Pumpkins, Cowboys & Guitars

by Patti Ann Colt

  Carlee stood in front of her and chewed her lip. “At least that’s what I want to say. I was mixed up mad. Everybody forgets that I’m old enough now to understand more than you’re telling me. I needed you to level with me. You and Dad should have said something.”

  “We would have, Carlee. But it was fresh and new for us. We hadn’t even talked to each other about what was happening, let alone anyone else. Timing was unfortunate. I’m sorry.” She stroked Zach’s arm, still not sure this was real.

  “Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. It all got mixed in with Mom leaving and breaking a couple of promises to me and I was a brat. I adore you. Dad adores….”

  Zach cleared his throat, interrupting her. “Let me speak for myself.”

  Carlee shrugged. “Okay.”

  “You have breakfast. Leia and I are going to talk alone a minute.”

  “Can I see what’s on pay-per-view?”

  “Knock yourself out.” Zach pulled Leia through the living room into the bedroom and shut the door. She kept her fingers laced with his, afraid if she let go, he’d disappear.

  “I’m not dreaming, am I?”

  “If you are, I am, too. Don’t wake me up, okay?” He slipped an arm around her and sat on the sofa, pulling her into his lap. His mouth found hers and Leia gladly let herself sink into a haze of passion. Zach feathered kisses along her jaw, across her eyes and back to her mouth.

  “I’m an idiot. My parents died and I locked down my emotions. It’s a wonder Denise even had anything to do with me. It only got worse after Carlee was born. I’ve hung on to my town, to my family, to Carlee, thinking that they anchored me. When I met you, my feelings shifted. One part of me wanted to reach out and grab you. The other couldn’t let go of my secure little world, was afraid to unbury myself and risk losing again. Do you understand?”

  She gave in to the need to slip her fingers through her hair. “Things happened so fast and we never really talked and gave ourselves time to work through things. I was too sick and afraid you were just being nice to me. I was afraid if I pushed, you’d realize I needed you more than you needed me.” She choked up at the end, her eyes flooded with tears that slipped down her face.

  He reached to wipe the falling tears with his thumbs, stroking her face, his eyes full of remorse. “I love you. I need you.”

  Leia sucked in her breath, not expecting him to say it that easily, without months and months of coaxing. The cascade of joy froze into shards of ice shattering her happiness. “My life is a mess, worse now than ever. I can’t ask you to step into that.”

  Zach shifted her closer. “You didn’t ask. I’m here. I’m telling you it doesn’t matter. We’ll work it through. All that matters is….” He gave her a hard kiss. “I love you. I need your wild creativity, your risk, your laughter, your successes and your failures. You’re mine. I need all of you and I’m not letting you go.”

  She dropped her head to his shoulder and released the storm of emotion trapped between her breasts. She finally spoke against his throat, breathing in the heady scent of him. “God, I missed you. I’ve needed you so much. I need you to anchor me, too. I live in a crazy world and I need someone who isn’t crazy in it. Does that make sense?”

  He coaxed her head up, cradling the sides of her face. “I’ll be whatever you need. I will be your strength, your protector, your lover, your husband.”

  “Husband?”

  Hurt flashed in his eyes. “Did you not believe me when I said you were mine?”

  She closed her eyes for a moment and let his words sink in, settle. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, placing her hand over his heart. “I love you, Sheriff Zach Murphy and…” She choked on her words and had to wait a minute until her throat cleared. “I will be your wife, if you’ll be my husband, my heart.”

  He tipped her chin up and kissed her, his lips sending a rush of tingles through her body. He broke the kiss and touched his forehead to hers, staring deep into her eyes. “We have lots to talk about, lots to learn about each other, but know this. Once I make a commitment, I don’t walk away.”

  “Are you offering me forever, Sheriff?” She smiled, joy erupting from deep inside.

  “Forever to be mine,” he vowed. “Sounds about right.”

  She laughed, squirming closer. “Sounds like a great song title.”

  He chuckled and kissed her again. “Next time I do or say something stupid, just kiss me and wait for me to get over it, okay?”

  She answered by kissing him.

  Two hours later, with Zach and Carlee’s by her sides and Ryder in front of her, she walked out of the elevator on the second floor, nervous, but sure and ready to handle the press. When Ryder stepped aside, she gave a small gasp. Fiona, Wyatt and Beau were waiting near the side door to the ballroom.

  She squeezed Zach’s hand. “What are they doing here?”

  “This is how we Murphy’s roll. Get used to it.”

  She hugged each of them and was comforted and filled with so much love and belonging, she felt as if she had a shield and could leap tall buildings. She kissed Ryder’s cheek and stopped in front of Carlee. “How do I look?”

  “You look great.” Carlee kissed her cheek. She’d talked Leia out of the outfit she’d chosen, convincing her she should look like the rock star she was, not some corporate exec. Carlee had then walked to her closet and picked a black sheath with a red belt that shaped her curves, yet was subtle and sexy. She’d proceeded to rummage for shoes and jewelry and made hair suggestions.

  Zach had propped himself on her bed and watched with amusement while Carlee helped her. His private hot looks, when Carlee wasn’t looking, settled deep inside, making her long for time to be alone. This was the Zach she wanted for the rest of her life.

  Zach cupped her face and tenderly kissed her lips. “Focus. Knock ‘em dead. I’ve got you. We’ve got you.”

  She stepped into the ballroom, facing two hundred reporters, light bulbs flashing. She stepped to the podium. The Murphy family lined up behind her.

  Confidence filled her. Her career and her life were hers to rebuild and shape. Parson Corners was hers. This family was hers. Zach loved her enough for her to be who she was, enough to marry her, enough to promise forever.

  This was one moment, one event and she was a Rock Star and a soon to be wife. With all the love at her back, she started to speak.

  Four Months Later

  Leia woke slowly. Zach’s warmth next to hers in bed made the nest the most comfortable spot on the entire planet. The spacious suite was elegant and simple, just the way she liked it—nothing fancy but all the comforts. They’d arrived late last night in Houston, Texas— the first stop on her concert tour.

  Carlee had flown to New York with Fiona and Wyatt to watch the filming of Fiona’s new cooking show on the Food Network. They were flying to join them later this afternoon, along with Beau and Ryder.

  The entire family would be in the VIP section. Butterfly dive bombers attacked her stomach. These nerves were bigger than her wedding day—a wedding Fiona had arranged mere weeks after Zach’s proposal. She’d worried they were moving too fast. He’d convinced her that more time wasn’t going to change who and what they were, that any problems they had they could work on married. The event was attended by the entire town and no press. How Fiona managed that, Leia had never been able to ascertain.

  She’d followed the wedding by releasing her new album, with a new song Anchored in Forever. These nerves were bigger than wondering if the success of that would stabilize her professional life.

  This would be the first time Zach and her new family had seen her perform. Exciting and nerve-wracking; but that still wasn’t why she was nervous.

  She was nervous because she’d spent hours in the studio remaking an old classic love song dedicated to Zach. Nerves didn’t even begin to cover the sheer love, sheer adoration, and sheer terror of putting her feelings for Zach out there in public view.

  She took a few deep breaths and set
all that aside. There’d be time for nerves later. She was naked in bed with her husband with nothing but time.

  She slipped on top of Zach and kissed his eyes, his jaw, his throat. A familiar, yet new thrill shot through when he cracked an eye, and reading her intent, took her mouth with warm lips and lazy strokes of his tongue.

  “I like how you think, Mrs. Murphy,” he whispered, slipping his hands to her butt and pulling her tight against his hardness. In the darkness, his breath mingled with hers.

  She took her time, reveling in every kiss, feeling every sigh. His big hands shifted to massage her breasts, his mouth teasing each nipple until her breath was a fractured pant.

  She used her tongue on him, to touch every muscle, to feel every inch of skin, and when she finally reached the heart of him, she drove them both mad with need. When they joined, the sheer rightness of him stroking through her liquid heat made her tremble.

  “I love you, Zach.” She took his mouth, desperately trying to convey with her body more than the words could say.

  He set an easy rhythm that celebrated and savored. His hands stroked and teased and she returned the favor. His groans met hers. The pressure built until Zach rolled with her, placing her beneath him.

  She wrapped her legs around him, desperate need forcing her to lift her hips to match his driving thrusts. The darkness narrowed her focus to their bodies dancing together, the heat of their skin against each other, their lips meeting and tasting. Her tongue tasted the salt and male of him. His fingers reached to tease her sensitive core while increasing the power of his thrusts.

  She exploded with a flash that lit up the darkness. Zach followed her, groaning as she tightened around him.

  “Mine,” she whispered against his ear, then drifted off to sleep, replete and warm.

  She woke up several hours later alone.

  Grumpy, she sat up and shoved her hair from her face. “Zach, where are you?” She had to yell to make herself heard through the closed door.

  The bedroom door snapped open. Zach walked in, dressed in jeans, a yellow shirt, and his cowboy boots, and carrying a room service tray. “Right here, with breakfast. About time you woke up.”

  Leia smiled. “I love you so much.”

  Zach grinned. “I love you, too. Happy anniversary.”

  Leia scrunched her face and stared at him. “Anniversary?”

  “One year ago today, I arrested you.” His eyes were alight with amusement.

  She lay back in bed and laughed. “Best day of my life.”

  “Mine, too.” Zach set the tray in front of her. The aroma of fresh coffee made her moan.

  She leaned up for her morning kiss and noted he looked oddly content. “What have you been doing?”

  He handed her the glass of orange juice. “I talked to Carlee. They were at the airport boarding the plane. I talked to Ryder and confirmed that he and Beau were on the way to the Denver airport. They are.”

  She finished the juice and set the glass on the tray, suddenly starving. She lifted the lid off the plate and stared. “Oatmeal?”

  “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Zach settled back in the armchair beside the bed, looking too damn innocent.

  “I can start that important meal with donuts. “ She tucked the sheet tighter around her.

  “Yeah, I know. Tiny told me.” Zach had the gall to laugh at her swearing. “I also had a long conversation with Adrian. Fifteen cities in three weeks? I thought we talked about slow.”

  Adrian Darwin was her new manager. She and Zach had interviewed and hired him together.

  She pointed her finger at him. “You? Talked to Adrian?”

  “Yeah.” He crossed his arms, too confident, too pleased with himself.

  Leia looked at her breakfast, then back at Zach. “He’s not going to make me eat oatmeal too, is he?”

  Zach smirked.

  Damn.

  Zach leaned across the bed and kissed her. “He is the only person I will trust to take good care of you when I’m not with you. You have to be careful with that voice and with your health.” He kissed her again. “And yes, on the oatmeal.”

  “Zach!” Leia barely kept her tone under a wail. She needed her sugar. “I can eat donuts and still live.”

  Zach moved to the other side of the bed and shucked his boots. He sat down with his back to the headboard and put an arm around her. She laid her head on his shoulder and basked in the warmth of him by her side.

  He reached for her hand. “You scared the hell out of me in that hospital last Christmas. I thought I was going to lose you. I’d never make it without you. You’re my everything, baby, so we do this my way.”

  Leia melted.

  She reached for the spoon and dished up a bite, turning the spoon to feed Zach first. “I promise that’s never going to happen again.”

  Zach took the bite and swallowed. “You’re damn right it’s not. If you’re a good girl and eat all the rest, I’ll make it worth your while.” His low sexy tone brought back their lovemaking during the night and sent shivers over her body.

  She raised a brow and gave him a saucy grin, letting the sheet fall from her naked breasts. “If you help me eat this, I’ll make it worth your while.”

  Zach’s hot gaze took in the view, but he didn’t move or touch her. Damn man was so controlled.

  She ate more than Zach did, bite after bite, because he pulled out the big guns.

  “I love you, baby,” he whispered over and over after every bite.

  The bowl empty, he stroked, licked and caressed her body until she was sated in love.

  That night, in front of a packed stadium, her nerves melted away. Her rendition of the old, loving classic made her steady, sexy sheriff cry.

  THE END

  PARSON CORNERS, COLORADO SERIES

  WHAT’S COMING NEXT

  SECRET DADDY

  FIVE-STAR WIFE

  ~~Leia Shae's Born Again Playlist~~

  For your enjoyment, I've put together a playlist - songs that inspired me as I wrote about rock star Leia Shae in The Rock Star's Sheriff. Music is critical in fueling the inspiration for many of my stories, but never more so than in this book with a successful music career at its center. Inspired by singers like Leann Rimes, Mandy Moore and Christina Aguilera, here is a list of my favorite girl songs.

  Party in the U.S.A. Miley Cyrus

  Since U Been Gone Kelly Clarkson

  According to You Orianthi

  Who Says Selena Gomez

  Over It Katharine McPhee

  Call Me Maybe Carly Rae Jepsen

  Who Knew P!nk

  A Thousand Miles Vanessa Carlton

  The Game of Love Michelle Branch w/Carlos Santana

  Before He Cheats Carrie Underwood

  How Do I Live Leann Rimes

  The Voice Within Christina Aguilera

  Candy Mandy Moore

  Hot N Cold Katy Perry

  ~~Where A Town Comes From~~

  When my kids were growing up my husband's family bought a house in Kellogg, Idaho. Kellog is the home to Silver Mountain Ski Resort. The house was used as a rental most of the year. But Thanksgivings were reserved for the family, and we met many times there for good food, skiing, games and laughter. Of course, the house was sold shortly before the Army moved us from Washington to Alabama, but the memories linger. (I also grew up with Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort just miles from my home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. So small town details are in my blood. No, I don't ski. Just FYI.) As a writer, that's a really good thing. It means there are lots of good details to pull from my brain to use in my storytelling and this memory was no exception.

  How any idea is born, I have no clue. Sometimes I just wake up and it's there. Sometimes it's from a picture or a bit of music. In the case of Parson Corners, the rock star idea came first. I have always loved Mandy Moore, ever since "Candy". Come on. Admit it. You know I'm not alone.

  That idea percolated, mixing with Silver Mountain until I needed a new i
dea for a new town. It wasn't as simple as pulling all that out and viola, there it was. No, took a little more mixing than that. We'd moved to Texas by then and were making visits home by jetting across I-40 into Colorado and thru Denver. I love Colorado's scenery. I'd just published the first two Echo Falls, so I didn't want another Texas small town, so I went looking in Colorado. A cruise of the internet turned up the San Juan Mountain Range and South Fork, Colorado.

  It was after I saw all these pictures that the ideas began to roll together. A look see on the Colorado map devised the name of Parson and the rest is made-up history. Of course, who hasn't seen headlines about this rock star arrested or that rock star's life is a mess - well, the natural conclusion for any romance author is to brainstorm, well, a romance. So seemingly random bits of information unite to form a strong idea.

  The result was The Rock Star’s Sheriff, which you just read. It was a fun write and with four Murphy brothers, you know there has to be a sequel. Not to mention there is a whole bunch of town folks to discover. Next will be Secret Daddy, a story about Leia's security chief, Mark Banning, coming in early 2014. And Wyatt's story -Five-Star Wife. Who would have the audacity to challenge brother Wyatt's chef genius? Find out in late 2014.

  Thank you for joining me in Echo Falls, Copper Canyon, and Parson Corners. If you would be so kind, please visit your favorite bookseller or Goodreads and leave a review. Every review helps other readers find Echo Falls and I’d love to hear what you thought. Thanks.

  Patti Ann

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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  Patti Ann Colt lives in Arlington, Texas. She enjoys having her handsome grandson underfoot and her three grown children nearby. A life-size cutout of John Wayne stands near her desk and supervises her writing. When she’s not working, she’s hanging out with assorted extended family, playing with five bed-hogging dogs, cooking something scrumdillyicious, engrossed in The Walking Dead, sewing, researching genealogy, and, of course, reading!