Cowboys and Candy

by Avery Gale, Jess Buffett, Willow Brooke, Lynn Ray Lewis, Gracie Meadows

  Chapter Five

  The next date went as planned, as did the next, and the next. The more time they spent together, the deeper Harley’s heart opened as she fell for his charm and charisma. It got to where she looked forward and counted down the minutes until she could see him again.

  As the fall leaves were starting to drop, the cold, crisp nip of the air signaled the holidays just around the corner. Frank and Harley invited Tim to join them for Thanksgiving, as a ‘family friend.’ When Christmas approached, Harley finally decided to sit down and talk to Jackson.

  “Baby, I need to tell you something. Mommy and Tim Kindle are dating. Now, this doesn’t mean anything, but we have been going out for quite some time, and I think it is time you know. Are you okay with this?”

  “Duh, Mom. It is about time. I am not a baby anymore, and you’re not getting any younger, you know.”

  He did not just say that. “Jackson!” Frank burst out laughing, triggering her to join in. The kid had a valid point. “Well, I can’t argue that. Would you mind if he joined us for Christmas dinner?”

  “Tim is going to come? Yay! He is the funniest ever. Do you think he will play video games with me?”

  Harley didn’t even have to give it thought. “I am sure he will.” Her boyfriend was an overgrown kid. He had taken her to laser tag and paintball, and insisted they watch every Transformers and superhero movie made. The fond memories made her grin. For the first time, she realized they had made so many new, happy memories, that the past nightmare was all but gone. Each time they were together, it was nothing short of amazing. For the first time in her life, she was in love. Wow. Love. So, this is what it feels like…

  On Christmas morning, Jackson woke her by jumping up and down on the bed. She reluctantly stumbled to the coffee pot, making her bouncing baby boy wait for the caffeine to enter her system enough so her vision wasn’t blurred. Frank perched beside her, laughing at the overly impatient Jackson, who was scoping out each wrapped box under the tree. It was a sight straight out of a Lifetime movie. With her dad at her side, and her amazing little boy doing what every kid does, she sent a silent thank you to the man upstairs. The only thing missing was Tim.

  A knock at the door made her jump. “Who can be visiting this early, on freaking Christmas morning for crap’s sake?”

  “I’ll get it!” Jackson ran to the door with Frank a few steps behind. When he unlocked and opened it, Tim stood with sacks of gifts in hand, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! I bring presents and breakfast!” Tim’s deep voice boomed, sending her heart into a spiral of cartwheels out of her chest. Then it hit her, here she stood in her blue fuzzy bathrobe and flannel pajamas, her hair in tangles on the top of her head, no make-up, sleep wrinkles still across her cheeks from the pillow, and her Scooby Doo slippers on her feet. Super. When they invited him in, he walked straight toward her and planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

  “More presents! Mom, he brought more presents! Can we open them now? Pleeeeease?” Jackson was about to bust.

  “Just a few more minutes, son. Mom needs coffee.” Tim took the sacks over to the tree and laid them out, turning back toward the door.

  “I stopped at the diner and got everyone breakfast. Let me grab it out of the truck.” He all but ran to fetch the Styrofoam containers, appearing with enough food to feed an army. “I didn’t know what everyone liked, so I tried to get a little of everything, but I did get pancakes for your little short stack, Frank.” He winked at her, handing over her favorite, chocolate chip pancakes with chocolate syrup. Her eyes lit up, knowing what the square container held. “You remembered! Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do this.”

  “I wanted to, sweetheart. Frank called last night and asked if I would like to join in on the unwrapping frenzy, and I couldn’t wait. Christmas morning is my favorite time of the year.”

  “We are happy you could join us, son. Aren’t we, short stack?” Frank looked at her and grinned, warming her heart at his secretive plotting and planning to include Tim in their family time. Her dad was always looking out for her.

  She swallowed the fresh-brewed coffee in a huge gulp, narrowing her eyes to show she was onto his shenanigans, but smiled in acceptance. “Yes, we are. I didn’t know we were having company or I would have been dressed more appropriately.”

  “You look beautiful. I would have come in my Superman pajamas, but I knew I couldn’t get away with wearing them all day.” He walked over to her side and accepted the steaming hot cup of java she offered. “Yes, please. Thank you. So, Mom, does he have to eat breakfast before he can dig in, or can he start unwrapping?”

  Her lips twisted in that motherly way, delaying her answer while Jackson and Tim both looked at her, excited and impatient. Feeling they had suffered enough, she nodded. “I guess. Breakfast will still be here after. Go for it, baby.” Before she got the words out, Tim and Jackson raced over to the gleaming, lighted tree, falling to their knees the same way in front and grabbing the first present they came to.

  “Here you go, open this one first. I picked it out special.” Tim handed the small box to the boy and waited. After Jackson had the paper in shreds and the contents out, Harley and Jackson both looked at Tim in question.

  “What is it?”

  “It is a key.”

  “A key to what?” Harley asked skeptically.

  “Go look out the window to the back of my truck and see!” Jackson jumped up and pulled the curtain back, screaming in excitement.

  “What did you do?” Harley walked over to see for herself. Sitting perched in the bed of the truck was a brand new shiny red four-wheeler. “Oh my gosh, you didn’t! That is way too much!”

  “I love it! Can I go ride now, Mom?” He was halfway to the door when she stopped him. Frank and Tim were cracking up, loving the kid’s reaction.

  “No, you can after you finish opening presents and eat something. Tim, we can’t accept something so extravagant…”

  “It isn’t nearly enough to make up for past holidays. This is only the beginning of a lot more to come.” Not allowing her to argue any more, he handed a long black felt box with a bright red bow on top. “And, this is for you.” It was too big to be a ring or earring box, and too small to be a sweater. She flipped the lid and gasped. Inside was the most gorgeous diamond and emerald bracelet she had ever seen.

  “Wow, Tim. I love it…thank you so much.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, forgetting that her father was a mere three feet away. He cleared his throat, dragging them both back to reality. Jackson was too occupied scoping out the new ride to notice, and Frank just smiled and shook his finger at them. Laughing, they all went back over to the tree to finish present time.

  Two hours and six trash bags full of ripped and torn colorful paper later, they were finished. Harley excused herself to go shower and dress for the day while Frank was busy putting things together and cutting the seemingly ironclad plastic ties from each toy. Jackson and Tim were so busy trying out the new fire truck and Hot Wheels track, they barely noticed her leave.

  The rest of the day was amazing. For the first time in her life, her little family felt complete. It was strange how not long ago she had been content with how things were, never thinking this was in the cards for her. Now, as she looked around, she knew without a doubt that this was it… This was the beginning of a brand new life.

  Chapter Six

  Just when Harley thought things couldn’t get better, New Year’s Eve rolled around. Dressed in a new red satin dress, she stepped out into the powdery snow as Tim escorted her into the winter wonderland ballroom. Harley’s jaw hit the ground. He had gone all out, bedecked in a black pinstriped tux with matching red tie and vest, and a black hat, which combined into a sexy as sin, fuck me now buffet. He was absolutely, deliciously irresistible. The man was a walking orgasm in cowboy boots.

  Song after song, he glided her across the dance floor, making every childhood Cinderella drea
m come true. When the clock tolled midnight, he took her mouth in the sexiest, most erotic kiss she had ever experienced. Before the bells stopped, she was reaching to discard the cloth that separated her fingers from his flesh so she could take him right there in front of everyone. He stopped her hands just in time, leading her to the elevator without a word. The moment the doors shut, he consumed her. Their mouths crashed together, licking and sucking wildly. Harley’s tongue met his, taking control and deepening the kiss into an inferno of lust and desire. Her hands attacked the buttons of his jacket, tugging and pulling desperately to free the material. His last shred of restraint flew out the window. With full alpha male instinct, he took over, dominating and consuming her from the outside in. By the time the elevator had reached the floor where he had reserved a room, his jacket, tie, and vest were in a heap in the corner, with her shoes piled neatly on top. Without skipping a beat, he reached down and scooped the items up, wadding them under one arm while he continued working her into a heated puddle of need. They broke contact only long enough for him to slide the key card and unlock their room, giving them instant privacy for the clothing that started to fly.

  Tim reached up and unzipped her dress, sliding it down over the juicy curves of her body. He couldn’t resist trailing his hands over each and every inch of her soft flesh as the dress dropped, groaning into her mouth with satisfaction. Harley grabbed and groped at his chest and stomach, stopping at his waist to unfasten his pants. As soon as the fabric broke free, her finger trailed down the thin line of hair that ran from his navel down into the beyond. Harley couldn’t wait. With her other hand she slipped the black silk boxers over his hips to give her hands and eyes free rein. The second the boxers dropped, she broke away from the sizzling lip lock and feasted her eyes on his massive cock. Her hand wandered mindlessly, touching and tracing around the top ridge. When it twitched against his belly button, she looked up. The primal hunger that flashed across his panther-like eyes sent a chill up her spine. He went mad. In one swoop he scooped her up and hauled her over to the bed, ripping her panties off into a shredded lace rag with one hand while unclasping her bra with the other.

  Tim had never seen someone so perfect. From the swell of her flawless breasts to the soft curve of her hips, she was everything he had ever dreamed of. As he kissed her onto her back, his mouth trailed down the length of her neck, nipping and sucking a path to the mound of her tit, latching onto the pebbled, rose-colored nipple. He sucked it deep, rolling it between his teeth.

  Unable to concentrate, her head lolled back in a drunken fog. She vaguely felt his hand slip down her stomach and cup her cunt, seeking out her clit with his thumb. The moment it made contact, a new fire sparked within. She couldn’t help but beg. In a breathless pant she said, “Please, Tim! I don’t want soft and sweet this time. I need you now!”

  “Fuck, baby, you are killing me. I am not going to rush this. I want you to remember this—us, right now, right here forever. When I am done, you won’t remember the past, but will only look forward to the future.” Harley moaned, teetering on the edge of control. He drove her higher and higher, tasting and touching every inch of her body. She was helpless. All she could do was grope and tug at him, crying out for more. Finally, just as she thought she would die, he crawled up her body and pressed his rock hard dick against her pussy.

  “Harley, I can’t love you like I want to. I need you too bad. I am going to fuck you deep and hard, baby. Are you ready?”

  Harley let out a scream. “Yes, damn it! Yes!” Before she had time to prepare, he slid the pre-cum slickened head into her folds and thrust in, sinking balls deep. Her walls constricted around him, adjusting to his size.

  “Damn, you are tight, baby. You feel so good squeezing my dick.” She arched into him, attempting to take control.

  “More! Tim, please!”

  “Remember, you asked for it…” He couldn’t take it anymore. Unleashing the beast within, he began pistoning in and out of her. With each stroke, her body climbed higher and higher toward release. She dug her claws into his back, smashing against him as hard as she could. Harley couldn’t take it anymore. Arching her hips, she met each thrust, allowing him to hit her G-spot.

  “Fuck, Tim! I am going to come! Please don’t stoooop!”

  “Never, baby!” His movements got erratic and uncoordinated. With one final thump against that magic button, she rocketed into outer space. Her whole body tensed, surfing each wave of the orgasm. He came shortly after, letting out a Neanderthal growl that could probably be heard in the ballroom. Together they rode each and every wave, floating softly back to earth and succumbing to the comfort of exhaustion.

  As January came to an end, their relationship only blossomed. Tim began staying most of the time at the ranch, helping and becoming part of their daily routine. Jackson had delegated him the homework helper, and every night after dinner the two would sit and finish it, then beg to head outside for a ride through the fields on the quads.

  Valentine’s Day morning, Harley woke to an embarrassing array of vases filled with a variety of colors. At least four dozen shiny balloons floated above. She gasped at how much trouble he had gone to. As she rounded the corner to the kitchen, her dad sat reading the morning paper while Jackson and Tim waited with heart shaped boxes. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Momma!” He handed her the box of chocolates, grinning and jumping to kiss and hug her neck.

  “Wow! Chocolate! My favorite! Thank you, baby, I love it, but not as much as I love you!”

  “I love you, too, Mom. Tim has something for you too.”

  “He does, does he?” She turned and winked at him, waiting for him to give the bigger heart to her.

  “Yes, he does. Open it.” Tim handed it to her, waiting for her to follow his instructions with a scared look. When she flipped the top off, she gasped. Inside one of the little paper cups was the most gorgeous emerald and diamond ring she had ever seen. She picked it out carefully and held it up to see.

  “He has something to tell you too, Mom!” Tim snickered, winking at his new little wing man.

  Before she could speak, he dropped to his knee. “Harley, somehow I managed to rope Cupid and get the one girl who has held the key to my heart for as long as I can remember. Through thick and thin, I never want to be away from you again. I talked to your dad…and I know there is no one else in this world for me. Will you marry me?”

  Tears ran down her cheeks. She reached for him, dragging him to his feet. “Yes! Yes, I would be honored to stand by your side forever!” She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him like it was the first time, the last time, and every time in between. Frank and Jackson erupted in applause, cheering for the new addition to their family. Immediately after, Tim turned to Frank.

  “Frank, I want to thank you for having faith in me, and for giving me the gift of your daughter’s hand. I promise to protect and love her and Jackson forever.”

  “I know you will, son. Plus, branding season is coming up. I had to secure the extra hand.” He laughed, hugging his son-to-be.

  After the three talked and laughed over small talk, Harley turned to Jackson.

  “Son, I have something to tell you too.”

  “You do? What, Mom?” He looked between the three curiously.

  “Jackson, Tim is your father.” Unsure how the boy would react, she watched anxiously. Thankfully, instead of anger or tears, or confusion, he jumped up in the air fist-pumping and yelled a loud “Yee haw!”

  “I got the best dad in the world! Thank you for catching Cupid, because I got my dad!” He hugged Tim, squeezing as tight as his little arms would go. Tim held him close. He couldn’t hold back the tears that slid down his cheeks.

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  Edna's Heart

  by Lynn Ray Lewis

  Chapter One

  Edna Parker, known as Eddie to her friends, was in a slump. The loneliness was nothing new. She had finally gotten home and peeled off her pantyhose at three in the mo
rning. She hated the damn things, but they were necessary with the short dress she wore to work, and then to the bar where she substituted for her neighbor for the night. She often picked up shifts for one of the workers when they needed someone. The tips were good, and it filled the empty hours of the long weekends. John was at the hospital with his wife while she delivered their new baby. The fact it was a Friday night, and the bar was filled to capacity, was the main reason her feet hurt.

  No surprises the night had not gone as smoothly as it could have, and the reason was pretty clear. Her old boss had come into the bar and spent three hours staring at her. Mathew Everly was hard to ignore. At six foot six, with a weightlifter’s body, dark brown hair, and blue eyes, he was eye candy at its best. Tonight he asked her for a date.

  After working for the man for the past seven years, and being ignored for most of those years, she had finally gathered what was left of her courage and quit her job at the ranch. She loved working in the barns with the horses and tending to the pregnant cows. Those cows were some of the most pampered animals on earth. They should be; they were the progeny of prize bulls from all over the world, and they carried the progeny of two pampered, very expensive, prized bulls that lived on the Everly ranch.

  She kept the pregnant horses exercised and well fed, while they grew fat, filled with new foals for her to love. She missed her girls terribly. For the past six months, she had been working as a receptionist at her cousin, Vonda’s husband’s law office. Being forced to wear heels and dresses to work was not her idea of a good time, but it was all she was qualified to do. Other than ranch work, that is. She could cook for twenty cowboys, but that was not a necessary talent in the city. She learned to do ranch work from her father, and when he passed away almost three years ago, she had been given his job. It was a significant pay raise, but it was a bittersweet position. She would have given anything to have her father still with her and her brother. Her father died doing what he loved; he was feeding the horses one night and suffered a massive heart attack at the age of fifty. She had been there and tried CPR, but according to the doctors, nothing would have helped. He had been dead before his body hit the ground. At first she felt guilty because she hadn't been able to save him, but after talking to the doctor in the emergency room, she now knew that no matter what she might have done, her father was already too far gone to revive.