Taking Chances: A Donnelley Brother's Novel

by Carbonneau, Alannah

  The parking lot was the busiest I had ever seen it in all my time here at the Ranch. An ATV, or vehicle of some kind filled nearly every space.

  “Holy!” I scooted back on the seat before discretely moving my spread legs to one side of the quad and sliding off. “I don’t think it’s ever been so busy here! Do you think the entire world has joined you in your mission to keep me from caffeine?”

  Collin chuckled, shaking his head. “Mom told me the tours have really started booking up. It’s nearing the end of summer so people are trying to get as much out of their summer as they can.”

  I slipped my hand into his as we walked to the door of the cafeteria and he stilled for a moment, making my heart race with uncertainty, before he lifted my hand to his mouth to kiss the back of my palm.

  He pulled open the door and we walked into the busy cafeteria. It was loud. People were chatting and eating and drinking their morning coffee’s as we walked, weaving through tables. I was still feeling shocked at how busy it was. It wasn’t like it was prime time. It was nearing 10:00 a.m. on a Sunday. Typically, the Ranch ran on an earlier schedule on a weekend, but today just seemed to be one of those weird days where no one was running on time. I knew I certainly wasn’t, so I pushed it from my mind, more concentrated on the man beside me as we walked toward the ordering counter in pursuit of caffeine.

  Suddenly, Collin wasn’t there beside me and the hand he’d been holding was pulled, forcing me to spin around to face him. He was kneeling on the floor where I’d once knelt - the day we first met. I felt my cheeks begin to burn as I thought about the joke he was surely going to crack, when my eyes caught sight of something shimmering in his hand.

  Oh, holy freaking insane! This could not be happening! A ring...

  Suddenly, as though everyone in the room had been expecting this moment to come, the entire cafeteria quieted and I felt eyes on us. My breath caught in my throat and my eyes misted.

  “I once doubted I’d ever find a woman I’d want to spend the rest of my life loving. Everyone here knows I’m not the kind of man who inspires fairytales. But Hadley, you’re the woman, the only woman, who makes me want to be the man dreams are made of.”

  “Oh.” I felt the word sound on a sob and Collin smiled up at me softly.

  “I love you, beautiful. I’ve loved you since the first day we met, when you knelt right where I’m kneeling now. I didn’t know it then, but that moment changed my life. Standing right here, I changed. Everything changed. And I’m praying, it will all change again today - where it all started.” He took in a deep shaking breath. “Hadley Grades, will you marry me, beautiful? Will you make me the man dreams are made of? Will you make me a husband and one day a father? Will you stand beside me for the rest of our lives, loving me, challenging me, and caring for me? Because Hadley, I can’t imagine a life without you. I can’t imagine a life without loving you, without challenging you, and without caring for you day in and day out.”

  The silence that fell after his speech was deafening. But for a moment, I was suspended in time. My heart beat fast and my blood was rushing in my ears as happiness surged through my veins. It wasn’t until a sobbed, “Yes,” fell from my lips, that Collin jumped up to pull me into the circle of his arms, spinning me around and around before putting me down.

  He caught my hand in his, sliding a beautiful white gold solitaire engagement ring onto my finger.

  Laughter and loud cheers and whistles fell away as the man I loved leaned into me, whispering. “This is what my mom made me promise to do.”

  My heart stilled, “Propose?”

  “No, love.” He pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I wanted to do that as soon as I saw you in Toronto. I promised that when I proposed, I’d make it public. When I got to thinking, this seemed like the perfect place. And everyone we love is here.”

  “Everyone?” I felt my eyes searching for my parents. As though knowing who I was searching for, Collin spun me around, and I saw them making their way through the crowd toward us.

  My mothers face was streaked with happy tears she hadn’t yet been able to rein in and my father looked so beautifully proud. A warmth unlike any other spread through my entity as I realized what Collin had given to not only me, but my parents, and to everyone else in this room. He’d given them the gift of the beginning of us. He’d given them a proposal, although unspoken, that they be here for us, and support us in our journey of life together. Suddenly, as my mother pulled me into her chest to hold me tight, I wanted to thank Gracie - my soon to be mother in law.

  My mom pulled back and she beamed a brilliant smile down at me. “Congratulations, baby girl.”

  “You knew?” I felt the words catch in my throat. “There was no hotel?”

  Dad barked a laugh. “You really thought we’d spend the last night with you at our home in a hotel, Hadley?”

  “Well...”

  Collin spoke assuredly. “Believe me, she didn’t know what to think.”

  I huffed. “I thought you were acting weird. Especially mom.” I glanced at my mom matter of fact and she blushed, her eyes making a point of avoiding my father.

  “What gave your mother away?” My father asked gruffly with one brow raised. “Was it all her fussing, or was it the fact that she’s practically in love with the man you’re set to marry?”

  Mom stomped her foot. “Collin is a good man! Why on earth wouldn’t I be in love with him? He’s made my baby a happy woman.” She smiled down at me again and her bottom lip quivered. “I’m so happy all your dreams are coming true, honey.”

  “Thank you, mom.” I felt my eyes mist and I sucked in a deep breath. I did not want to cry. Oh, I really did not want to cry!

  “Come give your old man a hug, Hadley.” Dad commanded with tears glimmering in his blue eyes. I felt my feet carrying me closer to him, until I was wrapped up in his familiar embrace. Dipping his head, he spoke softly into my ear. “I want you to know, kiddo, that Michael would have approved of Collin.” He gasped, before continuing and I squeezed my eyes shut. “I know my boy would have approved the moment Collin took me into my office. I’m not going to go into too much detail about the words that passed, but he told me he loved you and that he planned to make you his wife. He said he didn’t need my blessing, but that he wanted it because he knew it would make you happy. I knew then that he was the man for you.”

  Pulling away, I stared up into my fathers accepting eyes - and my heart stuttered as I saw Michaels face through my fathers eyes. There it was, the acceptance I’d always believed I would receive from my brother, and protector, when I found the man of my dreams.

  A tear escaped my eye and I smiled. “I needed that, Daddy.” I whispered. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, kiddo.”

  The heavy emotion passed quickly as Kami appeared beside me, holding a steaming cup of coffee. “Congratulations, Hadley.” She smiled, handing me the cup. “I figured you’d be really needing this by now.”

  “Oh.” I closed my eyes appreciatively as I inhaled the bitter scent. “You’re right. And thanks!” I gazed at Collin who was already watching me with those intense green eyes of his. “I’ve never felt so sure of anything.”

  “Then it’s meant to be.” She assured matter of fact before hugging me tight. “Welcome to the family! It’s a great one to be part of.” She pulled back and winked at me before she leaned in. “Soon enough, you’ll learn the family secrets.”

  I frowned as she laughed, walking away beside Kyle. I couldn’t help but wonder exactly what those family secrets were, but I didn’t have time to ponder long. My thoughts disintegrated as a soft hand gripped my free one tightly. When I looked up, I saw Gracie.

  “Hadley.” She sighed happily, completely romanced by the idea of her son being engaged. “You humble my son. I know that’s not an easy task - and I definitely know it’s not a task that just any woman is capable of.” Her green eyes swayed to Collin before they landed back on me. “I couldn’t have chosen a better w
oman for him if I’d tried.”

  Collin tipped his head back on a sigh of disbelief. “We all know you pushed Hadley onto me, Mom.”

  My brow furrowed, but Gracie spoke first. “Hadley chose the cabin closest to you, Collin. You know that already.” Her wide innocent eyes looked to me for clarification. “Isn’t that right, Hadley?”

  I nodded - we had been over this before. “Yep.”

  Luke took that moment to stride over to us. He wore a handsome grin on his face as he eyed Collin with humor. “Yeah, if you’d chosen horses over water you’d...”

  Collin interrupted him. “She’d still be with me, Luke.” His tone was surprisingly dark, and then it lightened as he looked at his mom and then at me. “Mom would have found a way to make me fall for her regardless.” Collin moved to pull me into his side. “Never thought I’d say this, but thanks, Mom.”

  Gracie beamed, but she insisted. “I take no credit.”

  Collin smirked at Luke. “She takes no credit because she can’t blow her cover until the jobs finished.”

  Luke shook his head. “You, Logan and Kyle are all nuts. Seriously, who do you think Mom is?”

  Suddenly, his pregnant sister in law shoved her way into the little circle we’d created with her ogre of a fiancé fast on her heels. “Cupid.” She beamed - literally glowing, whether from happiness or pregnancy, I wasn’t sure. “Gracie is Cupid!”

  Luke chuckled softly as he teased. “Reese...” he shook his head. “You can’t even blame that crazy talk on wine.”

  Reese giggled, winking at Luke. “Don’t worry Luke, you’ll see.”

  Luke folded his arms over his chest. “I suppose we will.”

  Collin laughed. “Luke, I’ll tell you what they all told me - your time is coming, brother. Armor up, or accept it. But just know that the soldiers Mom sends...” he breathed out dramatically as he glanced at me. “They know what they’re doing - because it only took Hadley one look and I was hooked.”

  “She was on her knees, man!” Luke bellowed exasperatedly. “Any man would have fallen in love with her.”

  “Careful now!” I warned, trying to ignore the shocked stares coming from my mother and father. I may have to explain that to them sooner rather than later. “You’re giving away valuable information.” I looked to Gracie pointedly. “The woman must drop her credit card in a coffee line and Luke’s heart will share the same fate as Collin’s.”

  Gracie laughed and my father’s chest fell in relief as he tried to piece together the facts. Gracie announced. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Luke grappled for a reply I didn’t hear, because I was already walking away with Collin, who was practically dragging me from the cafeteria. He called behind him. “Thank you all for standing witness today. I now must take my new fiancée home to celebrate.”

  I blushed a brilliant shade of red as he pulled me from the cafeteria out into the sun. “My parents were in there.”

  “So were mine, baby.” He winked. “But we’re young and in love. Besides, I fully intend to make an honest woman out of you.”

  “Oh gee, thanks!”

  Collin leaned me against the quad, pushing in for a kiss I didn’t possess the strength to refuse. “I love you, Hadley Grades.”

  “I love you, Collin Donnelley.”

  “I’m so happy you were on your knees that day.”

  I smiled against his lips. “Me too.” Then, for the sake of being a smartass, I added. “But then I fell on my ass.”

  As always, he had a quick retort. “That’s only because you looked up at me.”

  “Oh yes!” I giggled through his kisses. “Your beauty...” kiss. “It knocked me...” kiss. “Right on my ass.”

  “Beautiful.” He moved his lips against mine in another slow, leisurely kiss. “You knock me onto my ass every day.”

  “Take me home.”

  “Home.” He pulled away from me to gaze deeply into my eyes. “Where’s home, Hadley?”

  “From this day on, Collin, my home will be wherever you are.” I spoke confidently. “I love these mountains and could never imagine leaving to live in the city again, but if that was what you wanted, I’d follow you. Because my home is where you are. It’s where you lay your head to rest each night - it’s the place you nurture your dreams. All I really care about is that I spend every day with you.”

  “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

  I cupped his cheek. “You healed me when I was broken. You took the time to stand beside me and you stole my heart before I even knew it was gone. You didn’t have to prove your worth, Collin. It has nothing to do with being deserving and everything to do with the reality that you’re the only man who’s ever made me burn with happiness - with life.” He pulled in a trembling breath at my words. “I will forever be thankful to you for giving me the strength and desire to live the life my brother always longed for me to live.”

  “Home, baby.” He gripped my waist. “I’m taking you home.”

  “I can’t think of anything I’d like better.”

  And it was the truth. I couldn’t think of another thing in this world that I wanted more than for this man to take me home where we could spend the remainder of our day just being happy together - celebrating.

  Epilogue

  “Alright, hit me hard, baby.” Collin sighed heavily against my shoulder from where he sat behind me in the bathtub. I shifted and giggled when he slid his hands against my sides as they moved to rest against my stomach.

  Settling against him, I asked. “Hit you hard with what?”

  “It’s been nearly two weeks since I slid my ring onto your finger.” He stated and I waited for him to continue, but when he didn’t I replied.

  “I know.”

  “You haven’t said a thing about a wedding.”

  “I know.” My voice was quiet.

  “Well, I know you want the big white fairytale.” He sounded slightly exasperated, but I could hear a grin in the undercurrents of his tone, so I relaxed once again into his chest. “So hit me with it, beautiful. Tell me what you want. I’m ready.” He sounded like he was giving a pep-talk and I couldn’t help but smile. “I can take it.”

  “Who are you trying to convince?”

  “You, Hadley.” He tightened his arms around me.

  “How do you know I want the big white wedding?”

  “Well, you’re not exactly quiet about it when you’ve got a bottle of wine in you, love.”

  I felt my face sting as I gasped. “You remember that?”

  “I’m surprised to hear you remember that.” He countered. “You were obliterated that night.”

  “I wasn’t that bad.”

  “You were.” He argued. “But you’re also getting off track.”

  “I know.” I closed my eyes against the dim candlelight flickering around us, popping my bubble-covered foot onto the ledge of the bathtub as I pushed myself deeper into his chest. “But I don’t know what I want, because I don’t know what you want.”

  “What I want, Hadley, is to give you the day you dream about.”

  “But what about the day you dream about?”

  “I dream about being the man who makes all you dream about come true.” He kissed my exposed neck. “Let me give you everything, beautiful. Please.”

  I shifted to glance at him. “Do you really mean that?”

  He nodded. “I do.” He smiled. “I just want you to be mine until the end. I want to be everything you need and I want to give you everything you need.” He paused a moment and when I still didn’t reply, he added. “Please, let me in on that fantasy wedding you’ve thought about since you were five.”

  I laughed, “Believe me, it has changed since I was five.”

  He chuckled. “Exactly how has it changed?”

  “I no longer see the need for pink and blue ponies.” I stated matter of fact and his breath caught. I knew he was struggling to keep his comment restrained, so I awarded his sudden discipline with an answer to his que
stion. “I want an outdoor wedding in the summer here at the Ranch. It doesn’t need to be elaborate anymore, but there needs to be fairy lights and I really want a princess dress.”

  “That’s it?” He asked softly. He sounded almost whimsical and it made my heart pitter-patter in my chest. It was a wonderful feeling.

  “Pretty much.”

  “What about colors?”

  “Well, we should choose those together, don’t you think?”

  He squeezed me. “You should tell me the colors you’re thinking and I’ll agree or I won’t.”

  “I’m thinking a gentle pink and mocha.”

  He didn’t reply immediately. “I think I like it, beautiful.”

  I tilted my head back to gaze into his eyes. “You do?”

  He caught my chin in his hand, kissing me lightly. “I do, beautiful.” He pulled back only a fraction. “Now we need to discuss a date.”

  “Mmm.” I moaned against his mouth. “I love you.”

  He chuckled. “We’ll get there soon enough.” He spun me around to face him in the water and I spread my legs around him, moving in close. “Right now, something more pressing came up.”

  I giggled, “I’ll say.”

  “Shut up and kiss me, beautiful.”

  And I did just that. Happily.

  Authors Note

  I can’t even begin to explain how wonderful this journey of writing has been so far, for me. In the years I have been writing, I can say without hesitation, that this last year has been the best yet! I have met brilliant, wonderful, simply amazing people who have supported me and built me up into the writer that I am now. The friendships I have made have inspired me to create this beautiful series, and I am so thankful to them. (You know who you are) But I’d like to mention a few names - the people who have made this novel in particular, shine. Ashley, Emma, Dawn, and Marian - you ladies have helped me in ways that I cannot even describe. Your support is so valued and your thoughts and opinions have helped me create a beautiful story of love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Also, DeAnna and Lyndsey, you ladies are just so amazing!