I care too much about Cammy Wesley to marry herâŚ
Yeah, I know what youâre thinking. But hear me out.
Cammyâs my best friend. The one person I canât live without. The girl with the sunshine smile, the loaded fridge, and the most awesome kid Iâve ever met. Sheâs also the hot AF single mom Iâve made it my mission to protect from guys like me. I wonât risk ruining our friendship by pushing for something more.
I canât be her forever.
Iâm not that guy. Iâm the good time. The class clown. The hockey stud. Iâm the happy for now, not the happily ever after.
I stay in my lane, but when Cammyâs ex needs a lesson, the rash overprotective part of me jumps the boards and I go from best friend to fake boyfriend in the span of a kiss. And thatâs just the beginning. Because when it comes to Cammy, thereâs nothing I wonât do for her.
Hard core romantic, stress baker, and housekeeper non-extraordinaire. Mira Lyn Kelly is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more
than a dozen sizzly love stories with over a million readers worldwide. Growing up in the Chicago area, she earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University and met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy⌠only to discover heâd been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, sheâs now settled with her husband in Minnesota, where their four amazing children and two ridiculous dogs provide an excess of action and entertainment.
Addicted to Him by New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling authorMonica Murphy is now live!
Eli Bennett.
Quarterback at our biggest rival high school.
My brother’s worst enemy.
So why can’t I stop thinking about him?
For one, he’s totally gorgeous and boy, does he know it. He’s an arrogant trash talker who brings drama wherever he goes.
And for some reason, he’s set his sights on me.
The more I get to know him, the more I realize he’s actually kind of…sweet. Deep down, he’s broken. Hurting. He’s dealing with a lot, but he also puts on a major front so no one can tell. I want to be there for him. I want to be with him. But because everyone in my life hates Eli, we have to keep our relationship a secret.
The problem with secrets is they never stay secret for long…
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance. She’s also known as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.
A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, two kids, one dog, and four cats. When she’s not writing, she’s an assistant coach for her daughter’s high school cheer team, which is a two season sport. Meaning, she’s at practice with a bunch of teenage girls all the time. Or she’s at a football game. Or a basketball game. Maybe someday, she’ll even write about this experience.
Costume designer Teagan Lanigan only has time to love her work and the young son sheâs raising by herself. But when she decides to give up the glitz and glam of the film industry for a quiet life near her family, sheâll face two unique challenges: reconciling with her estranged mother, and trying to forget her fling with a very famous country music star.
Yet when Wyatt Black suddenly appears on Teaganâs porch, forgetting him is no longer an option. The man who wooed her with sensuality and song is just a shell of himself. Fragile and depressed, heâs carrying the weight of the world on his broad shoulders, and Teagan canât turn him away. But when the pair find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation, it will be more than just Wyattâs troubles and the duoâs lingering feelings for each other that leave them tied up in knots.
In the fourth installment of USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompsonâs Blue Mountain Series, fall in love with the thrills of a genuine small town mystery and the heartwarming redemption that can only be found in the eyes of true love.
About Tess
USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson writes small-town romances and historical romance. She started her writing career in fourth grade when she wrote a story about an orphan who opened a pizza restaurant. Oddly enough, her first novel, “Riversong” is about an adult orphan who opens a restaurant. Clearly, she’s been obsessed with food and words for a long time now.
With a degree from the University of Southern California in theater, sheâs spent her adult life studying story, word craft, and character. Since 2011, sheâs published 25 novels and 5 novellas. Most days she spends at her desk chasing her daily word count or rewriting a terrible first draft.
She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her husband, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats. Yes, that’s four kids and five cats.
Tess loves to hear from you. Drop her a line at tess@tthompsonwrites.com or visit her website at https://tesswrites.com.
Blurb: She’s the only woman I’ve ever wanted–and she’s been taken from me.
Olympus is falling and Brigit is gone.
I’ll burn down the city to find her.
But I might burn with it…
Sweeter Than Sin is the second in an intense new trilogy from USA Today bestselling author Amelia Wilde. Richer Than God must be read first.
About the Author: Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.
Welcome back to Corinne Michaelsâ Salvation series world!!
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THE SALVATION SOCIETY is a collection of books written by various authors, filled with Navy SEALs, strong heroines, CIA operatives, and so much more!!!
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DEVIATED from USA Today Bestselling author Esther E. Schmidt is NOW LIVE! Grab it TODAY!
Blurb: They call her Princess. Growing up in a Motorcycle Club isnât easy; growing up as the daughter of the president of the MC molded Esmee into the reckless and hardheaded woman she is. A complete dynamite, fighting for her place in a manâs world.
As a CIA agent, Cullen thrives on law and order. When he is charged with investigating the MC, he quickly realizes the Princess will be his way in. Yet, once heâs infiltrated, she leaves him no other option but to deviate from the path of law and order, and to see justice within reason.
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About the Author: Esther E. Schmidt, USA Today Bestselling author of 7 MC series, a Mafia Romance series, a PNR series, a contemporary romance series, and more. She’s a graphic designer that also loves to write. She released her first series “Areion Fury MC” in October 2015. Esther lives in The Netherlands with her family, three daughters, and a crazy iguana. She loves to write about bad boy Alphas with a heart for only one woman. To make it a bit interesting, that woman needs to be a badass herself.
Esmee was born and raised in the Broken Deeds MC, as her father was the President, which has made her strong and fierce but she is beginning to question her place within the club. After her last mission went sideways, she has drawn the ire of CIA Agent Cullen and finds herself on a forced leave of absence.
Cullen is a CIA Agent who believes that Esme and the activities of the Broken Deeds MC need to stop. His latest assignment is to find out the inside details of the MC but that means getting close to the woman who views him as her enemy after the way their last interaction ended.
When Esmee begins working on a case off the record Cullen realizes that there is much more to her than he thought and the chemistry between them ignites. When she draws the attention of the wrong person will they be able to discover the truth before they strike again?
Both Esmee and Cullen are captivating characters and their journey leads us on an adventured filled with heat, intrigue and surprises that will keep you entertained until the last page.
Say It Ainât So Lani Lynn Vale Release Date: September 8, 2020
About the Book He shouldâve never left his house. He shouldâve stayed at home. He has a legitimate excuseâheâs running a fever and heâs fairly sure heâs developing pneumonia. He should have called in sickâŚbut he doesnât.
He goes to work, because his team is relying on him.
First, he has to sign about eight thousand calendarsâall from women who purchased said calendars to benefit the Fallen Officer fundraiser. And when heâs done with that, he has to endure a television interview along with the rest of the SWAT team seeing as they made national news with their âHot SWATâ calendar thatâs sold a million copies to women all over the world.
Needless to say, when Samuel Adams walks into the pharmacy hours later, he only has one thing on his mind. Ibuprofen. Sadly, he never gets to the Ibuprofen. Mostly because before he gets there, he finds a junkie waving a gun around threatening to kill anybody that moves.
Heâs running a fever. That has to be the reason that the girl in the corner begins cursing up a storm and drawing the junkieâs attention. Has to be.
***
Stop it, stop it, stop it!
She tells herself to take a deep breath. Tells herself that she needs to calm down. Tells herself that if she doesnât get her act under control, things are going to get ugly.
And, of course, thatâs when the curse words start flying.
The more nervous she gets, the worse her Touretteâs becomes. Which is, of course, why she stands up and gives the man a perfect target.
Thank God that the coughing giant in the corner makes the same move and saves her life.
And how does she repay him? By calling him every awful word in the dictionary.
About Lani Lynn Vale Lani Lynn Vale is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.
When sheâs not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading. Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.
Sammy wasnât looking forward to signing the calendars to begin with but to do it when he is feeling ill is just the icing on the cake. A quick stop at the pharmacy so that he can find something to get him through the day is all he wanted but he ended up with so much more.
Hastings is a woman who has had her difficulties both when it comes to life and love. She is a romance author who has Touretteâs and has managed to create a life she can handle independently however becoming a witness to a burglary throws her world into a tailspin.
Sammy is drawn to Hastings from their less than ideal first meeting and the one thing he knows is that they are meant to be together however that is easier said than done both with the obstacles that others throw their way and the obstacles they create.
The characters are captivating, and between the suspense, romance and emotion of the storyline it will capture your attention and keeps you entertained from beginning to end.
But when my drug-dealing stepdad kicks me out, I have nowhere to go. Squatting in an abandoned shed on Ianâs grandpaâs farm seems like as good a plan as any.
Ian finds me there, of course, and he insists on me moving into his spare room. I should say no, but the appeal of a roof and a warm bed is too much. Not to mention Ianâs brown eyes and strong arms.
Weâre nothing alike, but the spark between us is undeniable. My life is finally looking up.
Until I call the cops on my stepdad and unintentionally get my pregnant mom arrested.
Now I have to sacrifice my dreams to take care of my momâs baby. Sheâs the only family I have left. Meanwhile, Ianâs band is taking off; his dreams are coming true.
Ian is my one chance at love. I just hope he doesnât become the one chance that got away.
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Brittainy Cherryâs Newest Release: The Wreckage of Us
The Wreckage of Us takes place in the inauspicious town of Eres, Nebraska. Not exactly a place where happily-ever-afters are made. What made you choose this setting?
I wanted to tell a story about a small town that was overlooked by the world as a whole. Most people would overlook a town like Eres, Nebraska, but there are still people who are living, who are loving, and who are struggling in these small towns. I wanted to show their stories, and how even though the rest of the world may not see them, that they still matter. They deserve their happily ever afters just as much as the rest of the world.
Hazel, your heroine, is newly eighteen when her criminal step-father throws her out of the house. She literally has nothing when the story beginsânot even her motherâs support. What choices does Hazel make? Do you agree with them?
Hazel chooses to find a job in order to help her mother from a distance. I think she acts on impulse, not exactly thinking things through. She doesnât get the opportunity to think far into the future, she only has right in that moment. Second by second. I do agree with her choices in a way, since she isn’t harming anyone with these choices. She is just doing her best to make it to the next day.
Forget about healing, Hazel is in survival mode. What keeps her going?
Her twisted love and care for her mother is keeping her goingâalong with her unborn sister. She knew what it was like to grow up in her household, and she wouldnât want her little sister to go through those same kind of struggles. So, that pushes Hazel to keep moving forward and fighting for her family.
Your hero is a very interesting mix of both the townâs âgolden boyâ as well as the townâs âbad boyâ. Ian isâŚcomplicated. How did you get to know him? How does Hazel get to know him?
I believe Hazel and I both got to know Ian the same wayâpiece by piece. He has a wall of protection up from the world due to the trauma he experienced as a child. Being abandoned by his parents really did a number on Ianâs trust. Yet, the beautiful thing about Ian is when he loves, he loves fully. He does everything he can to make sure those he loves are taken care of. Once his pieces are discovered, he makes a beautiful complete puzzle.
Music is Ianâs whole life. He sees it as his escape, a way out of the stifling Eres, Nebraska. However, he struggles with his emotions and allowing himself to really feel the music he is making. What needs to change for him?
He needs to tap into his darkest struggles. He has to go to the edge of his anger, his hurts, and express those feelings on the page in front of him. Ian holds so much in that it becomes a creative block in a way. Once he starts breaking those walls downâwith the help of Hazelâhe discovers his real creativity. He finds his voice, he finds his songs. He finds himself.
Hazel and Ian are an unlikely pair. They really get on each otherâs nerves and they want different things out of life. Yet despite their differences, they find a connection. What is the spark that brings them together?
I think itâs loneliness. They grew up without having the true love of their parents. And in the town of Eres, drugs are a big issue. Those drugs affected both of their parents lives in different ways, but itâs a connecting factor for them both. They are able to connect with one another because they both know what itâs like to hurt so deeply and dream of a parentâs love.
The theme of âimpossible loveâ runs through your novels. Two people that canât possibly make it work realize that they donât want anyone else but each other. What excites you about these types of stories.
I think thereâs something so exciting about a love worth fighting for. When the passion is given from not only one side of the equation, but both the hero and heroine know the feelings they have run deep. Sure, there are struggles, like there are in everyday life, but they know they wouldnât want to struggle with anyone else in the world. They fight for their happily ever after, no matter what. And that, in my mind, is what makes the impossible love become possible and true. Thatâs what gives us the happily ever afters that we as readers crave.
Currently our country and the world are going through unprecedented crisis. The arts have become so important for people to feel a sense of normalcy. As a writer, how do you hope your story affects your readers?
I hope my stories give my readers hope. I hope it reminds them that even throughout the storms, the sun will always shine once the clouds move to the side. Thereâs beauty in the storms, too, if you are willing to look hard enough. There are lessons of self that can be learned, and I think my characters discover that from time to time. I just hope to showcase that this is still a time to believe in happily ever afters, and that the worldâs story as a whole, is far from over. We still have so much beauty to still discover. We still have so much light to find. And those facts alone, give me hope, and I hope my stories do the same for readers. I hope I give them light.
How has our current situation affected projects you are working on now? (Any spoilers you can tell us about what is up next for you?)
Iâm finding myself more forgiving of my writing pace! I fell off for a while, and found it hard to be creative, but now that I am in a groove, I am finding writing fun again. Itâs my great escape from the issues around me. Words save me day in and day out, and Iâm thankful for that. Up next for me is my second book in my Compass series, which is entitled Eastern Lights. Itâs my first ever romantic comedy, that is filled with so much heart. I think readers are going to love getting to know Connor and Aaliyahâs story!
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The Wreckage of Us Excerpt
A typical Eres Saturday night.
I wandered the ranch with a notebook and pen in my hand. I kept scribbling down lyrics and crossing them out before trying again to create something better, strongerârealer. I kept drumming my fingers against each other, trying to unlock the pieces that I was missing. As I paced back and forth, a voice broke me away from my mind.
âItâs the words.â
I looked up to see Hazel sitting in the rocking chair that Big Paw built for my mother years ago. I used to sit in Momâs lap as sheâd read me stories before bedtime all those years back.
Thereâd been times I thought about getting rid of the chair in order to forget that memory, but I hadnât found the strength to let go just yet.
âWhat do you mean itâs the words?â I asked, walking up the steps of the porch. I leaned against the railing facing her.
She blinked and tilted her head in my direction. âYour words are trash.â
âWhat?â
âThe lyrics to your songs, they are complete garbage, filled with clichĂŠs and bubblegum. Donât get me wrong, the music style and tempos are brilliant. And even though it pains me to admit, your voice is so solid and soulful that you could be a star in a heartbeat. But your lyrics? They are pig shit.â
âI think the saying is horseshit.â
âAfter spending weeks in a pig pen, pig shit seems to truly sum up my feelings about your music. But my gosh, your voice. Itâs a good voice.â
I tried to push off her insult, and tried to ignore her compliment, too. But it was hard. I had an ego that was easy to bruise, and Hazel was swinging her punches while also speaking words of praise. It was as if every bruise she made, she quickly covered with a Bandaid.
âEveryone else seemed to enjoy it,â I replied, tense with my words.
âYeah, well, everyone else are morons who are drunk off their minds.â
âOh? And you think you could do better?â
She laughed. âWithout a doubt.â âOkay, Hazel Stone, master of lyrics, give me something to go with.â
She gestured toward the other rocker beside herâthe one Dad used to sit in.
I sat down.
She pressed her lips together. âOkay. Give me one of your songs. One that you know is crap but are pretending isnât crap.â
âThey arenâtââ
âLying isnât going to get us far tonight, Ian.â
I narrowed my eyes and murmured a curse word before I began flipping through my notebook to find a song for Hazel to magically make better. âFine. We can do Possibilities.â
âHmm⌠What is it about?â
âA new relationship forming. I want to showcase those beginning feelings, you know? The fears and excitements. The nerves. The unknown. Theââ
âFirst chapters of love,â she finished my thoughts.
âYes, that.â
She took the pencil from behind my ear and took the notebook from my grip. âMay I?â
âPlease. Go for it.â
She began scribbling, crossing things out, adding things in, doing whatever came to her mind. She worked like a manwoman, falling into a world of creativity that I didnât think sheâd held inside of her. The only thing I knew about Hazel Stone was where she came from, and the clothes she wore. I hadnât known anything else, but now she was pouring herself out on the page, and I couldnât wait to see what the hell she was scribbling.
She took a breath and handed the notebook back to me. âIf you hate it, no harm, no foul,â she said.
My eyes darted over the words. âItâs possible this is forever ours. Itâs possible weâll reach the stars. Weâll fight for this, weâll make it real. Is it possible, possible, to show you how I feel?â
âShit.â I blew out a breath of air. âHazelâŚthatâs… Itâs like you crawled into my head and read the thoughts I couldnât decipher. Thatâs the chorus. Thatâs it.â
Review
Due to her family Hazel has had to mature before she should have had to. Her stepfather provides the town with any drugs they want and that includes her pregnant mother. She wants to be able to support her mother and the sibling who hasnât arrived yet and the best way to do that is manual labor on a ranch.
Ian is working towards his goal of becoming a musician but until that happens, he manages his Grandparentâs ranch. His Grandparents were there for him where his parents werenât but he doesnât want Hazel on the ranch as he blames her for the sins of her father and he is a man on a mission to make her quit.
Hazel and Ian were more adversaries than friends until he gets to know her and understand her circumstances. As the feelings between them deepen they become each otherâs inspirations but with their lives headed in different directions is there any way for this to end other than in heartbreak?
The storyline takes us on quite the emotional ride as Hazel and Ian face the obstacles that life keeps throwing at them, their chemistry is intense and the characters draw you in and have you invested in their happy ever after.
About the Author
Brittainy Cherry has been in love with words since she took her first breath. She graduated from Carroll University with a bachelorâs degree in theater arts and a minor in creative writing. She loves to take part in writing screenplays, acting, and dancingâpoorly, of course. Coffee, chai tea, and wine are three things that she thinks every person should partake in. Cherry lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her family. When sheâs not running a million errands and crafting stories, sheâs probably playing with her adorable pets.
đŽ Blurb
A blood-filled night he canât remember changed Shayeâs life from that of a roguish young Fae lord with a love for human delights to that of a man magically bound to answer the depraved whims of a scorned Seelie princess. Only Shayeâs devotion to his family and the downtrodden Talaenian people has kept him going.
Until her.
Single mother Moira has learned that love is an illusion, and ruthless practicality and determination is what it will take to ensure a good life for her young son. She should know better than to be swept into a romance with a mysterious man with rainbow-colored eyes that make her melt. He insists sheâs his soul mate.
And then thereâs the magic âŚ
Shaye is determined to prove to Moira that her place is by his side, and heâs eager to be a father to her little boy. Aside from the deep love he feels for his brave, beautiful human, he knows his anam cara holds the key to breaking his curse and ending two centuries of sexual servitude.
Unfortunately, so does his evil mistressâand she will kill to keep her prize.
Cover: JMN Art-Covers by Julie
Can an idealistic dog lover teach a jaded hockey player new tricks?
âKelly Jamieson is an auto-buy for me.ââCarly Phillips
Lilly: My life is like the love child of a train wreck and a dumpster fire right now. Iâve been canned, my professional reputation is shredded, and now Iâm walking dogs to make ends meet.
But I still believe everything will work out. Somehow.
Then a dog at the park attacks my friendâs dog. At first, Iâm ready to give the owner hellâbut it turns out heâs in desperate need of doggie daycare. I figure, why not? I love dogs and I need the cash.
Too bad his cocky bad boy attitude annoys me. Heâs too damn cute for his own good. And Iâm not talking about the dog.
Easton: My coach is riding my ass and Iâm not handling it well. When Iâm saddled with an abandoned pooch, my teammate thinks a dog will keep my temper in check. I think I have enough problems already.
But when my new dog gets into a tussle that leads me to meet a smoking hot chick who knows how to handle the rascal, I start to think pet ownership isnât all bad. At least it gives me an excuse to see Lilly again. . . .
Neither of us are interested in a relationship. First they steal your bed, then they steal your heart. And Iâm not talking about the dog.
About Kelly Jamieson
Kelly Jamieson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 40 romance novels and novellas.
Her writing has been described as âemotionally complexâ, âsweet and satisfyingâ and âblisteringly sexyâ. She likes black coffee, white wine and high heelsâŚand of course cheering on her Winnipeg Jets during hockey season!
After losing her job for doing the right thing Lillyâs life has been a battle as she tries to figure out what direction she wants to take in the future. As a way of paying bills she decides to follow her heart and has begun walking dogs which is how she meets Easton when their dogs interact.
Easton is a professional hockey player with a painful past. He is trying to adjust to the new team he has been traded to when he finds himself the temporary caregiver to a dog he named Otis until he can locate his owner.
Due to his game schedule hiring Lilly seems like a win-win for both of them as he has someone to look after his dog when he isnât able to and it gives Lilly the financial support she desperately needs. Lilly wants to maintain a strictly business relationship however the more time they spend together the more difficult that becomes but between the status of their careers and their pasts things are about to become complicated.
I really enjoyed Easton and Lilly together. Lilly allows Easton to open his heart to not only her but to his teammates as well while Easton understands and respects the decisions that Lilly has made which has brought her to where she now finds herself. Although their journey had a few setbacks along it is the way they support each other is what makes their love so special.
We’re celebrating the release of Fragile Hearts by Amber Kelly! This heart-melting, small town romance will make you swoon! Be sure to one-click your copy now!
I had my life and career all planned out. That was until I was betrayed by someone I trusted and my perfect opportunity was stolen from underneath my nose.
So here I am, back on Stoneyridge Ranch in Poplar Falls licking my wounds. I love being home with my family and friends, but I am determined to move past my anger and build my career. I have goals and plans too big for my hometown.
When Brandt Haralson, the new Vet in town, offered me a job, it was the perfect opportunity for me to plan my next move and get some experience. Heâs brilliant, driven and sexy as sin, but he is also not interested in getting involved with anyone. I can learn a lot from him and I donât have to worry about any romantic engagement.
You know what they say about the best laid plans. When an attraction builds to the point of boiling and walls start to come tumbling down, can I stick to my plan or will I discover that everything I ever wanted was right here after all?
EXCERPT:
We close down the bar before paying our tabs and wrangling the girls out to the parking lot. They’re swaying as they cling to each other, singing off-key. Walker tries to gently untangle their limbs but Elle pulls them in tighter.
âI love you guys. Donât you worry about that SOB from Ohio, Bells. Weâll find you a real man.â
âYeah,â Sonia agrees, as she stumbles and Foster reaches out to keep her from falling on her ass.
âOops,â she giggles.
A black sedan pulls in and she rights herself.
âThatâs my ride,â she says as she breaks off and makes her way toward the vehicle listing sideways.
âAre you kidding me?â Walker mumbles as he catches up to her and guides her to the passenger door. He opens it, and helps her in as she waves and blows kisses back to the girls.
Once she is in and the door closes behind her, the car peels off in a cloud of dust.
Walker throws his hand in the air.
âYouâre welcome for helping your wife into the car douchebag,â he calls after the taillights.
Elle and Bellamy are still holding on to each other, with Foster keeping them steady.
âCome on baby, letâs get you home,â Walker beckons to Elle.
âI guess that means youâre on my couch tonight, honey,â Payne says, as he slaps Fosterâs back.
âI expect breakfast in the morning, dear,â Foster quips.
âOf course, Iâm a gentleman.â
âI have to drop Bellamy off and Iâll be right behind you.â
âIâll take her,â I offer.
She looks up at me.
âI mean, itâs on the way to town. That way you donât have to backtrack,â I clarify.
âItâs okay by me if itâs okay with you, Bells,â Foster puts the ball in her court.
âWorks for me,â she says before taking off for my truck.
âGlad you came out tonight, Doc,â Payne says before offering me his hand.
I shake it and then Fosterâs.
âYeah, you should come more often,â Foster agrees.
âIâll do that.â
Walker shouts his goodbye from his truck and I join Bellamy in mine.
Sheâs kicked her boots to the floorboard and her feet are on the dash and she’s focused on the radio. She has one eye closed and her tongue out in concentration as she turns all the knobs.
âIt works better once I start the engine,â I tease her and she looks up.
âThatâs what the problem is.â She giggles.
âYouâre an adorable drunk,â I tell her.
âYouâre an adorable sober, Doc,â she says on a hiccup.
âI have a great idea, letâs get donuts,â she blurts out.
âDonuts? Itâs two in the morning. I donât think there are any donut shops open at this hour,â I tell her and her face falls.
âTell you what,â I lean in and whisper.
She focuses her eyes on me and leans in too.
âI promise to bring you some donuts to the office in the morning.â
âOh my goodness, I have to work in the morning. And my boss knows Iâve been out late drinking,â she says as her eyes widen.
âI think heâll give you a pass this time.â
âWhew, thank goodness, if I was still on ranch duty, Pop would probably make me sling manure till I puked.â
That makes me bark out a laugh.
âLetâs get you home so you can sleep it off before it’s time to clock in.â
âOkay,â she says before a yawn escapes and she closes her eyes. By the time we make it to Stoney Ridge, she’s fast asleep.
I pull up the drive slowly and leave the engine running as I round the front of the truck and open her door. I try to wake her, but she mumbles something incoherent and pulls her legs into a ball under her.
I wrap an arm under her, gently lifting her as she sighs, and leans into me. I move her to get a better grip around her waist and feed my other arm under her legs to lift her from the truck. The front porch light blinks on and Winston Wilson steps out. He stands and waits as I make my way carefully to him, while holding a sleeping Bellamy close to my chest.
âIâm sorry we woke you,â I apologize as I climb the steps.
âYou didnât, itâs the darnest thing. I know sheâs grown but I canât fall off until I know sheâs tucked safely in her bed,â he says as we make it to him and he opens his arms to take her weight from me.
She stirs as I transfer her to your father’s embrace.
âPoppy,â she mutters, âI want donuts.â
He laughs quietly, as her eyes drift back closed and her breath evens out.
âShe would randomly ask for donuts when she was little. At night before bed, during her riding lessons, at church, while the Reverend was in the middle of his sermon. Silly baby. Sheâll always be my baby girl. Whether sheâs twenty-five, thirty-five, and even when sheâs sixty-five. Iâll worry and carry her as long as Iâm able. Or until the Lord sends someone else to do the job for me.â
A parentâs love is powerful.
âI hate we kept you up,â I tell him.
âI donât mind at all, son. Iâm glad she had a good night. Her mother tells me itâs been a rough week for her.â
âYeah,â I agree.
âThank you for making sure she got home safe.â
âMy pleasure,â I reply as I smile down at her. She looks like an angel in her daddyâs arms.
He clears his throat.
âOh, um, Iâll get her boots. Iâll be right back.â
I turn and hurry to the truck, plucking her discarded boots from the floorboard and take them back. Winston has already carried Bellamy in and made his way back to the door. I hand him her boots.
âGood night, Doc. Weâll see you tomorrow,â he bids me farewell and I make my way home.
It was a fun night. I canât remember the last time I actually went out and enjoyed myself.
When I make it to my apartment I take a quick shower and get settled in.
I fall right off to sleep and have a dreamless reprieve until the alarm starts blaring at eight am.
Five uninterrupted hours of rest. I canât remember the last time that happened either.Â
Amber Kelly is a romance author that calls North Carolina home. She has been a avid reader from a young age and you could always find her with her nose in a book completely enthralled in an adventure. With the support of her husband and family, in 2018, she decided to finally give a voice to the stories in her head and her debut novel, Both of Me was born. You can connect with Amber on Facebook at facebook.com/AuthorAmberKelly, on IG @authoramberkelly or on twitter @AuthorAmberKel1. http://authoramberkelly.com/
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