by Vicki Tharp
She’d been in aircraft maintenance for a couple years before she’d qualified for pilot training. Helo maintenance was physical and taxing, but at least she felt like she could contribute. “Got a lot to study up on, but the lead mechanic is pretty cool, and loves to train people, which helps.”
Something caught Gil’s eye, and he reached for something on the counter behind her. “This came in the mail today.”
She took the postcard from his hand. No note. No return address. It was the third one they’d received. The first two from non-extradition countries. This one was as well. Her mother had followed her advice and hired the best lawyers her father’s money could buy. There was no proof the postcards were from her parents, but she knew it was. “I can’t believe my father got bail.”
“It was damn high. That’s a lot of money he lost by skipping the country.”
“Not that much when you have the kind of money my father does. It doesn’t help to take their passports when he has the means to buy new identities. Sooner or later. Dad will make a mistake. They’ll catch him.”
She tossed the postcard back on the counter. She’d take it to Spinks in the morning, not that it would help in finding her parents. By the time the postcard had arrived, her parents would no doubt be in another country.”
Jack ran through the back door and skid to a stop on the tile. “Did you do it? Did you ask her to marry you?”
“What?” Tessa glanced at Gil.
Gil wiggled his brows, his grin big behind his beard. “Surprise.”
“Gil says he really loves you and me and the baby in your belly which you still haven’t told me how it got there, but you should see the ring he got you it’s pretty cool. Show her, Gil.”
Jack made a come-on motion with his hand, and Gil reached into his back pocket and took out a velvet box. Before Gil could open it, Jack went on, “It’s a black silicone band that won’t show the grease, and instead of real diamonds, it has the word diamonds stenciled on it. You can wear it to work and everyone will know he belongs to you and you belong to him.
Tessa’s heart beat faster than Jack was talking. Jack sucked in a big breath and grabbed the box from Gil and opened it up to show her. “I told him you’d say yes. Please say yes.”
She looked at Gil. He was leaning against the counter, a hand over his mouth as he fought the grin. Her son had hijacked his proposal, but Gil looked more amused than annoyed. “Yes”
Gil stood up straight, the smile taking over his face. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Yay!” Jack gave Tessa a hug around the waist and then Gil, then ran for the phone in the living room. “I’m gonna call Billy and tell him I’m gonna have a new dad.”
“The ring,” Gil called out to him. “I need the ring.”
Jack ran back and slapped it in Gil’s hand and said, “Oops,” before turning and running away.
Gil plucked the silicone band from the velvet lining and took her shaky left hand in his and slipped the ring on her finger. “That wasn’t how I’d planned to ask you, but—”
She shook her head as she tried to blink him back into focus as the tears started to flood in. “Best proposal ever.”
“Best wingman ever. To be clear,” Gil said, “I also got you a proper engagement ring, with real diamonds. It won’t be ready for a few more weeks, but I decided I couldn’t wait that long.”
“The ring doesn’t matter. Only the man behind it does.”
Without taking his eyes off hers, he kissed the back of her hand. “With all that I am and all that I will ever be, I love you, Tessa Sterling.
In his eyes, she saw his truth. The soul of a good man, an honest man. “I wasn’t looking for this.” She didn’t care that her voice was thick. “You were supposed to be a distraction. But you got under my skin. That distraction became infatuation, that infatuation became a want. That want became a need until you filled me up and brought color to every corner of my life. To Jack’s life. We are both so fortunate to have you. You are our light, Gil Brant.”
Gil cleared his throat. “No, Sunshine, y’all are mine.”
Then his mouth came down on hers, with heat and passion and possessiveness. He picked Tessa up and plopped her on the counter, stepping between her legs. They should stop. Jack could walk in at any minute, but Tessa locked her heels behind the most exquisite ass in Wyoming and pulled him closer.
Gil groaned, then pulled back. “Hold that thought.” He threw the raw burgers and corn back in the fridge, then disappeared into the den. Jack said, “Thanks, Gil.”
Jack came running back into the kitchen his eyes glowing with excitement. “This is the best day ever. I get a new dad and a new video game.”
Tessa barely got to say, “That’s great,” before Jack disappeared again. Gil sauntered back into the kitchen, a cocky grin on his face as he scooped Tessa up in his arms. She locked her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.
“That should buy us a good hour at least.” He started walking toward their bedroom.
“Maybe two.” Tessa grinned. “You seem to have a good grasp on this parenting thing already.”
“What can I say, I’m a natural.”
They stumbled into the bedroom. Gil locked the door and dumped her on the bed. He laid out beside her, his hand on her belly as he leaned over and said, “Hang on tight, little one, because I’m about to rock your mother’s world.”
A Letter to My Readers
Dear Reader,
Don’t worry, the chapter hasn’t closed on the Lazy S Ranch, so stay tuned for more in the series.
Until then, it’s time for a new adventure…
Take a step back in time, where bull riding isn’t for sissies.
And neither is love.
Bull rider Silas Foss has a simple plan: Win big. Buy land. Start roughstock ranch. Before the bulls break him or bury him.
With Josephine’s eye on barrel racing’s top prize, she’s sworn off men for the long season. Besides, she’s too young to settle down.
She wants to chase cans, not kids.
With the end of the season near, her dream within her grasp, Josephine lets her guard down for a charming, persistent cowboy with his sights set on her.
When a crisis back home could force her off the circuit permanently, all she and Silas have is here and now.
Then everything that is right goes wrong.
Can Silas and Josephine come together and protect their rodeo family? Or will distance, duty, and dreams tear them apart?
* * *
You’ll want to hang onto your hat…
Luck of the Draw—is a throwback to a time you won’t want to miss.
Your next adventure starts here at www.books2read.com/Luck-of-the-Draw
* * *
Also by Vicki Tharp
Lazy S Ranch Series
Cowgirl, Unexpectedly (Lazy S Ranch 1)
Must Love Horses (Lazy S Ranch 2)
Hot on the Trail (Lazy S Ranch 3)
Cowboy, Undercover (Lazy S Ranch 4)
* * *
Rockin’ Rodeo Series
Luck of the Draw (Rockin’ Rodeo 1)
Photo Chute (Rockin’ Rodeo 2)
Reined In (Rockin’ Rodeo 3)
* * *
Wright’s Island Series
Don’t Look Back (Wright’s Island 1)
In Her Defense (Wright’s Island 2)
Also by Vicki Tharp
Lazy S Ranch Series
Cowgirl, Unexpectedly (Lazy S Ranch 1)
Must Love Horses (Lazy S Ranch 2)
Hot on the Trail (Lazy S Ranch 3)
Cowboy, Undercover (Lazy S Ranch 4)
* * *
Rockin’ Rodeo Series
Luck of the Draw (Rockin’ Rodeo 1)
Photo Chute (Rockin’ Rodeo 2)
Reined In (Rockin’ Rodeo 3)
* * *
Wright’s Island Series
Don’t Look Back (Wright’s Island 1)
In Her Defense (Wright’s Island 2)
About the Author
Vicki Tharp makes her home on small acreage in south Texas with her husband and an embarrassing number of pets. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her on the back of her horse—avoiding anything that remotely resembles housework—smelling like fly spray and horse sweat.
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