Southern Comfort
Page 20
"Anyway, that night, Riley said "I believe it's time for Billy Sweet's Honky Tonk Angels. And then Cody said it was time for the honky tonk angel routine." Her gaze moved to Stella. "Your mom told me that you've been doing that since you were little girls. That your dad has often referred to you as his honky tonk angels."
"It's true." Cody said and reached over to give her dad's arm a squeeze.
"So, it got me to thinking." Analise said and turned the paper so they could see what was on it. "Maybe you might want to consider this for your place. It kind of combines the old and the new. Keeps what made this place a success and adds your own touch."
Cody took one look and grinned. She looked over at Hannah and Hannah burst out with a "hell yeah!"
Analise grinned. "You like it? Really?"
"Hell yes!" Cody ran over and threw her arms around David, Analise and Riley, encompassing them all in a group hug. "Damn, ya'll, how the hell can we ever thank you for this?"
"You already did." Analise said. "You took us in, made us feel like friends and then like family. You are family to us and one thing we learned from this man here—" She looked up at Riley. "Is that family takes care of their own."
Riley smiled down at her. "You done good, Wildcat. Real good."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Hell yeah." Cody added and grinned.
Analise hugged David and Riley, her arms around their waists pulling them closer. "Then I guess we're done here."
"Not quite." Riley said.
Everyone looked at him and he looked at David. "As the man of the family, I'd like to ask your permission to marry your mother."
David grinned from ear-to-ear. "That's a big hell yes."
"Thank you, Dave. I promise I'll always treat her right and love her till my last breath."
"I know you will, Riley. And I'm gonna be real proud to call you my step-father. If you don't mind, that is."
"Son, there's nothing I would like better."
Analise watched the two people she loved most in the word hug and tears streamed down her face. This was a moment she'd never dreamed of, one that exceeded all her hopes. When they parted, Riley looked at her. "So, Wildcat, what do you say? Will you be my love and let me be yours as along as there's life in us?."
"You had me at hello, cowboy."
He burst out laughing. "As I recall, you fainted dead away."
Analise and everyone else laughed along with him. She threw her arms around Riley and the paper in her hand fluttered to the ground. It was a new day for a lot of people in Cotton Creek. New beginnings, new hopes and new dreams. And for her, it was the moment she'd dreamed of since she was a child.
She finally had it. She was home. Really home. The place that love lived.
About the Author
You can find all of Ciana’s books on Amazon. Visit her author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Ciana-Stone/e/B002BLJNUY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1410121040&sr=8-2
Books by Ciana Stone
Hot in the Saddle
Untamed: A Three Book Box Set
The Whisperers: Simply Irresistible – A Three Book Box Set
Holdin’ On for a Hero: A three book set
Tales of Betrayal, passion, danger and love
Hunger: The V’Kar Series – A three book set
The Sins of Love – Renegades Book 1
Coming of Age
On My Knees – The Seven Book 1
Ruffle My Feathers – The Seven Book 2
With a Little Help From My Friends
Wrath: Voodoo's Angel
The Seven: A Taste for Jazz
And be on the lookout for more books in the Honky Tonk Angel Series