True-Blue Cowboy

by Sara Richardson

  “We built it.” She dabbed at her eyes. “And you’re not supposed to make me cry before everyone gets here.”

  “I wanted to make sure I got to say my piece before the craziness.” He reached for her hand. “That’s not all I wanted to say, either. I—”

  Car noise hummed behind her. One by one, trucks and SUVs filed past them, parking in the area they’d marked off in the field beyond the driveway.

  “Hello!” Naomi waved as she got out of her car.

  Everly waved back before focusing on Mateo again. “What did you want to—”

  “Everything looks fabulous.” Naomi traipsed over, intruding on their moment. “Do you need me to take care of any last-minute details?”

  “I don’t think so.” That look in Mateo’s eyes had her distracted. He seemed so serious.

  “Great. Then you and I should start greeting the guests.”

  Everly offered Mateo an apologetic look. “We can talk later?”

  “Yes, mi amor. We will talk later.” He gave her that smile that never failed to weaken her knees.

  “Perfect.” Naomi directed Everly toward the gate that guests would walk through to get to the main festivities. “Mateo, why don’t you go help with the parking?”

  “I’m on it.” He gave Everly one last wink before heading in the opposite direction.

  Nothing could’ve prepared Everly for the crowds walking through that gate. They came in groups—friends and acquaintances and people from two towns over she’d never met before.

  When she saw a familiar minivan pull up, Everly left her post by the gate to greet Lance and Jessa. Her friend had only recently brought the triplets home from the hospital, and she was touched that they’d made such an effort to come. “You brought the babies!”

  “We were dying to get out of the house.” Jessa climbed out of the passenger’s seat, somehow looking even more radiant than she had before the triplets were born.

  “Fair warning,” Lance called as he strode to the back of the van. “It could take us a year to unpack the car and get everyone situated in the stroller.”

  “I’d love to help.” Everly opened the door and unlatched the first car seat. “Hello, little Paisley.” As the only girl, she was easy to recognize in her cute little pink onesie. “You’re looking extra adorable today.”

  Inside the car, one of the boys started to fuss. Cole, maybe? Or it could’ve been Declan. She was still working on telling those two apart.

  Lance rolled their triple Cadillac stroller around and easily lifted the two boys’ car seats to click them into place while Everly took care of Paisley’s. She’d already had practice when she’d helped Jessa do the grocery shopping the week before. “Wow. That didn’t take any time at all.”

  “He’s a pro.” Jessa went to stand by Lance’s side, leaning into him. “You should see him. Super dad. These are the luckiest babies in the world.”

  “I don’t doubt that at all.” Everly had to dab at her eyes again. It seemed she’d be emotional all day.

  “I guess I should get back to my post,” she said. Naomi was frantically waving her over. “I’ll catch up with you two in a little bit.”

  Lance and Jessa said a quick good-bye, and then both bent over the stroller to fuss over the babies.

  “Sorry,” she said when she got back to Naomi. “I can’t resist babies.” Normally Naomi couldn’t, either.

  “I think your parents are here.” Her friend pointed toward the parking area. “I mean, they said they were your parents, but I didn’t know you’d even invited them.”

  “I did.” Everly’s eyes went on a frantic search, but she didn’t see them anywhere. “I sent them an email telling them about it. But they never responded.” She’d figured they were still angry that she’d refused to sign those petition papers to reinstate her license and hire an attorney.

  “Don and Sherri, right?” Naomi asked. She seemed to study Everly’s face. “You and your mom have a definite resemblance.”

  Yes, she’d always looked more like her mom. “They’re really here?”

  “I’m pretty sure.” Her friend looked around, too. “Oh! Over there. They’re looking at Walter.”

  Everly turned, and sure enough, her parents strolled around the chicken yard looking completely out of place in their fancy clothes and shiny shoes. But they’d come.

  “I’ll be back,” she whispered, suddenly too full of emotion to find her voice. It had been so long since she’d seen them. Her dad with his regal white hair and tailored suit. Her mom with that golden hair and proud stoic face. That was how Everly used to be, too. Stoic and slightly detached. But not anymore.

  She rushed through the yard, clumsy in her cowgirl boots, dodging people and smiling and crying. “Mom?” She was out of breath by the time she reached them.

  “Hi, honey.” For once Sherri Brooks looked unsure of herself.

  “I never heard back from you. I didn’t think you’d come.” She hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted them here. After the last conversation with her father, she hadn’t let herself hope.

  “We had to come.” Her dad’s eyes had softened. Instead of his rigid stare, they were filled with uncertainty, regret. “I’m sorry for the things I said, Evs. I wanted to help. I wanted to make things right for you.” Everly had never seen her father cry. Not once. But tears ran down his cheeks as he looked her over. “But if this place makes you happy, we’re behind you. We’ll support you.”

  “That’s all we want for you, honey.” Her mom hugged her tight. “If you’re happy here we can be happy for you.”

  “I am happy here. And I’m so happy you came.” She brushed away her own tears and kissed her father’s cheek—something she used to do all the time. He still smelled like the cologne he wore to disguise the cigar smell from her mom. “I can’t believe you’re here. I have so many people to introduce you to.” The most important one being that man directing traffic on the driveway. She’d mentioned Mateo in her email so her parents wouldn’t be shocked if they did decide to make the trip. Well, that, and she wanted them to know about the most important person in her life.

  She led her parents over to him, telling them about the farm the whole way. Mateo saw them coming and immediately shirked his responsibilities.

  “Hey.” He seemed to do a double-take. She’d shown him pictures of her parents, but she doubted he’d expected them to come, either.

  “Hi.” Everly’s voice still wobbled. “My parents are here. Don and Sherri,” she said in case he’d forgotten. “They came to see the farm. Dad, Mom, this is Mateo.” Her love. Her best friend.

  Based on the way his smile grew, he knew what this meant to her. “We’re so glad you could make it.” He shook her dad’s hand and seemed to surprise her mom with a hug.

  “You two have built quite the operation here.” Everly had seen that proud look on her dad’s face before. When she’d graduated. When she’d gotten hired on at the firm. She never thought she’d see it again.

  “Everly made it all possible.” Mateo eased his arm around her. “She’s done a lot for this community. These people love her.” His hand squeezed her hip lovingly. “And so do I.”

  Her mom sniffled, but Everly didn’t even bother trying to hold in the happiness that kept welling up in her eyes.

  “We heard your parents are here.” Darla led the charge of her friends. They all crowded in, showering Don and Sherri with friendliness and introductions.

  Continuing the chitchat, the group moved toward the food tent, her friends sweeping her parents along with them. Her mom was already gabbing with the girls like she’d known them for years. Everly started to follow, but Mateo held her back. “I need a minute with you.”

  “You can have all of the minutes you want.” She wrapped her arms around him. “Have I thanked you lately? For all of this?”

  “Last night was pretty good.” That secret smile rose again. “So was the night before that.”

  “I’ll make tonight even
better,” she promised.

  Mateo suddenly looked shy. His eyes wouldn’t quite meet hers. “What about every night after that? Every night for the rest of our lives?”

  Her heart leapt up into her throat. They’d talked about the future. Of course, they’d dreamed about it, but they had so much to do. So many tasks to complete. Any plans or logistics for the two of them building a life together had gotten shoved to the wayside.

  “I can’t wait anymore.” Mateo dropped to one knee right there in the dirt and held up a ring she hadn’t realized he’d been holding. A single solitaire diamond set in a gleaming gold band. “I love you, Everly Brooks. These past eight months have only made me admire you more. You’re compassionate and patient and understanding. Beautiful. So beautiful. I know I’m just a cowboy, but I want to spend the rest of my life making your dreams come true.” He gazed up at her, and the love she saw in his eyes promised everything—strength, support, devotion, passion, and his special brand of fun.

  “Yes.” Everly tugged on his hand, beckoning him to stand with her. He rose slowly, his expression as earnest as his voice had been when he’d asked her to be his wife. His wife. “This is my dream.” She held his face in her hands and whispered against his lips. “You and me. Sharing a life together. That’s everything.”

  See how the Rocky Mountain Riders series began!

  What would a big-time rodeo star like Lance Cortez

  see in a small-town veterinarian like Jessa Mae Love?

  She has no idea. But once she’s inside this rugged

  cowboy’s ranch—and has fallen into his strong

  cowboy arms—she’s too swept away to ask…

  An excerpt from Hometown Cowboy follows.

  Chapter One

  Sorry, sir.” Jessa Mae Love threw out her arms to block the heavyset man who tried to sit on the stool next to her. “This seat is taken.”

  He eyed her, the coarseness of his five o’clock shadow giving his face a particularly menacing quality. Still, she held her ground.

  “You been sittin’ there by yourself for an hour, lady,” he pointed out, scratching at his beer belly. “And this is the best spot to watch the game.”

  “It’s true. I have been sitting here for a while.” She smiled politely and shimmied her shoulders straighter, lest he think she was intimidated by his bulk. “But my boyfriend is meeting me. We have an important date tonight and I know he’ll be here any minute.” She checked the screen of her cell phone again, the glowing numbers blaring an insult in her face. Seven o’clock. Seven o’clock?

  Cam was never late. He’d been planning this date for more than a week. Since she was coming straight from the animal rescue shelter she owned, they’d agreed to meet at the Tumble Inn Bar for a drink before he took her to the new Italian restaurant on Main Street. “He’ll be here,” she said to the man. “Cam is very reliable.”

  “Whatever,” the man grumbled, hunching himself on a stool three down from her.

  Signaling to the bartender, she ordered another glass of pinot. “And why don’t you go ahead and bring a Bud Light for my boyfriend?” she asked with a squeak of insecurity. But that was silly because Cam would be there. He’d show up and give her a kiss and apologize for being so late because…his car broke down. Or maybe his mother called and he couldn’t get off the phone with her.

  “He won’t let me down,” she muttered to cool the heat that rose to her face. He would never stand her up in this crowded bar—in front of the whole town.

  Everyone considered the Tumble Inn the classiest watering hole in Topaz Falls, Colorado. And that was simply because you weren’t allowed to throw peanut shells on the floor. It was nice enough—an old brick auto shop garage that had been converted years ago. They’d restored the original garage doors and in the summer, they opened them to the patio, which was strung with colorful hanging globe lights. Gil Wilson, the owner, had kept up with the times, bringing in modern furniture and decor. He also offered the best happy hour in town, which would explain why it was so crowded on a Wednesday night.

  She stole a quick glance over her shoulder. Were people starting to stare?

  Plastering on a smile, she called Cam. Again.

  His voice mail picked up. Again.

  “Hey, it’s me.” She lowered her voice. “I’m kind of worried. Maybe I got the time wrong? Did we say we’d meet at six? Or seven? I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m here at the bar. Waiting for you…” A deafening silence echoed back in her ear. “Okay. Well, I’m sure you’re on your way. I’ll see you soon.”

  She set down the phone and took a long sip of wine. Everything was fine. It was true she hadn’t had very good luck with men, but Cam was different.

  She drummed her fingers against the bar to keep her hand from trembling. Over the past ten years, she’d been almost engaged approximately three times. Approximately, because she wasn’t all that sure that a twist tie from the high school cafeteria counted as a betrothal, although her seventeen-year-old heart had thought it to be wildly romantic at the time. Little did she know, one year later, her high school sweetheart—the one who’d gotten down on one knee in the middle of the cafeteria to recite one of Shakespeare’s sonnets in front of nearly the whole school (did she mention he was in the drama club?)—would go off to college and meet the Phi Beta Kappa sisters who’d splurged on breast implants instead of fashionable new glasses like Jessa’s. Breast implants seemed to get you more bang for your buck in college. Who knew?

  She pushed her glasses up on her nose and snuck a glance at the big man who’d tried to steal Cam’s seat earlier.

  “Still no boyfriend, huh?” he asked as though he suspected she’d made up the whole thing.

  “He’s on his way.” Her voice climbed the ladder of desperation. “He’ll be here soon.”

  “Sure he will.” The man went back to nursing his beer and tilted his head to see some football game on the television screen across the room.

  She was about to flip him off when an incoming text chimed on her phone. From Cam! “It’s him,” she called, holding up the phone to prove she wasn’t delusional.

  “Lucky guy,” Big Man muttered, rolling his eyes.

  “You got that right.” She focused on the screen to read the text.

  Jessa, I left this morning to move back to Denver.

  Wait. What? The words blurred. A typo. It must be a typo. Damn that autocorrect.

  “What’s the word?” Big Man asked. “He comin’ or can I take that seat?”

  “Um. Uh…” Fear wedged itself into her throat as she scrolled through the rest of the words.

  I didn’t see a future for me there. In Topaz Falls or with you. Sorry. I know this would’ve been better in person, but I couldn’t do it. You’re too nice. I know you’ll find the right person. It’s just not me.

  Yours,

  Cam

  “Yours? Yours?” Ha. That was laughable. Cam had never been hers. Just like the others. Hadn’t mattered how nice she’d been. She’d been jilted. Again. This time by her animal rescue’s largest donor. And, yes, the man she’d been sleeping with…because he’d seemed like a good idea at the time. Women had slim pickings around Topaz Falls, population 2,345.

  “Is he coming or not?” Big Man asked, still eyeing the empty stool.

  “No. He’s not coming.” A laugh bubbled out, bordering on hysteria. “He broke up with me! By text!”

  A hush came over the bar, but who cared? Let them all stare. Poor Jessa. Dumped again.

  “It’s not like he’s a prize,” she said, turning to address them all. “He’s a technology consultant, for God’s sake. Not Chris Hemsworth.” Not that she knew what being a technology consultant meant. But it’d sounded good when she’d met him after she found his stray puggle wandering downtown six months ago. Peabody had pranced right up to her on the street and peed on her leg, the little shit. Now, Jessa was a dog person—an animal person—but that puggle had it out for her from day one.

  When Cam had
come in to retrieve his little beast from the shelter, stars had circled in her eyes. He was the first attractive man she’d seen since all those bull riders had passed through town three months ago. So unfair for those smokin’ hot cowboys to gather in town and get the women all revved up only to leave them the next day.

  In all honesty, Cam was no cowboy. Though his slight bulk suggested he spent a good portion of every day sitting in front of a computer screen, his soft brown eyes had a kind shimmer that instantly drew you in. He’d been good to her—taking her out to fancy restaurants and buying her flowers just because. Also, because she’d saved his beloved varmint from the potential fate of being mauled by a mountain lion, he’d made monthly donations to the shelter, which had kept them going.

  Now he was gone.

  “I can’t believe this. How could he break up with me?”

  Everyone around her had gone back to their own conversations, either unwilling to answer or pretending they didn’t hear. So she turned to Big Man. “I guess you’re happy about this, huh? Now the seat’s all yours.”

  He didn’t even look at her. “Nope. I’m good right where I am, thanks.”

  Oh, sure. After all that, now he didn’t want to sit by her? “Fine. That’s fine. It’s all fine.” Raising the glass to her lips, she drained the rest of her wine in one gulp.

  “You know what?” she asked Big Man, not caring one iota that he seemed hell-bent on ignoring her. “I’m done.” This had to stop. The falling in love thing. It always started innocently enough. A man would ask her out and they’d go on a few dates. She’d swear that this time she wouldn’t get too attached too soon, but before she knew it, she was looking up wedding venues and bridal gowns and honeymoon destinations online. She couldn’t help it. Her heart had always been a sucker for romance. Her father had said it was her best quality—that she could love someone so quickly, that she could give her heart to others so easily. He got it because he was the same way. Her mother, of course, labeled it her worst quality. You’re simply in love with the idea of being in love, her wise mother would say. And it was true. Was that so wrong?