by Marta Perry
“Yes!” they said in unison.
“You look bee-yoo-tiful.” Ivy had stars in her eyes.
“You look like Cinderella.” Harper nudged Noah, in his tuxedo. “Doesn’t she look like Cinderella?”
“You do, Auntie Eden. You’re even prettier than Cinderella.” He clutched a white satin pillow with the wedding rings on top. “I’d marry you if Uncle Ryder didn’t.”
“Thank you, Noah-bear.” Her heart was overflowing with love. “All three of you are making our day very special.”
“It’s time.” One of the church ladies pointed to the children. Noah pulled back his shoulders and walked between the girls as they tossed rose petals down the aisle of the church. Eden spotted Gabby, her matron of honor, at the front standing next to Nicole and Brittany in their pretty coral dresses. Dylan and Judd were across the aisle with Mason, who was Ryder’s best man.
Eden hadn’t seen Ryder yet, and she edged closer to her dad. Her knees felt wobbly, and her heart was ready to beat out of her chest. She’d already cried twice that morning, and the self-manicure incident had thrown her into a panic. Maybe if she kept her hands tucked under the bouquet, no one would notice the clumps of glitter in the polish.
“You ready, honey?” Dad took her hand and rested it on his arm. “You look beautiful. I couldn’t be happier for you. You’ve got a good man, there.”
“Thanks, Dad.” A memory of Mia and Dad at this very spot years ago brought a sense of calm to her nerves.
Life was full of ups and downs, and she was ready for them. She’d started her online classes a few weeks ago, and now she’d have a partner to weather whatever came her way.
They waited another moment and then headed down the aisle.
And there was Ryder.
She locked eyes with him and held her breath. He looked like a model in his tux, but it was the intensity in his eyes that sent a thrill down her spine. Like in a dream, she was vaguely aware of Dad leaving her with Ryder, and she barely heard the pastor’s words as he conducted the service.
Before she knew it, she and Ryder had exchanged vows and the ring was on her finger. Then the announcement came—they were man and wife. It was really true!
They made their way to the back of the church and out onto the lawn where the guests would greet them. The late-September sun made everything shiny and special.
“Mrs. Fanning.” Ryder swept her into his arms and twirled her around. “You look—wow—you take my breath away.”
She smiled, reaching up to give him a light kiss. “You look handsome, more than handsome.”
“But you…wow, you are magnificent.” He kissed her with passion. His kiss promised everything she’d ever wanted, and she sank into his embrace.
A round of applause interrupted them, and she looked up at him, her face on fire as he ended the kiss, keeping his arm around her waist.
All their family and friends surrounded them, offering well wishes and congratulations. Eden took it all in and said a silent prayer of thanks. Nicole and Judd were holding hands—they’d gotten married a month ago in a small ceremony. Gabby had the slightest baby bump under her gown as she gestured for Dylan to hand her Phoebe. Mason and Brittany had announced last night at the rehearsal dinner they were expecting a baby, too. And Ryder had whispered that he wanted a baby ASAP. At which she told him he needed to make an honest woman of her first. He’d responded with “Twenty-four hours.”
The next hour was a blur of hugs and well wishes and pictures.
“Well, my lovely bride,” he said as the bridal party dispersed. “How are you holding up?”
“Fabulous.”
“Mama!” Ivy and Harper ran to her and threw their arms around her waist.
Eden was shocked. Ryder merely smiled and tilted his head. “I told them they could call you whatever they wanted.”
“Are you sure you want to call me that?” She hugged the girls. “You don’t have to, you know.”
“We want to.” Harper slung her arm over Ivy’s shoulders. “Right, Ivy?”
“Right.” She nodded, her eyes twinkling. “Mommy’s far away, but Mama lives with us.”
Eden’s heart spilled over. She pulled them close to her. “I love you so much. I’m honored.”
“We love you, too.”
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, Eden.” He tucked her arm in his. “I plan on showing you my appreciation every day.”
“Every day, huh?” She pressed her palm against his chest and stared up at him.
“Yes.” His eyes smoldered. “What do you want? Name it. It’s yours.”
“You’ve already given me everything, Ryder. All I want is you.”
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
It’s hard to believe this series has come to an end. I’ve enjoyed these characters so much. If you’ve read the first three books, you’ll know how much energy and love Eden invests into her friends. I knew she had to have a man who would celebrate all her amazing qualities. Ryder is that man and more. He needed a support group as much as Mason, Eden, Gabby and Nicole did, and he found a lifelong friendship with them. I can imagine him and Eden raising the girls in Rendezvous. Harper, naturally, will be competing in rodeos with Noah, and Ivy will take dance lessons at Brittany’s studio and babysit the triplets as soon as she’s old enough.
Like Eden, I think we all have times when we feel invisible or unappreciated. Please don’t get discouraged if you’re in one of those times. God sees everything you’re doing, and He’s smiling on your efforts even if they’re unnoticed by others. He delights in you!
Thank you for reading my books. Your support means more to me than you’ll ever know. I love connecting with readers. Feel free to email me at [email protected] or write me at PO Box 2802, Whitehouse, Ohio, 43571.
God bless you,
Jill Kemerer
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ISBN-13: 9781488070976
Hers for the Summer
Copyright © 2021 by Ripple Effect Press, LLC
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 embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
For questions and comments about the quality of this book, please contact us at [email protected].
Love Inspired
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Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3, Canada
www.Harlequin.com
“Let’s get married. You and me.”
&nb
sp; Mick’s expression went from dumbfounded to completely horrified in a matter of seconds. “Woman, have you lost your mind?”
Ignoring the direct hit to her ego, she said, “Perhaps. But if that’s what it takes to protect Sadie, then so be it.”
Standing, he crossed to where she stood. “Christa, I appreciate what you’re doing here, but you can’t marry someone you don’t love.”
“Oh, as if there aren’t plenty of married people who don’t love each other. And I wasn’t talking about moving in together or anything like that.”
“No, you were thinking of a little girl who’s been tossed around by enough of life’s storms. And I admire you for that. But I would never dream of tying you down in some marriage of convenience. You’re a beautiful, spirited woman who deserves to love and be loved.”
Christa knew Mick was just being nice, that her suggestion to get married was totally ludicrous, yet staring up into his green eyes, she found herself wondering what it might be like to be loved and wanted by a good, hardworking man like him.
It took Mindy Obenhaus forty years to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up. But once God called her to write, she never looked back. She’s passionate about touching readers with biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. Mindy lives in Texas with her husband and kids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Find out more at mindyobenhaus.com.
Books by Mindy Obenhaus
Love Inspired
Bliss, Texas
A Father’s Promise
Rocky Mountain Heroes
Their Ranch Reunion
The Deputy’s Holiday Family
Her Colorado Cowboy
Reunited in the Rockies
Her Rocky Mountain Hope
The Doctor’s Family Reunion
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart
A Father’s Second Chance
Falling for the Hometown Hero
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.
A Brother’s Promise
Mindy Obenhaus
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
—Psalms 37:4
For Your glory, Lord.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Leonard Peters
for putting up with my multitude of
legal questions. You are a patient man.
Michelle Courtney, thank you
for your real estate insight.
I greatly appreciate all of your help.
CONTENTS
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Dear Reader
CHAPTER ONE
Christa Slocum had to expand her hardware store before Crane’s Building Supply infiltrated the area. And this might be the ticket.
A cold rain fell outside as she stood near the paint counter Wednesday afternoon, contemplating the brick wall Bliss Hardware shared with the vacant building next door. Not even a gust of wintry January air someone ushered in could jar her from her thoughts.
Bliss Hardware was a fixture in the small Texas town and under her ownership, the once sleepy little business was now bursting at the seams. But if she could take out those bricks to create an opening, the two spaces would be joined, nearly doubling her space and allowing her to add the home improvement section people had been wanting.
Giddiness bubbled inside of her. This was the best option she’d come up with so far and it was so simple she wondered why she hadn’t thought of it before.
Eager to contact her real estate agent, she turned and nearly ran into Mick Ashford, local rancher and good ole country boy. Except he wasn’t a boy. He was a grown man, maybe a year or two older than Christa’s forty-three years, with gorgeous light green eyes and the kind of rugged good looks that had many of the town’s single women acting like fools whenever they were anywhere near the cowboy.
As far as Christa was concerned, though, he was simply her neighbor. Well, he lived in the house nearest to hers, anyway. A cabin tucked in the woods, far beyond the old farmhouse that had once belonged to his family. Until he and his sister, who lived near Austin, sold it to her.
At the moment, though, he stood in front of her wearing a Carhartt jacket and mud-spattered Wranglers, his chocolate-colored felt cowboy hat in one hand while the other fisted a color chip he must have snagged from the adjacent paint display. Deep lines she wasn’t used to seeing creased his brow, suggesting something had him troubled. Which might explain why he hadn’t razzed her yet.
“What can I help you with, Mick?”
“I need a gallon of this.” He held out the paint swatch.
One glance and her brow shot up. “Mick Ashford, what could you possibly want with Pepto-Bismol-pink paint?”
“It’s not for me.” His tone was more serious than she was used to. “It’s for Sadie. I’m hoping it’ll make her feel more at home.”
Sadie? Christa wasn’t aware that Mick was dating anyone, or that he’d gotten married. Like Christa, he’d always been comfortable being single. But if he wanted to make someone feel at home, that could only mean someone else had moved in with him.
If so, it must have been a whirlwind romance. She could only hope it wasn’t some woman he’d met online then proposed to after only a few dates. Because while Christa may not be interested in Mick, she considered him a friend and didn’t want to see him hurt by someone with less-than-honorable motives.
“I guess you haven’t heard.” He watched her curiously.
“No.” Which, given how small Bliss was and the fact that she owned a business many of the townsfolk frequented, was rather unusual. “I haven’t seen much of you since Christmas.” They shared a driveway, so she usually saw him in passing at least once a day. But he’d disappeared right after Christmas. Even had someone else checking on his cattle.
“I reckon I should have let you know I was leaving, but it was pretty sudden.” He rubbed the back of his neck with a calloused hand. “And these last few weeks have been a blur.”
Christa hoped he wasn’t planning to tell her some long tale about his love life. “The holidays can do that to us.”
His green eyes were filled with sorrow as they met hers. “My sister and her husband were killed in a helicopter crash in Colorado right after Christmas.”
Remorse mingled with grief to squeeze Christa’s heart. “Oh, Mick, I’m so sorry.”
Clearing his throat, he simply nodded. She could only imagine how raw his emotions were. “Sadie is my niece. Jennifer and Kyle left her in my care.”
And she thought he’d gotten married. Now her heart went out to the man who was obviously struggling. Mourning the loss of his sister while being thrust into the role of caretaker for a child.
She rubbed her suddenly chilled sweatshirt-clad arms. “How old is Sadie?”
“Five. She’ll be six in March.”
Christa froze. The same age she’d been when her mother died.
For a moment she found herself battling back her own tears. Oh, how she ached for this poor child. At least Christa had still had her father. Sadie lost both of her parents in one fell swoop.
“She’s at school right now,” Mick added. “Started Monday. She’s in kindergarten, so I thought it best we work on getting a routine in place.�
�
“Yes. Definitely. Kids need routine.” Didn’t mean things were going to be easy, though. For either Sadie or Mick.
“I want to make her feel at home, so I thought I’d surprise her by painting her room.”
“Of course, you want her to feel welcome.” She looked at the horrid color still in her hand, recalling the wintergreen flavor of the elixir her father had given her every time she had an upset stomach. “But I’m still not going to sell you this color of paint.”
“Why not?” He stiffened. “You’ve seen my place. It’s nothing but brown and green. You know, like the outdoors. But Sadie’s a little girl, and little girls love pink, don’t they?”
“Sometimes. But not necessarily this shade.” She held it up so he could get a good look. “Besides, they also like blush, periwinkle and aquamarine.”
Shifting from one booted foot to the other, he ran a hand through his light brown hair. “Oh, boy.”
“What is it?” She waved at one of the local contractors as he grabbed two cans of stain from a nearby shelf.
Mick acknowledged the man with a nod before turning back to Christa. “I have no idea what any of those colors are.”
Of course he didn’t. He was a guy. A man’s man, at that. In his world, pink was pink and that’s all there was to it.
Moving a few steps toward the paint display, she grabbed swatches of the colors she’d mentioned and set them on the counter in front of him. “Blush, periwinkle and aquamarine.” She pointed to each one.
“Looks like pink, purple and blue to me.”
She couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out.
The long, tall stretch of cowboy stared down at her, looking more like a brokenhearted little boy. “I can’t bring back Sadie’s parents, but I want to do everything I can to give her the best life possible. Jen trusted me enough to leave Sadie in my care, and I want to do right by her.” The determined edge in his voice was hard to miss.
