“See, here’s her handwritten will, dated two years ago giving me everything that she owns.” Carlene held it up.
“I bought the place a year ago,” Jace said. “And I turned it over to the rodeo the next day with the understanding that we couldn’t start to build until Rosalie had passed or she went to a nursing home.”
She turned up the envelope and shook it, but nothing else fell out. She opened it wide and for the first time saw another little folded piece of paper at the bottom. Another fierce shake didn’t bring it out, so she ripped the side away and carefully removed the letter. With dread in her heart she read it out loud:
My dear Carlene,
The lawyer says I don’t need to redo my will. It does leave all my possessions to you, but I should tell you that I’ve sold the house to Jace Dawson or maybe it’s to Prairie Rose Ranch. I don’t know what bank account the payment came from. The money is in the Happy bank and if you’ll remember you’ve been a joint member on that account for a couple of years. Do with it what you want. I just didn’t want you to be burdened with selling this place. It needs lots of work and should be torn down, but I was born here and it’s my wish to die here. My memories are all tied up in this place. Jace donated the land to the Rodeo Association. That’s a good thing and it makes me happy.
Love, Aunt Rosalie
“Well, now what?” She laid aside the letter and threw up her hands in defeat.
“Now, you can live here until the wreckers come if you want. There’s not much rental property in town that’s fit for you to live in, but there are a couple of places for sale if you’re plannin’ to stay.”
“I’d thought this would be my last move,” she said. “I’m ready to put down roots, and I always liked this small town.”
“We’ll find you a place, I promise.” He reached out, as if to touch her, but dropped his hand in his lap. “You’ve got my word on it. I should be going unless you’ve got more boxes to carry in.”
“I thought you were going to college and…” She wanted to cry, not talk about the past.
“Went to college, figured out my heart was in Happy, not off somewhere in a big city with a desk job.” He smiled.
Anger boiled up from her toes. “Dammit, Jace.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Hey, I remember that look in those pretty brown eyes and you’re mad as a wet hen after a wild Texas tornado,” he said. “Spit it out.”
“I’m mad about this house,” she said through clenched teeth. It wasn’t a lie. She was furious that she couldn’t even buy it back from Jace. Understanding the whys and wherefores didn’t make it a bit easier to accept, but what she was most mad about was the decision she’d made to leave. It had been based on his dream. “I thought the place was mine. I was already figuring out ways to remodel it.”
“Honey, it’d take more than paint and curtains to make this place livable. The plumbing and wiring all would have to be replaced, and the worst thing is that the foundation is termite infested and barely hanging on by a thread. If it don’t fall down around your ears in six weeks, you’ll be lucky.”
She got up and stomped around the boxes, out into the kitchen and back to the living room to the window where she stared out at the two vehicles sitting side by side. “There’s no way you can ask the rodeo people to sell it back to me?”
“Sorry.” He shook his head as he stood up. “I should be going now, Carlene. But like I said, it’s no problem for you to stay here until the day before the wreckin’ crew arrives. And if I can help you move or help find a place or anything, call me.”
“Thank you,” she said.
His heart was still as big and kind as it had been in high school. He’d been witty and charming, an amazing boyfriend and sexy as hell, but it had been that sweetness about his heart that had drawn her to him from the beginning.
She turned around and padded barefoot across cold hardwood floors, stepped on a few bits of dead needles from the dried-up Christmas tree in the corner. “Ouch! Why did she always have to have a live tree?”
“Let me help you.” He knelt beside her and gently removed the dried debris from between her toes.
His touch sent delicious shivers all the way to her scalp, just like it had when they were dating in high school. His forefinger tracing her jawline in those days would have her ready to drag him off to the hayloft in Henry’s old barn.
“There now.” He rose to his feet. “Want me to help you get rid of this thing? I can haul it out of here as it stands.”
“Thanks but no thanks. There’s several ornaments on there that I’ll want to keep, so I’ll take care of it later.”
He headed for the door and stopped in the middle of the floor. “Mama says you still go by Varner. You ever get married?”
She shook her head. “You?”
“I’m still holding on to the most eligible bachelor in the panhandle.” He grinned.
“With that much power, surely you could sweet-talk the rodeo folks into selling me this house,” she said.
“Can’t do it, Carlene,” he said.
“Hey, look what I found.” Tilly burst into the living room, but stopped short at the sight of Jace. “Who are you?”
Her hair was all tucked up under a stocking cap with the Florida Gators logo on the front, and big green sunglasses covered half her face.
“I’m Jace Dawson. And you are?” He stuck out his hand.
She shook his hand. “I’m Tilly Rose Varner. Look what else I found.” She brought out an official stuffed alligator from the Florida football team. “I haven’t seen him in a whole year. I guess Aunt Bee packed him for me.”
“She probably found him under your bed,” Carlene said. “Surely you aren’t finished unpacking all those boxes.”
“Nope, but I’m hungry. I’m going to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You want one?” She laid the stuffed animal on the sofa and started toward the kitchen.
“Your little sister or niece?” Jace asked.
“No, I’m her daughter.” Tilly giggled as she whipped off the stocking hat and a cascade of curly red hair fell to her shoulders.
An icy chill chased up Jace’s backbone. “How old are you, Tilly Rose Varner?”
“I’ll be nine on February ninth.” She removed the oversized sunglasses and looked up at him with gray eyes sprinkled with gold flecks. Eyes that were exactly like his.
Suddenly, there was not a single doubt in his mind that Jace Dawson was staring at his daughter.
About the Author
Carolyn Brown is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling romance author and RITA® Finalist who has sold more than 3 million books. She presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical single title, historical series, contemporary single title, and contemporary series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher, who is not allowed to read her books until they are published. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. For a complete listing of her books (series in order), check out her website at www.carolynbrownbooks.com
Also by Carolyn Brown
The Happy, Texas series
Toughest Cowboy in Texas
The Lucky Penny Ranch series
Wild Cowboy Ways
Hot Cowboy Nights
Merry Cowboy Christmas
Wicked Cowboy Charm
High Praise for Carolyn Brown
TOUGHEST COWBOY IN TEXAS
“One of the best feel-good reads I’ve had the pleasure of reading yet this year! It tugged on your heartstrings and had you cheering for true love.”
—Once Upon an Alpha
“Top Pick! A beautiful second-chance love story that has humor, HOT cowboys and an amazing HEA.”
—Harlequin Junkie
“Terrific…an emotional star-crossed-lovers tale with tangible depths and an attitude that’s relatable to real life.”
—RT Book Reviews
“The Toughest Cowboy in Texas is a delightful, fast-paced novel full of dynamic and lively characters and, more important, white-hot romance!”
—Romance Reviews Today
THE LUCKY PENNY RANCH SERIES
“A nice blend of warmth, down-home goodness, humor and romance. Lively, flirty banter and genuine, down-to-earth characters are the highlights of this engaging story…The flirty banter between Deke and Josie is amusing and heartwarming, and the chemistry between them sizzles.”
—RT Book Reviews on Wicked Cowboy Charm
“Top Pick! Carolyn Brown writes about everyday things that happen to all of us and she does it with panache, class, empathy and humor. 4½ stars.”
—Night Owl Reviews on Merry Cowboy Christmas
“Carolyn Brown manages to create a romance that’s steamy, light and fun, while also a relationship with substance and heart…a character-driven delight for romance fans.”
—Fresh Fiction on Hot Cowboy Nights
“With an irresistibly charismatic cowboy at the center of this story, Brown’s latest is a sexy, fun read…The genuine, electric chemistry between Allie and Blake jumps off the page.”
—RT Book Reviews on Wild Cowboy Ways
“A perfect read to just curl up with. The book is light, sweet and just the right amount of humor and emotions to keep you reading along. Carolyn Brown will get you falling in love with the characters before you can blink…It made me feel like I was watching a classic Hallmark movie. *swoon*”
—Once Upon an Alpha on Wild Cowboy Ways
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
LONG, TALL COWBOY CHRISTMAS
By Carolyn Brown
A heartwarming holiday read from USA Today bestselling author Carolyn Brown. Nash Lamont is a man about as solitary as they come. So what the heck is he doing letting a beautiful widow and her three rambunctious children temporarily move in at Christmas?
Kasey Dawson thought she’d never get over the death of her husband. But her kids have a plan of their own: Nothing will keep them from having a real family again—even if it takes a little help from Santa himself.
THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS
By Debbie Mason
The Trouble with Christmas is the first book in the USA Today bestselling Christmas, Colorado series by Debbie Mason. This special reissue edition will feature bonus content never before in print! Resort developer Madison Lane is trying to turn Christmas, Colorado, into a tourist’s winter wonderland. But Sheriff Gage McBride is tasked with stopping her from destroying his town. After meeting Madison, he can’t decide if she’s naughty or nice, but one thing is for certain—Christmas will never be the same again.
MAYBE THIS CHRISTMAS
By Jennifer Snow
One more game is all that stands between hockey star Asher Westmore and a major career milestone. But when an injury sidelines him for months, the only bright spot is his best friend and physical therapist, Emma Callaway, whose workouts improve his body and his spirit…Fans of Lori Wilde will love the latest from Jennifer Snow!
TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK
By Tessa Bailey
Losing Sage Alexander is not an option for Belmont Clarkson. His heart is hers, has always been hers. He knows she’s hiding something from him, but nothing will stand in his way of telling her just how much she means to him—even if saving her from her past ends up costing him everything. Don’t miss the final book in Tessa Bailey’s Romancing the Clarksons series!
THE CORNER OF FOREVER AND ALWAYS
By Lia Riley
Perfect for readers of Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis, and Marina Adair. When princess impersonator Tuesday Knight faces off against Everland mayor Beau Marino to save her theme park from demolition, sparks fly. Will she save Happily Ever After Land only to lose her own happy ever after?
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