Sweet Texas Charm

by Robyn Neeley

  “Ms. Nash.”

  “Santa.” She reached for some tinsel on his deep red suit, twirling it with her finger. “This was quite something.” She smiled as the last of the families left the cafeteria. “You’ve been busy since the last time I saw you.”

  He smiled through his fake white beard. “I wanted to make your last day here memorable.”

  “That you did.”

  “If you’re good next year, maybe I’ll replace that sweatshirt you’re wearing with a Broncos one instead.”

  She laughed and twisted the ties of the hoodie around her fingers. “Well … I … um … I should probably get back to the factory.” She started to leave, but no, there was something she needed to do. She flung her arms around his middle. “Thank you for today, and for what you did for my mother.”

  He held her in his arms. “Becca …”

  She stepped out of his embrace and reached into her apron pocket, pulling out the strawberry key chain. “But I can’t accept this … or this.” She reached in her pocket again and pulled out the tiny hourglass, her own heart breaking as she gave back his. “I can’t accept this, either.”

  Unable to look him in the eye, she turned away and took fast steps toward the door.

  “Will you accept Grayson Cooper’s apology then?”

  She turned just as he yanked off his beard, setting it on a table, followed by his white wig. He next took off his red coat, the pillow inside falling to the ground.

  “No more disguises, Becca. Just me telling you that I’m sorry.”

  “Grayson …”

  With a few quick strides, he stopped short in front of her. “I was an idiot, but I wouldn’t trade my time as Coop for anything, because it opened my eyes. I thought I knew everything about this company, but I was so dumb, and arrogant, and blind. This is a great place, but it can be better. I want it to be better. I want to be better.

  “I know I’ve done some incredibly stupid things, but this is me, Grayson Cooper, telling you, Becca Nash, that I love you.” He paused. “And I’m so sorry for hurting you, and if you would just give me a second chance, I promise I will never pretend to be anyone else but me.”

  He loves me. She bit her lip gazing into his beautiful blue eyes, the same eyes that had flirted with her the night of Macy and Gavin’s engagement party, and had displayed how much he wanted her the night they made love.

  And he was trying. She could see that he’d changed. From hiring Chuck back to his plans to create an atmosphere where all employees felt welcome.

  He’d given her his heart; maybe it was time to give him hers. She smiled and shrugged. “I kinda liked the beard.” She reached up and stroked his smooth face.

  He picked her up and she slid down his arms. “Done. I’ll grow one starting tomorrow.”

  She laughed as their lips found their way back to each other. “Thank you for all of this.” They kissed as “All I Want for Christmas Is You” played in their winter wonderland.

  She was the first to break away with a very important question. “Do you promise that this was the last disguise?”

  He nodded enthusiastically. “Although I did kind of promise that the Easter Bunny would make an appearance next year.” He brought her in closer. “I’ll make Gavin wear the costume, though.”

  “Deal.”

  “So, we’re in this together, Ms. Nash?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her.

  She rested her head on his shoulder, thinking of Jack’s final letter to her mother and the words her mom never believed she was good enough to say back. “I love you, Mr. Cooper.”

  He threaded his fingers through hers. “Are you ready to see your new office?”

  “I was thinking we might visit yours.” She narrowed her lashes. “Maybe resume that meeting we started on your couch. We’ve got a lot to talk about if I’m going to stay.” She took the strawberry key chain from his hand and jingled it. “Including what you’ve done with Blue Baby.”

  He grinned and brought her into his arms, kissing her forehead. “Blue Baby is in a better place.”

  As they strolled out of the cafeteria and headed to Grayson’s office, Becca couldn’t help but smile up at the man she loved, knowing for certain Jack Cooper had gotten their match right.

  EPILOGUE

  Today was going to be far more exciting than the Dallas Cowboys’ first-round draft pick, and it might even edge out Christmas as the best day this year.

  And Grayson couldn’t wait to get it started—that is, if all of his loved ones arrived on time.

  He had no doubt that they would, because ever since they’d all learned last week that their father’s lawyer, Rodney, had one last item to give to them from their dad, it was all they could talk about.

  While Gavin and Macy bet it was something unexpected, like a cottage in Sonoma wine country, Gage and Charlotte were convinced it was big, like a yacht that they could spend the holidays on sailing the Gulf.

  And Becca—his live-in girlfriend, majority shareholder, and partner-in-crime at Guac Olé—well, she was more or less the romantic, albeit a bit cynical one, thinking it would be another small object that none of them would know the meaning of—or what to do with it.

  “Grayson, what did I say about calling these early meetings?” Gage strolled in with a very pregnant Charlotte by his side. The couple was expecting their firstborn next month.

  “At least we have donuts,” Gavin said right behind them, shaking a brown bag.

  Macy came in, rolling her eyes. “Baby, how is this different from any other morning?”

  He pulled out a chair for his wife, offering her the bag. “I’m just being supportive of your eating for two.”

  Macy grinned up at him and took a donut. “You know I’m not pregnant yet.”

  “Yet being the operative word.” Gavin took a seat next to his wife.

  Grayson moved to the head of the table, enjoying this rare opportunity for them all to be together. Last spring, Gavin had decided to go on tour with Macy and see the country. Charlotte and Gage were still splitting their time between Sweet Ridge and Houston, but Gage had shared the last time they were in town that they’d be making Sweet Ridge their permanent home in the new year.

  And as for his life, Grayson was enjoying his two new live-in companions, Becca and Merle. Merle, he’d give back to Gavin once Macy wrapped up her tour next month. Becca, he hoped to be living with for many healthy and happy years to come.

  “Am I late?” She came bursting through the door, her white smock covered in guacamole.

  Grayson smiled—her smock had looked exactly like that during their first meeting at the Silver Spurs, and her wild locks, too.

  “Not at all.” He got up and kissed the love of his life. Later, when they were alone in his office—or hers—he’d deepen it.

  “So, Gray. Where is Rodney?” Gage wheeled his chair closer to Charlotte and rested his arm around her.

  “I’m right here, boys. Howdy, ladies.” Rodney waltzed in, removing his black cowboy hat and setting his briefcase on the boardroom table.

  “I don’t think it’s a yacht,” Charlotte joked to Gage.

  “So, when your father met with me to make some changes to his will, he also asked if we could tape him.”

  “Tape him?” Gavin asked. “What do you mean?”

  “Yeah.” Gage sat up in his chair. “We never saw a tape.”

  Rodney reached into his suitcase and pulled out a small flash drive. “That’s because I had it, with specific instructions to show it to all of you one year after Becca became a shareholder, and not a day sooner. That day is today, is it not?”

  Becca smiled over at Grayson. “I came into this very room guns blazing on this date last year.”

  “Yes, you did. You looked more believable as Coop than I did,” he joked back. With time, she’d forgiven him for his disguise. It helped when he finally admitted to her how it was as Coop that he’d fallen in love with her, so really it was his going undercover that had broug
ht them together.

  She didn’t quite see it that way, but she confessed that she wouldn’t object to his wearing the cowboy boots she’d bought for Coop.

  Rodney handed Grayson the flash drive, but also discreetly placed a small object in his hand. His finger brushed the smooth circle. Was it what he thought it was? He looked at his father’s lawyer, who gave him a sly smile as confirmation.

  He shoved the item in his pocket. Becca had just won the bet. Although he was pretty sure he knew what the tiny object was and what he was meant to do with it. “Shall we watch the video?” Grayson asked.

  The room filled with a chorus of yeses. He shoved the flash drive in and with two more clicks started the video. All eyes focused on the flat screen.

  “Hi, sons.” His father was dressed in his usual attire of white shirt, dark jeans, and black cowboy hat. He settled his frail body into the black leather sofa. Though it was sad to see his dad looking so weak, it was also surprisingly comforting to watch the recording.

  “You’re probably wondering what this video is all about. Well, I wanted to be the first to congratulate each of you on finding your true love.”

  Gavin shook his head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “I’ll start with Gavin. I suspect you can’t believe any of this.”

  They all snickered. It was like their dad was talking to them in real time.

  “When I met Macy, I knew instantly she’d be the one who would challenge you from day one. You see, son, being the oldest, you’ve always needed to be in control.”

  “You got that right,” Gage agreed.

  “Shut it,” Gavin shot back.

  “Macy’s always been a bright spark of light. I knew she was something special.”

  “Macy.” Jack grinned at the camera. “I hope you’re enjoying the house.”

  “I am, Jack.”

  “And it’ll take some time, but I imagine you two will start filling it up soon.” He leaned forward. “Like, real soon.”

  Gavin put his arm around Macy. “Did my dad just tell us to go have sex?”

  She giggled and leaned into him, kissing him on the cheek.

  Jack reached for a glass of water on the table next to him. “Gage, my son, you’re up next.”

  “Howdy, Pop.”

  “You’ve always been the rascal in the family, probably because you’re the youngest. You needed a woman who was going to put you in your place. Someone who’d challenge you and keep you on your toes.”

  He took another short sip of his water. “When I met Charlotte at Betty Lou’s, I knew she was the one. She’d ignite something in you like sweet Texas fire. I suspect by now you both are married and my first grandbaby is on the way.” He set his drink down. “You know, Jack is a great name.”

  “Or Jaclyn,” Charlotte said.

  Gage looked at his wife, eyes wide. “We’re having a girl?”

  She nodded, rubbing her belly. “I know we said we didn’t want to know, but I couldn’t resist finding out.”

  Gage let out a loud whoop and kissed Charlotte. “I love you, Red.”

  “I love you, too, cowboy.”

  “Charlotte …” Jack said, interrupting the couple.

  “Yes, Jack?” she said to the screen.

  “That land you own means the world to me. Love and nurture it. It will bring your family great joy for many future years.”

  “I will. Thank you, Jack.”

  “And Grayson.” He leaned back and grinned. “Mr. Hotshot CEO. I hope you are enjoying this couch.”

  “More than you know, Dad. So is Becca.”

  She gave him a playful swat.

  “You know, of all the matches, yours was the easy one. I’ve waited years for you two to meet. Because you’re a bit of a bonehead, I realized it wouldn’t be till after my death.”

  “He got that right,” Gage joked.

  “That title easily applies to you, too,” Grayson shot back.

  “Becca, I loved your mom. There’s nothing more honest than a first love. There will always be a special place in my heart for Nora. One day, I hope you will tell her how much she means to me.”

  “I do every Sunday, Jack.”

  Grayson reached over and held her hand. Her mom was still in the assisted living home as her memory continued to decline. Becca spent every Sunday reading the letters to her, letting her mom relive the memory of falling in love each time.

  Jack reached into his pocket and held up the strawberry charm. “You and my sons will do great things with this company. Know that I gave you the shares without any doubt that you were the woman to have them.”

  This time his smile came with a twinkle in his eye. “Now, back to you, Grayson. I bought this strawberry charm key chain the week Becca started at Guac Olé. I knew the daughter of Nora Strawberry was the one to help you lead the company.”

  “She sure is, Dad.” He laced his hand with Becca’s.

  “Now, I know you’ve got something in your hand. Go ahead and put it to good use and ask her.”

  “What?” She turned to Grayson. “What do you have in your other hand?”

  He took a deep breath. “Becca, this year has been amazing. I’ve been waiting for the right time to ask you this.” He pushed back in his chair and dropped to one knee. “Will you marry me?” He held up the engagement ring that Rodney had given him only moments ago. Without any doubt this was the perfect moment to ask the question.

  “Oh my God.” Becca covered her mouth, her eyes tearing. “Where did that come from?”

  Jack answered that question. “You’re probably wondering about the ring. Becca, I bought it after my first date with your mother.” He chuckled. “Yeah, I know I was a bit cocky. I want you to have it. Marry my son.” He paused and stared at the camera.

  “Of course I’ll marry him … you.” She giggled, reaching up and touching Grayson’s face with her hands.

  He pulled one hand down and felt it tremble as he slid the ring on her finger. Truth, he’d already bought an engagement ring, but this was the one she was meant to wear. “She said yes, Dad.”

  Jack clapped. “Attaboy.” He leaned forward and folded his hands. “Well, kids. My time is almost up. Know that I love you, and I’ll always be with you. Go live the lives you were meant to live, and start those families. God bless.”

  The screen went blank, and Gage was the first to lose it, tears falling fast. Gavin stood and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  “I can’t believe he knew we’d be together.” Gage shook his head, hugging Charlotte.

  “He was motivated by love. I have something for all of you.” Becca left the room and returned a few minutes later with a picture frame. “I know your mother was also special to Jack, but the love he felt for Mom … well, I wanted to honor that.” She handed the frame to Grayson.

  He stared down at Nora’s painting of the beautiful wooden box that had contained the love letters. His fingers touched their dad’s three phrases etched in gold on the burgundy mat that bordered the picture.

  Look to the past to see your future.

  The key to everything is happiness.

  What is sweeter than success?

  Grayson kissed his fiancée for the precious gift she’d given them. With Gavin and Gage’s help, he hung the picture of the beautiful wooden box next to the portrait of Jack, where they all knew in their hearts it belonged.

  Acknowledgments

  A heartfelt thank-you to Monica Tillery (Sweet Texas Kiss) and Nicole Flockton (Sweet Texas Fire) for working with me to build the world of Sweet Ridge, Texas, full of irresistible heroes and feisty heroines with a healthy serving of secrets and guacamole on the side. And a huge thank-you to Julie Sturgeon and Tara Gelsomino, at Crimson Romance, for knowing exactly what to do to make this series shine.

  About the Author

  Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places, watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit, can't live without Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, and
has never met a cookie she didn't like. If you have a must-read romance suggestion or a fabulous cookie recipe, she wants to know. For book updates and exclusive giveaways, sign up for her e-newsletter at www.robynneeley.com.

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