by Zoe Dawson
I sat down on the stairs to the deck and just stared out at the bayou. On the far bank lush ferns and purple wild iris grew in the shade of hardwood trees dripping moss, and willows waved their whip-like branches, ribbons of green. In brighter spots, black-eyed Susans and white-topped daisy fleabane dotted the bank.
Somewhere along the stream a woodpecker began drumming against a tree trunk in search of an insect snack, and the racket startled a pair of warblers from their roost in a nearby hackberry sapling. The little birds fluttered past, flashes of slate blue and bright yellow.
Hackberry. I laughed to myself. That’s the origin of our use of huckleberry. When Brax was little, instead of calling the hackberry by its true name, he kept calling it a huckleberry. Then we called him a huckleberry as a way to indicate he was being dumb. That kinda became our catch phase.
I heard footsteps on the deck and then Brax sat down next to me and Booker eased down on the other side.
“Where’s Breebree?”
“She went home,” Booker said.
Brax took a breath. “That’s the second time you’ve scared the living shit outta me Boone. When I saw you…all that blood.”
He trailed off and I turned to him. “Fucking Freeman.”
“Yeah, fucking fucktard.”
My love for my brothers swelled. “You guys. In case you really don’t know. I love you huckleberries.”
“Oh kee-rist,” Brax said. “Should we all have a fucking group hug?”
Booker dropped his arm around my shoulders and said, “Boonie, I’m proud of you.”
“Why?”
“Because of the way you handle yourself. All the time now. You stuck in there for Verity. You fucking kicked Freeman’s ass and saved her life. That’s my brother, the hero.”
“I got her pregnant.”
“What the fuck did you just say?!” Brax said.
I looked at Booker and he met my eyes. “Seriously?”
I told them the whole story and they both just sat there incredulous. “She named him Duel,” Booker said and laughed.
“Book, we’re fucking uncles.” Brax just looked more shocked.
“I know. It’s surreal. What are you going to do, Boone?”
“She gave him up for adoption. I’m going after him. I’ll need to get a lawyer.”
Booker nodded. “Jack Duncan is very good. I’ll call him for you. What about Verity?”
“I’m pretty sure she wants him back. She told her parents today.”
“Well, then I’m glad the preacher isn’t here with a shotgun.”
“He doesn’t need a shotgun. I already asked Verity to marry me.”
“What the fuck did you just say?!” Brax said again. “Even my tripdar did not see this coming.”
“Brax, get a grip.” Booker said. He looked at me intensely, like he was trying to see into my core. “Are you ready for that?”
“I fucking love her, and she turns me inside out…I can only hope she’ll say yes.”
“And…Duel…wow, she named him Duel. That’s like a middle finger at Suttontowne.”
Brax laughed. “Yeah, I like that.”
“Yeah, Duel. We can start the cycle again from the beginning. Duel Outlaw. He won’t be anything like our ancestors. We’re going to change the way this town thinks of the Outlaws.”
“Who gives a fuck what they think?”
Booker laughed. “Yeah, who gives a fuck?!”
I laughed with them.
“Boone. When I was cleaning up your room, I found broken guitar bits. Please tell me it wasn’t the El Dorado.”
I winced. “It was the only weapon I had. Freeman wanted to carve out my heart. The El Dorado gave me an edge.”
“Fucking Freeman. I’ll get you another one.”
“Thanks, Brax.”
After they left, I rose and leaned against the post, not sure what I would do. I heard footsteps again, but I was too worn out to turn around. “What the hell are you guys doing back again?”
Soft feminine arms wrapped around me.
“Boone.”
My chest heaved and I turned around and met her eyes. The silence was electric. Drawing a deep breath, I pulled her against me, pressing my face against her throat. She pressed a kiss just below my ear, her mouth soft against my flesh. Then I sighed and raised my head, my hold protective as I leaned back against the deck railing, then tightened my arms around her. She did the same. She rubbed at the base of my spine, creating a warm, fluid sensation in the lower half of my body, and she compounded it by melting against me, her touch both comforting and soothing.
Then I saw the bags she’d dropped in my hallway. I smiled. “What the fuck, darlin’? You think this a hotel?”
She laughed and tilted her head. “I heard there were some really good perks here. Some guy does sit-ups on a bar. I believe there’s an admission price.”
I kissed her, then said, my voice gruff. “Maybe we can work out some kind of special deal for you.”
“Oh, I’d say that was a definite possibility, huckleberry.”
“Who you calling huckleberry, huckleberry?”
“You, Boone. Just you. Only you,” she whispered softly.
My hand wasn’t quite steady as I tucked her hair behind her ear, and neither was my voice when I finally responded. “Only you, Verity.”
I took her hand and drew her inside. To my bedroom. She paused a bit and her eyes filled with the memory. “I can sell the house, Verity.”
“No, Boone. I won’t let him do that to us. This is where we fell in love, not where we almost died.” She smiled at me. “Go ahead,” she said. “Do your thing.”
“What thing.”
“Shuck your clothes faster than I can say bingo.”
I laughed and indulged her, backing up as the articles of clothing came off one by one.
“Oh, Boone. I’m so lucky.”
“Fuck, yeah, darlin’.”
When I finished toeing off my boots and kicking off my jeans, I pulled the t-shirt over my head.
“Come here, peach pit.”
She pushed off the door frame and walked up to me. I settled on the bed. “Your turn.”
She made it slow as she revealed all her gorgeous assets to me.
“Scoot back,” she said.
Then she climbed on top of me and I groaned as the hot core of her settled right on top of my grateful dick.
All women were soft, but kissing her, touching her, was the ultimate. I knew it was, because I was in love in a way I’d never been able to imagine. I hadn’t known that Holy Mary Verity Fairchild would make me redefine myself. That she would push me beyond what I’d known the way she had. She was beautiful, smart, and talented…and she was on top.
I wanted to go slow with her, but I think she knew I wanted to be inside her, as far inside as I could get, for as long as I could.
She leaned down and kissed me, and I cupped her soft breasts, thumbing those velvet nipples. Then she moved her hips in a way that almost made me explode, and she was over me, on me, taking me. She tightened herself around me, and it felt like she was trying to get closer, too.
And then she took me in, all the way down my dick to the hilt, and it was almost too much.
I slid my mouth down over hers and drew her tongue into my mouth—again and again and again. Exerting just enough pressure to make having her as vital as my next breath.
“Boone.”
“Call me sugar and this is so over,” I whispered.
I sealed my mouth back over hers, sucking on her tongue again and matching the rhythm of her body, letting myself sink into the act, letting myself be consumed by the heat and power surging through me, letting her love burn through me—until there was only her, coming with a soft cry, holding me, her body tightening over me and taking me with her.
The pleasure was intense, soul-shattering, almost more than I could bear. It stripped me down to my core, and in the aftermath, when it faded and left me naked and unprotected in h
er arms, something wonderful and momentous broke inside me.
“Verity,” I said, “Will you marry me?”
“I was hoping you’d ask me that again. The last proposal was lost in our pain. Now there’s only joy.”
“I love you, darlin’”
“I love you, sugar. And, yes, I’ll marry you. Wherever, whenever, and forever.”
“Then we’ll go get him. Together.”
She nodded, her eyes filling. “Yes, Boone. Together.”
Epilogue
Verity
When we returned to Boone’s house and settled in on the edge of the bayou, I was Mrs. Boone Outlaw. Verity Outlaw. It sounded good to me. My husband carried me over the threshold and we laughed like fools.
We had been married in a small ceremony in Lafayette. Of course Aubree, River Pearl and Minnie attended. Aubree’s momma and step-daddy, were there too, and Boone’s brothers, along with Boone’s mother, who I totally fell in love with. Our vows were simple and heartfelt, and I knew they would last a lifetime.
We went to Tahiti for our honeymoon, and Boone and I had the time of our lives, happy to have survived Billy Joe’s attack, happy to have committed ourselves to each other, and fulfilled that he and I were working on getting our baby boy back.
As soon as we finished unpacking and settled down for some lunch, Boone took my hand.
“Verity. I will sell my business and give up all my contracts and move with you to New York City so that you have a chance to fulfill your dream. I’ve already gotten mine.”
My breath hitched. Minnie had offered me the partnership, which I accepted. I would have to travel to New York City in the fall to handle the showing of my collection. “No, Boone. You belong here in the bayou, and so do I. I missed it terribly when I was away and don’t think that a city is where I truly belong. Just like you. This is where you and I were born and where we thrive. Close to our families, our friends, and your crazy brothers. I’m staying here with you in Suttontowne where your business is. I’ll launch my own business from here, so you’ll have to make room in your office for me.”
“Done.”
“I’m going to start design school in the fall. I’ve already been accepted as a late admission.”
Boone’s cell rang.
He answered. “It’s the lawyer.”
He listened for a few minutes. “I understand. No, that’s great news. I know this couldn’t have been easy for them. Did you deliver my letter to them?” He listened, then nodded. “Good. Thank you, Jack, for making this a painless as possible. When can we get him?” He listened for a few minutes. “Okay, thanks.”
“Oh, God, Boone. When?”
“Next week.”
I got up and wrapped my arms around him, my joy and anticipation overwhelming me. Everything I ever dreamed, here, now, and always.
He pulled me into his lap. “They decided not to fight us, Verity, after they read my letter. They are devastated, of course, but they sympathized and understood why we had to have him back. I’m sorry about their pain.”
“So am I. They are a great couple.”
“It’s obvious. You chose well, darlin’. Oh, Jack told me they were pregnant. Baby is due in the winter.”
“That is good news.”
“I’m a little scared. I want to be a good daddy.”
“You will be. I have no doubts. As long as we’re together, everything will be fine.”
#
Boone
I finished up the last of the plantings. The church was transformed and it looked great. I was proud of my work.
The Founder’s Day Festival was in three weeks. That was the event that always brought the summer to a close. Aubree and Booker would move to New Orleans, but come home on the weekends.
River Pearl would deliver her speech on the last day of the festival. She bellyached about that damn speech every time we saw her.
I was finished with my job here. The reverend still hadn’t spoken to me since that day at the gazebo. Mrs. Fairchild greeted me when she saw me in town, hungry for news about Verity. I was glad to tell her how happy we were, and when we were getting Duel back. She longed to see the baby, and I told her she was welcome anytime she wanted to stop by. Verity missed her.
That very afternoon she reunited with her daughter.
Billy Joe Freeman recovered from my trouncing. He’d sustained some damage to his memory during our fight. He pleaded guilty and was now serving his time.
I walked up to the house, determined to tell the reverend in person that the job was complete.
When he opened the door, he looked haggard. “Boone.”
“Sir. I’m finished. I’m going to head out, but my maintenance guys will continue with the upkeep, so you’re not burdened.”
I turned to go.
“Boone. Wait.”
I faced him squarely.
“I’m sorry for the way I treated you, and for my behavior. Billy Joe was a shock and a disappointment, and I’ve had trouble reconciling myself to the stark truth that I was the one who almost got my daughter killed.”
“Sir…”
He held up his hand. “No, Boone, I will ask your forgiveness. I am a man of God, and I should do no less. I don’t want to lose Verity like I lost Ethan because I was so stubborn. And, my wife, Monica, is very cross with me. I don’t want to lose her either.”
“Verity wants you in her life,” I said simply.
“She does? Of course, she has a big heart. She would already have forgiven me.”
“You taught her well, and you’re welcome in our home anytime.”
“And my grandson?”
“He’ll be here in a few days.”
The sound of tires on gravel made us both look to the road. A cab drove up and a young, dark-haired man stepped out. He was in uniform. A Marine’s uniform. I recognized him.
Ethan Fairchild had come home.
#
Verity
I stirred awake and reached for Boone, only finding air. I rose and heard a soft cry. Slipping out of bed, I walked out into the living room. Boone was walking back and forth in the moonlight, Duel cuddled in his arms, nestled against the thick wall of his daddy’s bare chest. As an added bonus the daddy in question was stark naked. My husband still didn’t sleep with any clothes on. I was more than okay with that.
“Shush there, little huckleberry. Your momma needs her sleep.”
Love rushed over me in a huge wave. It had been pretty interesting when Duel first arrived. Boone had been fascinated, and he still was. He had jumped in and had done everything from changing diapers to bathing to walking him in his stroller. He wanted to be a good daddy. I’d say he was a great one already.
“Hey, darlin’,” he said sleepily when he saw me. I walked over to him and saw that Duel had fallen asleep. I slipped my arm through Boone’s and we walked back to the nursery and tucked our son back into his crib. Boone stroked his hand over our son’s head, and my heart melted. He turned to look at me.
“He’s pretty amazing.”
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. Hand in hand we went back to bed.
I snuggled up to Boone. I had my Outlaw and my son. What more could I possibly want? “I love you, Boone.”
He kissed me, his hand slipping down and curling around my butt.
“Boone, we should really get some sleep.”
He gave me that Outlaw grin and I was completely lost. “You sure know how to use that Boone Swoon.”
“It’s my superpower,” he whispered and chuckled.
I didn’t protest as I let my Outlaw have his wicked way with me.
***********
Preacher’s Daughter Potato Salad
Makes 4 servings
Prep 30 minutes. Cook 30 minutes.
Ready in 2 hours.
Ingredients
4 potatoes
4 eggs
½ stalk of celery, chopped
¼ cup sweet relish
1 clove of garlic
, minced
2 tbsps prepared mustard
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
Paparika
Directions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain and chop.
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water; peel and chop.
3. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, sweet relish, garlic, mustard, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper. Gently mix together.
4. Garnish top with sliced boiled eggs sprinkled with paparika and serve warm.
Don’t miss River Pearl Sutton and Braxton Outlaw’s romance. A Perfect Dilemma, Book #3 – The town’s poor little rich girl, a sweet-talking Outlaw, and a secret that will ruin all that she holds dear.
Coming in May 2014!
Books by Zoe Dawson
Going to the Dogs
Leashed, Book #1 Free
Groomed for Murder, Book #2
Hounded, Book #3
Collared, Book #4
Fetched (companion novella to Hounded) #5
A Perfect Secret
New Adult Contemporary
A Perfect Mess #1
A Perfect Mistake #2
Christmas Novella
New Adult Contempoerary
Brave
About the Author
Zoe Dawson is the alter ego of multi-published, bestselling author Karen Anders. Karen started her career because her grandmother gave her a book to read. That book made her fall in love with romance and started her on the trek to get published. She achieved that goal in 1996 with the publication of Jennifer's Outlaw for Silhouette. Even with many books under her belt, she can't wait for that next idea, that next exquisite sentence and, of course, the next hero and heroine who fall in love.
