by C. J. Welles
“Come on, Jo. You can’t make me wait,” Casey whines as Jace, Callie, their daughter and Ethan get out of the second car. “Pleaseeee.”
I look to Nathan, to see what he thinks and he only shrugs.
“Okay, hang on.” I grab my cell from my pocket and put the call on loudspeaker as it rings mom. “Are you with Caroline still?” I ask when she answers.
“Yes. Why?”
“Nathan and I want to tell you all what we’re having.”
Mom and Caroline begin whispering and no doubt they’re saying what they think. Both are truly happy with either a boy or girl, but I know Caroline would love a little girl after having three sons.
“Soooo,” I drawl out to keep them all in suspense. “We’re happy to say we’re expecting a boy.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Casey yells as she throws her arms around me, being careful not to hit my baby bump.
Mom and Caroline shriek and congratulate us. “You know what this means, Melanie. We can now buy the clothes we have picked out.”
After several more congratulations from our moms, they say goodbye then hang up.
“I knew it,” Ryan says. “I got it right again.”
Bry playfully smacks him around the back of the head. “You’ve only had to guess for to babies.”
“I still got it right,” Ryan replies. He comes over to me and pulls me in for a hug. “Congratulations, sweetie. I’m happy for you both.”
“Thank you,” I reply with a smile.
Ryan was a little put out when Nathan I first got together, but it didn’t take long for him to get over it and used to it. I think it helped a lot when I let them drive back from New York together after the bull riding circuit ended. Ryan’s been assisting Nathan with our house, and I know it means a lot to them both.
Nathan goes to the back of his truck and gets some chairs which he brings over for us ladies to sit on. Then all the guys get logs of wood from the bed of Bryson’s truck and a fire pot from Jace’s truck.
I thought it was Casey who dragged everyone out here, but I’ve now changed my mind. Nathan gives me a knowing grin as he walks towards me. “I know you wanted to tell our moms first…” he says as he picks me up then sits on the seat with me in his lap. “But I thought it would be great to celebrate our new house and baby with our friends.
I turn so I’m sitting sideways across his lap. “Thank you.” I lean in and kiss his lips before resting my cheek on his chest as I listen to our friends talking.
As Nathan sits here with his arms wrapped around me, holding me close, I smile. We’re sitting here with our house started and our first baby, and I couldn’t be happier.
Nathan once asked me if I was ready. He may have been asking about sex, but I was more than ready.
I was ready for Nathan.
For us.
For delayed satisfaction.
For everything.
It may have taken six years and a lot of heartaches, but I have everything I wanted and more.
The end
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all the readers who have stuck with me and read all my books. Every download and review mean a lot and pushes me further to continue writing.
Thanks to my two beta readers, Nikki Costello and Casey Noble. I appreciate your ideas, notes and the time you spent reading Dare to Want.
All my family, I wouldn’t be who I am today without your support.
Gina and Zoey, you two have come out of nowhere and have been fantastic with sharing my books. I know I don’t respond to every like, share and tag, but I do see them all and I appreciate all that you do for me.
Jolene: You, my dear have become a huge part of my life in the book world and then in my personal life. Thank you for letting me name Jolene after you. I hope you like her character.
Author Notes
When I originally started writing the Texas Boys series, it was only going to be three books about Jace, Bryon, and Ethan. As each book develops, the secondary characters in the books get bigger and more demanding and now want their own stories.
I love Nath. I’ve had a soft spot for him since Ethan’s bachelor party in Dare to Dream. He’s always the lover, not the fighter, he is the one who always jumps in between Bryon and Ryan. But as you know, he can be the total opposite in the bedroom.
Next in the series is Dare to Trust, Ethan’s story. He’s been quiet compared to the other characters - both in the books and in my head. His story has been strong since the beginning and I’ve been adding a little to it when I have free time. I don’t have a release date yet, but I know it will be sometime in 2018.
Dare to Want Playlist
Just Another Girl – Kip Moore
I’m Coming Over – Chris Young
Like a Wrecking Ball – Eric Church
Neon Light - Blake Shelton
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Break Up In A Small Town – Sam Hunt
Desire – Meg Myers
I Want You – Kings of Leon
What Kinda Gone – Chris Cagle
Sunshine & Whiskey – Frankie Ballard
As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band
Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band
Give Me Love – Ed Sheeran
Hurts – Emeli Sande
For the First Time – Darius Rucker
Hurricane – Luke Combs
What Lovers Do – Maroon 5
How Do You Like Me Now – Toby Keith
Drunk On Your Love – Brett Eldredge
Upcoming titles by C.J. Welles in 2018/19
Texas Boys Series
Dare to Trust
Dare to Hope
Texas Boys spin-off
Misjudged
Standalones
Falling Hard
Annabella
A Forever Standalone Novel
Our Forever
Angel Fury MC
Chase
Love Me Series
Fated
Shattered
About C.J. Welles
I’m an Australian indie author, who lives in Tasmania with my husband and two boys.
I write romance; Cowboy, YA, erotica and contemporary. I make my characters work for their HEA. As we know, life isn’t easy, and things don’t always fall into our laps, so it doesn’t happen in my books either.
I currently have three full-length novels and five novellas published. Forever Yours was published in early May 2017, followed by Dare to Dream at the end of May. In August and September 2017, I published the four Bianchi Empire novellas; Claiming Luca, Loving Arianna, Marcus’ Maid and Zander’s Valentines. In October 2017, I published Dare to Love, book #2 in the Texas Boys series.
My latest release is Meant to be which is a spinoff of the Texas Boys series.
When I'm not writing, I am a stay at home mum to my youngest. I love spending time with my family and friends and love having a good time. My definition of a good time is country music and drinks around the campfire while camping.
When I have time to myself, my favourite thing to do is sit down and get lost in a great romance novel.
Contact C.J. Welles
Email - [email protected]
Website
Facebook
Facebook readers group
Twitter
Instagram
