by Liwen Y. Ho
Lexi spotted the familiar outline of a navy blue pickup truck as it rounded the bend of the road leading up to Sage Valley. The man in the driver’s seat came into view as the vehicle neared. Her heart skipped a beat in excitement. Her cowboy was finally home.
Two weeks had passed since she last saw James, and even though they spoke several times a day on the phone, it felt like they’d been apart twice as long. James had only found out two days ago that the band had found his replacement. Since then, Lexi had been waiting impatiently for his return. She raced toward the parking area, moving so quickly, she didn’t see the squawking rooster crossing the road.
With an inch to spare, she stopped herself from plowing into the bird. “Elvis! Not today, buddy. No person—or rooster—is getting in the way of me and my man.” She waved the bird aside with a loud, “Shoo!” and dodged her way around him. When she looked ahead, she spotted the man she’d been waiting fourteen days and three hours to kiss again. With a sprint, she bounded into his open arms. “James!”
He held her close, his strong arms enveloping her in a tight embrace. “I missed you so much, sweetheart.”
Lexi pulled back and looked into the bright blue eyes of the man she’d come to know and love even more this past month. Standing on her tiptoes, she cupped her hands on his cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss. His masculine scent, the light stubble along his jawline, and the richness of his voice—she’d missed it all so much. “I’m so glad you’re home. It hasn’t been the same without you.”
“Without me or my chili?” he asked in a teasing tone. With one hand, he grabbed his duffel bag from the truck and hitched it over his shoulder. He held Lexi’s hand with the other as they made their way past the parking lot.
She wrinkled her nose in chagrin. “Both! None of the kitchen staff could figure out your secret ingredient. Believe me, they tried everything they could think of. They’ve all decided you’re not allowed to go anywhere again without telling someone.”
James chuckled. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan on leaving Sage Valley anytime soon. I wouldn’t dream of leaving you again.” He brought her hand up to his lips for a kiss. “But telling someone isn’t a bad idea. I’ve been thinking of doing that, so why not today?”
Her brows shot up as she eyed him in surprise. “I thought it was for family only?”
“It is.”
“Do you have a long-lost brother or sister I don’t know about? Or maybe a distant cousin?”
“No and no.” He pressed his lips together, his complexion reddening.
“What’s going on, James?”
James shot her a shy smile before coming to a stop in front of the door to the mess hall. “Maybe it’s easier if I show you. Come on.”
Lexi followed him to the kitchen. Once inside, James set his bag and hat aside and rolled up the sleeves of his button-down shirt. He began opening cabinets and pulling out a variety of dried spices. Containers of coriander, cumin, paprika, cayenne, and oregano soon filled up the counter. At the very end of the line sat one rectangular dark brown container. It looked out of place, yet James didn’t blink an eye. “What’s that?” she asked, pointing to the last item.
He picked up the box and handed it to her. “This,” he announced with a smile, “is the secret ingredient.”
Lexi turned the container over and read the words unsweetened cocoa. “Are you serious? I never would have guessed it. How much do you add?”
“Two teaspoons. That’s all it takes, but it makes a world of difference.”
“It does.” Sighing happily, she set the box down. “I feel so privileged to know your secret. You must really trust me,” she added with a grin.
“I do trust you, Lexi. You are the only woman I feel completely at ease with,” he stated, despite the uncertainty clouding his features. “Being apart from you these past two weeks only confirmed what I already knew. You’re the only woman I’d want to give the secret ingredient to. Which is why …”
“James?” Lexi’s mouth fell open as she watched James fall to one knee. “What are you doing?”
James took a black velvet box from his jacket pocket and opened it to reveal a diamond solitaire ring. He presented the ring to Lexi with a hopeful smile. “I’m making sure the secret ingredient stays within the family. Alexandra Ming Zhu Turner, will you let me cook chili for you for the rest of my life? Will you marry me?”
It only took Lexi two seconds to digest the question and answer him with an enthusiastic “Yes!” She fell to her knees beside James and held out her hand to him.
He slid the ring onto her finger and began their engagement with a sweet kiss. “I love you, Lexi. I always have, and I always will.”
“I love you, too, James, even more than your chili,” she added playfully.
James chuckled. “That’s good to know.”
“And don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” she promised with her whole heart.
Lexi gazed at the handsome young cowboy who gave her everything she could ever want—a firm shoulder to cry on, a soft place to land, and the sweetest kisses she’d ever received. James was her home as much as Sage Valley Ranch was. She knew without a doubt that she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Her past, with all of its twists and turns, had led her to this place and to this day. There was so much to look forward to now. A future—and endless bowls of chili—with her best friend? Nothing could be more delicious.
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Ready for another Sage Valley Ranch romance?
Grab the next book in the series, Wrangled by the Watchful Cowboy, by Tamie Dearen.
His best friend’s little sister may be strictly off limits, but she’s definitely on his mind. He’s supposed to keep his eyes on her, not his lips!
Read Wrangled by the Watchful Cowboy now!
* * *
Love older woman/younger man romances? If you enjoyed James and Lexi’s story, you’ll love Liwen Ho’s small-town romance, Chasing Romance.
She's a single mom who's given up on love. He's a pop star eleven years her junior. Will this unlikely couple give romance a chance?
Start reading Chasing Romance now!
* * *
Sign up for Liwen Ho’s newsletter to receive an exclusive free book, news about her upcoming releases, giveaways, sneak peeks, and more at: http://eepurl.com/bt2nEL.
Sage Valley Ranch Series
Romancing the Conflicted Cowboy
By Crystal Walton
Falling for the Younger Cowboy
By Liwen Y. Ho
Wrangled by the Watchful Cowboy
By Tamie Dearen
Charmed by the Daring Cowboy
By Melanie D. Snitker
Inspired by the Creative Cowboy
By Bree Livingston
Afterword
When I was first approached about joining this series, I was both excited and anxious. Excited because I knew I’d get to work with a stellar group of authors; anxious because I’d never written a cowboy story before. Thankfully, three of the authors live in Texas and were gracious enough to share everything they know about all things cowboy. I also relied on the power of the internet for my research, such as finding the tasty chili recipe that became James’s signature dish. (Like Lexi, I would’ve never guessed the secret ingredient was cocoa powder!) I find that including food in a story helps to engage all the senses—sight, smell, taste, feel, and sound—and makes the story more fun.
I also took the liberty of “writing what I know” and included some aspects of my Asian heritage in the story. While Lexi’s mom is not based on any tiger moms I know from real life, Lexi’s Chinese name was the real name of my maternal grandmother. I never got to meet her or my grandfather as they both passed away before I was born, but I have faith I will see them at Home one day.
Thanks so much for reading Falling for the Younger Cowboy! I’d appreciate hearing what you thought of it, so please leave an honest review and let me know.
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank the following people who blessed me in the writing of this book:
Bree Livingston, for rounding the other Sage Valley authors and me up to make this series a reality. Crystal Walton, Melanie D. Snitker, Tamie Dearen, and, once again, Bree, for making this experience such a positive one.
My critique partners, Jocelynn Fitch and Kristen Iten, for all the virtual chocolate they sent me when I was crawling through the last 10k words of this story.
My Early Bird Launch Team members for their continued support, book after book after book. I couldn’t do this without you!
My wonderful editor, Heather Hayden, who is both professional and personable.
My amazing hubby and two munchkins, for cheering me on day in and day out.
Last, but certainly not least, the Backstreet Boys, for releasing their newest album just in time for me to listen to it on repeat while I wrote this book.
About the Author
Liwen Y. Ho works as a chauffeur and referee by day (AKA being a stay-at-home mom) and an author by night. She writes sweet and inspirational contemporary romance infused with heart, humor, and a taste of home (her Asian roots).
In her pre-author life, she received a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Western Seminary, and she loves makeovers of all kinds, especially those of the heart and mind.
She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her techie husband and their two children, and she blogs about her adventures as a recovering perfectionist at http://www.2square2behip.com/. Sign up for Liwen’s newsletter to receive an exclusive free book, news about her upcoming releases, giveaways, sneak peeks, and more at: http://eepurl.com/bt2nEL
Also by Liwen Y. Ho
Edenvale Arts High School Series
How to Kiss a Guy in Ten Days
To the Only Boy I’ve Loved Before
Sage Valley Ranch Series
Falling for the Younger Cowboy
Lawkeepers Series
Lawfully Cherished
The Spark Brothers Series
A Single Spark
A Sudden Spark
The Sweetest Spark
At First Spark
An Extra Spark
Billionaires with Heart Series
At Odds with the Billionaire
Best Friends with the Billionaire
Crushing on the Billionaire
Taking Chances on Love Series
Taking a Chance on the Heartbreaker
Taking a Chance on Mr. Wrong
Taking a Chance on the Enemy
Seasons of Love Series
The More the Merrier
A Spoonful of Spice
Of Buds and Blossoms
On Waves of Wanderlust
Tropical Kiss Series
Tropical Kiss or Miss
Tropical Kiss and Tell
Welcome To Romance Series
Chasing Romance
Romantically Ever After
Holding Onto Love in Romance
Non-Series Books
Puppy Dog Tales
The Love Clause
Love’s Choice
The Time Rift (co-authored with David H. Ho)
