~~**~~
Tyler stepped inside of the cell and closed the door. She couldn’t believe she was doing this for a second time in her lifetime, but sometimes a woman had to do what she had to do.
Finally, she saw Kace step from his office, a bewildered expression on his face. “Not this again,” he said in a low voice.
“I was thinking the same thing when you didn’t answer my calls or texts.”
“What was wrong with you walking into my office? Do you have to occupy the cell? I think you’re starting to like it a bit too much.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she tapped the toe of her boot. “Dad told me you stopped by today.”
He shrugged and took two steps into the room. “Yeah, I was there.”
“And you didn’t say hello?”
“I didn’t think I should interrupt your company.” He stepped up to the cell. “Now get out of there.”
“Not until you tell me once and for all, what has made you grumpy?”
“When does your plane leave?” There was a heaviness to his voice.
“My plane?’ She blinked. “Is that it? You think I’m leaving?”
“They did offer you a role on stage, didn’t they?”
She nodded. “Yes, they did. Don’t you think it’s a bit presumptuous that you think you know everything?” She tilted a hip.
“I know you and your love for theater.”
“But do you also know the love I have for you?”
He crossed his brawny arms and his feet were wide. He looked like a dangerous warrior. “But it’s your dream to be on stage, Tyler. I get that.”
“I want to be here with you because I’m in love with you.”
He dropped his arms. “You love me?”
“Haven’t I made that clear?”
He shrugged. “What about your career in acting? You can’t be in two places at once. I guess if you love me, then I’ll have to get used to the bright city lights. Think New York City could get used to a cowboy like me?” He lifted a brow.
“You’d do that for me?” Her heart pinged. “You’d live in New York to be with me?” She realized how deep that was for him.
“Woman, I’d live in an igloo if it meant I could wake up each and every day with you by my side. After leaving your ranch I came here and started my resignation. I let you go once and that’s a mistake that I’ll never repeat. Get used to the fact that we’re soulmates, baby girl.”
She pressed against the bars. “I have never been happier, but you don’t have to move.”
“I ain’t into long distance relationships, sweetheart. I lived without you for fifteen years and that was too long.”
“You don’t have to move because the producers weren’t here to offer me a role. They asked me to write the script for the story of my sister’s death, how we solved it. They heard about the story in the news and they think it’s theater-worthy. So, I’m staying here, my love. With you. You can’t get rid of me.”
He took a step and kissed her between the bars. He stepped back. “Where are the keys?”
She reached around and took them from her back pocket. He quickly unlocked the door and, before it was completely open, they were in each other’s arms. She watched as he bent to one knee and opened a small box. Inside was the prettiest diamond ring she’d ever seen.
“I’ve had this with me for fifteen years. Will you marry me, sweetheart?”
“A million times yes. Of course.”
He placed the ring on her finger and that’s where it would stay until her dying day.
Not the end but only the beginning…
From the author:
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let others know your thoughts.
Hugs,
Rhonda Lee Carver
At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.
Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.
When Rhonda isn’t crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.
For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit: www.rhondaleecarver.com.
Find me on Facebook, too! www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver
Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver
Diamond in a Rose
Double Dare
Delaney’s Sunrise
Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)
Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)
Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)
Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)
Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)
Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)
Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance Series)
Second Sunrise Cowboy (Book 8, Second Chance Cowboy Series)
Castle’s Fortress
Dreaming Ivy
Friends With Benefits
Sin With Cuffs
With Honor
Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)
Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)
Fighting Flames
UNDER PRESSURE (Book 1, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE RISING (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE POINT (Book 3, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
SECRET PRESSURE (Book 4, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
RESISTING PRESSURE (Book 5, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
Under the Mistletoe
Cowboy Paradise (Cowboys of Nirvana)
Ropin’ Trouble (Book 2, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Smoke. Fire. Cowboy (Book 3, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Kissed, Spurred, & Valentined (Book 4, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Cowboy is Mine (Book 5, Cowboys of Nirvana)
The Discreet Cowboy (Book 6, Cowboys of Nirvana)
Leather for Two, Wings of Steel MC
An Unexpected Hero (Buttermilk Valley)
A New Year’s Cowboy
Pride & Pleasure (Book 1, The KNIGHT Brothers)
Roman’s Choice (Book 1, Saddles & Second Chances)
Letting Go (Sable Hunter’s Hell Yeah! Kindle World)
Have you read Seal by Fate (#1, Ghost Hawk Op)?
1
“TEN MINUTES, MISS West,” the tall brunette with a thick southern twang said from the doorway.
Stormy couldn’t get her voice to work as she stared through the cracked mirror at the wedding planner who was happily fluffing the veil hanging from a hook on the door. When she didn’t get a response, she looked around, nailing Stormy with an inquisitive gaze.
“Miss West?”
“Yes…okay, Tiffany. I’m sorry. Ten minutes. Any sign of my sister yet?” Stormy felt her knees wobble.
“No, I’m sorry. No sign. Maybe she got lost?”
The air deflated from Stormy’s lungs. The last time she’d spoken with Colette they’d argued which left Stormy puzzled. How could she go through today without her sister’s support? They’d been there for each other when times were down and when life was happy, even if they didn’t always agree with the other’s choices.
“Shall I stay?” Tiffany asked.
“No. No, thank you. I need a moment.”
The woman nodded and left, closing the door behind her.
Once the wedding planner’s footsteps faded down the hall, Stormy dropped into the chair at the vanity and rubbed her sore hand. The black and blue bruise on her wrist seemed stark against he
r pale skin, but at least the concealer she’d applied had helped some. She wasn’t sure how to hide it completely. Wearing a wrap over the cap-sleeved gown would raise suspicion.
Her shoulders slumped.
The tension in her body couldn’t quite be released.
Opening the drawer to the dressing table, she took out the crumbled piece of paper that she’d received that morning and read…
“He’s a monster. Don’t do this. You’ll regret it.”
Did her sister send the letter? The idea didn’t seem possible. Colette had never been shy about voicing her opinions in person.
Colette’s last words, “I know Duncan isn’t who you think he is. I’ll prove it” lingered in Stormy’s mind.
Shivers raced through her as she pushed the drawer closed, wishing she could close her doubts on the disturbing letter. This wasn’t the first one she’d received. Over the last three months she’d gotten two others. Why was someone trying to warn her? What did they know that she didn’t? What did her sister suspect that Stormy was missing?
Calling her sister’s number again, her heart sank when voicemail picked up. The long beep sounded and Stormy started to hang up, but instead decided to leave a message. “Colette, where are you? I need to speak to you. I-I’m starting to get worried. I know you hate him, but I need to have you here. We’re family and you’re all I have.” Clicking off, she dropped the phone into her purse and paced the small space in her bare feet. Why would her sister not show up for the wedding? Although there was no love lost between Colette and Duncan, Stormy had believed her sister would put aside all ill feelings and support this day.
More of Colette’s words pounded Stormy’s brain. “This isn’t where you wanted to get married. Neither of you even attend this church. Why is Duncan adamant about marrying here?”
Angry at the time, Stormy had brushed off the point, but it did make sense. She’d wanted to get married outdoors as the sun was setting. Surrounded by flowers and close friends and family. That had been her dream, but Duncan hadn’t cared.
In fact, she hadn’t seen one guest on Duncan’s side arrive today and at the rehearsal dinner no one showed up from his family. As forgiving as Stormy was even she couldn’t figure out why he didn’t seem to have any friends or family, or at least anyone he wanted her to meet.
With shaking fingers, she picked up the veil from the hook and slid the delicate comb through her curly updo, straightening and fluffing the material halfheartedly. Checking herself in the mirror she admired the job the makeup artist had done, but her gaze automatically sank to the closed drawer.
You’re marrying a criminal.
The words from the first letter were embedded in her thoughts. She wanted to believe this wasn’t true, that the man she’d been involved with for a year wasn’t a monster or a criminal, but she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Something was missing.
Colette had warned Stormy that Duncan couldn’t be trusted, and yet she’d never told her sister about the letters. And after last night…well, it hadn’t been the magical night before her wedding that she’d hoped for. She and Duncan had gotten into an argument after he was late getting to the rehearsal dinner, already tipsy and angry. When she asked where he’d been, he snapped and grabbed her wrist, tugging her roughly down the hall of the church where he sternly told her that he didn’t like her intrusion into his privacy.
Intrusion into his privacy and they were on the precipice of marriage…?
The incident had taken her for a loop and after she’d gained her equilibrium, she’d gone back to dinner and kept a smile plastered on her face, even making it through the meal without allowing her feelings to overtake her. When she and Duncan had finally left the restaurant, all the pent-up emotions had slipped and flowed. She’d told him she didn’t think she could go through with the wedding. Of course, he’d unloaded, explaining his staggering actions and apologizing, all the while her warning bells were sounding. She understood that he had internal and external wounds from his past life, but wasn’t he supposed to want to open up to her? Tell her his worries and doubts? Share his life?
She touched her bruised wrist and her eyes filled with tears. She wanted to wake up from the nightmare and be happy that she was getting ready to marry the man she once loved.
Once loved?
Her head swarmed. Her stomach turned. Did she not love him any longer?
Confusion gurgled up inside her.
Stormy needed her sister.
Duncan wasn’t the same man she met. The charming and affectionate one. Now he spent most evenings working late or traveling for business, and when he was with her he was distant and easily irritated.
She had mentioned to Duncan that his behavior was odd and they were drifting away from one another. He’d made up the excuse that his job as an import/export buyer had been stressful and he’d been traveling too much. He never talked about his family, childhood, nothing but the present, and because he’d made it clear that he was a private person, she’d respected his wishes and didn’t pry. Yet, how does a marriage work between two people who barely know each other?
She was at fault for saying “yes”. The day he’d proposed had been the first romantic evening they’d had in months and she’d been hopeful that he’d be the man she once knew.
The door opened, and Tiffany peeked through the gap. “Miss West? Everyone is ready. It’s time to take your place.”
Stormy nodded. “Okay.” Her stomach knotted and she thought she might vomit. Everyone said pre-wedding jitters were normal, but what she was experiencing was more than a case of nerves.
“Need any help?” Tiffany asked, but Stormy lifted a hand to stop her from approaching. “Okay. I’ll give you a few more minutes.” The door started to close, but it came open again and the worried-looking planner stepped in, closing the door with a soft click behind her.
“Tiffany?”
The planner clasped her hands together, showing a slip of her own nerves for the first time. “Did you know there’s a man standing at the end of the hall?”
“A man? Do you know who he is?”
“I saw him speaking to your fiancé earlier, but I wasn’t introduced. I just thought you should know.”
Who would be downstairs when all the guests should be seated? “Thank you. I’ll be out in just a few minutes.” Stormy offered a plastic smile, hoping the woman would take her leave.
Waiting a short time after Tiffany excused herself, Stormy finally opened the door just enough that she could peek into the hallway without being noticed.
Just as Tiffany had said, there was a man standing at the end of the corridor. He was a large man with very short hair and a steely jaw. She’d never met him before, but he didn’t look friendly. His twisted expression and warrior-like stance made him seem more like a bodyguard than a guest.
Her head was now spinning. She had to lean against the wall to stable her wobbly knees. Stormy had a crushing feeling that the man outside was here to make sure she followed through with the wedding. Did Duncan think she’d bail out after his twist of character last night?
What type of man would send his buddy to watch her?
A monster.
Her knees threatened to give out. Sweat beaded between her breasts and the gown suddenly was too tight and suffocating.
Tiffany appeared in the hallway and Stormy backed up, wringing her hands together, and when the other woman stepped inside the room Stormy started pacing the floor.
“I’m not sure I can stall any longer.”
“What man would send a guard to watch his bride’s door?” Stormy muttered.
“Pardon me?”
Meeting the concerned gaze of the planner, Stormy whispered, “I don’t think I can do this.” What would their marriage be like?
“Forgive me, Miss West, but now’s the time to decide.”
“The man outside…I think he’s watching me. Making sure I don’t back out.” Stormy shot a nervou
s gaze over the planner’s shoulder to the closed door.
“You should go now.”
“I said I don’t think—”
“Through the back door. Run away. I’ll take care of the man down the hall. Give me just a few minutes. But be careful. It’s a mess outside so you won’t get far. Don’t forget your shoes.”
“I-I can’t go home.” The words fell off Stormy’s trembling lips.
“Right.” Tiffany crossed her arms. Stormy could practically see the wheels turning in the woman’s deep gaze. “That’ll be the first place he’ll look.” She pulled out a key from her pocket. “Go here. You’ll be safe for a few days. The address is on the keychain. Use your GPS or you’ll get lost.”
“Why are you—”
Tiffany shook her head. “We don’t have time for questions. Just go.”
Stormy was being thrust into a world of uncertainty and she either had to take a leap of faith or walk down the aisle.
Without a doubt, she couldn’t marry Duncan.
Claimed by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 4) Page 19
