“I know.”
“You know? How?”
“Jaxon just told me.”
“Then why aren’t you calling her?”
“Hadn’t had a chance, Jackie. I just came in from working in the barn and wanted to grab a shower first.”
“Well, I seemed to have jumped the gun then,” she said laughing.
Roark chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll call her as soon as I clean up.”
“No, don’t call her. Just come and get her.”
“Do you think she’ll see me, if I do?”
“She won’t have a choice. I’m leaving for a vacation in Italy and she’ll be here alone. She’s staying with me because she lost her job and can’t find another one. Although, I have to admit that I told her not to bother looking—yet. I’m still hoping for you two. I’ll have the guard at the gate let you in then you two can talk. She loves you, Roark, and I know you love her.”
“I do. All right. I’ll get my uncle to fly me out there. If I don’t see you, have a nice vacation.”
“I will and I expect a wedding when I return. I’m going to love being your mother-in-law. Bye Roark.” She hung up.
Roark laughed. He was beginning to see that the Butler women were both a force to be reckoned with, so he’d better get used to it.
The next day, Roark drove a rented SUV to where Priscilla was staying. Jackie had kept her word and let the guard at the gate know he would be coming. He found his way to the condo, and parked the vehicle out front. Sitting there, he stared at the front door.
What if she didn’t want him anymore? What if she told him to leave? Not that he wouldn’t deserve it if she did, but he wasn’t leaving until he talked to her. He needed to make her see just how much he loved her. He opened the door of the SUV, stepped out and walked to the door. Taking a deep breath, he rang the doorbell.
PRISCILLA SAT ON THE sofa eating ice cream from the container. If she kept this up, she’d need a new wardrobe. She jerked in surprise when the doorbell rang and the ice cream on the spoon fell onto her shirt then to her lap. She wiped at it with a paper towel and smeared the chocolate on her chest and sweatpants. Who in the world?
She supposed it most likely was a neighbor. After all, no one could get through the front gate without her expecting them, and she wasn’t expecting anyone. Setting the container down, she dragged her sad body up off the sofa and walked to the door. When she opened, she quickly closed it again when she saw Roark standing on the stoop. She couldn’t—not now.
“Priscilla? Open the door.”
“There’s no one here,” she called out.
“I saw you,” he said and she could hear laughter in his voice.
“That was a figment of your imagination.”
“I’m not leaving. Open the door or I’ll just camp out here.”
Taking a deep breath, she looked down at her T-shirt with ice cream stains on it. Her hair was up in a messy bun but she was sure he’d seen her looking worse. Oh, yeah? When?
“Never,” she muttered as she opened the door. God! He looked so good.
“Can I come in?” he asked as he leaned against the doorjamb with his arms folded across his broad chest and his hip cocked. His hat sat low on his forehead and those jeans were sinful the way they fit him. Total cowboy.
“Yeah, I guess so.” She shrugged.
He straightened up and strode past her then turned to look at her when she closed the door. His eyes moved over her and his lips twitched as he looked down at her feet.
“What? You don’t like my bunny slippers?”
“I love you in anything, darlin’, and I especially love you out of anything.”
“What?”
“I know you didn’t put that personal stuff in the article. Jaxon told me you called him, and that Earl called him to apologize too.”
“Mom had a hand in that.”
“I figured as much.” He stepped closer to her and cupped her face in his hands. “I love you. I’ve missed you like crazy. Please come home to me. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen when you said you didn’t know anything about what I was yelling at you over. I let my prideful stupidity get the better of me when I should have known you wouldn’t do something like that. Can you ever forgive me for not listening to you? For thinking you’d lie to me or betray my trust?”
“Of course I can, because I love you so much, Roark.”
Roark leaned down and pressed his lips to hers then his hands moved down her back to her ass and he squeezed it as he pulled her to him.
“Darlin’, I’ll never doubt you again. I can’t tell you how miserable I’ve been without you. I should have listened to you instead of letting my temper take over and think the worst. You’ll come home with me, right?”
“I’ve missed you too. I love you and yes, I will come home with you. I can’t wait to get back and plan our wedding.”
“I hope you want a fast one because I’m not in the mood for waiting.”
“I don’t want to wait either.” Priscilla put her arms around his neck, stood on her toes, and kissed his lips. “Take me home, Roark Callahan. I finally have a cowboy of my own again. Oh, that reminds me...how was the wedding?”
“Z-man stole the show, of course. I’ll tell you all about it later.”
“Wha-what about bull riding?” She nibbled on her bottom lip, nervous he’d changed his mind but willing to accept it if he had.
“I told you I would quit. I won the buckle I wanted and I have you back in my life. I’m not going to jeopardize losing you again. I can’t go through that again.”
“I don’t want you to quit because of me, Roark. If you changed your mind about competing, I’ll live with it.”
“It’s not because of you. It’s for you. I’ll do anything to make you happy. If you’re happy, I’m happy. I love you and that’s all that matters. You come first.”
“As long as you’re sure...I don’t want you to regret it then blame me.”
“I won’t. Besides, I’ll still be involved because of my bulls participating so sometimes we’ll be traveling with the circuit. Is that all right?”
“Absolutely. I’ll go anywhere with you,” she whispered against his lips.
“Then show me your bedroom.”
He took her hand and started down the hallway she pointed out to him, half dragging her along behind him with her bunny slippers tripping her up. She loved how eager he was...she was eager too.
“Okay...anything you say, cowboy. Anything you say.” Then she laughed when he tossed her over his shoulder, entered the bedroom, and kicked the door closed.
Epilogue
Roark watched Priscilla as she made her way around the crowded town hall. She looked radiant in her beautiful white gown that hugged her like a second skin. Those white peek-a-boo stilettos she wore had him wanting her to keep them on when he finally got her back in bed. He smiled when he saw her laughing with Jaxon. His heart went out to his cousin and wondered if Jaxon was doing all right with all the weddings. He’d lost the love of his life and going to the two weddings so close together had to bring back memories of his own.
“Hey, Roark.”
Roark looked over to see Grayson Beckett approaching. He put his hand out and Gray shook it. “Gray, I’m glad you could make it.”
“Me too. You Callahans don’t mess around.”
Roark chuckled. “Yep, we want it like yesterday.”
“Yeah, but I can see you love her. She’s a nice person. I wish you both much luck.”
“We all do, Roark,” Sam Garrett said as he stuck his hand out to him.
“Thanks, Sam. Tess, you look beautiful,” Roark said, shaking Sam’s hand.
“Thank you, and you look very handsome.” Tessa Garrett smiled at him then leaned in to hug him.
The next thing he knew, all of his friends were bearing down on him. Damn it. He just wanted to get to Priscilla. Jake, Gabe, Wyatt, Brody, Ryder, Riley, and Trick either shook his hand or slapped him on the back. Just when he thought he co
uld get away, more friends descended on him. The rest of the Beckett brothers, Brayden, Ash, JD, and Gage shook his hand until he thought his arm would fall off.
“We’re all happy for you,” Ash said with a grin.
“Thank you.” Roark loved them all like brothers but he wanted to get to his wife, and these men were acting like he had all night to talk. He glanced over to where Priscilla was and he grinned when he saw her surrounded by women. They were laughing and giggling and he wondered what they could be up to.
“That can’t be good,” Trick muttered.
“Hell no. Olivia is probably telling Priscilla she wants all the juicy details when you return from your honeymoon,” Wyatt said then chuckled.
“I have no doubt about that, Wyatt, and Liv will probably get it too. She could get blood from a turnip,” Roark said.
“That’s so true about Liv, but those others are just as bad. Liv is just the ringleader,” Gabe said laughing.
Roark shook his head but he mentally agreed. Men had nothing on women when it came to getting to the bottom of things. He saw Priscilla look at him and smile. He grinned, nodded to his friends, and then wove his way through the tables to get to his wife. He liked the sound of that—wife. Right now, he wanted to hold her on the dance floor.
When he finally reached where she was standing, his heart skipped a beat when she smiled up at him. God, he loved this woman.
“Let’s dance,” he said as he tugged her onto the dance floor. He gave a nod to the band and they began playing Shameless by Garth Brooks.
“I love this song,” she said next to his ear.
“Every word is true about how you make me feel. There is nothing I won’t do for you.”
“Same here.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his shoulder.
Roark pulled her tight against him as they swayed to the music. Over her shoulder, he saw his mother in-law talking with Uncle Liam, and they seemed rather cozy. He chuckled.
“What are you laughing about?”
“Your mom and my uncle looking cozy together.”
Priscilla raised her head and looked over her shoulder. “Uh, oh. Your uncle is a handsome man. Mom may have set her sights on him.”
“That might not be a bad thing. He needs a good woman. He was engaged years ago but the woman broke his heart bad, and he swore he’d never get married after that.”
“Never say never,” Priscilla said grinning.
“I think they look good together. Maybe there will be another Callahan wedding soon.”
“That would make your mother in-law your aunt.”
Roark laughed. “Would I call her mom or aunt?”
“No clue on that one.” She chuckled then put her head back against his shoulder.
“Did I tell you that you look so very handsome in your tux?” she asked him as she toyed with the carnation in his lapel.
“No, you did not.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Well, you do and I can’t wait to get you out of it.”
“Oh, okay...on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You leave those shoes on when we get to bed.”
“Deal,” she said then laughed when Roark groaned.
PRISCILLA HAD NEVER been so happy and she couldn’t wait to start her life with Roark. He was such a good man and she would spend the rest of her days letting him know how much she loved and appreciated him. Looking around the room, she smiled.
“What?” She heard him ask from above her.
“How did you get this wedding together so fast?”
“We Callahans don’t fool around when we want something or someone. We do whatever it takes to make it happen.”
“I like all your friends—the ones from Clifton and Hartland. Grayson and Sam are very sexy, you know. Must be those badges...but wait, they’re not wearing those badges today. Must be the men themselves.” She laughed when Roark growled, it vibrating deep in his chest beneath her ear.
“They’re both good guys but you don’t need to worry about that...you’re all mine.”
“Okay, but I’m not promising I won’t look. You have some gorgeous relatives and friends.”
Roark laughed. “As long as you keep loving me, darlin’, you can look all you want.”
“I will love you until I take my dying breath,” she promised. She sighed when he laid his cheek on the top of her head. “I love how everyone showed up at the last minute.”
“Me too. Now if we can just get through a few more hours, we’ll be out of here and we can start the honeymoon.”
“Can’t wait for that.” She put her lips next to his ear. “I like it when we make love but I love it when we fuck.”
“You’re killing me,” he muttered.
“I wouldn’t want to do that. I’m just telling you how I feel.”
“Yeah, well not fair, when I have to wait hours to do either.”
Priscilla tossed her head back and laughed. “It will make it all the better. Come on, let’s start making the rounds then we can get out of here and start our life together.”
“Sounds good to me, darlin’.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm.
“Me too. I don’t like Earl but I should thank him, since it was because of him that I found you.”
“True. I’ll always be faithful to you, Priscilla. You are my life. I’m a one woman man, darlin’, I just had to find that one woman and now I have.”
Priscilla blinked tears away as she hugged him and kissed his neck. How was it possible to love someone this much? She did and she’d told him the truth about loving him until her dying day. She glanced around, smiling then she laughed when she saw little Zeke running around the room.
“What’s funny?” Roark raised an eyebrow at her.
“Z-man. He loves his cowboy hat, doesn’t he?”
Roark grinned. “Reid bought it for him and I swear he never takes it off. Lucy probably has to sneak into his bedroom when he’s asleep and take it from his head. He’s a real cowboy.”
“He’s adorable. Reid is heading him off now.” She laughed as Reid caught up with Zeke, lifted him up, and tossed him into the air making the little boy squeal with laughter.
“I want a few of those,” she whispered.
“How about in a year or two? I want you to myself for a while but I’d love a few too, or more than a few.”
Priscilla kissed his lips. “However many you want. Just think how much fun we’ll have practicing making them.”
“Oh, I am thinking about it, darlin’. Trust me on that.” Roark kissed her forehead.
They strolled around the town hall smiling and accepting congratulations from all of their friends and family. She loved his friends and their wives—especially Lucy. She had a feeling they would grow very close and she looked forward to that. She also loved her in-laws. Arden and Brigit were amazing people and treated her as if she’d been in the family forever. She couldn’t wait to give them grandchildren and add to the Callahan clan.
Who would have thought she’d ever want a cowboy of her own? Smiling, she looked up at him. Then again, why wouldn’t she?
**The End**
More books by Susan Fisher-Davis
JAKE, Men of Clifton, MT - Book 1
Every time I pick up one of Susan's books, I wonder to myself why haven't I just packed my bags and moved to Montana. This woman makes me dream of hot cowboys with no shirts. –– S. Pritt
GABE, Men of Clifton, MT - Book 2
Gabe is book two in the Men of Clifton Montana Series and as much as I loved Jake in book one, I do believe Gabe stole my heart. –– Jennifer Schultheis
BRODY, Men of Clifton, MT - Book 3
This author never fails! I have loved each and every one of Susan Fisher-Davis books!
–– AFB
WYATT, Men of Clifton, MT - Book 4
This is my favorite story from Susan...OMG Hotness, that Wyatt. Sexy, sexy sexy is all I can say. –– Honey<
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RYDER, Men of Clifton, MT - Book 5
Containing all the elements of a perfect romance, Ryder is a book that is sure to capture your heart and warm it to the core. –– CA Knoble
RILEY, Men of Clifton, MT - Book 6
Who knew that I would fall in love with another sexy cowboy? –– T.L.S.
SAM, Men of Clifton, MT - Book 7
I LOVED this book and would recommend it to everyone who loves a hometown cowboy who knows how to keep his woman happy!! –– Rhonda
FIT FOR A KING
Another 5 star read from the brilliant Susan Fisher-Davis! I love a strong, sexy cowboy and Wade King is definitely that! –– Dawn
A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS (a Callahan novella)
Kudos to Susan Fisher-Davis for this holiday romance! –– Gack
LUCAS, Bad Boys of Dry River, WY - Book 1
I flipping LOVED this ~~ the characters. Outstanding. So you wanna feel like you are jumping on a horse ready to ride. Let Susan take you there. –– SassyLuvBugSusan
MONTGOMERY, Bad Boys of Dry River, WY - Book 2
The love scenes were so passionate and sexy!! I couldn't put the book down. I highly recommend this book and this series!!! –– Brenda Gremli
COOPER, Bad Boys of Dry River, WY - Book 3
Love this book! –– Penny
LINCOLN, Bad Boys of Dry River, WY - Book 4
Lincoln is my new favorite Susan Fisher-Davis cowboy! –– Jennifer
DAKOTA, Bad Boys of Dry River, WY – Book 5
Absolutely loved it. I hope you love it as much as I did!!!— gpearson
BRAYDEN, the Beckett Brothers – Book 1
Watching these two circle each other was both heartbreaking but yet beautiful at the same time. I thoroughly loved reading this book. I can't wait for more in this series.
— Stacy Jordet
A Cowboy of Her Own Page 16
