by Clay, Verna
"Righto boss. Over and out."
Sage switched the channel on the walkie-talkie. "Curley, this is Sage, pick up quick!"
Curley's voice crackled back. "What's up?"
"I'll be at the dorm in ten minutes. Meet me out front. We got escaped cows. I need you to go with me."
"I'll be waitin'."
Driving past the gate, Sage jumped out and closed it, and then jammed the truck toward the ranch. On the way, the walkie-talkie sounded again and he spent the rest of the ride giving instructions.
When he stopped in front of the dorm and Sarah opened her door, Newt's voice came over the walkie-talkie. "Boss, pick up."
Sage said, "Hold on, Newt." Reaching across the seat, he circled her wrist. "We'll finish our conversation later."
Sarah nodded. "Don't think about that right now, you just go take care of business."
He reached to caress her cheek. "Maybe I'll see you later tonight?"
She looked down and didn't respond, and he dropped his hand. She stepped out of the truck and Curley jumped in. Newt's voice sounded again. "Ya still there, boss? I hope yer finished being pretty boy, cause we got cows thinkin' they're cars."
Sarah didn't hear Sage's response because the truck peeled out in a cloud of dust.
Inside the dorm, the dudes were gathered around the big screen TV watching John Wayne shoot-it-out with a gang of angry hombres. They didn't even notice her. Back in her room, she picked up her laptop and wrote the ending to Dream Kisses. At least her characters would have a happily-ever-after. For herself, she knew what she must do.
Tarah walked along the river's edge, her heart heavy and broken. After spending one last glorious night with Gage, she'd left Liberty Ranch in the middle of the night to return to her parents' humble home. Gage lived a life of wealth and prestige that she could never fit into. She would always be plain Tarah Casey, daughter of poor potato farmers barely eking a living. Gage deserved a wife of beauty and polish—someone who could make him proud.
Staring across the river, she picked up a stone and tossed it into the calm water. Suddenly, another stone skipped behind the one she'd just tossed. Tarah jerked around. Leaning against a tree, Gage watched her with such intensity she couldn't breathe. Slowly, he stepped away from the tree and walked toward her. He said…"
A tear dripped onto her keyboard when she typed the last word in Dream Kisses. She closed the laptop, put it in her briefcase, and lay back on her bed, allowing her tears to freely flow.
Chapter 22: Fling
Later that night, when Sarah saw Sage's truck parked at the side of his house, she walked over and knocked on the door. She hoped Julie was still up.
Julie opened the door. "Hi, Sarah, come on in. You know you don't have to knock. Dad just got back from chasing cows," she snickered. "He asked if you'd come over. When I told him no, he looked disappointed. He'll be glad you're here."
"Did they round up all the cows?"
"Yeah, he wouldn't have come back if they hadn't. Can I get you some tea or lemonade?"
"No, but thanks for asking." Sarah felt awkward.
"You wanna sit down 'til Dad gets out of the shower?"
"Yes. Umm, Julie?"
Julie looked questioningly at her.
"I just want you to know…well, I think the world of you. You're a sweet girl and you have enriched my life."
Julie studied Sarah's face. "Thank you. I feel the same way about you."
Sarah stepped toward Julie and hugged her. Julie hugged her back. Not wanting to get emotional, Sarah released her and sat on the couch, trying to make small talk. "What did you do today? Did you do some trick riding for the dudes?"
"Yeah. I even tried some new moves I've been practicing with Precious Pudding."
"Really, what kind of moves?"
For the next half hour Julie happily described her latest achievements. Neither of them realized Sage was watching from the hallway until he said, "Hello Sarah."
Sarah's heart jumped into her throat. "Hello. I heard you were able to round up all the cows."
"Finally."
Julie looked from Sarah to her father. "I think I'll turn in. Dad, just as a reminder, Tooty and I are going to the movies tomorrow. Her mom's picking me up early."
"Okay, honey. Have fun." He didn't remove his eyes from Sarah's.
After Julie left, Sarah walked to stand in front of him. Silently, she lifted a hand to caress his cheek. Standing on tiptoe, she followed with her mouth skimming his five o-clock shadow.
"Do you want me to shave?" he whispered in her ear.
"No." She moved her mouth to his, teasing it with tiny nips.
Pulling her into a tight embrace, he cupped her bottom and pulled her up against him. "Let's go to bed, Sarah, my love."
For the next few hours, Sarah loved Sage with every atom of her body and emotion of her soul. When they lay spent in each other's arms, he smoothed his hand over her hair and kissed her forehead. Softly, he said, "Thank you, Sarah."
After Sarah was sure Sage was asleep, she quickly dressed and reached into the pocket of her Levis for the note she'd written earlier. Going to his dresser, she set the envelope on top of his Stetson. Turning for a last look, her eyes lovingly caressed his face before she tiptoed to the kitchen to grab his truck keys off the peg. Running back to the dorm, she quietly slipped into her room and grabbed a suitcase. After hauling it to the bed of the truck, she returned for the other one. Finally, with her heart hammering, she made her last trek to the dorm to retrieve her travel case, laptop, and purse. Glancing around her dorm room, she silently bid goodbye to Lazy M Ranch. Slinking through the hall and great room, she went back to the truck and prayed no one would hear the engine turn over. Slipping the truck into gear, she backed away from the house and turned down the long drive. When she was out of sight of the house, she punched the gas pedal. At the Shop Til You Drop Truck Stop, she parked in the back and walked to the payphone to call a cab.
* * *
Sage stretched and yawned and then grinned when he remembered his night of passion. He was in love with Sarah Carter a.k.a. Mims Murphy and as soon as he was free of the disaster he'd created for himself, he was going to take her somewhere special and tell her.
He rolled over intending to suggest they shower together. Her side of the bed was empty. Maybe she was already in the shower and he'd surprise her. He sat up and scratched his chest. When he started toward the bathroom, he noticed something on top of his hat. Walking naked to his dresser he felt a tingling of foreboding. He reached for an envelope and ripped it open. Reading Sarah's words made him want to pound his fist in the wall.
Sage,
We've had a fun fling, but now it's time to move on. Our worlds are as different as night and day. For me, the thrill of your world would soon wear thin. For you, the sameness of mine would drive you stir crazy. Reality has reared its head and it's time to accept who we are. I borrowed your truck. You'll find it at Shop Til You Drop Truck Stop. The key is on top of the passenger tire. Thanks for all the great research and I wish you a happy life. I'll never forget you or Julie.
—Mims
Sage crumpled the note and threw it across the room. Their relationship had only been a "fling" for her?
Chapter 23: Declaration
Six Months Later
Sprawled across her bed, Julie devoured the pages of the book Tooty had secreted to her the previous day. She read the last word and closed it. Smoothing her hand over the cover, she reached and set it on the bedside table before rolling onto her back and placing her hands behind her head. After a few minutes of staring at the ceiling, she grabbed the book back up. She was on a mission. Checking the barn first, she found her dad brushing Jackel.
He paused and said, "Hey, Julie, what have you been doing all day? You usually spend your Saturdays riding or hanging out with Tooty."
She stopped a few feet from him with her hand behind her back. "Dad, I'm going to ask you to do something and you have to promise you'll say
yes."
"How can I say yes to a request like that?"
"You can say yes because you trust me."
Her father studied her face. "Okay, since you put it like that. What do I have to do?"
She pulled her hand from behind her back and shoved the book Dream Kisses at him. "You have to read this."
He took one look at himself on the cover and went back to brushing Jackel. "I don't want to read it. It wasn't right the way she just up and left."
"Dad, you promised. And I promise you won't be disappointed. You probably don't know this, but Sarah named her characters Tarah and Gage." She let that tidbit of information sink in. "And besides, the way you've been moping around since she left, maybe reading the story will give you closure." Oh, that last line was brilliant. Now he'd have to read it. She grinned inwardly when he reluctantly accepted the paperback.
* * *
Sage watched Julie walk away and grimaced when he looked at the book. Crap. Now he was curious. Giving Jackel a final pat, he tucked the novel in the waistband of his Levis, grabbed his hat, and headed toward the house.
Dawn's light peeked through his curtains when he read the last page. He finally understood Sarah. At precisely nine o'clock, he was in town and waiting for the library to open. Heading to the bank of computers, he called up the internet and found Mims Murphy's website. He searched her site until he found her schedule.
Two weeks later, he entered the Annual Romance Writers' Convention in San Francisco. According to Mim's website she and several other authors were speaking at the gathering. He located the intricately carved double doors of the auditorium and, inhaling deeply, stepped inside. He was about to turn heads, and he knew it.
The woman at the podium stopped speaking. Behind her, another woman sitting beside Sarah, pointed, and heads in the audience turned. Sage stepped forward until he was in the aisle. A middle aged redhead in an aisle seat shouted, "Oh, my God!" The young blonde beside her gasped and covered her mouth. An elderly lady on the opposite aisle stood and squealed, "It's Gage Garrett from Dream Kisses!" By then, the entire audience had turned to look at him.
Dressed as he had been for the cover of Dream Kisses, he slowly stepped forward, purpose accentuating every step. Several women began fanning themselves with their program sheets. He reached the first row and stopped again. Glancing down, he winked at a lady rapidly fanning her pink face with her purple program, and she fell backwards against her neighbor.
Returning his gaze to a stunned Mims Murphy alias Sarah Carter alias Tarah Casey, his silence charged the atmosphere. The only sound was the squeak of a chair. Finally, he started to speak and someone shoved a microphone in his hand. He looked at it and shrugged. Lifting it, he said in a deep timbre,
"Tarah Casey what were you thinking to leave me? I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't live without you. I'm wasting away, day by day. I no longer possess my heart; it has been stolen by you. I, Gage Garrett, am but a shell of a man without you. I am begging you to return to Liberty Ranch…Lazy M Ranch…and make me whole."
Silence reined when he finished his memorization of Gage's words from the last chapter of Dream Kisses, with the words, "Lazy M Ranch," added. He now said, "Sarah Carter, because I'm on the cover of your book, I once jokingly asked what I was doing in those pages. I read Dream Kisses and now I know. I was falling in love with you. Will you marry me and have my babies?"
At his words, several women swooned and the convention turned into pandemonium. Sage vaulted onto the stage and Sarah jumped from her chair, running and launching herself into his arms. Sissy Johansen grabbed a microphone and said, "Sarah, I told you he gave you that look." The audience went wild.
Epilogue
Sage entered the kitchen with a four year old twin under each arm. "I think the two of you need to tell Mommy what you've done."
Sarah glanced at her husband who was trying, but failing, to maintain a stern look. A grin threatened to expose his disciplinary action as being totally faked. She looked from Preston's apprehensive expression to Toby's wide smile.
Sage continued, "Seems they were watching Ann decorate the dorm for Julie and Jacob's wedding reception tomorrow and wanted to recreate the crepe paper look in our bedroom…with toilet paper."
"Yeah, Mommy, it's beautiful. We covered everything," Toby said proudly.
"We'll clean it up," Preston offered.
Sarah's mouth gaped.
"What should we do about these boys, Sarah?"
Sarah glanced at their sons and then back at Sage. "Umm, I think Daddy should demonstrate the technique of cleaning up toilet paper." Unable to keep a straight face, she covered her smile with her hand.
Sage set the boys on the floor and pointed in the direction of the bedroom. "You boys start cleaning up the mess while Daddy discusses something important with Mommy."
Grateful for their reprieve the boys ran off. Sarah heard Toby say, "I told you she wouldn't be mad." Preston pushed Toby and Toby pushed back. She looked at Sage and waited to hear what was so important.
He leaned in, "I was thinking that after the wedding we could steal away for a few days and pretend we're on our honeymoon again."
Sarah leaned back. "Oh, so you have to pretend you're on a honeymoon with me? What happened to the real thing?"
Sage didn't miss a beat. "How about we pretend first, and then follow-through with the real deal? That way we get to do it twice." He grinned and walked to the door, but turned to look back. "In fact, as soon as our bedroom is free of toilet paper, I'm putting the boys down for a nap. I think it would be a good time to test the waters of pretending versus reality. See which one we like best."
Sarah's heart hammered. "I'll help with the clean up."
Author's Note
Thank you for reading Book One in the Romance on the Ranch Series. After introducing Ann Hackstetter in Dream Kisses, I knew she and Jackson Martinez had to have their own book, Honey Kisses. I adore Jackson, and come to find out, he adores Mrs. Hackstetter. How they come to their happily-ever-after is fraught with heartache, mystery, deception, misunderstandings, and a secret thrown into the mix.
In Baby Kisses, Tooty Townsend is all grown up and has her hands full as a single mom trying to make a living and raise her four year old son, Harris. Reclusive author, Miles Brightman, pen name Maxwell Henry, is looking to hire a personal assistant while in Colorado finishing up his latest suspense thriller. Sarah Tanner recommended Tooty for the job and Tooty's swallowing her pride to apply. Her mischievous little boy met Mr. Brightman at her best friend's wedding and asked him if he wanted to become his daddy.
As for Candy Kisses, the saga continues, only with a most unlikely heroine. I think you will be surprised to discover who she is.
In Christmas Kisses, Cecelia Brightman, sister of Miles from Baby Kisses, is about to discover the happily-ever-after that's always eluded her, but only after continued patience with an uncooperative hero and his son, and, of course, Christmas magic.
Read on for an excerpt not only of Honey Kisses, but also a new series that will be released in January, 2014, called Oasis, Arizona. The first book is titled Stranded in Oasis.
Honey Kisses (excerpt)
Romance on the Ranch Series
Chapter One Excerpt
Pastor Porter boomed, "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Ann lifted a tissue to blot tears as she watched her only child, Jacob, kiss Julie Tanner, now Julie Hackstetter. Across the aisle, Julie's father and stepmother, Sage and Sarah, lovingly held hands. Sage lifted Sarah's hand to his lips and kissed it.
Pastor Porter asked the newlyweds to face the congregation. To everyone's delight, Jacob sneaked another kiss as the portly pastor announced, "I now present Mr. and Mrs. Hackstetter. Please congratulate our newlyweds in the foyer and then head on over to Lazy M Ranch for the reception. Everyone's invited!"
There was a little crackle over the speaker system and then Shania Twain sang, From this Moment. The happy coup
le descended the few steps of the chancel platform, followed by Julie's maid of honor, Tooty Townsend, and Jacob's best man, Bobby Joe Banyon. Julie's gown, a simple strapless A-line with lace overlay, matched her easy going personality, and Jacob, in a gray cowboy tux with black vest, looked striking. The pair had insisted on a small wedding, so there were no bridesmaids or groomsmen.
Beaner, a ranch hand from the Lazy M, and now an usher in the wedding, stepped to the first aisle and offered his arm to Ann. She placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. Sarah and Sage stepped into the aisle behind Tooty and Bobby, and Beaner led Ann behind them. The bride and groom waited just outside the entrance to the sanctuary ready to greet their guests. Ann took a position beside her son, and Sage and Sarah stood next to her.
Mr. and Mrs. Mercer, the parents of Julie's dead mother, and Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Sarah's parents, exited the sanctuary followed by Sarah's sister, Libby, on the arm of another ranch hand, Ned Waldo. Next, Ann's parents, Abby and Bert Baxter, and her grandmother, Molly Baxter, entered the foyer. The old cowpoke, Newt Tucker, escorted Molly, who was talking a mile-a-minute and gesturing with her hands to emphasize her words. He'd craned his bony neck downward so he could hear. Ann grinned at the sight of granny talking Newt's ear off. Of course, Newt could hold his own in spinning a tale. Between the two of them, they could probably talk nonstop for days.
Ann returned her attention to accepting congratulations from guests and tried to keep her emotions at bay. Her son was married. She blinked rapidly, wishing Jerry had lived long enough to see their son wed, and dabbed at her eyes again. Jacob bent and whispered, "You okay, Mom?"
"Oh, yes, Jacob."
He looked into her eyes and read her unspoken thoughts. "I know. I wish he was here, too."
Julie stepped around Jacob and hugged her. "I love you, Mom," she said to her new mother-in-law.
