come from a long way away. They didn’t stop until the two of them finally came up for air.
Mav was the first one there to congratulate them. She felt like her heart might overflow watching her brother haul Spider into a bear hug. Mav’s eyes were shiny, too. That just proved how special Spider was. She doubted any other man would have even gotten his permission to ask to marry her, let alone made him huggy and teary-eyed about it.
When they let each other go, Mav cleared his throat and looked around at everyone. “Don’t worry. I’ll let you all move in for hugs and congratulations in a minute. I just wanted to add something of my own first.”
Spider kept his arm around her as they listened along with everyone else. He didn’t look worried, and she rolled her eyes at him with a smile.
“Go ahead and steal the limelight, why don’t you?” she called.
Everyone laughed, but Mav shook his head and held his arms out to her and Spider. He wrapped one around each of them before he spoke again.
“I don’t think anyone here would have expected me to give my blessing to my little sister marrying a guy who looks like this.” He grinned at Spider.
To Frankie’s relief, Spider grinned back at him and nodded.
“But,” Mav continued, “I couldn’t be happier.” He chuckled and added, “You realize she’s your problem and not mine now, right?”
That had everyone laughing again, even while Frankie made a face at him.
Mav turned to Spider, looking more serious now. “There is one thing you said today that I want to set you straight about, though.”
Frankie’s heart sank. She should have known it was too good to be true.
“You said you’ve never had a family. And I owe you an apology. I told you you’d never be a part of this family. I don’t apologize often. But I do when I’m wrong. And I’m glad I was wrong about you.”
Frankie’s eyes filled with tears again as she watched them.
“I know you and Frankie will build a family of your own, and I’ll look forward to being Uncle Mav. But I want you to know that from this day forward, I consider you family. You’ve got a big brother, too.”
She could see Spider’s eyes were shining with tears. She knew how much it would mean to him. She laughed through her own tears. “That’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
While everyone laughed, Mav held them both a bit tighter. “I’m fucking this up. I just need you to know, okay.” He held Spider’s gaze.
Spider nodded. “I do but I can’t risk saying much or I’ll cry like a baby.
Frankie sniffed and laughed at them. “I love you guys.”
They both turned to her and said at the same time, “I love you, too.”
“When you’ve all finished hugging and crying there, tell Spider that the rest of his family – his cousins – are waiting to congratulate him, too, would ya?”
Frankie looked up and laughed to see Wade had pushed his way through the crowd to them.
He shook Spider’s hand and said, “Welcome to the family, man.”
~ ~ ~
Spider moved through a haze. He didn’t think he’d ever been this happy in his life. He kept seeking out Frankie and whenever his gaze found her, she had a smile for him. She looked like she was walking on air, laughing with her girlfriends, and showing off her ring.
His ears were ringing with all the congratulations. All the handshakes and backslapping had him grinning like an idiot. When it felt like he’d spoken to every single person in the place, he made his way back to the counter, where Rocket grinned at him and nodded.
“You’ve done what none of us thought we ever would.”
Spider raised an eyebrow.
“Back when we were kids. You, me, and Grace. We made our own little family because we never thought we’d be part of a real one.” He looked around. “I’d say you’ve found yourself a good one.”
“Yeah.” He grasped his friend’s shoulder. “But we’re still family, too.”
“Always will be.” Rocket nodded.
Frankie appeared at Spider’s side. “Best birthday ever!” she declared.
He dropped a kiss on her lips. “It’s your birthday, but I got the best gift ever.”
She laughed and looked up into his eyes. “You mean me, right?”
He laughed with her. “Yeah. I mean you. Mav blew me away with what he said, and it means the world to me. But it wouldn’t mean a thing to be part of a family if they weren’t your family.”
“Aww.” She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his shoulder. “So, what happens now?”
Spider held her close. He wanted her to himself, but they’d have to wait until they got home to the cabin.
“It’s your birthday, sweetheart. What do you want to happen?”
Shivers ran down his spine when she spoke into his neck, but he couldn’t make out what she said.
He tucked his finger under her chin and made her look up at him. “What was that?”
Her eyes sparkled when she smiled. “I asked if you want to get out of here?”
He felt as if his heart might overflow as he laughed with her. “Hell yeah, I do.�
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She slipped her hand into his and gave it a tug. “Come on. I bet we can sneak out the back door while no one’s looking.”
Rocket let them through, and as he followed her behind the counter, Spider looked back at the gathering. They’d understand. They were family.
Mav caught his gaze and nodded, and that was all Spider needed so that he could relax – and ride off into the sunset with his cowgirl;
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A Note from SJ
I hope you enjoyed Spider and Frankie’s story. If you’ve read The Davenports series, you’ll know that Spider’s been around for a few years now. As soon as I met him, I knew that I’d write him a book one day. I just didn’t know when or quite where to fit him. The Davenports series was supposed to be ‘billionaire romance’ – and Spider’s no billionaire. But since the whole series ended up being more about the community center and the people there, I decided to add Spider’s book to the series.
For the longest time, I had no idea what kind of lady would be a good match for him. I kept making suggestions, but none of them appealed to him. It was only when I decided that it’s finally time to get to the new bunch of cowboys that Spider decided he wanted a cowgirl! I had no idea how that was going to work – but luckily, I didn’t need to. All I need to do is get out of the way and let the characters tell the story. I have to say that I love what Spider and Frankie came up with.
And they’ve done a good job of giving you your first glimpse of the MacFarlands. I hope you’re going to enjoy the new series. It will feature the MacFarland family – six brothers and two sisters – and a whole bunch of friends who live and work around Paradise Valley – it feels good to come back home.
The first book in series belongs to Wade, whom you already met, and his lady, Sierra, who he finds at the side of her road – in her wedding dress!
You can sign up here to receive an email when it’s ready for release.
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Check out the “Also By” page to see if any of my other series appeal to you – I have a couple of freebie series starters, so you can take them for a test drive. You’ll find a list of all my books – complete with reading order and Freebies here.
If you’d like to keep in touch, there are a few options to keep up with me and my imaginary friends:
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I love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’m better at that! :0)
I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then, take care, and thanks for your support—you are the reason I write!
Love,
SJ
PS – Project Semicolon
You may have noticed that the final sentence of the story closed with a semicolon. It isn’t a typo. Project Semicolon is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and love to those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction, and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love, and inspire. It’s a movement I support with all my heart.
"A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. The sentence is your life and the author is you." - Project Semicolon
This author started writing after her son was killed in a car crash. At the time, I wanted my own story to be over. Instead, I chose to honour a promise to my son to write my ‘silly stories’ someday. I chose to escape into my fictional world. I know for many who struggle with depression, suicide can appear to be the only escape. The semicolon has become a symbol of support, and hopefully a reminder – Your story isn’t over yet
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Also by SJ McCoy
Summer Lake Seasons
Angel and Luke in Take These Broken Wings
Zack and Maria in Too Much Love to Hide
Logan and Roxy in Sunshine Over Snow
Ivan and Abbie in Chase the Blues Away
Colt and Cassie in Forever Takes a While
Austin and Amber in Tell the Stars to Shine
Donovan and Elle in Please Don’t Say Goodbye
Summer Lake Silver
This series features couples in their fifties and older. Just because a few decades—or more—have skipped by since you were in your twenties it doesn’t mean you can’t find love, does it? Summer Lake Silver stories find happily-ever-afters for those who remember being thirty-something—vaguely.
Marianne and Clay in Like Some Old Country Song
Seymour and Chris in A Dream Too Far
Ted and Audrey in A Little Rain Must Fall
Diego and Izzy in Where the Rainbow Ends
Manny and Nina in Silhouettes Shadows and Sunsets
Teresa and Cal in More Than Sometimes
Summer Lake Series
Emma and Jack in Love Like You’ve Never Been Hurt
Holly and Pete in Work Like You Don't Need the Money
Missy and Dan in Dance Like Nobody's Watching
Smoke and Laura in Fly Like You've Never Been Grounded
Michael and Megan in Laugh Like You’ve Never Cried
Kenzie and Chase in Sing Like Nobody’s Listening
Gabe and Renée in Smile Like You Mean It
Missy and Dan’s wedding in The Wedding Dance
Ben's backstory in Chasing Tomorrow
April and Eddie in Dream Like Nothing’s Impossible
Nate and Lily in Ride Like You’ve Never Fallen
Ben’s Story in Live Like There’s No Tomorrow
Smoke and Laura’s wedding in The Wedding Flight
Leanne and Ryan in Fight Like You’ve Never Lost
Remington Ranch Series
Mason
Shane
Carter
Beau
Four Weddings and a Vendetta
A Chance and a Hope Series
Chance Encounter
Finding Hope
Give Hope a Chance
The Davenports
Oscar
TJ
Reid
The Hamiltons
Cameron and Piper in Red Wine and Roses
Chelsea and Grant in Champagne and Daisies
Mary Ellen and Antonio in Marsala and Magnolias
Marcos and Molly in Prosecco and Peonies
Love in Nashville
Autumn and Matt in Bring on the Night
Standalone Novella
Sully and Jess in If I Fall