A Rancher’s Song
Page 25
“Lots and lots,” Emma informed her. “Almost as much as Mama and Papa kiss.”
Ivy kept staring into Walker’s eyes. He was listening to the conversation as well, a soft smile twisting his lips as they waited quietly, not wanting to embarrass the girls.
Crissy didn’t say anything for a minute, and when she did, she sounded sad. “My Mommy doesn’t have anyone to kiss.”
Emma had a solution. “You should ask Santa for somebody for her for Christmas. That’s what I did. I mean, I asked for Mama, and I didn’t get her until after Christmas, but it worked.”
Ivy couldn’t take it any longer. “I should warn Hanna,” she whispered.
Walker gave her a quick kiss before accepting the bag of marshmallows that had finally made its way around the circle. “I don’t know. It sounds like a pretty good thing to wish for. Someone to kiss. I’m glad I’ve got you.”
Ivy had to agree. They had so many things to look forward to, and although some of it was up in the air, there was a lot of good they already knew. The first and foremost—they were together. That wasn’t going to change.
And as she leaned against Walker’s side and stared into the flickering flames, she sent up a word of thanks for all the good things that had come her way.
Going away and learning so much.
Returning home to find her heart waiting for her.
A thought occurred to her, and she couldn’t stop from giggling, which meant Walker kept giving her looks until he finally caved.
“What’s so funny?”
“I’m calculating exactly how much I paid for you. One thousand dollars divided by eternity—I got a pretty amazing deal on a bull rider.”
Walker laughed so loud all eyes turned toward them, and she didn’t mind one bit because she was right there with the other half of her heart.
He leaned in and looked her in the eye. “I’m a damn good deal. Yours, forever. And I’ll even sing for you.”
Epilogue
Luke stomped through the mudroom door of his not-yet-finished house as another long day came to a conclusion. He was starving, and he ached from head to toe after getting bucked a half-dozen times from the new ride he was training, which meant he was also filthy.
Food, then a shower. Then he’d figure out something to pass the rest of the evening. Something he could do alone considering two of his brothers were happily wrapped up with family and wife and/or fiancée, and Dustin was off with his friends.
Luke plugged in his battery-dead phone then opened the laptop on the kitchen counter. He kicked away the bits and pieces underfoot from the packaging that had held the overhead cupboards he’d finally put in place that morning before heading to work. He grabbed a plate of leftovers from the fridge, pulled a stool over with a foot, and dropped onto it, checking his emails as he ate one piece of pizza cold while the rest heated in the microwave.
Junk, junk, emails from his sisters, more junk…
Triple Crown Gala.
He paused, snorting around a mouthful of pizza. “Yeah, me at a gala. Good one.”
But the email was from Bertram Cooper, someone Luke trusted a great deal. Silver Stone had done a ton of their top value sales through the man, so he clicked the message open. Bert was probably setting him up for an all-you-can-eat chicken wing night and pulling his leg with the subject title.
Five minutes later, the microwave beeped another reminder which Luke continued to ignore, astonished at what he’d just read.
It was a gala, a buyers-and-sellers gala. An invitation-only gathering of the elite horse breeders of North America. It wasn’t a buying event, but a meet-and-greet with spouses and families, and Bert had wrangled him and Penny an invitation to the event.
Holy freaking shit.
The rough weather they were having with Silver Stone was put off for a short while because of Walker’s gift, but they weren’t nearly out of the woods. They had to take that next step with the horses if they were going to make it, and this was like a golden ticket had fallen into his lap.
Luke shuddered at the cost of the event. Thank God it was being held just hours away in Kananaskis country, which meant they’d be able to drive and not have to fly to Texas or Alabama. But the oversized price tag would vanish if they got one new sale, and these kind of events built relationships that were kingmakers.
Years ago, Penny’s dad was one of the ones who’d been in the right place at the right time, and they’d never looked back.
There was a message from Bert.
Got word of this shindig. Organizers asked me for a couple of recommendations of up-and-coming breeders, and I thought of you. I don’t have to tell you this is a Big Deal event. If I had an operation like yours, I’d be drooling at the opportunity. So yes, feel free to send me a bottle of the good stuff down the road.
* * *
Heads up on a couple of things: The group is a bit old school, which doesn’t mean they expect you to bring a wife, but a fiancée is better than a girlfriend. And while they’re up-to-date enough they won’t make you sleep in separate rooms, they do want to deal with family operations. So for fuck’s sake, be sure you bring your fiancée. Don’t let her give you grief on this one.
* * *
Best of luck, and I’ll see you in the new year. I’ve got a couple of requests I’ll send your way come the spring. Touch base if you need anything sooner.
Luke didn’t think about it too hard. The invitation truly wasn’t something he needed to consider—the gala could save the ranch. He absolutely had to be there. It wasn’t his fault Bert wasn’t up to date on the fact he and Penny had called off their engagement.
He filled in the application.
Name of the ranch, their top horses and studs to date.
Personal history.
Name of spouse/significant other—Luke paused.
Contact Penny and ask her to do him a favour? Possible, but risky. She was unpredictable, and he didn’t trust her. Plus, he didn’t think he could stand to be all cozied up to her again after calling things off, and a family event would mean they’d have to at least pretend to like each other.
Nope, there was a far simpler solution right at his fingertips. He filled in the blank with a firm stroke on the keys.
Kelli James.
He hit send.
* * *
I hoped you enjoyed Walker and Ivy's story. The next book in The Stones of Heart Falls is A RANCHER'S BRIDE. Luke is going to be in a heap of trouble—once he figures out exactly what he’s done.
But first…
* * *
I’m so excited to let you know that the next book in the HEART FALLS world is a special holiday release titled A FIREFIGHTER'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. It features Fire Chief Bradley Ford and single mom Hanna Lane.
* * *
I have wanted to write a set of Christmas/holiday stories for the longest time, and finally it’s happening. A FIREFIGHTER'S CHRISTMAS GIFT is the first in a holiday series. It’s a completely stand-along story, and it’s one of my favourite books I’ve written yet. I can’t wait for you to read it!
This firefighter has the perfect gift for a single mom and her little girl – if they’ll take him.
* * *
All Bradley Ford wants this holiday season is a date or three with sweet Hanna Lane. He’s the new fire chief, recently returned to Heart Falls to help his father after an accident. And while he wasn’t expecting to find someone like Hanna so soon, Brad’s certain that Hanna—and her adorable daughter, Crissy—are perfect for him and his plans to settle down.
* * *
Hanna’s been taking care of herself since she became a single mom at sixteen. The only pure, honest love she trusts is her little girl’s, but for the first time in eight years, her libido flares to life. Something about Brad draws her like a moth to a flame—which is always a bad idea for the moth.
* * *
When a fire leaves Hanna and Crissy homeless, Brad offers them shelter at his family’s homestead. Crissy i
nsists they’ve moved in with Santa. Hanna’s not sure how she keeps ending up under the mistletoe with Brad. And Brad? He’s hoping for the best Christmas gift of all…
Pre-Order A FIREFIGHTER'S CHRISTMAS GIFT
About the Author
With over 2 million books sold, Vivian Arend is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary and paranormal romance books, including the Six Pack Ranch and Granite Lake Wolves.
Her books are all standalone reads with no cliffhangers. They’re humorous yet emotional, with sexy-times and happily-ever-afters. Vivian pretty much thinks she’s got the best job in the world, and she’s looking forward to giving readers more HEAs. She lives in B.C. Canada with her husband of many years and a fluffy attack Shih-tzu named Luna who ignores everyone except when treats are deployed.
www.vivianarend.com
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
A Rancher’s Song
Copyright © 2018 by Arend Publishing Inc.
ISBN: 9781941456316
Edited by Anne Scott & Angie Ramey
Cover Design © Sofie Hartley of Hart & Bailey Design Co.
Proofed by Lynda Ryba & Linda Levy
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations.
First electronic publication: May, 2018
www.vivianarend.com