“Waylon—”
“Taylor, we need to talk.”
She swung the door wider and motioned for him to come inside. “I didn’t expect to ever see you again.”
He turned to face her. “I live here, starting now.”
“I don’t understand—”
Thrusting the flowers at her, he said, “I bought the Archer place. I just unfinished loading my cows. The horses will be here this week.”
“I thought you were gone forever.” Her voice caught and she buried her nose in the sweet-smelling flowers.
“A friend convinced me to come back,” he said.
“A friend?”
“Logan. She made me see that you and I deserve a shot. What we have is worth fighting for.” He shifted and she motioned toward the couch.
“Sit, please.” He did and she joined him, perching on the edge. “What exactly did she say that made you come back?”
“She said I was an asshole for thinking that ride in the snow was just another day. For me, maybe.” He twirled his hat in his hands. “She made me see it wasn’t a walk in the park for you, and likely not Marin.”
“I overreacted,” Taylor told him. “It scared me. Not the ride, but how hard your life is and how I’m not a cowgirl. I’m not her, Waylon.”
“Who?”
“Logan.”
He looked poleaxed. “I never asked you to be her. I only want you to be you.”
“You didn’t ask, but she’s a lot to live up to. This Logan seems to know exactly who she is and what to do in a tough spot. She’s got big boots to fill. I’m not sure I’m up to the task.” She waved her hands. “It all happened so fast between us. I didn’t know how to act. I’ve never felt like that before. All I could think was when you woke up, you were going to find out the truth—I’m a pretty girl for which most things come easy. When they don’t I’m not sure what to do.”
“I don’t want you to be Logan.” His gaze bored into hers. “What makes you think I do?”
“You said so many times how you would always love her. How strong she is. I was such a wimp in the storm….” She looked away to hide her shame.
“Oh, honey.” He shook his head. “Logan grew up like one of us boys. She was riding and roping before she was knee-high to a Shetland pony. I threw you into a tough situation without thinking, and anyone, including Logan, might’ve cracked. Take me to New York City, turn me loose and see how fast I get messed up.”
“Really?” She faced him again.
“Yep.” He stood and moved in front of her, then sank to his knees. “All I know is I’ve been miserable without you. I can’t say things might not be hard. But I can promise you to try to be patient and not expect you to know, or even like all things Wainwright.” As she twisted her hands, he took them in his. “All I know is I’m unhappy without you in my life.”
“Me, too,” she whispered.
“You are?” Hope filled his eyes.
“I’m so in love with you, Waylon. Like crazy in love.” The words poured out of her. She’d held them in so long.
“I love you, too, baby.” He let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Does this mean you’ll give me another chance?”
“Only if you’ll swear to never leave again,” she managed around the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“The only way you could ever wound me is by not loving me,” he said.
“That’s never going to happen.” She cupped his face and brought his lips to hers. “You’re mine, cowboy. Forever.”
~The End
If you enjoyed Waylon and Taylor, there are two more Wainwright brothers with stories of their own:
Lily's Summer Cowboy
Marin's Montana Man
THERE ARE TWO FULL LENGTH NOVELS, A COLLECTION OF NOVELLAS AND A FREEBIE IN THE COWBOYS OF BLACK MOUNTAIN SERIES:
Cowboy Proud
All Madeline Harper ever wanted was to escape the tight fences of Black Mountain, Colorado. Nothing would stop her from pursuing her goals--not a devoted boyfriend, or infant son.
For the last five years Shan Ellis’ life has consisted of being a dad. He sacrificed everything for his son. College. A career. Girls. Now, the one woman he can’t forget is back in town.
Can they overcome the mistakes of the past and find love again?
A Cowboy To Keep
When Laney Ellis’ husband is killed by a bull, she is left alone to run their small cattle ranch and raise their son, Justin, on her own. One thing she is determined her son will never do is ride rodeo bulls. But that is the dream Justin holds dearest—to be exactly like his dad, the onetime Colorado State High School Rodeo Champion.
After his rodeo career peaks and begins to slide, Cody Utah opens a bull riding school. Although attracted to his next door neighbor, he steers clear. Cody has heard rumors Laney trapped her husband into marriage by getting pregnant in high school. The last thing Cody wants is children. His mother was a drunk, and he doesn’t know who his father is.
A bull's hooves turned Laney’s world to dust; bull riding gave Cody a life worth living—can they find common ground?
Promise Me Eden
Adam Pelletier is at the end of his rope. He can’t figure a way to help his wife recover from the tragic stillbirth of their son. He hasn’t forgotten their boy, but Adam has pushed his grief down deep and is coping the only way he knows how—by refusing to focus on his loss and burying himself in work.
Eden Pelletier is lost in grief. The pain for her is unbearable. So much so she’s in a deep hole of depression she can’t climb out of. Unable to do anything but think about her dead son, she can’t understand why Adam is able to put him aside and carry on. She’s so heartbroken she’s lost her job. When Adam pushes her to get up and move on, she lashes out—asking for a divorce she doesn’t want.
Can Adam win his wife back before it’s too late?
Ladies Love Cowboys: the daughters of Clem Jamieson
All Shiloh Jamieson dreams of is a chance to make it in the country music business. Unfortunately, her mother—a bitter failure in the biz—stands in Shiloh’s way. Shiloh’s determined not to repeat her mother’s actions—sleeping her way into the Nashville music scene. Not even when sexy superstar Dillon Travers moves to Black Mountain.
As half Native American, Clancy Jamieson knows the pain of being bullied. Growing up fatherless hasn’t helped, either. She trusts no one but herself and her horses. When her prize gelding is injured, she is forced to depend upon Veterinarian Braden VanDerrCarr.
Runaway bride Amity Levore heads to Black Mountain to regroup after she flees her own wedding. She’s been running away from commitment her entire life. Her father’s absence in her life has made her leery of love. Can R.J. Hadley, the hottest volunteer fireman around, make her rethink her stand?
Starla Jamieson has never wanted a child of her own because between helping raise her younger brothers and a dozen half-sisters, she’s parented plenty. To avoid the motherhood trap, she walked away from Trevor Lee—the only man she ever wanted.
Sunny Jamieson craves a normal family so much she has gotten pregnant by the wrong man—twice. Neither was the man she thought he was, and she is alone and about to give birth in an ice storm. Bull rider Garret Pike is the last person she expects to be her angel in Wranglers.
Mariah Kline uproots her entire life for a chance to get to know her absentee father. When she arrives in Black Mountain, everything she believed turns out to be a lie. With no money and nowhere to go, she reluctantly accepts help from Jesse Rafferty, a sexy cowboy.
A Black Mountain Christmas
Noelle Jackson would rather find coal in her stocking than spend Christmas in Black Mountain, Colorado. But her best friend’s wedding means putting aside her reluctance. What she doesn’t count on is falling hard for a sexy cowboy who changes her mind about love.
When an angel driving a red Mustang runs Nick Hadley's sleigh off the road, his first reaction is indignation.
His second is awe. The beautiful woman makes him forget his past and look straight into the future. If he takes a chance on love, she will change his life forever
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Falling in love with romance novels the summer before sixth grade, D’Ann Lindun never thought about writing one until many years later when she took a how-to class at her local college. She was hooked! She began writing and never looked back. Thirty-two manuscripts and numerous awards later, she is an Amazon bestseller! Romance appeals to D’Ann because there's just something so satisfying about writing a book guaranteed to have a happy ending. Her particular favorites usually feature cowboys and the women who love them.
D’Ann loves to hear from readers! Please contact her at: [email protected] http://dlindunauthor.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/DLindunAuthor https://twitter.com/DLindun http://www.amazon.com/DAnn-Lindun/e/B008DKL9TU
Street team—D’Ann’s Country Girls : https://www.facebook.com/groups/838870409506195/
OTHER BOOKS BY THESE AUTHORS…
Spend some Cowboy Time with the bestselling authors who brought you Cowboy Up 1 and 2.
A book bundle by some of the hottest Western authors around. Each story is unique… from sweet to sizzling with a story sure to please fan of Western Romance.
Only $0.99 in ebook https://amzn.com/B01HSKJF96
Happily Ever After, Cowboy by Allison Merritt
She’s planning the wedding of her dreams with a pretend groom and a fake ceremony. What could possibly go wrong?
After her best friend's cousin's wedding goes bust, wedding planner Valentine Hart receives the opportunity to use the package for her own benefit. A photo shoot to advertise and bring all her former clients back. But what to do with the wedding dress? And the honeymoon package?
Todd Dayson, buckle bunny chasing cowboy, is at the end of his bull riding career. But in exchange for a blow-out retirement party, he's agreed to help Val put together a great shindig for her wedding business--by becoming her pretend groom. Trouble is, as much as he loves the temporary convenience of a one-night stand, after a hot kiss with Val, suddenly he's not too sure marriage is the trap he always believed.
When Val's ex-boyfriend comes sniffing around again, Todd's hackles go up. Either he has to make his move and get Val to believe they're meant to be, or he might lose her to the guy who broke her heart.
A Cowboy’s Magic by Leslie P. Garcia
Every cowboy needs a little Magic in his life…
Alex Thornton puts aside defending his rodeo title when his stepmother Stella sends him to spy on her estranged grandmother—and the young woman about to inherit the Alabama farm Stella wants for herself.
Retired Marine Magic Holmes left California with a broken heart, determined to honor the deathbed promise she made to her grandmother: to live. She survived war—but can she survive small town intrigue?
More importantly, can she survive Alex Thornton’s seductive charms and questionable motives?
A Pigskin Cowboy by Melissa Keir
It’s first and ten but will they fumble or score?
Kane Warner, the favorite tight end of his college football team, had everyone turned on him for throwing a game. Rather than explain why or face the scrutiny, Kane leaves town for his summer internship to regroup and get his head on straight.
Charley Ramsey works at Café French while going to college for accounting. Life in a small town has always suited her. No drama is her motto and she’ll do everything she can to avoid it.
Being financially secure is Charley’s biggest dream. Clearing his name is Kane’s. When the media comes looking for the big story, will Kane and Charley’s relationship survive the drama or will the football player run again?
Keep Calm and… Cowboy by Autumn Piper
Everyone knows his area of expertise falls squarely between the sheets, but nobody knows his best friend just asked him for a crash course in all things sex.
Keep calm and help a girl out:
Colin relishes living up to his reputation as a player, until his fooling around affects his grades. Losing his scholarship gets him booted out of college and lands him back home on the ranch with some strongly worded advice from his dad about staying away from women. Speaking of women, though… He’s barely ever noticed his childhood pal Violet is female, let alone one he’d like to get horizontal with, but now that he’s back, he can’t seem to think of anything else.
Keep calm and learn from the best:
When none of her relationships move past first base, Violet guesses she must be doing something wrong. Lucky for her, Colin the Casanova is back in town. He seems like a natural choice to tutor her, until she realizes he’s the only guy she’s ever wanted to get physical with. Too bad they agreed they’ll go back to being friends once the final exam is over….
Sadie’s Fantasy Cowboy by Sara Walter Ellwood
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas; that is until the heart is involved…
Jaded romance author Sadie Martin is stuck in Vegas for her best friend's wedding. To dodge a wedding date she can't stand, she slips out and finds herself in a honky-tonk where she enjoys the surprise performance of her favorite singer, country superstar hunk, Chris Saint James.
When a cowboy sits down beside her after the show, she wants nothing more than to stomp on his Stetson with her six-inch stiletto, until he asks to buy her a drink. She's utterly dumbfounded when she recognizes the younger sexy man as none other than Chris Saint James. Once she gets over her star-struck moment, he asks her to dance. The desert heat has nothing on the fire they set with just one touch.
When the incredible week is over, Sadie leaves him to go back home. But will she give up her freedom to risk a relationship with Chris when he puts his heart in a country song on national TV.
Lily’s Summer Cowboy by D’Ann Lindun
Friendship, passion and so much more…
Afraid to love, Lily Halderman is determined to never feel despair like when she lost her husband to cancer. Left alone to continue their custom farming business, she struggles to stay afloat, both financially and emotionally. Until Will comes along to help with the farm, impressing her with his hard work ethic, and presenting a danger to her heart because he is just the kind of man she could love.
Will Wainwright is running from the pain of the past. Feeling responsible for the death of fellow soldier—the woman he loved—Will takes a job working for Lily, hoping the dawn-to-dusk labor will help him forget his sorrow. But, Lily’s grit and determination to move forward catches him off guard.
Friendship turns to passion …but can they heal one another?
AND…
Six Women—Six Cowboys Forever
Six Cowboy Love Stories by the best selling authors who brought you Cowboy Up 1&2
Only $0.99 in ebook! http://a.co/8eAAdme
Marry Me Again, Cowboy by Allison Merritt
An unlikely match made in Texas...
Greer Daily is happy running the ranch she inherited from her father until a resort opens up next door and unruly guests terrorize her livestock and destroy her fences. After she confronts two of them and the situation gets sticky, she finds herself venting her fury on sexy resort owner Guy Carter. But the smooth-talking cowboy isn't getting out of this mess easily. She wants reparations for her trouble.
Guy's first initial meeting with Greer could've gone better, but he hopes to placate her fiery temper by making amends for the fences. When a judge calls them out for being irresponsible and self-absorbed, then orders them to marry, Guy's whole world is upended. Their choices: Six months of marriage or a month of jail time. How bad can a few months with the queen of the cattle range be? Heaven if he can get her to bend, hell if she maintains her starchier than pressed jeans attitude.
Just as something deeper than friendship blossoms between them, Guy's personal assistant throws a wrench into the marriage of inconvenience. If Greer and Guy can't overcome that particular pothole, they have more to lose than t
heir freedom--a lifetime of love.
Cowboy Apocalypse by Leslie Garcia
Can a former Marine and a Hollywood diva facing apocalyptic changes in their lives salvage new beginnings together?
When Stone Winters joined the Marines, he always meant to come home. A woman’s impossible dream kept him away so long that he doesn’t think there’s anything left—especially not when he meets Price Adams, a film star with another impossible dream. He just doesn’t think he’s up for that again.
Price Adams traded in a childhood on her grandparents’ ranch for Hollywood glitz in spite of being a teenage mother. Torn between the stardom she won and full-time custody of her daughter, she accepts one last role—in Cowboy Apocalypse, an inane movie about zombies being filmed on ranches around deep south Texas. Burned by men more times than she can remember, Price doesn’t want a man in her life—especially not one who looks down on her career and the courage she needs to let it all go.
Claiming A Cowboy’s Heart by Melissa Keir
Even broken souls deserve a second chance at love…
Elementary Teacher, Michelle Alt’s faced untold trials in her life, yet she continues to do what’s right to make things better for the next generation.
Cowboy Veterinarian, Preston Hall has lost everything in order to follow his dreams and return to his grandfather’s small town practice.
These two broken souls recognize each other’s pain and come together to heal, but fear and misunderstandings send their blossoming relationship into a tailspin. Will they be able to put aside their pain to find the love of a lifetime?
Rock-n-Roll Cowboy by Autumn Piper
Never judge a rock band by its cover song.
A cowboy leading a rock band? Logan gets an earful from his dad every time he leaves the house to perform. His rock persona destroys his ranching cred with the old-timers, and sticking to the cowboy life instead of running off to Hollywood cost him his girlfriend. Yet, he dreams of success in both worlds, and he’s determined to find a way.
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