“I can do that.” Mike bent and captured Shar’s lips with his own. The kiss was all-encompassing and definitely a doozy. Shar heard the wedding march when it finished. She shook her head to clear it from her silly fantasies, but Pachelbel’s Canon in D was still playing.
Mike smiled down at her and tenderly traced his hand along her jaw.
“Now, ask her,” Lottie demanded.
Shar wondered what Lottie was saying, but Mike winked at her as if they had some secret plan. “What’s with the song?” Shar asked.
Mike laughed. “That’s Ally’s doing.”
Shar glanced around, and everyone was staring at them with expectant smiles. She focused back on Mike. “Does everyone know something I don’t know?”
He nodded and dropped to one knee, clasping her hand in his. “Shar Heathrow. I love your laugh, your loyalty, your kisses, and your crazy sense of humor. Please make me the happiest man in the world, and marry me?”
“Like marry you this very moment?” Shar asked, still confused by the song and everyone staring at them.
“No, you dum-dum,” Lottie sighed in exaggeration. “You’ve got to get the pretty dress first. Just kiss him right now, and say yes. Marry later.”
Shar laughed, embarrassed. “I got it, thanks, Lottie.”
She bent down low and kissed Mike long and slow. She heard a few whistles and catcalls, but ignored them. “Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said against his lips.
Mike slid the ring on her finger, stood quickly, and swung her around before setting her on her feet and kissing her with all the passion and love she’d come to expect from this amazing, dedicated man.
“Now, you’re cooking,” Lottie said from beside them.
Shar and Mike finally broke apart and started receiving congratulations from family and friends, Lottie first of all. Shar could hardly wait to get the pretty dress and marry Mike. But this moment, these people she loved, and most of all, Mike, were just about perfect.
About the Author
Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.
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If you loved Shar and Mike’s story, read on for excerpts of Preston and Ally and Gunner and Lily’s stories.
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The Stranded Patriot
Ally strode toward Mike Kohler and Preston Steele, dodging around people in the crowded ballroom. She’d almost reached them when Preston glanced her direction and the world around her disappeared. Their gazes locked, and she was lost in the delicious indulgence of chocolate brown. His beautifully sculpted face had nothing on the power of his warm gaze. Never in her life had a man looked at her like that. Swaying on her heels, she prayed hard for inspiration. How to get him alone and beg him to help her, without falling prey to his charm or his handsome face. After Googling him constantly over the past few weeks, she’d learned that a man like Preston gave hundreds of women looks like that, women who were tall, thin models. At least he appeared interested and not repelled by her. That could work in her favor. For marketing, that was.
She tried to bat her eyelashes and give him what she hoped was a come-hither look, but she had no clue if she’d done it right. She’d only seen those kinds of looks on television, never practiced them out on anyone.
Preston didn’t break away from Mike and stride purposefully her direction. Not that she was surprised. She took a few stuttering steps his way, focusing on those deep brown eyes, and ran into someone’s back. The contents of the guy’s drink went flying, but luckily the liquid didn’t hit anyone but the floor.
“For the sake of Pete,” Ally muttered under her breath.
The man she’d smacked into turned around in surprise, but his face quickly transformed into a wide grin.
“Apologies,” Ally said.
“No worries, but it seems I’ve lost my drink. Would you like to join me for a refill?”
“No, but thank you for being a chill cucumber about it.”
He laughed. “Just one drink?”
“Maybe next time.”
He held up his empty glass to her. She bowed slightly and turned away, focusing on Preston again. She could do this. She could do this. Confident woman, that was her. Confident in her hard work ethic, not her alluring smile. She was going to be sick.
Aiming what she hoped was a flirtatious smile at Preston and discreetly tilting her head toward the patio, she strutted away from the guy she’d hit and straight past Preston and Mike. She drew close enough to brush Preston’s arm with hers, and she got distracted by his vanilla and sandalwood cologne. Oh, wow. Did all men smell that good? When she glanced over her shoulder, he was following her with his eyes. She tried to wink but failed as both eyes temporarily closed. Goodness’ sakes that was awkward.
Easing out the side door, she was pretty sure the most desperate guy in Georgia wouldn’t have gone for her weird little display. Hopefully the witnesses to her awkward flirting were few. Hopefully she could find Preston alone later tonight and march up to him without any stupid games, like she’d wanted to do all along. Why did she listen to Bucky? He was only her boss and she only loved her job.
The patio wasn’t as crowded as the house, but there were still too many people for her to have the private conversation she wanted to have with Preston, if some miracle occurred and he followed her. Not knowing what else to do, she sauntered across the patio toward the flower gardens, hoping beyond hope that he’d follow her. She discreetly looked back, and her stomach hopped when she saw Preston’s broad shoulders clear the doorframe. He was focused on her and moving fast her direction. Oh my goodness, it had actually worked. Yes! The makeover she’d paid for today must’ve been better than she thought. When she’d looked in the mirror, she’d simply seen the same rounded cheeks with a lot more makeup on, but it appeared Preston thought she was attractive enough to follow.
She debated stopping and waiting for him, but she wanted to make sure they were alone and out of earshot of anyone to have this conversation. There was also an undeniable thrill that she’d never experienced, being trailed by this powerful and handsome man. She reached the flower garden, and the heady scents of clematis, roses, and wisteria combined to make the moment feel even more mysterious and romantic.
Romantic? Stop it, Ally, she commanded herself. She wasn’t here for romance; she was here for work, and it was guaranteed that Preston had no romantic intentions toward her. The way she’d felt when Preston met her gaze and then trailed her with his eyes was messing with her usually rational brain. She stopped underneath a canopy of trees and turned to face him.
Preston had a slight smile as he approached her. The way he filled out that tux made her stomach swirl with heat, and she clamped a hand to her abdomen. Had she ever been this close to a man this appealing? Be calm, be professional.
“Hello, Preston Steele,” she said in a cool voice as if she had nothing riding on this conversation. Only her job, and the fabulous and charitable social media campaign that was her brainchild. Being attracted to Preston Steele could not factor in.
“Hello, Alyandra Heathrow.”
“Ally,” she automatically corrected. Arching an eyebrow, she found herself easing closer to him. “You know who I am?” That made more sense. He’d followed her because he was intrigued that the marketing person wanted to talk to him. Of course he didn’t want to talk to her personally.
A slow grin grew on his face, making his cheek crinkle and robbing the oxygen from her lungs. Curse Preston Steele’s appeal. She had never allowed herself to be affected by any man. How was Preston yanking her in so easily? The only thing that should matter to her was using his appeal to bring happiness to thos
e going through rough times and in turn sell out the stadium, a harder feat this year with their newly inflated ticket prices.
“I know who you are.” He also stepped closer, and his firm chest brushed her bare shoulder.
The suit coat buffered the impact, but Ally hadn’t dated since middle school, and the contact thrilled her from her head to her painted toenails. She sucked in a breath and felt her heart thump faster.
“Head of marketing,” Preston said. “The woman most of us try to avoid.”
Ally blinked up at him. Avoid? Ouch. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m not a rookie, Miss Heathrow. If you’re giving me come-hither glances and brushing against me in a crowded ballroom, you’re on a mission for Bucky. The question is, what do you and Bucky want from me?”
She’d let herself foolishly believe he’d followed her out here because he was drawn to her. Stupid female feelings and fantasies. Focus on work. “I need you …” She paused and tried to think how to phrase it.
“You need me.” His voice dropped, and its husky quality sent tremors through her body.
Their gazes got tangled up and she found herself being drawn closer to him, inch by inch. She could smell his delicious cologne, and the sheer power and draw of this man made her feel feminine and desirable and beautiful. It was all so unfamiliar and thrilling. Was he truly attracted to her? She knew he dated a plethora of rail-thin women. She wasn’t his type, at all.
She didn’t need him for her; she needed him for marketing. As her body eased toward his and she stared into his deep brown eyes, she couldn’t have told you her mother’s maiden name, let alone what her purpose was for miraculously leading this breathtaking man out into the gardens.
When they were inches apart and she was gasping for air at the meaningful look in his eyes, praying he’d reach out to her, he murmured, “You need me personally, or you need me because you’re Bucky’s lackey?”
That snapped her back to reality.
Keep Reading The Stranded Patriot here.
The Committed Warrior
Glancing around the quiet restaurant, Lily startled as she saw a man sitting in the corner booth. He was incredibly handsome with dark coloring, a well-trimmed beard, and a muscular frame, but he was also watching her intently. It wasn’t a creepy look, more of a gaze of either interest in her, or possibly recognition. Aw, shoot. She hated when someone put together whose daughter she was, even worse when it was a man that good-looking, because she wouldn’t let herself flirt with someone who knew who she was. No, strike that; she wouldn’t flirt with anyone who wanted a claim to fame because they’d figured out her lineage.
It was the one luxury she allowed herself—flirting with handsome men. She rarely dated, as safety was her highest priority, and though she’d won every fight she’d been in, she never underestimated anyone or put herself in stupid positions; but flirting she liked, a lot. Tugging at her long braid, she hoped she looked presentable after rushing around a hot kitchen for hours. She’d given up on makeup, fancy haircuts, and manicures years ago, one more way to spite her mother, but she liked to be clean and presentable.
Lily gave him a forced smile that he barely returned. That worried her even more. If he was interested in dating her he’d smile or wink or something. This man appeared much too tough and serious. It was unsettling. She turned and hurried back into the kitchen.
Hanging up her apron, she called to the owners Kristen and James, “I’m out. See you tomorrow for lunch.”
“Be safe,” they both returned.
She smiled. They had no clue how many different places she’d lived over the past six years, some of them very un-safe, or the fact that she’d been trained by her bodybuilder of a nanny behind her mother’s back and taken a variety of self-defense classes throughout the past six years. She was capable of protecting herself.
“I always am.” She hurried back out into the restaurant before they could fuss about her anymore. The man in the corner booth caught her eye again. Sarah the waitress closing tonight should come wait on him, he’d be fine, but when their gazes caught she felt an unfamiliar connection to him. Maybe it was because he seemed to know her, but it might be something much more intriguing. His very build shouted safety and protection, unless he wasn’t on your team, and his dark eyes tugged at her. She could see herself becoming a fan of this man.
Forcing herself to walk through the restaurant and past the deli counter, she exchanged goodbyes with the girls manning the counter and burst through the front door into the dry Idaho summer heat. It was after seven-thirty, but it stayed light until close to nine in late August. She’d be fine with daylight on the thirteen-mile ride to her lakeside home. Well, home was a loose word, but she loved her little camp trailer.
Walking around the side of the building, she found her commuter bike propped right where she’d left it and undid the lock. The lock was pretty superfluous in this little town, but habits were hard to break, and she didn’t want to risk losing this bike. It was a good one and had taken her months to save up for, costing almost a thousand dollars.
As she pushed it toward the road, the front door of the deli opened, and the man from the corner booth strode out. The air suddenly became oppressively hot as she couldn’t tear her eyes from him. The way he walked was like he was the world, so confident and appealing, yet not posturing or trying to put on airs. His very presence made her heart race. His dark gaze focused in on her, and he didn’t play any games. He walked right up to her, stopped a foot away and said, “Hey.”
Lily clung to her bike, so she didn’t tip over. His sculpted muscles were semi-hidden by a soft t-shirt but nothing could fully disguise a build like that. His face was smooth and tanned with just enough facial hair to make her want to touch it and see if it was soft or rough. How would it feel if she simply brushed her cheek against it?
Instead of asking him if she could touch his cheek with her own, she sputtered out. “Are you just in charge of the whole world, military boy?” He was many maturity levels above a boy but teasing was imperative right now.
His eyes registered surprise, but he gave her a slight smile. “If I was, I’d ask you to dinner.”
Lily’s breath rushed out in a half-laugh, half-longing sigh. “Oh, you would, would you?” She flipped her long hair and pushed a hip out. “And where would you take me on said dinner, oh, hot and mighty one?”
His smile only grew slightly, but she could sense she amused him; he was simply a serious one. Ooh, he’d be fun to break.
He pointed back at the restaurant. “This place had fabulous reviews on Trip Advisor.”
“Hmm. But I get food for free there so that’s a pretty lame date.”
His chin lifted, and his smile became a fraction more generous. She was going to have to work for a grin. Work, she could do. He was so tough and almost solemn, reinforcing her suspicions of a military background. He tilted his head across the street. “Should we try Big J’s instead?” It was obvious from the sound of his voice he wasn’t too impressed with what looked like an ordinary fast-food restaurant.
“Oh, I think I’ve got your number. You’ve traveled the world and think a simple fast-food dive is below you?” She arched an eyebrow and dared him to challenge her. He simply lifted a shoulder. “You’ll have to be schooled then. It is completely unacceptable to use that tone of voice with Big J’s. Their bacon cheeseburger could make you sing, and they have a pizza bomb that I’m salivating about just saying the words.” He was making her salivate, but she didn’t want to let on. What was a man like this doing showing up in her small town? She didn’t know everybody in the valley, but she would bet all twenty-seven of the hundred-dollar bills she’d worked so hard to stash in her trailer that he wasn’t a local.
“Salivate?” His gaze traveled over her face and truly made her salivate for more. “I’ll have to try both of them then. You in?”
She was incredibly tempted, but it was a long bike ride in the late summer heat, and
she didn’t prefer doing it in the dark. There was no way she’d let this man take her home, and she hated to put James out as he lived the other direction of where she needed to go, up a beautiful canyon called Cub River.
“Not tonight, but thanks for the offer.” She smiled and pushed her bike away, hating to walk away from such appeal.
“Are you working tomorrow?” he said to her back.
She glanced over her shoulder. “I’ve got the lunch shift.” Yes! He wanted to see her again.
“When do you get off?”
She wanted him to smile fully. He was much too serious, no matter how much she teased. Still she saw no harm in getting to know him a little bit, maybe a date or two, maybe a kiss or two. His lips were a firm, manly line that she wouldn’t mind a taste of.
“Four,” she admitted.
“I’ll be waiting for you right here. Then I can salivate …” He actually gave her a larger smile. “Over the pizza bomb.”
“What if I’m not ready to salivate?” she asked, winking sassily at him.
He shrugged. “Then I’ll be waiting the next day, and the next day … until you decide you are ready.”
“Persistent, aren’t you?”
He actually chuckled and grinned. The combination robbed the oxygen from her body. “Handsome” didn’t do justice to this man when he grinned.
“You have no idea,” he said.
“I guess we’ll see if tomorrow’s your lucky day.”
He sobered and stared deeply into her eyes. “I guess we will.”
The moment seemed to draw out between them, and Lily was lost in the depths of his dark gaze. This man had seen the world and the pain that was in it. Lily wanted to hold his hand and help him to see the happiness that was in it too. She hadn’t known that happiness until she escaped her mother’s clutches and found real people and the good Lord. Could she help him?
The Pursued Patriot: Georgia Patriots Romance Page 13
