by Judy Duarte
A grin stretched across his face. “I’m as sure as a broken-down cowboy can be.”
“You may have been hurt and knocked down more times than was fair, but you’re not the least bit damaged, Nate.”
“When it comes to the ideal man for you, I’m going to probably fall short more times than not. I knew that all along, so just thinking that you might love me, at least a little, made me want to run for the hills.”
She smiled. “Or straight to the rodeo?”
He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss on her knuckles. “At that time I wanted to get as far away from you as possible. But I’ve been running from people and feelings for way too long. And I’m tired of avoiding the things I need most in my life. And that’s love and a family.”
“I can’t believe this,” she said.
“Oh, you can believe it.”
She laughed and scanned the small, outdated motel room then looked back at Nate. “Over the years I had a lot of ideas of what the setting would be like when I first told a man that I loved him. I could envision a walk on the beach or even a balcony like Juliet’s. But I never expected to be in a cheap motel room.”
“Oh, I plan to repeat this scene over and over again. We’ll take that walk, and I’ll find the perfect balcony.”
“I just might hold you to it.”
“And now that I got up the nerve to lay my heart on the line,” Nate said, drawing her into his arms. “I’m going all the way with this.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant, and her head tilted slightly to the side.
“I’m a far cry from perfect, Anna, but if you’ll have me, I promise to be the best husband and father I can be.”
“You’re close enough to perfect for me.” Then she slipped her hands around his neck and kissed him with all the love in her heart.
* * *
One week later, on a sunny afternoon, Nate and Anna attended Sam and Joy’s wedding at the Rocking Chair Ranch, along with a small but happy gathering of retired cowboys, ranch hands, nurses and various friends within the community.
They’d left Jessie at home with the new nanny, who was working out like a charm. Barbara was not only competent, but loving, too. In fact, two days after she moved in, Anna had gone back to work at the medical center, confident the baby was well cared for.
Now, as they sat outside in rows of white chairs brought in by a party rental company, a slight breeze stirred up the scent of hay and the hearty spread of food being placed on long tables by the catering staff. A rented white gazebo had been brought in and adorned with flowers. There the bride and groom would say their vows.
The pastor of the community church stood at the ready, his Bible open, while Sam and his nephew Blake Darnell waited for Joy to come down the makeshift aisle.
One of the oldsters sat in a chair near the gazebo, playing a guitar. As the chords shifted, signaling the start of the short bridal procession, the pastor indicated that the audience should stand.
Nate reached for Anna’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. They’d already begun talking about their own wedding plans. It was interesting. Nate had held back his feelings for so long that she’d feared it would be a struggle for him to share his thoughts and emotions. But once he’d opened up, it seemed to be easier for him with each passing day.
True to his word, he’d requested a paternity test. And just yesterday, they’d gotten the results. Nate Gallagher was Jessica’s biological daddy. And soon, Anna would be her mommy.
Shannon Cramer Darnell, Blake’s new wife and Joy’s niece, started down the aisle wearing a soft yellow gown and carrying a bouquet of spring flowers. Before marrying Blake, the lovely brunette had once been the head nurse at the Rocking Chair Ranch. And now she was in medical school in California.
Again the guitar chords changed, and Joy started down the aisle. The redhead might be in her late sixties, but Anna didn’t think she’d ever seen a more beautiful bride—certainly not one who was happier.
“Dearly beloved,” the pastor said, drawing the attention of all who were seated in the white fold-up chairs on the lawn. “We are gathered together...”
What a happy day. And not just for the newlyweds.
After Joy and Sam returned from their honeymoon, Nate would go to work for Esteban Enterprises. His new boss had agreed to let him stay on at the Rocking C until Sam returned to take over again himself. He’d also promised to find another position in the company that wouldn’t require as much travel.
In the meantime, Anna and Nate would plan their own wedding—and begin their lives as husband and wife, daddy and mommy.
Nate might not be the groom she’d had in mind when she’d imagined getting married one day, but she didn’t want another man. He’d proven to her that the image she’d once had of Mr. Right no longer existed.
Nate was a keeper, flaws and all.
When the vows had been said, and Sam and Joy were officially married, the audience erupted in cheers. Well, make that yee-haws and hoots.
As she and Nate made their way to the rented tables that had been set up for the reception, Anna said, “What do you think? Is this the kind of wedding you’d like?”
“I’m happy with whatever you want. All I know is that I want to go to bed with you each night and wake up with you in my arms. I want to create a family—for all of us. And for any other kids we might have.”
“I’m good with that,” Anna said. Then she wrapped her arms around the man she loved and kissed him.
They would create a family together—one that would undoubtedly be flawed. Yet she had no doubt that it would be perfect in all the ways that mattered.
* * * * *
Look for Drew and Lainie’s story, the next installment in ROCKING CHAIR RODEO, the new miniseries by USA TODAY bestselling author Judy Duarte. Coming soon to Harlequin Special Edition!
And don’t miss Blake and Shannon’s story, ROPING IN THE COWGIRL, available wherever Harlequin books and ebooks are sold!
Keep reading for an excerpt from THE LAWMAN’S CONVENIENT BRIDE by Christine Rimmer.
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The Lawman's Convenient Bride
by Christine Rimmer
Chapter One
Sheriff Seth Yancy worked hard for his community. He lived to serve the citizens of tiny Broomtail County, Colorado, and he would do just about anything for his constituents.
But a bachelor auction?
No way would he agree to be a prize in one of those. Being raffled off to the highest bidder was beneath his dignity. Plus, he would have to go out with the winner. Seth hadn’t gone out with anyone in almost four years. And way back when he did go out, it hadn’t been with a woman from town—or anywhere in Broomtail County, for that matter.
He was single and planned to stay that way. Dating someone who lived in his community, well, that could get messy. Seth didn’t do messy. As sheriff, he tried to set a good example in all aspects of his personal life. And that meant that when the president of the library association asked him to be a prize in her upcoming bachelor auction, Seth went right to work gently and regretfully turning her down.
He sat back in his new leather desk chair in his brand-new office in the recently opened Broomtail County Justice Center on the outer edge of the small town of Justice Creek and said, “The last Saturday in May? I’m sorry, Mrs. Carruthers. That’s a bad day for me.” It wasn’t really a lie, he reasoned. Because if he said yes to the woman in the guest chair across from him, it would be a bad day.
“Call me Caroline.” She crossed her slim legs and folded her hands on her knee.
“Sure, Caroline. What time did you say the auction was?”
“We’re planning an all-day event in the park. But you would only need to be there between, say, two and four.”
“Two and four,” he repeated, stalling a little, as though he really did want to help her out. And he did. Just not for this.
Caroline beamed at him from behind her cat’s-eye glasses. “So then. We can count on you as one of our bachelors. I’m so pleased.”
“Hmm. Hold on, now. I’ll have to check.” He clicked the mouse on his desktop and made a show of frowning at the screen. “I’m sorry, but between two and four is impossible.” It was an outright lie this time. And Seth did not approve of lying. But to get out of being raffled off like a prize bull, he would sink pretty low. “I just can’t make it.”
Caroline’s sweet smile never wavered, though her eyes were a flinty, determined shade of gray. “Sheriff, I can’t tell you how much it would mean to us if you could find a way to rearrange your schedule and say yes.”
He cleared his throat, the sound downright officious even to his own ears. “I’m sorry. Really.”
She adjusted her glasses, causing the beaded neck strap to twinkle aggressively. “Did I mention yet that the auction will help finance the library’s new media center?”
“Yes, you did, and I—”
“It’s a great cause. An important project. Children who don’t have access to the internet need a chance to become familiar with the life tools others take for granted. And how many of our seniors wish they could broaden their horizons and move into the digital age? The center is so much more than just a bonus for our community. It’s an out-and-out necessity.”
“Yes, I understand that. But I really can’t—”
“And it will take so little of your time, Sheriff. A couple of hours in Library Park the day of the auction and then one date with the lucky lady who bids the most for you. We’ve gotten Silver Star Limousine from Denver to donate a limo for your date. The winning ladies will each get a spa day at Sweet Harmony Day Spa. You’ll be expected to pay for the date, of course, and I know you and the happy girl who wins you will choose something memorable and fun to do together.”
“I understand, but as I keep trying to tell you, Caroline, I really can’t.”
“Oh, yes, you can.” She blasted that smile at him, brighter than ever. “We all do admire the important work you do here. We’re grateful for your service to this community.”
“Well, thank you. I—”
“Of all the eligible bachelors in our county, I believe you are the most respected.” Eligible? Seth might be single, but he was far from eligible. To be eligible, a man had to be willing to get involved in a relationship, and he wasn’t. Caroline’s gray eyes seemed to bore right through him. “Respected and so greatly admired. Word does get around. I’ve heard about your fan club...”
His fan club. He supposed that didn’t sound so bad. At least she hadn’t called them badge bunnies, which a lot of civilians considered cool police slang. Seth found the term sexist and objectifying—and, yes, he knew all about sexism. It was part of his job to know about it and to squelch it whenever it reared its ugly head. He didn’t approve of terms that objectified anyone. And as for his “fan club,” there weren’t that many of them. But they were certainly enthusiastic, always dropping by to see him with baked goods and big smiles. Seth skirted a fine line with the women in question. He tried to be polite and appreciative while never letting any of them get too close.
If he gave in and said yes to the auction, one of them would probably “win” him. How awkward would that be?
He didn’t even want to think about it.
And Caroline was still talking. “A tweak of your calendar, a few hours in the park and a date with a generous, community-conscious woman. Just one date. For the needy children who can so easily be left behind, for the seniors with ever-narrowing horizons.”
He willed Garth Meany, the dispatcher, whose narrow back he could see through his inner-office window, to get a call—nothing too serious, a drunk and disorderly or someone creating a public nuisance. No one should get hurt. All Seth wanted was a chance to “notice” Garth on that call. He could bounce to his feet, mumble something about a “390” or a “507” that required his immediate attention—and hustle Caroline right out the door.
Unfortunately, it was a Tuesday afternoon in April, and the citizens of Broomtail County were apparently sober and behaving themselves. “Caroline, I’m so sorry, but I have another appointment in—”
“Just say the magic word, and I’ll get out of your hair.”
“But I—”
“Please.” Now her eyes were huge and mournful behind the slanted, glittery frames. “Sheriff. We need you.”
He opened his mouth to say no again. But Caroline looked so sad for all those disadvantaged children with no access to the internet, all those shut-in seniors who didn’t even know how to send an email. He really did hate lying. And did she have to keep using that word, need?
Seth Yancy was a bitter man in many ways. His life hadn’t turned out the way he’d once hoped it might. And the last few months, since the sudden death of his only brother, Nick, had been nothing but grim for him. Nicky was a good guy, the best. And way too young to die. It just wasn’t right, that he’d been taken.
Too many were taken. And always the ones who deserved long, full lives.
But even though he’d been feeling more down than usual lately, Seth still liked to believe he was a good public servant, that when the people of his county needed him, one way or another, he would come through.
Caroline regarded him steadily, waiting for his reply.
And by then, for Seth, there was only one answer to give. “All right. I’ll rearrange my schedule.”
* * *
An hour later, Caroline was long gone, off to corner some other poor schmuck and badger him into making a fool of himself on the bachelor auction block. Seth was still in his office reviewing last month’s budget overages, with the jail’s operations report still to get through.
But enough. He was done for the day.
The budget and the reports could wait until tomorrow. After being bested by that C
arruthers woman, he needed a fat, juicy steak and a twice-baked potato, and he knew where to get them.
The Sylvan Inn sat in a small wooded glen a few miles outside of town. At four thirty in the afternoon on a weekday, the parking lot had one row of cars in it—the row closest to the front entrance. Seth pulled in at the end of that row.
Inside, the hostess led him straight to a deuce by a window that looked out on a shaded patio. Perfect. He felt the cares of the day melting away.
Caroline Carruthers?
Never heard of her.
His waitress, Monique Hightower, appeared. Seth had known Monique for a good twenty years, at least. They’d attended Justice Creek High about the same time, with him graduating a couple of years ahead of her. She’d been working here at the Inn for a decade, maybe more.
“Hey, Seth. You’re earlier than usual for a weekday.” Monique refilled the water glass he’d already emptied and set the bread basket in front of him. “Everything okay?” Monique was a good waitress, but she talked too much. And she had a rep for being overly interested in other people’s business.
He replied, “Everything is just fine, thanks,” in a tone that discouraged further conversation. “I’ll have the house salad with blue cheese, a Porterhouse, bloody, and a fully loaded potato.” A beer would really hit the spot, but he was still in uniform. “And bring me a nice, big Coke.”
Monique jotted down his order. “Be right back with your drink and that salad.” She trotted off, blond corkscrew curls bouncing in her high ponytail.
She was as good as her word, too, bouncing right back over with a tall, fizzy Coca-Cola and a plateful of greens.
Seth buttered a hunk of hot bread and got down to the business of enjoying his meal. By the time the steak and potato arrived, he felt better about everything. The auction was almost six weeks away. He’d put it on his calendar, and he’d promised Caroline he would pose for a picture and work up a bio that would make the women of Justice Creek eager to bid on him. He wasn’t looking forward to either activity, but as soon as they were accomplished, he could forget about the whole thing until he had to show up at the park the last Saturday in May.
