by Emma Roman
She pulled back to punch him in the arm. “Of course, they liked your work. You’re freaking talented, and they would be idiots not to want you on their team as another foreman for many jobs to come.” She let out a breath. “I know you don’t want to clip my wings or stifle me, and I’m going to try to do better in letting others help.”
“And I’ll do better in not just jumping in and taking over.”
She laughed then, and he held her closer. “This might take practice.”
He kissed the top of her head. “We’ve got lots of time to practice, baby. Lots of time.” He paused. “Okay, this isn’t me stepping into it, but can you tell me what happened with your dad?”
She pulled away, her eyes going hard. “I called the police like I said and gave them what I could. There wasn’t much evidence on my end, but because I’d filed a complaint and there was just enough to get a warrant to talk to my dad, the officers found things on his computer. It seems my dad actually did something on his own without making others do it for him once in his life. Only this time, it’s going to give him a record. I don’t know what they’re going to charge him with.”
He let out a curse. “Holy hell.”
“Pretty much. I don’t know what happens next with him or King’s Weddings other than I’m not part of it. I’m working with Just for Them, and I’m not changing my plans there. I like these smaller weddings without the scary hoopla and ulcers. It sucks that my grandmother’s legacy might be gone, or at least tarnished, but I can’t look back anymore. Only forward.
“You’re her legacy, too, baby. She’d be proud of you.”
Her eyes filled. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
She tilted her head up, and he took her mouth once more. He’d fallen in love with his best friend, and damn it, no matter how they’d gotten here, he knew he’d do it again.
Arianna King was his best friend, his lover, and the love of his life.
And he knew exactly what he was going to do next. His woman was a wedding planner, after all.
He went down on one knee, and she gasped. “Arianna? I love you. All of you. I’ve loved you in some way or another since we were children, and I never want to spend another day without you. I want to wake up next to you every morning, go to bed next to you each night. I want to grow old with you and watch our babies grow up, knowing their parents love each other with every ounce of their souls. I know I don’t have a ring, but I have a promise. I have whatever I can bring. Will you marry me, Ari? Will you be my wife and take this next step with me?”
She blinked, tears running down her face. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
He cleared his throat. “I can think of a word that would be good here.”
She laughed and went to her knees in front of him, cupping his face. “I figured you were going to ask to get matching tattoos now or something since that’s what the Montgomerys do and you’re one of them now.”
He laughed with her, leaning his forehead on hers. “Well, we can do that, though I’d rather you answer the question, baby. You’re leaving me hanging.”
She let out a breath and met his eyes. “Yes, Harper. Yes!”
He crushed his mouth to hers, and she moaned into him. He deepened the kiss until they were both panting and ready to take it further. “Do you really want a tattoo? The Montgomerys own a shop, you know. We could make it official. Love, honor, and ink.”
She rolled her eyes and began to strip his shirt over his head. “Maybe later. First, I have another idea how to make it official.”
He groaned and carefully rolled her beneath him on the floor. “I like the way you think.”
And when he took her there, right on her kitchen floor, he counted himself one lucky bastard. He’d fallen for his best friend, and now she was going to be his wife.
Love, honor, and ink indeed.
Want to know more about the Montgomerys? Check out Carrie Ann Ryan’s MONTGOMERY INK series!
A Note from Carrie Ann
Thank you so much for reading LOVE, HONOR, and INK. I do hope if you liked this story, that you would please leave a review. Not only does a review spread the word to other readers, they let us authors know if you’d like to see more stories like this from us. I love hearing from readers and talking to them when I can. If you want to make sure you know what’s coming next from me, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.CarrieAnnRyan.com; follow me on twitter at @CarrieAnnRyan, or like my Facebook page. I also have a Facebook Fan Club where we have trivia, chats, and other goodies. You guys are the reason I get to do what I do and I thank you.
Love, Honor, and Ink is a special novella in my Montgomery Ink series. If you’re new to the series you can go back and find out more about my bearded and tattooed family now! If you’re a die hard Montgomery fan already like I am, thank you so much for reading more of one of my favorite worlds!
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Book 0.5: Ink Inspired
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Book 2: Tempting Boundaries
Book 3: Harder than Words
Book 4: Written in Ink
Book 4.5: Hidden Ink
Book 5: Ink Enduring
Book 6: Ink Exposed
Book 6.5: Adoring Ink
Book 6.6: Love, Honor, and Ink
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3. Secrets of a Silver Moon
Rise of the Arkansas Werewolves Novella
Jodi Vaughn
1
“I’ve got to be going, Granny.” Ava Renfro Trahan set the adult catalogue on the oak dining room table and glanced at the time on her cell phone. She and Catty Steele had dropped by Granny’s house for a cup of coffee and a quick visit.
“What’s your hurry, dear?” Granny frowned causing her wrinkles on her forehead to look a lot like a dried-up creek bed. Her mouth dropped into a pout. “I still haven’t shown you my new merchandise that just came in.”
Ava grinned. Granny’s merchandise would include crotch-less panties and edible bras. To the casual onlooker, Granny didn’t look like a werewolf peddling sex toys and paraphernalia. A lot of the civilian werewolves in Arkansas had snickered at the thought of someone as old as Granny selling sex toys. But it didn’t stop them from ordering, and according to Granny, business was booming.
“Damon has something special planned for tomorrow night and I’ve got to go shopping for a new dress.” She stood and raised her arms over her head and stretched.
“Tomorrow?” The old woman lifted her brow.
“Yes. It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow. You didn’t forget, did you?” She smiled. Since her own mother had died, Ava looked to Granny as a maternal figure. Loved her like a mother.
“Oh.” Granny cleared her throat and stood, lifting her chin. “Of course, Valentine’s Day. No, I didn’t forget.”
“I should be going too. I want to stop by that new boutique downtown.” Catty took one last sip of her coffee and stood. “Lucien is taking me to the movies and I want to look cute for him.” She blushed as her lips curled into a grin. She pushed her chair under the table and stepped back. Her foot caught on something and she stumbled backward.
“Watch out.” Granny grabbed Catty by the arm and steadied her. “I really need to find another place for that lamp so the cord isn’t out in the open.”
Catty gave Granny a hug and swiped a couple more cookies off the dining room table before following Ava out the door.
“Oh. I forgot to ask.” Ava looked back at Granny. “Since you’ll be home tomorrow would you mind coming over to our pla
ce and signing for a package? It’s supposed to arrive after six and we’ll be out on our date.”
Granny’s mouth formed a thin white line. “What makes you think I have time to come over and wait for your package? Why can’t you ask Haley?”
“Well, it’s Valentine’s Day. I’m sure Haley and Jayden are going out too,” Catty answered. “Anybody with a mate is going to be out on a date.”
“Yeah, and I figured you wouldn’t mind since you didn’t have anything else do to.” Ava spoke slowly. For some reason Granny seemed a bit put out. Had they imposed on Granny too much?
“Well, for your information I have a date tomorrow as well. So you’ll just have to find someone else to get your package.” She crossed her arms and lifted her chin in the air like a proud stallion. Ava almost expected Granny’s hair to be billowing like a white mane. But Granny’s tight white perm didn’t allow for any movement like that.
“A date? You have a date?” Ava’s jaw drifted toward the floor and the words spilled out before she could stop them.
Granny jerked her head around and glared. “Yes, missy, I have a date. You think just because I’m not young like you two I can’t get a date?” Her old gray eyes flashed and she looked between her and Catty.
Ava immediately regretted her choice of words.
“No, not at all, Granny. I just have never seen you go on a date before. I just figured…”
“Figured what? That I don’t know how to have a good time.” She wagged her finger in Ava’s face. “This old gal has a lot more miles left on her engine. Let me assure you.”
Catty snorted at the sexual innuendo.
Granny jerked her glare in her direction.
Catty sobered.
“Totally, Granny. I can see that.” Catty nodded and studied the ceiling. “You’ve still got game.”
“You two run along. I’ve got a lot to do before my date tomorrow night.” She hurried into the kitchen, leaving them at the front door.
Ava opened the door and Catty followed. The brisk wind nearly stole her breath as she made her way to the vehicle.
It was unusually cold for February and the dark clouds overhead looked like they were ready to burst any minute.
She unlocked the door to Damon’s Hummer and slid into the driver’s seat. She cut her eyes at Catty as her friend climbed in.
“Oh my god. Does Granny really have a date? Who do you think it is?” Ava racked her brain trying to think of a possible beau.
“I don’t know.” Catty shut her door and tapped her finger to her lip.
“Maybe it’s that central air and heat repairman. I saw him here the other day making sure the air conditioner was ready for summer.” Ava frowned.
“No way. Can’t be him.” Catty shook her head. “Why not?”
“I heard her say he’s too old and he has smelly breath.” Catty dug around in her
purse and pulled out a candy bar. She broke it in half and held half of it out to Ava.
Ava grinned and took the offered gift. Since meeting Lucien’s mate, who happened to be Zane’s sister, Ava really clicked with Catty. Their love of candy brought them together as fast friends. Not to mention she had a stubborn streak just like herself. That was something she could appreciate in a female.
“Well, that’s the only guy I’ve ever seen at her house.” Ava started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. She cut her eyes at Catty. “You don’t think she was making that up so we wouldn’t feel bad for her for being alone on Valentine’s Day?”
“I don’t think so.” Catty shook her head and her long blonde hair brushed across her shoulders. “I haven’t known Granny for very long, but I get the feeling that she doesn’t care what other people think. I mean come on, if you or I were that old and didn’t have a mate, we both know we’d be in by eight every night and having a date with some Rocky Road ice cream.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Ava smiled and let go of the guilt she’d been hanging onto. “I’ve never heard her say a word about her mate or how he died. Jayden told me that he never met his grandfather, that he died years before he was even born.”
“I wonder why she never talks about him.” Catty cocked her head.
“I don’t know. It’s like a big secret. Damon said he asked her one time and she nearly took his head off.”
“Well, I say good for her for going on a date.” Catty shrugged. “I just hope I have enough energy to still be getting some action when I’m her age.”
Ava laughed. “Amen, sister. Amen.”
2
“Is that dating site, Tinder, for werewolves?” Granny squinted at the computer screen as she spoke into the phone. She needed an opinion and didn’t want to ask Ava or Catty for fear they’d find out what she was doing. So she called Kate who was miles away in Eureka Springs with her mate, Braxton.
If she was going on a date she was going to make sure it was with a werewolf. The last thing she wanted was to end up on a date with a human.
Humans, except for certain members of the US government, didn’t have a clue that werewolves existed. It was understood that werewolves kept a low profile and did not risk outing their species.
“Can I at least ask why you’re so interested?” Kate’s voice held an edge of amusement and she could picture the pretty blonde smirking on the other end of the phone.
“No, you cannot.” Granny pursed her lips and pulled the cell phone away from her ear and glared. She was tired of these youngsters treating her like she was old. She was about to show them she was still young enough to have a little fun.
“Tinder is for humans. The dating site for werewolves is secret. I had a friend use it once and she gave me the website. It will take a second to pull it out of my documents. I’ll email you the web address.” She could hear Kate tapping away on her keyboard.
“That would be wonderful, dear. I suppose they keep it secret so humans wouldn’t stumble upon it.” She opened her email and waited.
“Okay, I’m emailing it to you now.”
A few seconds passed and a new email popped up.
“I’ve got it.” She smiled. One step closer to a Valentine’s date.
“Can I ask why you didn’t just ask Ava or Haley?” Kate asked.
“Because sometimes family is the worst to ask about personal things.” She huffed. She couldn’t tell Ava because then she would know Granny had lied about having a date. And she sure couldn’t tell her grandson Jayden’s mate, Haley. Why, that girl would run back to Jayden and there wouldn’t be any date at all. He’d cock block her.
No, some things were meant to stay on the down low.
“Wanna talk about it, Granny?” Kate’s voice went soft and gentle, making Granny smile despite her bad mood. Kate was a good girl. And Braxton was damn lucky to have her.
“No, honey. I got this.” She clicked on the website link. “Thanks for the 411.”
“Any time, Granny. Love you.”
“Love you too, honey.” Granny hit the end call button and plopped her glasses on her nose.
She pulled up the website and began putting in her information for her profile.
“Dang, they want a picture. Figures.” She set her glasses on her head and got up from the table. She scurried into the living room and scanned the pictures lining the walls.
Her gaze zeroed in on a picture that had been taken last Halloween when her group of friends had decided to do something nice for the people at the nursing home. They decided to dress up and go sing for the elderly. Her friends had dressed up like the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man while she went as Dorothy. She’d even slapped on a wig with a pigtail to look more the part. Apparently it worked because she’d been groped twice by two randy men in wheelchairs.
She decided next time she got the urge to be charitable she’d just give money.
She took the picture off the wall and squinted.
She wondered if she could get someone to come over and help her scan the photo into her computer. She’d managed t
o figure out email and Facebook with her grandson Jayden’s help. But other than that, technology was not her strong suit.
The knock at the front door made her jump and clutch the picture to her chest. She sucked in a breath and pressed her palm against her heart. She was as jumpy as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. She needed to get a grip.
She was a grown woman and could do whatever she wanted.
Clutching the picture, she made her way to the door.
She opened the door and was eye level with a massive male chest. She craned her neck up to look Arkansas’s Pack Master, Barrett Middleton, in the eye.
“Granny.” Barrett’s deep voice and steely-eyed gaze should have struck fear in her heart.
It didn’t. She had the passing thought that if he got bossy with her she could give him a good butt whipping if she wanted. He might be one of the handsomest males she’d ever laid eyes on, but she still didn’t take smack talk from anyone. Not even her Pack Master.
“Barrett, are you going to come inside or am I going to have to get a crick in my neck from staring up at you?” she groused and stepped to the side to allow him entrance.
A muscle in his cheek twitched. He wordlessly stepped inside her home and headed toward the living room where he took a seat on the couch.
“Would you like something to drink?” She eased onto her favorite chair and set her picture on the coffee table.
“You got any bourbon?” He scrubbed his hand across his face and leveled his gaze at her.
“I most certainly do not.” She lifted her chin. “I have sweet tea.”
And a cabinet full of wine, but he didn’t need to know that. And a bottle of Wild Turkey, but he’d probably turn his nose up at that.
“Thank you for the kind offer, but I won’t be staying that long.” He shifted his weight in his seat and sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
