He turned to her, framing both hands on her face. "I love you, Mandy. More than anything. I'm not letting you leave here without you being absolutely sure of that fact. I love you."
More than rodeo and the world championship? she wondered. He hadn't said it, but she saw the answers to all her unspoken question shining in the depths of his eyes. He did love her more than all the rest. This time she was sure of it.
"I'm done roaming. I've found the thing that is more important to me than rodeo. You. And this is where I want to be, right here with my arms around you."
He reached out and grazed her cheek with his fingers, sending shooting sparks flying in every which direction. "And I'm hoping one day this is where you'll want to be too."
"Oh, Beau," she whispered. "Why now?"
"Why not now when it matters most? There's nothing holding us back. You said yourself people don't say what's truly in their hearts until it's too late. I don't know how to tell you what I'm feeling. I only know I don't want it to be too late."
"It's already too late. It won't change anything. You say you're done roaming. But pretty soon, you'll be itching to rodeo again. And what about me? I have friends, and a great job and...and...a life somewhere else. In Philadelphia. None of that fits in with rodeoing."
"I hear you. And I heard everything you said last night, too. You've built a life without me. But you could have a life here, too, and a man who loves you more than life itself.
"I'm just asking you to think about it. That's all. Go back to Philadelphia and live your life and if you're happy there, then fine. I'll have to accept it. But if you're not, then know I'm going to be right here waiting for you."
"You're really going to throw away the World Championship? You're not leaving?"
He shook his head. "It doesn't mean a whole lot without you."
"You're staying at the ranch?"
"I worked it out with Hank last night. We're going to start a rodeo school. I'll get to do what I love and be home every single night to share with you, if that's what you want. I'll wait as long as I have to to win your heart back again, Mandy. And when I do, I'm going to ask you to be my wife."
Her lips trembled. He loved her. Beau really and truly loved her and he wanted to marry her. Oh, God, what was she going to do?
She pulled out of his arms and walked a few steps away from him. She needed the distance to give her some clarity, to make her head stop spinning and keep her mind thinking straight. But all she wanted to do was turn around and launch herself into Beau's arms and never leave.
He loved her. After all the pain of thinking it was over, could she trust his love enough to open her heart again?
"Why aren't you asking me now?"
"You said you wanted to go back. I want you to be happy more than anything and you said--"
"I know what I said. I've been saying a lot these past few days. Now I want to hear it from you. Again."
A slow smile tipped the corner of his lips. Lord how she loved that smile.
"I love you, Mandy. More than anything. I'm asking you to give me your heart, stay here with me and be my wife."
"No more leaving?"
He opened his arms wide. "No more leaving."
She was in his arms before she could even think about anything else. And she knew without a doubt she could spend all her days happy and content right there as long as she had Beau to love. As long as she was in his heart and in his arms, they'd make it work.
She kissed him on the lips and gazed up at him with renewed hope and deep love. "Beau, there has never been anyone else but you. You've always had my heart. All you had to do was ask."
THE END
Texas Hearts continues with Mitch and Sara’s story. Download HIS HEART FOR THE TRUSTING today!
Dear Reader:
Thank you so much for reading Book 1 in my Texas Hearts series, Her Heart for the Asking. I hope you enjoyed this free book in the popular TEXAS HEARTS series! If you did, please help others find this book.
1. This book is lendable, so send it to a friend who you think will enjoy it so that she/he can discover me, too.
2. Help other people find this book by writing a review.
3. Check my blog, http://www.lisamondello.blogspot.com for news about upcoming books in the series and to sign up for my newsletter for a chance to win a free EReader. You’re going to hear more about books featuring sexy cowboys that I have planned for the next year!
4. Follow me on Twitter @LisaMondello
I’m so excited about the response I’ve gotten from readers who enjoy reading the TEXAS HEARTS series. If you enjoy cowboy romances, and enjoyed book 1 - Her Heart for the Asking, then you’ll love reading the rest of the series:
Book 2 - His Heart for the Trusting
Book 3 - The More I See
Book 4 - Gypsy Hearts
Book 5 - Leaving Liberty
Book 6 - His Texas Heart
Book 7 - The Wedding Dress
Book 8 - Lone Star Lady
Book 9 - Under a Texas Star
Book 10 - Lone Star Hero
Another popular series that readers have been writing me about is DAKOTA HEARTS. Make sure you check out the sexy McKinnon brothers of South Dakota as well.
Many thanks,
Lisa Mondello
More Ebooks by Lisa Mondello
HEROES OF PROVIDENCE SERIES
Material Witness, Book 1
(**Named one of Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2012)
Safe Haven, Book 2
Reckless Hours, Book 3
Desperate Hours, Book 4
Final Hours, Book 5
Cold Harbor, Book 6
TEXAS HEARTS SERIES
Texas Hearts Box Set 1-3
Her Heart for the Asking, Book 1
His Heart for the Trusting, Book 2
The More I See, Book 3
Gypsy Hearts, Book 4
Leaving Liberty, Book 5
His Texas Heart, Book 6
The Wedding Dress, Book 7
Lone Star Lady, Book 8
Under a Texas Star, book 9
Lone Star Hero, book 10
FATE WITH A HELPING HAND SERIES
Tempting Fate Box Set 1-3
The Gift, Prequel
All I Want for Christmas is You, Book 1
The Marriage Contract, Book 2
The Knight and Maggie’s Baby, Book 3
My Lucky Charm, Book 4
SUMMER HOUSE SERIES
Moment in Time, Book 1
Moment of Impact, Book 2
Moment of Truth, Book 3
Moment of Trust, Book 4
CONTEMPORARY WESTERN ROMANCE
Nothing But Trouble
RODEO KNIGHTS SERIES
Her Knight, Her Protector, Book 1 by Lisa Mondello
The Knight and the Damsel, Book 2 by Margaret Daley
One Knight in Vegas, Book 3 by Lenora Worth
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For up to date information on new releases, visit me at www.lisamondello.com or write me at [email protected].
His Heart for the Trusting – Book 2
Ever since Mitch Broader set foot in Texas, he dreamed of owning his own ranch. Now that he’s bought a share in the Double T Ranch, he’s one step closer to the dream. Then his past greets him in the form of a baby basket, complete with infant and birth certificate naming him as the father. He can’t change diapers and work toward his dream at the same time.
When Sara Lightfoot, “Miss Hollywood” in Mitch’s eyes, rescues him with her particular knack for handling his precocious son, he hires her on the spot as a temporary nanny. No matter how much Sara’s dark eyes and warm heart make this bachelor think of settling down and making their arrangement permanent, she’s made it perfectly clear she has other plans that don’t include him or his dreams.
Sara Lightfoot never thought she’d return to her home on the reservatio
n. Now she plans to reclaim the life she left by going back to the reservation as a Native American storyteller, teaching the Apache children stories of their culture. She didn’t expect Mitch Broader’s sexy smile or job offer as a live-in nanny to derail those plans. After all she’s been through to come home, can she open up her heart once again to love?
Excerpt:
Sara brought her sedan to a full stop at the gate announcing The Double T Ranch. It had been a long time since she'd visited Hank and Corrine Promise. Their spread was bigger than she'd remembered. But then a lot of changing happens in nine years. Mandy had mentioned hard times last year when she'd visited, something to do with Hank's health, but by the look of things it seemed the hard times had past. She was glad for that.
She hit the gas pedal and pushed past the gate. A long string of cars and pickups trucks lined the side of the drive. As she approached, she saw a large green and white striped tent set up in the back yard with tables and chairs arranged beneath it. It wasn't until she got closer that she saw a team of people engrossed in erecting a post and beam barn.
It was a real honest to goodness old-fashioned barn raising. Now that was something you didn't see every day in Los Angeles.
There were people crawling all over the yard like ants picking up crumbs at a picnic. Sara parked her rental at the end of the line and walked along the row of cars leading to the festivities, passing grazing cows. The smell of manure and freshly mown hay drying in the sun filled her nose.
She should have changed into a pair of shorts and her sneakers before she'd left the airport, she thought, feeling sweat trickle down the center of her chest. Her coral silk sleeveless blouse and pants were clinging to her skin after the long ride from the airport.
Clutched by anxiety and the overwhelming desire to run, she made a beeline for the house before anyone recognized her. With any luck she'd spot Mandy first and have a private meeting before barging in on her parents. Odds were her mother at least was here already, having been the housekeeper at the Double T for more than fifteen years.
The screen door slammed drawing her attention to the house. There'd be less people inside on such a hot day. Maybe she'd be able to find Mandy there before anyone spotted her.
Slipping past a group of blue-haired ladies tearing at a pitcher of iced tea under a low hanging cottonwood tree, Sara rushed up the brick path to the front door that faced the driveway. As she approached, she heard the plaintive sound of a baby crying and the deep, almost groan of a male voice. An extremely exasperated male voice.
The urgency of that voice had her bolting into the house without knocking.
The tall, dark-haired man pacing the living room, bouncing the baby was much too pre-occupied with trying to stop the baby from crying to notice her. He had his broad back to her, but it couldn't possibly be Beau, Sara quickly decided. She'd seen pictures of the wedding when Mandy had visited. Even with his back turned, she knew he looked different. And Mandy's baby wasn't due for at least another two or more months according to her last letter.
Dropping her purse on the oak end table, Sara advanced across the carpeted floor, thinking more about the poor infant than startling the man with her silent entry.
"Keep that up and you'll be smelling baby vomit on your boots for the next month," she said.
The man swung around with the sound of her voice. It wasn't Beau, but she did know the face. She'd seen him before. But she couldn't quite place where.
"Oh, thank God someone is here," he said, relief bursting to life in his sun-tanned face.
His bright eyes were a deep sapphire blue with flecks of gold and gray that reminded Sara sunset and sunrise all in one. Although his skin was indeed a bronze color from the long days he no doubt spent in the Texas sun, his nose was slightly red and peeling. A testament to his fair skin. Sweat lined his dark brows as they creased.
"They all left me alone. He's been crying and I have no idea what to do."
"Poor baby," she said, standing near enough to now stroke her finger across the baby's smooth cheek.
"Thanks."
"No, I meant the baby. His mother should be brought up on charges for leaving this child with the likes of you."
The man heaved a sigh. "At the moment, I couldn't agree with you more. Do you know anything about babies?"
"I know it's not good to bounce him around so much. It'll give him an upset stomach."
"He's been crying forever."
Sara rolled her eyes and couldn't help but smile. A cowboy had the stomach for castrating a bull but some were so helpless when it came to babies. She actually felt sorry for him. "I'm sure it only seems that way."
"No, I swear. And I don't know what he wants."
"If he's been crying a long time, he may have colic."
"Colic. You mean like a horse?" he croaked.
Sara chuckled quietly at the horrified look her gave her, thinking how good it felt to do that after so long. "Yeah, something like that."
The man gulped. "Sometimes we have to put down horses with colic."
"Trust me, you're not going to have to do that to the baby. When was the last time he had a bottle?"
He looked at her blankly. "A bottle?"
"Yeah, has he been fed? You know, formula you put in a bottle to feed the baby? At his age, you're not going to give him a slab of steak fresh off the grill. Or maybe his mother is nursing?"
The man's broad shoulders sagged. "Look, I know how to raise cows. I'm an imbecile when it comes to a baby."
Sara quirked an eyebrow. "So it seems."
She reached out and rescued the baby from the man and stretched the baby belly down over the length of her arm, cooing to help soothe the baby. With a practiced hand, she checked his diaper to find that it was still dry.
"I take it this is not your baby."
His blue eyes grazed the baby and for a moment he looked a little lost himself. With a sigh, he said, "Can you help me?"
Sara glanced around the living room, on the sofa and the floor in search of a diaper bag. "See if there is a bottle in that diaper bag. If there is, bring it into the kitchen."
Holding the baby with one arm, she took a stainless steel pan from the iron wrack above the stove and filled it with hot tap water. The kitchen was filled with delicious smells of food that suddenly made her remember she hadn't eaten anything since that morning.
The man came into the kitchen rifling through the diaper bag until he pulled out a bottle filled with baby formula. Taking it from his hands, she placed it in the pan to warm, glad that her time volunteering at the daycare center back in L.A. made her feel useful here and took her mind off her anxiety for the time being.
"Aren't you going to give the bottle to the baby?"
"How would you like to eat a cold steak for dinner?" she said softly, not wanting to jar the baby. Although he was still crying, the sobs weren't as extreme. After a few minutes she pulled the bottle from the water, tested it on her arm as she walked back into the living room. She perched herself on the edge of the sofa and placed the nipple into the baby's mouth. Immediately the infant took hold and started suckling.
"Oh, thank God," the man said, running both hands over his head as silence filled the air. "I thought he was never going to stop."
"He was just hungry. That's all. Babies can't skip meals like grownups can."
"You must have had a lot of practice doing this. You're a natural."
"I know a thing or two about children."
"What did you do, raise all your brothers and sisters?"
"I volunteered at a daycare for a while."
The man sat on the opposite end of the sofa and appeared to finally relax a little. "Daycare, huh? I'll have to remember that. I'm eternally in your debt."
Sara tossed him a wry grin. "That's a bit extreme, don't you think? All I did was give him a bottle."
"You wouldn't say that if you'd been here the last half hour."
Order His Heart for the Trusting
The M
ore I See – Book 3
As a top-notch cutting horse trainer, Cody Gentry was riding high until he lost his eyesight after a freak chemical accident. Unable to see the hand in front of his face, never mind the horse or cattle he trained, he knows his life is over and slips deep into depression. His whole future hinges on the success of an eye surgery that could give him his old life back.
When guide dog trainer, Lyssa McElhannon, arrives on his ranch like Florence Nightingale coming to save him, he wants no part of her or her guide dog. But something about Lyssa’s musical laugh coupled with her tenacity digs under his skin and won't let go. Having been blind most of her life, Lyssa understands the paralyzing fear Cody feels after losing his vision. But she refuses to let the stubborn cowboy waste his life away sitting in a chair when she knows first-hand that a good guide dog can change his world. She just needs one month to prove it to him.
Falling in love with Cody was not part of Lyssa’s plan, nor was having him open her eyes to see that there was a whole lot of living she’d been missing out on.
Order The More I See
For up to date information on new releases, visit me at http://www.lisamondello.com or write me at [email protected]
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