by A. J. Pine
Jenna winced. “I can help…” she started, but she trailed off, already knowing what Eli’s response would be.
“You have your hands full with the farm, and I know you and Colt are waiting on that call from the foster care organization. There’s no way I’m letting you work more hours than you already do. But thank you. I’ll figure it out eventually.”
Jenna liked Eli. A lot. But even in the months she’d worked with him and gotten to know him, he was still a man on an island. Not letting anyone get too close, even if it was one friend offering another some extra help.
“Well, you know where to find me if you need me,” she said. “See you in a couple of hours at the wedding?”
He looked up, then straightened to his full height.
“The wedding. Right. Of course. I’ll be at the ceremony, but I’ll probably head back here before the reception begins. I’ve got that Rex rabbit I just started on antibiotics yesterday. He’ll need looking after tonight. To make sure treatment is going according to plan.”
Jenna nodded. “Right. The rabbit.” She hated the thought of Eli holed up alone at the clinic when everyone else in town would be at the reception. But it wasn’t her place to pull him out of his comfort zone. Not if he still wasn’t ready. “Well,” she said. “I’ll see you at the ranch for the ceremony then.”
“Drive carefully back up the road,” he said. “Looks like the snow is picking up again.”
Jenna smiled.
Perfect.
The winter wedding everyone was hoping for.
Colt stood at one end of the arena, which, only hours ago, had been transformed into an outdoor wedding venue. Rows of white folding chairs lined each side of the snowy aisle. The fence was wound with twinkling white lights. A string quartet to Colt’s right played Canon in D. And just about everyone they knew—even Jenna’s nephews and their significant others who were also friends of the groom—sat patiently waiting for the bride to come down that aisle.
First it was Ben Callahan, Sam’s brother in town from New York—the best man, of course, escorting Beth Spence, Delaney’s sister and maid of honor. That was it for the bridal party. They’d wanted to keep it simple and quick so they could get to celebrating.
Next was Sam, dapper as hell in a tux. Colt had no qualms about admitting that.
“Nervous?” Colt whispered as his friend approached.
“Not even a little bit,” Sam said without hesitation. “Of course, Nolan could have one of her signature diaper explosions at any second, but my mom is on diaper duty, so I’m going to pretend I didn’t say that.”
Both men glanced at the front row of the groom’s side where Barbara Ann Callahan bounced Sam and Delaney’s bundled and adorable four-month-old on her lap.
“And I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it,” Colt said with a laugh.
And then, without warning, the music changed to “Ode to Joy” and both of their heads shot up, their gazes fixed back on the aisle.
There was Delaney, head covered by the ivory hood of the cape she wore over her gown.
Sam sucked in a breath, and Colt clapped him on the shoulder.
“She’s beautiful,” Colt said.
“I know,” Sam answered.
And even though it was true, Colt couldn’t help but try to get a look behind the bride, at the woman in the long-sleeved emerald-green dress who carried the bridal gown’s train.
He fidgeted with the matching pocket square on his chest until Jenna came into view, and he was the one finding it hard to breathe.
I love you, she mouthed, and he pressed his palm to his heart, trying to maintain composure. After all, he was the officiant, not the groom. He needed to keep it together for Sam.
Someday, soon—if Colt had any say in the matter—Jenna Owens would be the woman in white, making her way to him. But tonight was about Sam and Delaney. Colt would say a few words and then let them read their vows to each other. Then they’d all head to the dining hall to celebrate for as long as anyone cared to stay. Jessie, the Meadow Valley firefighter who moonlighted at the ranch’s guesthouse, was set to take baby Nolan home and put her to bed in a couple of hours.
“After that,” Delaney had said, “sky’s the limit. Jessie’s spending the night so we can stay in the honeymoon suite at the Meadow Valley Inn.” She’d laughed. “We’ll probably be so excited for a full night of sleep that we’ll be the first to leave.”
But it turned out the limit was somewhere in the vicinity of three in the morning.
Colt and Jenna stumbled into their shared suite, a little tipsy and deliriously exhausted.
“I know this sounds ridiculous,” Jenna said, kicking off her shoes and throwing her coat on the small love seat to the right of the door. “But I’m kind of hungry.”
Colt laughed. “We’re out of ice cream.”
Jenna raised her brows. “But there are still cookies in the tin.”
Colt’s pulse quickened. He thought he had until tomorrow, but it looked like this was happening now.
He cleared his throat. “Okay,” he said. “Grab ’em and bring them over here, but don’t open the tin yet. I’m just going to check my voicemail. Looks like I missed a call.”
He didn’t recognize the caller and figured he was in for a robot-generated spam call, which would buy him a few seconds to collect his thoughts. But when he heard, “Hello, Mr. Morgan. This is Lydia from Plumas County Child and Family Services,” he lost his footing and stumbled backward, catching himself against the wall.
When the message ended, he looked up to see Jenna standing in front of him, the opened tin of toffee shortbread cookies in one hand and the ring he’d laid on top of the waxed paper in the other.
“Colt…” she said, a slight tremble in her voice. “What is this?”
This was happening. All of it.
“You weren’t supposed to open the tin yet,” he said.
“I opened it,” she answered.
He laughed, then dropped down to one knee.
“That was Plumas County on the phone,” he said. “If we can finish the house by January thirty-first, they have a twelve-year-old boy and ten-year-old girl they want us to meet. Brother and sister. Their current foster family, for whatever reason, can’t care for them any longer.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. At least he thought they were tears, but his own vision was beginning to blur.
“Think they maybe want to help us plan a wedding?” he asked. “I thought we’d honeymoon out of the country and check another item off your list, but that may have to wait.”
“Oh my God,” Jenna said. “Forget the list! We’re going to be parents?”
She was still holding the cookies and the ring.
Colt laughed. “Do you think you might also want to be my wife? Or should we just dive into the cookies and call it a night?”
He grabbed the cookie tin from her shaking hand and set it on the ground. Then he reached for the ring, and they held on to it together.
“Will you marry me, Jenna?”
He pressed PLAY on the song he’d kept queued on his phone for this very moment. Except this time, when Frankie Valli belted the chorus, Colt did not sing along.
Jenna covered her mouth with one hand, and with the other she stroked his hair. “I wished on a silly candle,” she said with a sniffle. “Okay…forty-one silly candles. But I didn’t believe—I didn’t for one second think that wish could be you.” She laughed. Or maybe she was crying. He couldn’t tell. There were tears, but she was smiling.
He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. “Is that a yes? ’Cause I’m sort of on pins and needles here.”
“Yes!” she said with a laugh. “Yes.” And then she dropped to her knees as well, letting him slide the ring onto her finger. “Yes.”
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About the Author
A librarian for teens by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can’t seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. When she finds that twenty-fifth hour in the day, she might indulge in a tiny bit of TV when she nourishes her undying love of vampires, superheroes, and a certain high-functioning sociopathic detective. She hails from the far-off galaxy of the Chicago suburbs.
You can learn more at:
AJPine.com
Twitter @AJ_Pine
Facebook.com/AJPineAuthor
Also by A.J. Pine
Meadow Valley
Cowboy to the Rescue (novella)
My One and Only Cowboy
Make Mine a Cowboy
Crossroads Ranch
Second Chance Cowboy
Saved by the Cowboy (novella)
Tough Luck Cowboy
Hard Loving Cowboy
Praise for A.J. Pine
“Both new and returning readers will be pleased.”
—Publishers Weekly on Make Mine a Cowboy
“A sweet…love story.”
—Publishers Weekly on My One and Only Cowboy
“My One and Only Cowboy was an entertaining romance that was woven with wit and warmth.”
—GuiltyPleasuresBookReviews.com
“Cowboy to the Rescue delivers the goods!”
—ReadAlltheRomance.com
“A steamy cowboy romance novel that is sure to warm your heart!”
—LovelyLoveday.com on Hard Loving Cowboy
“Hard Loving Cowboy was a delightfully sexy read that made me want to go in search of a cowboy of my own.”
—KimberlyFayeReads.com
“Sweet and engrossing.”
—Publishers Weekly on Tough Luck Cowboy
“Light and witty.”
—Library Journal on Saved by the Cowboy
“A fabulous storyteller who will keep you turning pages and wishing for just one more chapter at the end.”
—Carolyn Brown, New York Times bestselling author, on Second Chance Cowboy
“Cross my heart, this sexy, sweet romance gives a cowboy-at-heart lawyer a second chance at first love and readers a fantastic ride.”
—Jennifer Ryan, New York Times bestselling author, on Second Chance Cowboy
“Ms. Pine’s character development, strong family building, and interesting secondary characters add layers to the story that jacked up my enjoyment of Second Chance Cowboy to maximum levels.”
―USA Today “Happy Ever After”
“5 Stars! Top Pick! The author and her characters twist and turn their way right into your heart.”
—NightOwlReviews.com on Second Chance Cowboy
“This is a strong read with a heartwarming message and inspiring characters.”
—RT Book Reviews on Second Chance Cowboy
Keep reading for a special bonus novel from USA Today bestselling author
Melinda Curtis:
SEALED WITH A KISS
For Kimmy Easley, showing up at her ex’s wedding without a date is unacceptable. She’s got to find someone—and fast—because she can’t face going alone. Convincing her childhood friend Booker Belmonte to go with her is easy, but that starts the spread of gossip through Sunshine Valley quicker than wildfire. Kimmy has never thought of Booker as anything more than a friend, so it’s funny how she never noticed how nicely he fills out a tux…
Booker could never say no to Kimmy—he’s had a secret crush on her for years. Accompanying her to the wedding is a no-brainer; not getting his hopes up that it might lead to more than friendship is going to be more difficult. But now that the matchmaking Widows Club has set their sights on Booker and Kimmy, will they be next to walk down the aisle?
Prologue
I’ll see your two cents. And raise you two cents.” Clarice Rogers tossed pennies into the pot in the middle of the card table. “Was I the only one who didn’t get an invitation to Haywood and Ariana’s wedding?”
It seemed like everyone in the town of Sunshine, Colorado, was going except Clarice. Rumor had it the reception had a Bohemian theme, and Clarice dearly loved anything Bohemian.
Clarice and her two closest friends were playing a high-stakes poker game at the cozy home of Mims Turner.
Bitsy Whitlock checked her cards and then tossed in additional pennies. “I’m not sure why I received an invitation.” She adjusted the black bow in her bobbed blond hair. Her hair bows had a tendency to slip. Nothing else about Bitsy ever slipped. “I only met Haywood last Christmas.”
“You helped Haywood pick out an engagement ring when you were having your jewelry cleaned.” Mims Turner tossed in two cents. “Besides, everyone knows you give good gifts. I got an invite because Ariana’s grandmother is my cousin. Call. Two pair.” She snapped down her cards and tugged at the ends of her beige fishing vest. “Winner!”
Not waiting for Clarice, Bitsy fanned her cards gracefully on the table. “Two pair, kings high. Looks like I win again.”
“Wrong! Full house!” Clarice tossed her cards down with such verve that her gray braids bounced. “The pot and game are mine.” And as the winner, she was allowed to choose whom they applied their matchmaking expertise to next.
“Who should I choose?” she wondered aloud but it wasn’t a rhetorical question. Clarice had been thinking about whom she’d select if she won ever since Haywood and Ariana first announced their engagement. Happiness swirled inside her chest like courting pigeons on a spring day. Weddings generated lots of events, many of which created pressure to bring a date. And the need for dates opened the door to matchmaking opportunities.
Clarice tapped her chin as if she was perplexed. She said again, “Who should I choose?”
Mims and Bitsy rolled their eyes.
The trio made up the board of the Sunshine Valley Widows Club, a group devoted to providing emotional support to those who had lost their spouses. Privately, they called themselves the Sunshine Valley Matchmakers Club, a group devoted to helping Cupid’s arrow find its mark. They were more successful than those swiping dating apps.
“Just say it, Clarice,” Mims grumped, gathering the cards. She was on a losing streak.
Clarice drew herself up, tossed a braid over her shoulder, and said, “I choose Booker Belmonte.”
Mims stopped sweeping up cards. “Booker’s not a widower.”
“He’s not even divorced.” Bitsy gave Clarice a gentle frown. “You should know that’s against the rules.” The people they matched were on their second time around.
Rules. How Clarice loved them. As club secretary, she had the pleasure of reminding members what the rules were. But in this situation…“I present a special case. Booker is nearly thirty-two and on the brink of success. And you know what can happen to a man when he’s trying to catch the success train.”
“That’s right.” Mims nodded, grumpiness fading. “He loses life balance.”
“And he waits too long to find love.” Bitsy’s tone implied that she found merit in Clarice’s selection.
“It’s like a public service.” Since her friends were warming to the idea, Clarice spoke with more confidence. “And the timing couldn’t be better. His best friend Haywood is getting married.” The wedding Clarice wasn’t invited to. “Booker will have marriage on his mind.”
“He’d be a good fit with Wendy Adams,” Mims suggested with a fluff of her round white curls. “She’s so easygoing.”
“Or Avery Blackstone.” Bitsy nodded, black velvet bow slipping again. “She has a certain flair.”
“All good options. But…” Clarice raised a hand and her voice, which made her realize she might have forgotten to put in her hearing aids again. “I was thinking more like Kimmy Easley. She and Booker hung out in the same crowd in high school. And I always thought there was a spark between them.”
&nbs
p; Mims and Bitsy both sat back, their mouths making small Os. The three widows had been together so long their brains often shared the same track.
“Kimmy worked at the Burger Shack for years,” Bitsy said quietly. The restaurant was owned by Booker’s family.
“Along with the groom and Booker.” Mims raised her gaze to Clarice’s. “Didn’t she date Haywood once when he and Ariana took a break? That could be awkward.”
“Indeedy. It could be.” Clarice rubbed her hands together, so filled with glee that she would’ve gotten up to dance if she’d had a good pair of knees. “Oh, she’ll be looking for a wedding date, all right. The perfect wedding date.”
Chapter One
There was a line at the deli in Emory’s Grocery.
Kimmy Easley took pride in the deli’s popularity and hurried to move the lunch line along.
“What’s the special today, Kimmy?” Clarice Rogers leaned on her hickory walking stick. The free-spirited former hippie had been slowing down lately and claimed to be holding out as long as possible before having her knees replaced.
“Garlic-butter Italian-sausage sandwich.” Kimmy finished assembling a ham-and-cheese panini for Everett Bollinger and put it on the grill. “It’s served on a crusty baguette with melted cheese on top. Can I make you one?”
“Yes. It sounds delicious, like something my Fritz would’ve liked.” Clarice eyed the selection of salads, her long gray braids swinging against the orange paisley of her blouse. “And a side of the wedding salad.” She chuckled. “I have weddings on my mind. Specifically, Haywood’s.” Her expression turned wistful. “Are you going?”
“Yes.” Kimmy tried not to let talk of Haywood’s marriage diminish her shine. She was happy for Hay but she had a little over a week to find a wedding date. She sliced open a baguette for Clarice and stuffed it with garlic-butter-soaked sausage.
