Georgia On My Mind (A Magnolias and Moonshine novella Book 7)

by Amanda McIntyre

  Tears welled in her eyes. With crystal clarity, she saw the chance she’d been given—perhaps her last—not only to find love again with her first love, but to become a family, giving her the opportunity to provide Kolby a quality of life that she’d not be able to if working here twenty-four-seven.

  She offered Tank a wobbly smile, walked over and hugged his waist, as far as her arms would reach around the big man. “So, you think that now’s a good time to spring this on me, why?”

  Tank cleared his throat and held her at arm’s length. “It might have had something to do with the numerous phone calls I’ve had with that cowboy of yours.”

  Georgia’s heart did a little flip. “Justin?”

  Tank shrugged. “Yeah, well, I’d been kicking the idea around for a while now, waiting for the right time. You haven’t been ready to let go a little. Delegate.”

  “But what about the bills?” She shook her head. “We’re already behind.” She returned to robustly polishing the bar. “I can’t just up and leave you like that.”

  Tank lifted his bushy eyebrows. “Yeah, that’s why it’d be smart to bring in an investor.”

  She shot him a curious look. “Wait, what do you mean an investor?”

  He lifted his bushy brows and cocked his head. “Someone who’d foot the bill for marketing, do a little advertising for us. Help to get the catering business off the ground.”

  Georgia laughed outright. Neither of them knew anyone with that kind of clout.

  Voices filtered from down the back hall as Jake Reed, his wife, Faith, and Mac appeared, walking up to the bar. Jake looked at Tank. “You tell her yet?”

  “Just getting to that part,” Tank tossed him a side look.

  “Oh.” He made a face like he’d let the cat out of the bag.

  “Is someone going to tell me what is going on?” She planted her fist, the cloth, and her pride on her hip. This whole matter smacked too close of something being taken away without her consent. She didn’t like that.

  Faith slid onto the bar stool as Mac and Jake stood behind her. “Georgia,” she began, “we want to help. We know how you feel about this place. How important it is for you to preserve what you and your dad worked so hard to create.”

  “You ask anyone five miles of this place. It’s an icon to the folks who live around here and have been patrons for years,” Mac interjected enthusiastically.

  “Wanting to help with that isn’t so hard to understand, is it?” Faith said with a soft smile. Jake put his hands on her shoulders and kissed his wife’s cheek.

  Stunned, Georgia scanned their faces. “No, that part isn’t hard at all. What I don’t understand is why? I’m sorry to be so frank, but why would you care about me or my dad’s business?”

  Jake looked at her. “I can see where you’d think that, Georgia. But we’d like to put the past where it belongs and start fresh.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “Why?”

  Jake’s blue-eyed gaze—so like his brother’s—held hers. “Because with any luck, and provided my crazy ass brother isn’t delusional, we’re going to be family. The man is sitting up there in Big Sky country thinking of you, losing sleep, beside himself with what he should do--and now the calls have started, morning, noon--”

  “And night,” Faith added with a grin.

  “He can’t stop thinking about you and Kolby,” Jake said. “And I…we”—he gestured to the four of them— “think that maybe you feel something for him, as well. For the love of God, I hope that’s the case.”

  Faith smacked his shoulder.

  She couldn’t believe her ears. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Well,” Faith, said with a smile, “maybe you should first ask yourself whether or not you love Justin, because I’m pretty sure he’s head over heels in love with you.”

  Georgia swallowed the lump in her throat. “I do.”

  “Yes-s-s.” Jake pumped his fist into the air.

  “Oh, thank, God.” Mac blew out a sigh.

  “He’s called you excessively, as well?” Georgia looked at Tank.

  The big man rolled his eyes. “Have mercy on me, Georgia,” he pleaded with a smile.

  She looked from one to the other. “What now?”

  Jake took her hand. “You go home. Pack a few things for you and Kolby and catch the next plane to Billings.” He squeezed her hand. “He’s trying to be patient. Giving you time to think things through. Meanwhile, the rest of us are going through hell here.”

  Georgia laughed and searched Jake’s face. “You’re serious?” It would mean being able to spend time with Justin and give Kolby the life she wanted for him, and know still that her business was in good hands.

  Jake placed a hand on his chest. “As a heart attack, sweetheart.”

  “Tank and I will draw up the paperwork and fax it to you, so you can read everything before you decide or want changes. Mac and I have been thinking of pulling in some big names to generate interest as a smaller venue for country singers who, now and again, prefer an intimate setting to sold-out arenas.”

  Georgia skirted around the end of the bar and hugged each of them. “I don’t know how to thank you all…so much.”

  “By letting us get some sleep, for starters.” Jake smiled.

  Her heart already felt it had wings. “Okay.” She nodded and stuffed the polishing cloth in Mac’s hand. “Use only Amish milk on that baby.” She looked around her. “I guess I have a plane to catch, but make me a promise. Don’t tell Justin I’m coming. I have to do this my way in order to be sure. Are you all with me on this?”

  “However you need to do this, we understand.” Faith hugged her again. “I’ve always wanted a sister-in-law,” she whispered before letting her go.

  Forty-eight hours later, she and Kolby were en route in a rented pick-up from Billings airport to End of the Line, Montana.

  “Does this mean I get cowboy boots?” her son asked. He’d been wide awake the entire trip, soaking in every minute. The grin never left his face.

  “We’ll see.” Georgia glanced at him. He’d insisted on wearing the snap- front shirt that Aunt Mae had bought for him. Her aunt had hugged her as they climbed in the cab headed to the airport, promising to ship a few more boxes to her at her word.

  “I have a good feeling about that young man,” she’d told her.

  So did Georgia. She only hoped that, when faced with the reality of seeing them in the flesh, he wouldn’t suddenly change his mind. She wanted her dream of a happily ever after.

  She stopped at the corner gas station at the edge of End of the Line to let Kolby use the restroom and hopefully get directions to Justin’s ranch.

  A friendly smile appeared on the dark-haired clerk’s face. “You must be Georgia.”

  Georgia glanced down at Kolby’s surprised expression.

  “It’s your accent. Dead giveaway that you’re that southern girl he’s been talking about since he got back from Atlanta,” the clerk explained. “You know, we used to tease Justin something terrible about his accent when he first moved up here. But you have no worries. We have a lot of transplants here. Folks who visit once, and decide to stay.” She held up her hands. “Not in a scary movie kind of way, though. It’s just a good little town to raise kids.” She peered over the counter. “And you must be?”

  “Kolby, ma’am.” His tiny voice produced a sweet drawl.

  “Aren’t you the most adorable thing ever,” the woman said as she rifled in a candy dish behind the counter. “I’m Denise,” she said as she started to hand a sucker to her son. “Is it okay with you, mama?”

  Georgia smiled and nodded. Justin hadn’t been kidding when he said the town was friendly.

  “So, Justin’s place…” She pointed. “Just go out here, take a left. Go up to the square. Take another left and go about a half mile. You can’t miss it. Cute little acreage with a lovely white three-story farmhouse, porch swing faces the west.”

  “Thank you, Denise.” Georgia held out he
r hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “You need something we don’t have, we can order it by tomorrow.”

  “Thanks,” she said as she ushered Kolby out the door.

  A few moments later, she was pulling off the main road onto a gravel lane lined on both sides by white fence, leading up to a large yard and one of the most picturesque views she’d ever seen in her life. The three-story farmhouse had a wraparound porch, complete with a swing as Denise had suggested. Situated a few yards from the house was a barn with a horse paddock beside it. An old, blue Chevy pick-up sat near the house and beyond the fences she noted several horses grazing in the pasture. Behind the scene, rising majestically in the distance, were snow-capped mountains standing sentinel over the valley.

  “Is this where Justin lives?” Kolby asked in awe.

  “Mr. Reed,” Georgia corrected her son. At least for now, she wanted the formality. A movement on the horizon caught her eye and she watched a figure on horseback riding across the plains toward the barn. As the rider drew closer, she saw the cowboy hat and buckskin coat and her heart flipped, falling in love all over again.

  He lifted his hand in a wave and Georgia climbed from the truck.

  Kolby unbuckled and shimmied down after her.

  Justin’s grin warmed her as he approached, looking better than any fantasy she could dream up. He brought the horse to a slow walk.

  “I see you decided to come. Been thinking an awful lot about you. I’ve missed you.”

  Her insides fluttered. She smiled as she shaded her eyes. “So the woman at the Git n’Go told me.”

  He flashed her a wicked grin, climbed off the horse, and held her gaze as he took off his hat and lifted her off the ground with one arm. He kissed her softly. “I really missed you,” he whispered before setting her to her feet.

  He knelt down on one knee to address Kolby. “Good to see you again, Kolby. It’s nice to know that you were watching over your mom on this trip.”

  His little chest puffed with pride as he smiled up at him. “Are you a real cowboy?” he asked, his eyes wide behind his thick glasses.

  Justin straightened and glanced at her. “Well, I can do a lot of cowboy things. I can even teach you to ride if your mom says it’s okay.”

  Kolby’s gaze darted to hers. “Can I?”

  “We just got here, honey,” she said, smoothing her hand over his short hair still growing in at all directions in the aftermath of the chemotherapy.

  “Tell you what,” Justin said, climbing back into the saddle. “If Mom doesn’t mind, you can sit up here with me and help take Cocoa back to the barn. The we can get you two settled up at the house. You like pizza?”

  Both males looked at Georgia for her approval.

  She walked over, picked up her son, and lifted him into Justin’s strong, grasp. “You ever handle a wiggly five-year-old, Mr. Reed?” She grinned up at him.

  He tucked Kolby between him and the saddle horn, and placed a protective hand around the boy’s middle. “Now you hold the reins, like this.” He smiled down at her. “Is that anything like a busload of high-school boys on their way to a football game?”

  “Fair enough,” she said, and her heart did a somersault when Kolby turned his little face to Justin’s, his expression one of admiration and vibrant joy.

  Tears pricked at the back of her eyes as she watched the two guiding the horse back to the barn. She couldn’t hear the details of the conversation, only the sound of her son’s delighted laughter as Justin brought the horse to a slow trot.

  She stood in the dusky shadows and breathed deeply. The summer air was cool, mixed with grass and pine. For the first time in many years, she felt the wall she’d built around her heart crumble and dared to believe she could trust in love again.

  The two emerged from the barn a few moments later, walking side-by-side as they talked. No doubt Kolby was riddling him with a thousand questions as he was often prone to do. Suddenly, Justin plopped his hat on Kolby’s head and the boy’s face lit up in a billion-dollar grin.

  She handed Kolby his little backpack. “You can carry this, mister.”

  Justin leaned down and whispered something to the boy as he pointed toward the house. Kolby grinned and took off at a dead run up the porch steps.

  Justin looped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. “I happen to know there are fresh chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen.” He turned her into his arms. “So, what do you think? You like it well enough to stay a spell?”

  She traced her finger over those lips she’d dreamt of for days--but felt like an eternity. “I might be persuaded.”

  He lifted a brow and grinned. “Let’s get your things inside, then.”

  She dropped the tailgate to reveal several suitcases and one or two boxes. “You know, my son’s going to want cowboy boots and a hat next.”

  He peered at the number of bags and looked up at her. “A man ought to marry the mother of the boy he plans to teach to ride, don’t you think?” He straightened, took her hand, and kissed it. “You let me know if this is going too fast. The way I see it, I don’t want to waste another minute without you and Kolby in my life.”

  She leapt into his arms and hugged his neck. From the porch came the delighted squeal of her son. “I told you she’d say yes!” Kolby said, cupping his hands to his mouth.

  “Was there anyone not involved in this?” She grinned and kissed him hard.

  “Are we good?” A woman’s voice captured Georgia’s attention.

  She shimmied from his embrace to look at the slender woman with short silvery-colored hair standing next to Kolby, who was bouncing up and down in jubilation.

  “Are we good?” Justin asked her.

  Georgia nodded. Tears stained her cheeks that hurt from smiling so much.

  Justin put his thumb in the air.

  “Oh, good! Come on, Kolby.” The woman took her son’s hand. “Let’s go call your Uncle Jake.”

  “Your mom?” she asked through laughter and tears.

  “I swear, she happened to show up on my doorstep this morning. Had no idea. But it’s handy to have her here.”

  “Why’s that?”

  He pulled out his cell phone. “Aside from the cookies”—he tapped it a few times before setting it on the tailgate— “may I have this dance?” He held out his hand.

  It wasn’t Garth Brooks. It was Randy Travis, crooning a wedding favorite— “Forever and Ever, Amen”.

  “Figured we needed a song of our own.” He pulled her into his arms. “The rest of the family, Tank, and your Aunt Mae will be here Sunday for the wedding.”

  “Wedding? You had all this planned?” she asked as they danced against the last dredges of a mountain sunset.

  He grinned, then kissed her. “Yes, everything except the part that’s up to you. What do you say, Georgia Anne? Do you love me?”

  She pulled him close, her heart beating hard against his. “Forever and ever…Amen.”

  The Magnolias & Moonshine Romance series

  Available in eBook at all your favorite online vendors!

  Find links to all the M & M Romance series at our official website!

  http://magnoliasandmoonshine.net/the-books-1

  Please enjoy the following excerpt from New York bestselling author Sharon Hamilton and her Magnolias & Moonshine book-Seal you in my Dreams!!

  The Sassy Bride by Ciara Knight

  Her Hero by Hildie McQueen

  Hurricane Bride by Beth Williamson

  The Wedding Charm by Susan Hatler

  Sweet Love of Mine by Lindi Peterson

  Moon Over Atlanta by Kymber Morgan

  Georgia on My Mind by Amanda McIntyre

  It Could Happen to Us by Lucy McConnell

  SEAL You in My Dreams by Sharon Hamilton

  Magnolia Mystic by Lisa Kessler

  Anxious in Atlanta by Kristen Osbourne

  Southern Secrets by Susan Carlisle

  Out-lanta by Tina DeSalvo

  From
Now On by Raine English

  Sweet Georgia Peach by Amelia Adams

  Maybe Baby by E. E. Burke

  A Kiss is Just a Kiss by Melinda Curtis

  Heat Wave by Merry Farmer

  Taste of Tara by Shanna Hatfield

  Hit and Run Love by Jennifer Peel

  About Seal You In My Dreams

  Special Operator Peter Watson’s next great adventure begins at the Atlanta Aquarium when he encounters a mermaid who steals his heart. But playing with sharks and colorful fish in the Big Tank isn’t nearly as dangerous, or as fun as what happens on land after their meeting behind glass.

  Abbey Hart’s summertime job in Atlanta was just going to be something brainless between her graduation from college and the start of her internship at a Sonoma County winery in the fall. But she’s swimming upstream when her travels land her in the arms of a frogman, Navy SEAL Peter Watson.

  Oceans apart, who could know that the wonderful week they shared together in Atlanta would turn from fantasy to reality?

  SEAL You In My Dreams: SEAL Brotherhood (A Magnolias and Moonshine Novella Book 9)

  By

  Sharon Hamilton

  ~*~

  Chapter One

  Peter Watson watched a human mermaid cavorting with the big fish in the Atlanta Aquarium. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail and spread through the water like a giant bright yellow sea fern. Her shapely body was poured into a bright blue diving suit with the Aquarium logo on the right thigh. Her graceful movements took his breath away. She fed large angelfish, and smaller shy bottom scrapers, making sure everyone got their fair share. Several sharks lurked in the background, used to the fact that they would not be hand fed anything.

  He was transfixed. A class of grade-schoolers encircled him. He heard several of the children remark with, “cool,” or, “I wanna do that some day.”

  As a Navy SEAL, Peter was familiar with wetsuits and diving equipment. He was used to seeing his buddies on SEAL Team 3 swimming like a pod of dolphin with their rebreathers, going undetected from the surface. He knew how to plant an underwater demolition charge, fire his H&K underwater with deadly accuracy, and use a submersible one-man sub. He’d done HALO jumps into shallow water and boarded ships operated by pirates and other assorted bad guys. But never had he played with a mermaid in a bright blue and yellow wet suit.