The Cowgirl’s Secret Love: The Colemans of Heart Falls, Book 2

by Vivian Arend

  She turned toward Finn and then eyed Zach, thought of the laughter and discussions that would be held in the evenings by the massive fireplace. Imagined the floors not as plywood, but rich oak. The walls painted with sunlight and pictures of family and friends.

  Rooms down the hall with space for family to visit…and children to grow up in.

  Happiness welled. “I have so many questions right now, but that one I can answer. I would love to make this our home.”

  Finn captured her fingers and lifted them to his mouth, kissing her knuckles.

  “I’ll be back.” Zach was already marching out the door, hat firmly in place. “Need to talk to Cody and make some plans. See you guys at lunch.”

  He winked before firmly shutting the door.

  In front of her, Finn still held her hand trapped in his. “I thought he’d never leave.”

  She chuckled. “He’s a good friend. I’m glad he wasn’t hurt any worse.”

  “Me too. Now shut up about Zach.” Finn stroked his fingers along her jaw, finishing with his palm cradling her cheek. “I want to build a home with you, and I want it all.”

  Her throat tightened. “Me too.”

  “All of it. Every morning, every night. Fights and laughter, family and friends. Kittens in the house, colts in the barn, and children underfoot.”

  Karen sucked in a breath. “Okay.”

  He chuckled, leaning in to brush his lips over hers. “You willing to take my name as well?”

  “Maybe.” She eased her arms around his hips, nestling against him. “You plan to ask? Because if I ask, you’d have to take my name, and there’s already a lot of Colemans in the world.”

  Finn paused. “Wait a second.” He dipped, scooping up Dandelion Fluff. “No idea how you got over here, but fine…”

  He nestled the kitten between them.

  “Kittens in the house we’ve got covered,” Karen teased, her heart brimming with joy.

  “Marry me, ma chérie. I’ll do everything I can to make you happy.”

  She held on tight. “Yes, I’ll marry you, and you already do.”

  The kiss was brief because the furry creature between them wiggled, seeking his freedom.

  Before Finn moved away, Karen caught him by the arm. “I want a prenup, though.” Surprise flashed on his face as she hurried to explain. “Just in case there’s more beyond-the-grave mischief left by your mentor.”

  Her solid, even-tempered man threw back his head and laughed loud enough the sound bounced off the walls of their future home. When he got it back under control, he kissed her tenderly, a grin on his lips. “Brilliant woman. Brilliant idea.”

  Karen was still smiling from ear to ear that afternoon when they headed over to Silver Stone to catch up with her sisters and let them know the news.

  She paused on the stoop outside the kitchen and peeked through the back window. Inside the house, people moved in an easy rhythm, voices raised in laughter. Her sister’s faces showed contentment. Children’s voices danced along with the low rumble of masculine tones.

  A hand slipped over her hip as Finn pressed tight to her side. Waiting for her to move. Waiting, patiently as always. “Happy?”

  She took a deep breath then turned.

  Sunlight shone on his face, his eyes bright with love. Finn Marlette was a perfect fit against the background of rolling hills and ranch buildings.

  He was the perfect fit for her world.

  Karen pressed a hand to his cheek, warmth spreading against her palm. “I’ve found what sparks joy in my world, and I’m ready to make sure everyone knows. You’re not a secret, Finn Marlette. There’s too much love inside me for you to ever be a secret again.”

  Finn leaned in close. “Dammit, woman. Now I’ve got to kiss you until I don’t look one step away from weeping my fool head off.”

  Amusement rose. “Tears are okay,” she reminded him.

  “Kisses are better,” he insisted.

  His demonstration of that fact left her breathless and one hundred percent in agreement.

  Secrets were over. Now was the time for joy.

  Epilogue

  Rough Cut pub was that perfect mix of local watering hole and nightclub. With the music turned up to eleven, the full-to-the-rafters crowd seemed determined to enjoy the final night of August with a vengeance.

  Over the past five months, Julia had gotten to know a number of people around Heart Falls, including her newfound sisters and some great friends from their girls’ night out events. But tonight wasn’t about family time.

  With two entire days off ahead of her, Julia was ready to kick up her heels and enjoy herself by dancing the night away. No commitments, no relationship building. Just an old old-fashioned dance ‘til you drop evening.

  She left her most recent partner, grinning as she spotted Brad and Hanna Ford huddled at a high-top table.

  They were so cute. It was rare to see her boss and his wife out on the town like this, what with basically being newly-weds and having a preteen kid.

  Julia swung by the table and placed a hand on Brad’s shoulder. “Hey, boss man. Hanna. Night on the town without the kiddo?”

  Hanna offered a smile. “She’s at a friend’s. We came to dance for a while.”

  Julia gestured toward the floor. “It’s high-speed out there right now.”

  The night had been busy enough to offer her a wide variety of partners to two-step with, but every now and then, even she had to catch her breath.

  Karen and Finn flashed past. He had her tight against him as he spun her quickly. Her head fell back and laughter rang out over the toe-tapping music.

  “We’re waiting for a little slower song before we join in,” Brad confessed, his kind smile taking her in. “You’ve been working up a sweat.”

  “It’s easier training than hauling hoses up the stairs of doom,” Julia told him. “But yeah, I need to catch my breath. I’ll see you guys later.”

  In the corner of the room, Lisa and Josiah were talking quietly while he stared at her like she was the only woman in the world.

  Julia’s sisters had good solid guys in their lives, and she was glad for them. She had zero desire to follow in their footsteps, though. Not right now, that was for sure.

  She headed to the bathroom, pausing to wash her face and hands first. Her cheeks were flushed and beads of sweat clung to the back of her neck, but so far the evening had been a blast.

  Pit stop, then a cold drink. Then she’d keeping finding guys to dance with until they shut the place down.

  The door to her bathroom stall had barely closed when a rush of voices filled the women’s bathroom. Julia ignored the chatter, going about her business—

  “I swear it’s true. It’s disgusting, really. They haven’t even been married two months.”

  This was said at a far, far lower volume. Julia froze.

  Another woman spoke up, also barely above a whisper. “He should know better, though. He’s been such a good person up until now—coming back to town to care for his dad.”

  “Guys don’t think with anything but their dicks at times.”

  “Right? I bet everyone will notice before too long. Cheating once is bad enough. Ongoing? Not even Brad can survive that.”

  Anger flared. Of all the contemptible ideas. For anyone to assume that Brad was cheating on Hanna? Outrageous.

  “She seems so nice, but I guess that’s how cheaters get away with it.” The second woman spoke a little louder, as if feeling more confident.

  It had to be a misunderstanding because no way in hell would Brad ever—

  “She’s only here for a couple more months. That’s what I heard.”

  “She’ll come back to visit her sisters, though. It’s a terrible thing. I wouldn’t want this for anyone, let alone sweet Hanna. Poor thing’s gone through so much.” Firmer. Getting bolder. “I feel like I should tell that Julia Blushing we don’t want her kind around here. She needs to…”

  The rush of blood in Julia’s
ears drowned out the rest of the righteous declaration.

  Her? They thought she and Brad were having an affair?

  Oh. My. God.

  She sat on the toilet seat in silence, the room spinning slightly.

  By the time she pulled herself together, the bathroom had gone quiet.

  No. This was not happening. For people to think her and Brad’s friendship was anything other than—

  Well, if she were absolutely honest it was more than friendship on her part, but not romantic interest. And definitely not sexual.

  She had to fix this, and now.

  Somehow.

  Julia snuck out of the washroom and cautiously slipped into the relative darkness of the bar. Sliding along in the shadows until she found a place to observe while she figured out what the hell her next move should be.

  How did she prove she and Brad weren’t having an affair without ever mentioning the absurd idea? The last things she wanted were to hurt Hanna or ruin Brad’s reputation…

  Karen and Finn spun past again, the lock between them so tight a crowbar couldn’t have pried them apart.

  The next moment they were gone, and for a split second a clear path opened all the way across the dance floor to the far side of the room.

  There, Zach Sorenson leaned on a pillar, beer in hand and heel tapping as he scanned the room, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings.

  Zach, with his dark good looks and cheeky grin. The man who had made her laugh so hard at a party earlier this year that she’d been tempted to get involved even though she knew from experience short-term relationships weren’t a good idea.

  Still…

  Zach—who was most definitely single and therefore a possible solution to her immediate problem.

  If she was already involved with someone, that would reduce the odds she was fooling around with anyone else. Yes?

  Julia didn’t think twice. Heck, she didn’t really even think once. Just let her feet start moving as soon as the idea was partially formed in her brain. If she went too deep into details, somewhere there’d be a flaw, and this moment was for action, not doubts.

  Twenty seconds later she was closing in on the man. Eyeing him in the hopes of spotting a clue of how he’d take her demand.

  Suggestion?

  Nope, she would demand. It had to be done for Hanna’s sake, and Brad’s, and now, before the rumour mill got out of hand and things were unfixable.

  She stopped in front of tall, dark, and sexy.

  His lazy smile beamed down on her. “Hey, Jules.”

  “Hey.” Julia took a deep breath.

  One dark brow rose. “Problem?”

  She shook her head. “Nope.”

  One hand on his arm, Julia leaned in while she went up on her toes, pushing her torso against his so it looked as if she was about to steal a kiss.

  His eyes widened.

  “Favour, stat. Kiss me,” she whispered before he ruined it by pushing her away.

  Zach had his hands on her hips now. Eyes narrowing. “You playing a game again, Blushing?”

  She laughed softly, forcing a smile because there were people watching. She brushed her cheek past his then spoke as quietly as possible. “I swear I will explain, but you’ve got to kiss me, now. Like I’m your girlfriend. Please.”

  Maybe it was the desperation in her tone, or maybe he just wanted to tease her brain into meltdown mode.

  Because the next thing she knew, Zach had wrapped one big hand around her nape. He slid the other around to palm her lower back. A slight bit of pressure tugged her against him, nice and firm, and then he dipped his head in close.

  “No idea what you’re up to, but I’m game.”

  His lips hit hers, and the slow, teasing touch she expected flared into a white-hot blaze as he took control.

  I hope you enjoyed Finn and Karen’s story. Thank you for reading, and if you do have a few minutes to leave a review for others, I’d appreciate it.

  As you can guess, next up are Julia and Zach, getting into ALL SORTS OF TROUBLE. Or as Lisa would say, shenanigans are about to happen! Check it out:

  * * *

  When his best friend’s sister-in-law approaches him with an urgent plea for help, Zach Sorenson goes with his gut. Kiss the woman? Of course. Pretend to be her short-term boyfriend? No problem.

  * * *

  Accidentally end up married? Problem.

  * * *

  Particularly when the marriage triggers a legal complication. If Zach doesn’t stay hitched for one year, he loses everything.

  * * *

  Julia Blushing is still reeling after discovering the family she never knew existed. Trusting anyone right now isn’t easy. Plus, considering her last real relationship went terribly wrong, allowing tall, dark and tempting Zach into her life for more than a few weeks?

  * * *

  Huge problem.

  * * *

  The reasons to stick together are too important to cut and run, but their impossible situation needs some clear guidelines. No unnecessary public displays of affection. No talking about feelings. Absolutely no sex.

  * * *

  For 365 days. While they live together…

  * * *

  Good luck on that one.

  Pre-order The Cowgirl’s Chosen Love

  There’s also audio for this series coming soon, and another holiday adventure in Heart Falls! Make sure you’re on my mailing list to stay up to date on these and future cowboy stories. (I’ve got plans! Oh, boy, do I have plans!!) The mailing list really is the best way to get information because I’m not super active on any social media.

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  If this is one of the first Vivian Arend books you’ve read, check out my Newbies Guide to Viv’s Contemporary Romances!

  About the Author

  With over 2.5 million books sold, Vivian Arend is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 60 contemporary and paranormal romance books, including the Six Pack Ranch and Granite Lake Wolves.

  Her books are all standalone reads with no cliffhangers. They’re humorous yet emotional, with sexy-times and happily-ever-afters. Vivian pretty much thinks she’s got the best job in the world, and she’s looking forward to giving readers more HEAs. She lives in B.C. Canada with her husband of many years and a fluffy attack Shih-tzu named Luna who ignores everyone except when treats are deployed.

  www.vivianarend.com

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The Cowgirl’s Secret Love

  Copyright © 2020 by Arend Publishing Inc.

  ISBN: 9781941456972

  Edited by Anne Scott & Manuela Velasco

  Cover Design © Damonza

  Proofed by Angie Ramey & Linda Levy

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations.

  First electronic publication: April 2020

  www.vivianarend.com