by T. J. Kline
“You have no idea how much it hurt to lose you.” He buried his face in her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin. “And to know that I didn’t have to kills me. I wasted so much time.” He cupped her jaw in his hands. “I hurt you.”
“You did,” she agreed, “but you also helped me stand on my own feet, to fight my own battles again and to know how strong I really am. I love you for those things, too. As much as it hurt and was difficult, I knew I was coming back to prove myself to you, to convince you what we had was worth fighting for.”
“Worth giving up everything for?” He shook his head. “I can’t even imagine what you went through.”
She smiled and forced him to look at her. “I got the best part of the deal. He walked away from Sam and me. He signed off parental rights in exchange for my silence. I have more than enough for Sam and me to survive on, without ever having to work again, and I never have to worry about Elijah’s shadow over us. He was glad to see us go. I was able to walk away with more than I ever had during my marriage. The only thing missing is you.”
Justin rose, holding her under her thighs and laying her onto her bed. “Honey, you have me. If I hadn’t been such an idiot, you would have had me sooner.”
She looked up at him and wound her hands around his neck. “What?”
“Never mind.” He shook his head and stripped his shirt off, throwing it aside before fumbling with the hem of her shirt. “We’ll remedy it tomorrow. Right now, I want to touch you, to feel your skin against mine.” He slid up the length of her body, burying his face between her breasts. “Please tell me you’re cleared by the doctor to—”
“Yes, but it wouldn’t matter if he hadn’t. I’m not waiting a day longer.”
ALYSSA WOKE TO Sam’s quiet whimpers coming from the baby monitor. She slid out of Justin’s arms and slipped on her flannel pajama pants and her T-shirt. She crept down the hall and into Sam’s room, cooing to him quietly as she scooped him out of bed and took him to the rocker, cuddling with him as she nursed. She closed her eyes and dropped her head against the back of the rocking chair, completely at peace for the first time in years. She looked down at her son again, her heart filled with joy.
“He’s a good man, Sam. That’s why I gave you his name. He’s someone for you to look up to.” The corners of Sam’s mouth curved up in a smile as he listened to his mother’s voice. It was irrational since he probably had no idea what she was saying, but she felt as if he understood, and approved. She ran a finger over his cheek. “I love him. You will, too.”
“Marry me.”
Alyssa looked up, surprised to see Justin standing in the doorway, his jeans slung low around his hips, looking deliciously rugged with his mussed hair and scruffy jaw. She tried to catch her breath, unable to believe she’d heard him correctly.
“What?”
Justin moved into the room and knelt in front of her, cradling Sam’s head with his huge palm. “Marry me?” His blue eyes were so entreating she couldn’t look away. “I was going to ask you right after Sam was born. That was why I went back to my place, to get my mother’s ring. But then I got that phone call and . . . I messed everything up, Lyssa. I don’t want to go even a day without you by my side. I love you and Sam in a way I never thought I could love anyone. The last couple months without the two of you have been hell.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Justin, I don’t even know what to say.”
“Say yes.” He moved toward her, curling his fingers around the back of her neck and stealing her breath in a kiss that would have melted any reservations, if she’d had them. “Say yes, and I promise that I will spend every day making that image you had into a reality.”
She smiled against his lips. “Do you promise to always believe me when I tell you something?”
The corner of his mouth tipped up. “I’ll do my best.”
“Do you promise to stop being so stubborn?”
“I can’t promise the impossible.” He laughed as she lifted Sam to her shoulder and patted his back. “What do you say, little man? Do I get to be your Dad?”
Sam let out a burp that must have come from his toes before smiling broadly at Justin. Alyssa couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out. Justin joined her, shaking his head.
“I’ll just assume that was a resounding yes.” He pulled Alyssa to her feet as he dropped to one knee in front of her. “Alyssa Stone, will you forgive my stupid, stubborn cowboy pride and spend the rest of your life letting me show you how much I love you and the children we will have?”
She tried to bite back her smile and look thoughtful, tipping her head to one side. “How many children?”
“As many as you want.”
“And we have to raise them on the ranch, with their cousins nearby.”
“Deal.”
“With dogs and horses and—”
“You do realize I’m not getting any younger down here, right? At this rate, we’ll be celebrating Sam’s first birthday before you say yes.”
She cocked a brow, looking down at him. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”
Sam patted his chubby hand against Justin’s forehead. He reached for it and pressed a kiss to his baby fingers, standing to press another to Alyssa’s lips. “Because I believe you when you tell me you love me.”
“Good, then my answer is yes.”
Epilogue
ALYSSA TURNED TO look at her reflection in the full-length mirror. It was strange to see herself in a wedding gown again. The last time she’d been just out of college and scared she would make a mistake. Some might see it as exactly what had happened, but that mistake had produced her son and led her directly into Justin’s arms.
“Are you ready?” Julia asked. She stood in the front room of the cabin with Jessie while Bailey bounced Sam on her hip, ready for the wedding to commence.
She walked into the room to join them and heard Julia gasp as she wrapped one hand around her protruding belly. “Alyssa, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Alyssa smiled at the woman who would become her sister-in-law in less than thirty minutes. “Are you sure you’ll make it through the ceremony?”
“She’d better,” Bailey warned. “I didn’t get all dressed up for a trip to the hospital.”
“Is he ready?” Alyssa knew Bailey had already been to see Justin.
“He is.”
“Did you know he wouldn’t let the guys throw him a bachelor party?” Jessie asked, puckering her lips and blowing against Sam’s palm, making him laugh. “Said it was disrespectful to his bride-to-be.”
Bailey rolled her eyes. “I never thought I’d see my cousin domesticated.”
Alyssa just smiled, knowing that there was no domesticating Justin. He was still the same strong-willed, stubborn man with a temper, fiercely protective of those he loved. A hero who rescued her from a car accident, saved a litter of puppies, and went on to help deliver her son. Their son, she corrected. He was so many contradictions wrapped into one man who could drive her wild with his touch or comfort their son when he was colicky. He was her cowboy, and in a few moments, he would become her husband.
Franklin poked his head inside. “Time to do this.”
The three women pressed kisses to Alyssa’s cheek. “We’ll be on the porch.” They walked outside, leaving Franklin alone with her.
“You sure you want to go through with this?”
“There’s not a doubt in my mind.”
He gave her a half smile. “I had to ask.”
Alyssa took a step closer and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I know and I appreciate it, but this time, it’s right.”
“I know it is.” He held his elbow out to her. “You’re sure your dad is okay with me walking you down the aisle?”
Alyssa laughed. “Yes. He said he did it last time and it didn’t turn out well, so this time he suggested someone else do it.”
“He’s that superstitious?”
“You have no idea.” She tucked one hand through
his arm and smoothed her free hand over the lace ivory wedding gown. It was supposed to be a simple ceremony at Heart Fire Ranch with only friends present, so Franklin had hired security to form a perimeter, ensuring no paparazzi snuck inside. “Thank you again, Franklin.”
They stepped out onto the porch, and she could see Justin waiting under the flower-covered arch near the corral. He looked so handsome in his half tuxedo, reminding her of the night she’d bid on him. Heads turned as the music began, and Jessie led the procession.
“He adores you. Anyone with eyes can see that,” Franklin whispered. “Don’t tell him I said so, but I’m so grateful to him for bringing you back. I thought you were lost.”
Tears of joy burned her eyes, threatening to ruin her makeup. “I would have been if not for him.”
Franklin placed her hand into Justin’s. When she looked into his eyes, everyone else disappeared and she saw only Justin, the man who’d brought her back to wholeness. His thumb brushed over her wrist and he smiled down at her, his eyes bright as he motioned for Bailey to bring Sam to him. Sam immediately smiled up at him, then looked over at his mother.
“Lyssa, we agreed to write our own vows, but I have to admit that I had some help.”
He pressed a kiss to Sam’s hand when he placed it over his lips. Their families laughed and she couldn’t help but feel her heart swell with devotion when Sam leaned into Justin for a baby kiss. Justin didn’t hesitate to return it, no matter how sloppy it might be. He slid a medallion from his pocket and slipped it over Sam’s head, making a point to include the boy in their ceremony.
“From the moment I first saw you outside the clinic, I was completely enthralled. You have a beauty that shines from within, like the sun. You have a stubborn determination to rival my own, although you won’t admit it.” She laughed, even as the tears slipped down her cheeks. “You’ve shown me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and trust, even when I want to hide from the truth.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing away her tears. “Your love has been the greatest gift I’ve ever known. You and Sam are the reason I wake up. I promise that until the day I take my last breath, I will spend every minute showing you how much I love you both.”
For a woman who had been memorizing scripts for most of her adult life, Alyssa found herself at a loss for words, her memorized vows completely forgotten. “I love you, Justin. More than I ever thought was possible.”
She leaned forward, needing to feel his lips against hers, sealing their future as man and wife. She felt Sam press his mouth against her cheek as Justin kissed her and she laughed.
“Justin, you’re my strength and my hero, the man I want our son to emulate and the man of my dreams. I may not know what our future holds, but I know it doesn’t matter as long as we are together. You’ll always be my superhero.”
He gave her a lopsided grin, the dimple in his cheek deepening. “As long as it’s Thor and not Aquaman,” he muttered as he pulled her into his arms again.
Justin sealed their vows with a kiss that had their families cheering and left her blushing, feeling as if every bone in her body had just pooled in the cowboy boots she wore under her dress. She clung to him, just as she had done from the moment they met, knowing they shared a love like no other. It wasn’t something she could find in any romantic comedy or script. Justin was a hero who defied any stereotype. He was simultaneously flawed and perfect. As the chaplain introduced them, he bent his lips to her ear, kissing the outer shell and making her shiver with yearning, wishing they could skip the reception altogether.
“I love you, Mrs. Hart.”
“I love you, Dr. Hart,” she returned with a laugh as Sam reached for her arms. “You realize this means we’re keeping Rocky and Lucky, right?”
“Was there ever a doubt?” He brushed her hair to one side, letting his breath feather over her neck. “Think we could sneak away? I have a couple of new dance moves to show you.”
Acknowledgments
EVERYONE KNOWS BY now that I’m long-winded, but I’ll try to keep this one short and sweet! First, I want to thank my editor, friend, and, at times, my nemesis, Rebecca Lucash. You are simply the best and know exactly where to push me and when I’ve given my all. I can’t thank you enough for all of the tireless hours and effort you have put in to make me shine.
I want to thank my superhero, Suzie Townsend of NewLeaf Media. You have been my champion even when I didn’t realize I needed one. I can’t brag enough about how wonderful you are! I only hope to achieve half of what you foresee and work so diligently toward accomplishing. You have opened my eyes to a wonderful future ahead.
Thank you, readers, for constantly asking for more. When I sit down and ideas come at me with lightning speed, you are the first people I think of. You are who I want to transport into the world I live in, and I thank you so much for taking the journey with me each time.
I want to thank my writing friends for the many days of support, lifting, encouraging, and butt-kicking needed to get this series out of my head and onto the page. You have stood beside me through tears, whining, and celebrations, and there is no one better to party with (in person or online) than you guys!
And the biggest thank-you of all goes out to my family. You have been my greatest supporters, picking up the many days of slack that is left when I have disappeared into my “writing cave” and needed space to think. Whether it includes fixing meals, feeding animals, or just understanding that I can’t make it to an event, you are always there to cheer me on. I can’t begin to tell you what that means to me. I love you!
About the Author
T. J. KLINE was raised competing in rodeos and Rodeo Queen competitions since the age of fourteen and has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She writes contemporary western romance for Avon Romance, including four books in the Rodeo series and the Healing Harts series. She has published a nonfiction health book and two inspirational fiction titles under the name Tina Klinesmith. In her very limited spare time, T. J. can be found laughing hysterically with her husband, children, and their menagerie of pets in Northern California.
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By T. J. Kline
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The fifth novel in USA Today bestselling author Julie Brannagh’s Love and Football series! Jillian Miller likes her job working in the front office for the Seattle Sharks, but lately she needs a change, which takes her into foreign territory: the Sharks’ workout facility after hours. The last thing she expects is a hot, grumbly god among men to be there as witness.
As Jillian discovers that the new her is about so much more than she sees in the mirror, can she discover that happiness and love are oh-so-much better than perfect?
One dance with him and Jillian was pulling herself out of his arms and getting back into the car. She could dance with him and not get emotional about it. He was just another guy. She was not going to let herself get stupid over someone who was clearly only interested in her as a friend.
His hold on her was gentle. He smelled good. She saw the flash of his smile when she peeked up at him. She’d felt shy with Carlos because she didn’t know him. She didn’t have that problem with Seth. She wanted to move closer, but she shouldn’t.
She tried to remind herself of the fact that Seth probably had more than a few friends with benefits, even if he was between girlfriends at the time. He was a guy. He probably wasn’t celibate, and they weren’t romantic with each other. There was also the tiny fact that anything that happened between them was not going to end well.
She was in more trouble than she knew how to get out of.
At first, Jillian rested her head against his cheek. A minute or so later, she laid her head on his chest. They swayed together, feet barely moving, and he realized his heart was pounding. He’d never experienced anything as romantic as dancing late at night in a deserted city park to a song playing on his car’s sound system. The darkness wrapped them in the softest cocoon. He glanced down at her as he felt her slowly relaxing against him.
It’s not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me
Oh, no
It’s just the nearness of you
He took a deep breath of the vanilla scent he’d recognize anywhere as hers. His fingers stroked the small of her back, and he heard her sigh. Slow dancing was even better than he remembered. Then again, he wasn’t in junior high anymore, and he held a woman in his arms, not a teenage girl. There was a lot to be said for delayed gratification. Dancing with Jillian was all about the smallest movements, and letting things build. He laid his cheek against hers.
