by Michele Hauf
And Jenny—she’d been so ashamed of herself for trusting a guy her parents despised, for allowing him to talk her into lying to her family, talk her into taking a roofie—she’d thought none of them would ever forgive her for what had happened as a result. And that when the creep had started blackmailing her. Threatening that if she didn’t do what he said, he’d tell everyone what she’d done. Eventually she’d gotten in too deep. She’d hated herself. And thought working in The Strip Joint would serve two purposes. It would show her family, very clearly, what kind of girl she was, which freed her from the creep. And it would help her make enough money to get out of town as quickly as possible.
“What detail did you leave out?” Mary asked now, holding Jenny’s hand as she gave her friend another once-over.
“She failed to tell me what had happened,” Bill said. “She assumed I wouldn’t believe her and didn’t give me a chance to prove her right. Or wrong.”
Mary’s gaze shot back to Jenny. “You didn’t tell him?”
“No.”
“And I didn’t ask,” Bill said, coming closer to the two of them. “I should have asked.”
With her free hand, Jenny grabbed Bill’s. Standing between them, holding their hands, she told Mary, “He flew to Atlantic City today to ask,” Jenny said softly, tearing up as she looked from one to the other. “All these years, I needed him to ask.”
And for the first time all day, Mary’s heart started to thaw. She glanced at Jenny, and then at Bill.
“Because of you,” he said. “You opened my eyes to my own blindness. Just like you’ve been doing for the past two years. I don’t deserve you, Mary, but I desperately want you to be my wife. I’m less of a man without you. Please say you’ll marry me.”
“Don’t, if you don’t want to.” Jenny’s words were just as compelling and Mary looked over at her. “I told him I wouldn’t help him. I’m here for you. If you really love him like he thinks you do, fine. But after the way he treated you this morning, I just came along to make sure you’re okay. You didn’t deserve what he did, Mary. You were the best friend I ever had. All those nights on break when you’d tell me I could be whatever I wanted to be, and the only opinion that really mattered was my own. You said I knew inside what kind of girl I was and that I was allowed to be her. And then Bill tells me what he did and I just...” She paused. “My heart broke for you...”
She’d said all those things? She guessed she had. And she’d believed them, too. At least for Jenny.
Squeezing Jenny’s hand, Mary turned back to Bill. “I am what I am.”
“A woman who sacrificed her life to save her father’s,” Bill said. “You’re a woman who lives every single day true to the person you are inside. I would be honored if you’d be my wife.”
The words were a little corny. But Mary understood that Bill was new to the whole love thing. She recognized his sincerity.
Trying not to cry, needing a moment to catch her breath, she turned back to Jenny. “I can’t believe you’re his sister.”
“Why do you think the joint was busted like it was? Bill was on a mission to save me from myself.”
“And instead, she saved herself,” Bill said, smiling at the pretty woman. “All these years Jenny made Sean, our borther, keep her secret from me. I was led to believe she was dealing cards in Atlantic City when, in fact, she only did that long enough to put herself through school and get a degree in education. Apparently the whole family was invited to her college graduation as long as I wasn’t told.”
Jenny winced. “Not one of my better moments. More like a bitter one. The family begged me to relent, to include Bill—but I couldn’t. I needed him to see me. To just know that something bad had happened or I would never have been in that place.”
“You needed him to have faith in you,” Mary said softly.
“I still had some growing up to do,” Jenny told her. “Bill came to see me several times, but I was either in college classes or teaching, and I never responded to the notes he left.” And then she added, “I spend my days with third-graders now.”
“Is there someone special in your life?”
“Not yet. I didn’t think any decent guy would want me. But seeing you two gives me hope.” She looked between the two of them again. “At least, I think it does. Mary, do you want this idiot to be your husband?”
“Yeah.” Mary couldn’t hold back any longer. “More than anything on earth.”
“Then I now pronounce you engaged.” Taking their hands, she joined them together, extracting her own.
Mary was hardly aware when her friend backed away. She looked into Bill’s eyes and saw her own redemption. But more than that, she saw the redemption he found in her. He needed her as much as she needed him. And that was when Mary Anderson finally knew personal peace.
“I think I’m going to kiss the bride,” Bill murmured as his mouth came closer.
“Think I’ll go surprise the folks,” Jenny called from a distance. “They’ve been asking me to come home for years, but I was too afraid of running into Bill....”
Jenny’s voice faded as Mary got lost in the love she knew would sustain her for the rest of her life.
A good girl’s just reward.
* * * * *
If you enjoyed THE GOOD GIRL by Tara Taylor Quinn, then don’t miss the continuation of the story in THE TRUTH ABOUT COMFORT COVE, book 3 in the It Happened in Comfort Cove miniseries, on sale January 2013!
Any Man of Mine
Debbi Rawlins
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Any Man of Mine, a novella in the MADE IN MONTANA series from Blaze. This story is all about being in the right place at the right time and leaving yourself open to a little magic, even when all you feel is doubt.
Haley Fletcher thought she’d have a chance to fit in during her dude ranch vacation—away from the pressures and intensity of New York. But once again, she’s the odd girl out, the misfit. And then…Josh.
He’s a cowboy from his boots to his Stetson, as rugged and handsome as a daydream. When he whisks Haley away to the most beautiful spot in Big Sky Country, they both realize they’ve lit a spark that will never go out.
I hope you’ll feel like you’ve fallen a little bit in love, too, and that you’ll come back to Blackfoot Falls to meet more sexy, charming Montana cowboys!
All my best wishes,
Debbi
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter One
Josh Evans wasn’t a coward. Hiding in the shadows of the barn just because he heard some female voices didn’t count. Not at the Sundance ranch.
He tugged down the brim of his Stetson, pulled off his work gloves and rolled up his sleeves, waiting to see if the women were headed his way. It was too hot for May in northern Montana, though the mornings were still pleasant. When he’d left the bunkhouse at six to check on the calves, the air had been on the chilly side.
As much as he liked working for the McAllister family, the Sundance wasn’t just about raising cattle these days. Hard times had forced them to extend their operation to dude ranching. If that wasn’t bad enough, the guests were all cowboy-crazy females. Baited, hooked and released right here to cause more trouble than a pack of hungry coyotes.
It had been Rachel’s idea, one her three brothers hated. She was the only girl, and being the same age as Josh, they’d been classmates. So he knew once she got something in her head there was no use arguing with her.
Not that Josh had a say or was privy to family business. He’d still been a kid when they hired him, and even though Mrs. McAllister had treated him as one of her own, Josh knew his place. He never forgot he wasn’t a McAllister, but he suspected opening to guests had pulled the family’s bacon out of the fire. At least there had been no layof
fs. The same couldn’t be said for most other ranches around Blackfoot Falls.
After a few minutes of quiet, he figured it was okay to step out in the open. He wasn’t going far, just to the bunkhouse for lunch.
He’d barely moved when he heard the McAllisters’ kitchen door creak open. Immediately a bad feeling came over him...the feeling that he was about to get railroaded into doing something he didn’t want to do. Something that likely involved the guests.
The door slammed. Yep. Had to be his buddy Trace coming out to do some arm-twisting. The ladies all loved him. He was the youngest brother, and one of those guys who could park his boots under a different bed every night and still have women knocking down his door.
Rachel had played it real smart in attracting young single women by plastering her three brothers’ pictures on the website, then talking Trace into handling everything from horseback riding lessons to kayaking. In the beginning he’d eaten up the attention. But lately, he’d been running in the other direction.
Josh didn’t blame him. Some of those city gals were really something... Pretty, but bold and pushy. Even Josh had been spending too much of his time and paycheck at the bar in town trying to avoid them. Though the Watering Hole wasn’t the best escape anymore. The women had started hanging out there, too, interrupting pool games and hogging the jukebox. Most of the guys didn’t mind, as long as they got laid at some point. But those were the hired hands from other ranches, who were free to sleep with any guest that crooked her finger.
Different story for Josh. He already owed the McAllisters so much. And though Rachel hadn’t said anything about the hands taking up with the guests, he wouldn’t disrespect her or Mrs. M. by testing the water.
Before he looked to confirm that it was Trace, Josh heard a shrill feminine laugh. Two blondes came from the porch and walked with purpose toward the stable. He spotted a third woman several yards behind trying to catch up. He recognized her right off. In fact, he knew the blondes, too, but he didn’t care for either of them. He did like the petite brunette. Enough to have found out her name was Haley and she was from New York City.
She’d arrived four days ago, by herself, and twice he’d seen her wandering around the place with a sketch pad. Yesterday she’d disappeared into a grove of aspens, and he’d been tempted to follow her. Haley seemed like a loner, or maybe she didn’t have anything in common with the other women. They were a particularly silly bunch and sickeningly obvious that they’d come to Montana to have sex with a cowboy. Preferably a McAllister brother. Too bad for them Cole and Jesse were taken. That left Trace...
Josh glanced over his shoulder. But Trace must’ve heard the women, turned tail and run. The chickenshit.
He stayed in the shadow of the barn, waiting for the women to pass, wondering what business they had in the stables. Rachel might’ve sent them, but he doubted it. He just hoped they wouldn’t do anything to spook the horses. Yesterday he’d had to say something to the taller one about staying away from Gypsy.
The blondes were so busy talking and giggling that they hadn’t seen him, which suited him just fine. Haley had nearly caught up to them when she spotted him. Slowing down, she gave him a shy smile.
“Morning, Haley,” he said, tipping his Stetson.
Her pretty brown eyes widened. “Hi. It’s Josh, right?”
He nodded, pleased she remembered since they’d only met briefly her second day. “Anything I can do for you?”
“No.” Her gaze darted to the other two, who’d heard them, and not only kept walking, but picked up their pace. “I’d better hurry. We’re choosing our horses for this afternoon’s ride.”
No one in their right mind would’ve sent them to do any such thing. Only certain mares were available to the guests. But Trace or Rachel might’ve wanted to get the women out of their hair for a while so Josh didn’t say anything. He watched as the blondes, then Haley, disappeared into the stables, and wondered who’d be leading the trail ride. Besides Trace, Josh and two other hands were routinely recruited to handle activities. He knew he hadn’t drawn the short straw. Neither Kyle nor Bobby had grumbled about having to do it...that meant Trace was it.
Josh shook his head. Yep, he’d better go grab his lunch, then get out to the north pasture before Trace roped him into taking his place. If it was just Haley, Josh would’ve volunteered. But the other two? No way.
He hadn’t made it but six feet when a ruckus broke out in the stable.
Chapter Two
Josh hurried into the stable as the blondes rushed past him, whispering and trying to smother their laughs. Seeing that they weren’t terrified or crying brought him some relief. But he didn’t see Haley right off, and that he didn’t like. Then he heard Tango nicker, low and deep, and that didn’t sit well with Josh, either. Cole’s chestnut gelding was normally even-tempered.
He stopped when he saw Haley standing still as a statue in front of Gypsy’s stall. The mare was clearly agitated, and Haley just stared, her hand pressed to her throat.
“Oh, God, even the horses hate me,” she murmured, then covered her mouth. Her whole body shuddered.
He knew she hadn’t meant for anyone to hear. The break in her voice tugged at him. “Gypsy doesn’t hate you.”
Haley jumped and spun around. Her eyes were dark and glassy, as if she were fighting tears. She blinked a few times and turned her back to him.
He supposed he should take the hint and let her be, but he couldn’t make himself do it. He had a fair idea as to what might’ve happened. Never in his life had it crossed his mind to harm a woman, but if those two mean-spirited hellcats hadn’t already left the stable, he couldn’t swear he wouldn’t have tied them to a post.
“Haley?”
“I’ll leave in a second,” she murmured, still facing the other way, her shoulders hunched forward. “I promise.”
“I don’t want you to leave.” Josh moved a little closer, his steps slow and quiet, approaching her like he would a skittish filly. “I want to show you something.”
She stiffened, and he stopped in his tracks. She’d probably heard him closing in, and the last thing he wanted to do was upset her. Of all the guests who’d come and gone, Josh liked her the best by far.
“What?” she asked, her movements stilted as she swung a look at him. No tears stained her smooth flushed cheeks, and he was damn grateful. A crying woman tended to make him tongue-tied.
He met her eyes, remembered his manners and yanked his hat off.
Her lips lifted in a small smile, which disappeared when Gypsy blew short and hard through flared nostrils. Haley stepped back another foot. “I should go. I don’t want to upset her. I really don’t.”
“She’s not upset. She’s curious.” Josh touched Haley’s elbow. She shot him a startled look, then went back to watching the mare. “That’s what I wanted to show you. As a matter of fact, I think Gypsy likes you.”
“No. She doesn’t.” Haley’s strangled laugh was about the saddest thing he’d ever heard. “You didn’t see her when I first walked up to the stall.”
“That wasn’t your fault.” Josh lowered his hand. If she wanted to bolt, he reckoned his fingers on her elbow wouldn’t stop her.
“You don’t—” She cut herself short and regarded him with a slight frown. “Why do you say that?”
“Those two you were with...” He jerked a thumb toward the door. “I don’t recall their names, but the tall one...she knows Gypsy doesn’t like her perfume. I asked her yesterday to keep her distance.”
Still frowning, Haley slowly shook her head as if trying to make sense of what he’d said. “But it was Courtney’s idea to come and— Oh.” Her voice dipped, and her shoulders sagged. “It is my fault. I’ve been trying too hard and I just...” Her eyes closed briefly, and when she opened them she stared at the mare again.
He was pretty sure he understood why she was down. She’d bubbled over with enthusiasm her first two days at the Sundance and seemed determined to fit in with the ot
her guests. But she wasn’t like them. And glad as he was for that, he expected she didn’t want to hear it from him.
“You can move closer to her, if you like,” he said, and noticed the flash of alarm in Haley’s face. “See how Gypsy’s ears are pricked forward? She’s curious about you. She senses you could be her friend.”
Haley’s lips lifted in a tentative smile.
“Come.” Josh put out his hand. “Let me show you.”
She gazed down at his outstretched palm for a long uncomfortable moment. He had calluses, so many from mending fences, roping steers and all his other responsibilities. He’d seldom paid the patches of tough skin any mind. He did now. Seeing them through her eyes made him wince.
“Sorry,” he said gruffly, making a fist and pulling back. “I usually wear work gloves, but it doesn’t seem to help much.”
“No. Wait.” She grabbed a hold of his wrist, tugging at him until he gave in and let her peel open his fingers. “I was only thinking about how kind you’re being.”
“Nah, not really, just trying to make things right.” Dammit. His neck and face burned with embarrassment, but thankfully his olive skin wouldn’t give him away.
She moistened her pretty peach-tinted lips and laid her palm on his. “Show me.”
The contact gave him a small jolt, like an electrical charge that shot up his arm and ignited a spark that burned low in his belly. “Show you what?”
“I don’t know. You haven’t told me yet.”
“Yeah.” He roused himself from his momentary daze. “Right.”
He drew her closer to the stall, but she still tensed when Gypsy lowered her head. “Relax,” he said. “That means she likes you.”
