Lost & Found Love

by Laura Browning

He winked. “Other than watching what you do with that arm, I think you’re good to go for whatever else you have in mind.” When she blushed scarlet, he laughed. “Seeing you blush is about worth the plane ride down here and back.”

  Tabby’s reflections were interrupted as Katie wrapped herself around her legs, and Tabby looked down to smile at the cat. Stoner had reluctantly given the okay for her to bring Katie to the Homestead. Joseph was staying in the guesthouse for the time being because Catherine had insisted on redecorating the parsonage for them. Tabby grinned. That was one upside of the week that remained until she and Joe would be together. The guesthouse gave them a chance to sneak a few minutes alone, though it seemed to her that Stoner spent more time than necessary hovering.

  Thursday evening, Evan arranged a guys’ night, which taciturn Sam had somehow been talked into hosting. Jenny had turned Tabby bright red when she told her that Evan and Jake were determined to give Joe a few tips before his wedding night. So when she saw Joseph Friday morning, Tabby blushed. He had chuckled and pulled her into his arms.

  “How… How was your evening?” she asked breathlessly.

  He leaned in and kissed the side of her neck. “Very informative,” he growled against her ear.

  “Joseph!”

  He laughed. “We played cards, darling. While Sam and Evan smoked cigars and Evan drank bourbon, Jake and I proceeded to take their money. We play poker just about every month.” He looked around. “Where are Catherine and Stoner?”

  “Catherine had something she was taking care of for the dinner at the club tonight, and Stoner is working in his shop. Melodie is at school, Peterson and the cook have gone shopping, and I just saw the maid go out to clean the guesthouse for us.”

  He pressed her against his lean body. “So we have the house to ourselves?” At her nod, he wrapped his arms around her and began kissing her. “Mmm. One more day. Should we practice a bit?”

  Tabby laughed softly. “Absolutely.”

  They settled on the couch in the family room off the kitchen. Joseph pulled her onto his lap and gently stroked her cheek as he kissed her. As their mouths opened to each other, his hands moved over her, caressing her rib cage down to her hips and along her thigh. Tabby trembled, heat and desire building inside her. She slipped her hand between his shirt buttons to touch his chest and felt his instant response to her questing fingers. His hips shifted, his erection pressing against her bottom.

  “I am so ready for this marriage,” he groaned against her. “It has been pure torture to keep my hands off you.”

  She chuckled gently and wiggled a little on his lap. “I can tell. How much practicing can we do?”

  Joe groaned as he leaned his forehead against hers. “Not too much more, or Stoner will shoot me.”

  They heard a knock on the kitchen door. Tabby laughed. “That’s probably the florist. Catherine said she was expecting him this morning. I’ll get it since you’re a little indecent at the moment.” She blushed as her gaze dropped to the bulge in his slacks. Joe laughed as he tucked his shirt back in and smoothed his hair. “I’ll come help as soon as I calm down a bit.”

  Tabby was still laughing as she opened the kitchen door.

  “Well, Tabitha! Here you are getting ready for the wedding, and you didn’t even invite your papa?”

  Her smile evaporated, and her heart thumped like a caged bird. Tommy MacVie filled the doorway, a faded John Deere cap pushed slightly back on his head. Old habits die slowly. Even as she cringed from him, she automatically stepped back, giving him room to walk in before she had time to think and shut the door.

  “Papa,” she whispered faintly, automatically.

  His eyes narrowed. “At least you remember who I am,” he hissed. “But I don’t hear enough respect in your voice, and you haven’t invited me in. Maybe what you need is a reminder.” He grabbed hold of her hair and jerked it as he examined her face. “Your lips are swollen. Have you been fornicating with your preacher before your wedding? Is that what you’ve been doing? Just like your mama, spreading your legs out of wedlock.”

  “Don’t talk about Mama!” Tabby cried, but as weak as she still was, she didn’t dare do anything.

  MacVie sneered. “You know your pitiful little story cost me my job?”

  Her eyes widened in surprise, and he continued. “Didn’t realize you’d made national news, did you? Well, your daddy made sure to drag me through the mud, and they fired me at the plant. Looks to me like he’s well-to-do enough he should recompense me for everything you cost me.”

  From behind them, Joseph spoke in a voice Tabby had never heard before. It was flat and cold. “Take your hands off her.”

  MacVie spun Tabby around, making her cry out from pain as his hand yanked her hair again.

  “You must be the preacher boy.” He eyed Joseph contemptuously. “Pretty thing, ain’t you? But pretty don’t mean shit. What are you going to do? Pray I release her?”

  Joe walked slowly forward, his eyes never leaving MacVie. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me, Mr. MacVie, I said take your hands off Tabby. Do it now. If you want to hit someone, hit me. Stop putting your hands on women and children. That’s a coward and a bully’s way. Hit me! Or can’t you do that because I’m a grown man, so you run the risk I might hit back.”

  Tabby’s eyes widened at the cold, measured fury in Joseph’s face. MacVie released her and shoved her aside. She staggered and caught herself against the kitchen table. Joseph stepped instantly between them, protecting her.

  “I ain’t letting some pussy preacher from some heathen church tell me what to do. You’ll take your whippin’ like the boy you are!” He swung at Joseph, his eyes widening in surprise as Joseph expertly blocked the blow. He tried again, and again Joseph blocked him. Time after time, as MacVie pushed his attack, Joseph simply stopped him with his arm or a dodge of his body. “Why don’t you stand and fight like a man?” MacVie shouted in frustration. “Fight!”

  How often over the years had she heard her stepfather’s voice raised in rage against her and her mother? Her instinct was to run, but she wouldn’t leave Joseph, whose calmness helped her with her own fears.

  Joseph smiled. “That goes against my personal beliefs, Mr. MacVie. What kind of an example would I set for my congregation if I allowed myself to give in to the urge to pound you senseless for all the years that you took your temper out on a child?” Joseph stepped in close to MacVie and stared him down. “No matter how much of a scumbag you may be, I won’t hit you.”

  Stoner Richardson’s big frame filled the doorway, and he snarled, “Fortunately for me, I don’t feel any such compunction!” He spun MacVie around and slammed his fist into the man’s face. The John Deere cap finally went flying. MacVie had just a moment for a surprised expression to cross his face before he dropped like a rock to the kitchen floor. Stoner stared down at him, then looked at Joseph and Tabby. “Y’all all right?”

  When they both nodded, Stoner suddenly started shaking his hand back and forth in front of him. “Son of a bitch! That hurt! Damn! I guess I must not be as young as I once was. Call the sheriff, Joseph. I’ll take this trash outside until someone can come pick it up.”

  Joseph grinned. “It would be my pleasure.”

  He turned to Tabby who leaned, wide-eyed against the kitchen counter, and took her in his arms. “Are you all right? Did he hurt you anywhere?”

  She shook her head. “Just scared me mostly.” She buried her face against his chest and shuddered. “I kept trying to convince myself he’d forget about me. But I think I always knew he’d be back.”

  Joseph stroked her back. “Don’t worry, Tabby. We’ll take care of it. We’ll make sure he can’t come back to harm you again. Why don’t you go on into Stoner’s study while we take care of this? Do you need any help?”

  Tabby looked down at MacVie. “No.”

  * * * *

  After Tabby left the room, Stoner sighed. “You know, Joseph, in the old days, I�
�d have been tempted to see Mr. MacVie met with an unfortunate hunting accident. You must be a good influence on me.”

  “What makes you say that?” Joe asked.

  “Now I’m only tempted to break both his kneecaps so he can’t ever walk again.”

  Joe raised his brows. “I would be mighty tempted to agree with that plan, but I’ll call Sam. I’d prefer you be able to get off your electronic leash before too much longer.”

  Stoner looked down at the unconscious man. “Me too. Call Sam. What a shame. It would have been one time I truly felt justified in being unscrupulous.”

  Stoner grabbed MacVie by the collar, dragged him none too gently out the door, and down the back steps. He had just finished work in his shop when he’d heard the truck drive up. As he walked to the house, he had heard Tabby’s cry. It made him smile secretly to see the way Joe stood up for Tabby without ever compromising his own beliefs. That boy was going to do more good for this family than he even knew.

  They were in luck. Sam had run by his farm to pick up something and came on over when he got the call. With an economy of movement, he snapped cuffs on MacVie and stuffed him into the backseat of the cruiser before he radioed in for a tow truck to come impound MacVie’s truck. He looked around at Sam and Joseph. “Tabby all right?”

  Joe nodded. “Just shaken up a bit. She’ll be fine.”

  Sam nodded and slipped behind the wheel of his cruiser. “I’ll see to this. I’ll send a deputy by in an hour. I’ll need statements.”

  * * * *

  By the following afternoon, Tabby had put MacVie out of her mind and sat in front of the mirror in the dressing room of the Baptist Church. Her eyes were wide and her smile shaky as she stared at Jenny and Holly while they attached the veil to her hair. Melodie sat in a chair nearby, swinging her legs and watching the way the puffy skirt on her dress bounced up and down with each movement.

  “It’s almost time,” Jenny reminded softly. “Are you ready?”

  Tabby nodded. A knock sounded on the door.

  “Everybody dressed?” Stoner called through the wood panel.

  “Come in, Daddy,” Tabby told him, her voice sounding a little shaky to her own ears. Stoner looked impressive in his morning suit with its gray vest and black and gray striped tie. His eyes glowed with pride as he looked at her.

  “Ready, honey?” he asked gently. “Your groom already looks nervous even with Jake and Evan standing next to him.”

  “I’m ready.” Tabby stood and hugged him carefully. “I love you so much,” she murmured. “I never thought when I came here that I would find so much. Not only did I gain a sister, I found an entire family and a better father than I could ever imagine.”

  Stoner’s eyes met Jenny’s, and he held out his hand to her. The smaller woman stepped forward and linked her fingers with his. “Tabby, you helped us all find each other.”

  “Time to go,” Stoner said. He took Tabby’s hand and tucked it through his arm. Jenny and Holly straightened her skirts, then their own. The church was filled with people. Many of Joseph’s congregation, friends of Stoner and Catherine, but Tabby noticed none of them. As she followed Melodie down the aisle, her eyes were only on Joseph. He did indeed look like an angel.

  As their eyes met and held, Tabby realized she had experienced many miracles since she arrived in Mountain Meadow. She had found a sister, a brother, a father, and even a daughter. The family she had always longed to have. But the biggest miracle of all was the man standing at the altar. He loved her without hesitation or reserve.

  When Stoner placed her hand in Joseph’s, she heard the tremble in her father’s voice and saw the sheen of tears in Joseph’s eyes. Tabby had never felt so sure of anything in her life as she was of this day, this moment, this man. There was no shyness or hesitation from either of them as they pledged their love.

  When Reverend Calloway told Joseph he could kiss his bride, not a sound could be heard inside the Mountain Meadow Baptist Church. Joseph touched his lips to her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips. She couldn’t wait to start her marriage to this man—her lover, her angel, her friend. Their fingers twined together, and their eyes closed. When they parted, everyone clapped, and Tabby and Joseph blushed.

  Meet the Author

  After a long career in journalism, Laura Browning changed gears and began teaching English. The change in pace allowed her to ramp up her love of writing fiction. After a push from her hubby, her hobby morphed into a book contract. When not teaching or writing, you can find her on her farm or in the woods with camera in hand. Visit her website at: www.laurabrowingbooks.com.

  Enjoy this preview of book 3 in Laura Browning’s Mountain Meadow Homecomings series!

  ERIN'S WAY

  Available August 2016.

  Chapter 1

  Erin Richardson handed over some of her precious stash of cash and signed by the X for her rental car. Leaving a paper trail made her nervous, but reaching her destination quickly took precedence. Home sweet home. The black sheep of the family was returning to the fold.

  Hating the heavy jacket she’d donned to keep out the last blast of winter cold, she tossed it in the back seat of the little sedan. The car would warm up soon enough. The bulky coat was a further reminder that she’d been forced to leave behind the warmth and her friends for the cold and uncertainty of the Blue Ridge…also known as home. Right. The place where she was headed had rarely felt like home, at least not as she had wanted it to be.

  An image of a frowning face with snapping, dark eyes flashed in front of her. Sam. He was older now, but so was she. Not that it would make a difference. He was one more face lined up in judgment of her.

  She slid behind the wheel and checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. A little different look than last fall when she’d dropped in on the ’rents so unexpectedly. Erin had kept the extra body jewelry but ditched the Goth-looking makeup and dyed her hair back to its natural color. This time when she returned home she wasn’t aiming to shock as she had been at Tabitha’s art showing. Erin was trying hard to fit the image of the senator’s daughter. That would be a first. But now totally necessary.

  After what had happened right before she left the Virgin Islands, it was important to lay low and fit in. Maybe she should get rid of the ring in her eyebrow. No. She’d keep it for now. That was one too many changes for her to cope with at the moment. If she suddenly turned up in plaid and pearls, she’d make her family more suspicious than they would be simply by her turning up at all.

  One thing hadn’t changed. Erin carried a bag of some high-grade pot, a few hits of ecstasy, and even a couple of Quaaludes she’d traded for with a guy from South Africa. She laughed humorlessly as she pulled out of Dulles and headed southwest in the rental. There was only so much goodness she could stand, and she certainly wasn’t ready to give up her escapes from reality. It might at least brighten the dullness of where she’d grown up. Mountain Meadow. She shivered. Her last memories of her hometown were some of the most humiliating of her life. She was far from happy to be back, but life had a way of throwing curve balls. She wished it wouldn’t throw so many.

  With a long drive still ahead of her, she stopped at a Starbucks and wired up on a triple shot of espresso. As the miles slid by, her nerves tightened. She would so much rather still be on board the Sprite, but Andre Delacroix had certainly screwed that. Staying there after what she’d overheard? No way. She might be stupid, but she wasn’t suicidal.

  Just thinking of Andre made her stomach tighten. She was afraid Rick, the Sprite’s captain, and the rest of his crew were underestimating how dangerous Andre could be. Rick was forever writing Andre off as nothing more than a spoiled rich kid, much as he’d originally thought her. While his opinion of her had certainly undergone a radical change, his opinion of Andre hadn’t, and Erin was afraid they were all making a big mistake.

  Her hands clenched on the steering wheel, her left leg adding a rapid tattoo. She still had part o
f a joint already rolled. Maybe a few tokes would calm her nerves, take her stress level down a notch. After all, if Stoner and Catherine were as uptight as ever, she’d need all the help she could get once she arrived in the middle of nowhere. A little brain fog might help blunt how underwhelmed her parents would be to see her. Maybe she could even pretend they would welcome her home. Erin laughed. Like that would happen.

  Suddenly, surprising them didn’t seem like such a great idea. In the back of her mind fear niggled that her parents would have asked her not to come if they had known of her plans ahead of time. How mortifying was that? She snorted. No more humiliating than being carried out of a party last fall tucked under Sam Barnes’s arm like a little kid in the midst of a temper tantrum. That had accomplished essentially the same thing that evening. Erin had taken the hint and cleared out before they could actually kick her out.

  She had never been able to do anything right in her parents’ eyes. So now she was going back? Really. She needed her head examined. What was the definition of insanity? Oh right. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

  Erin yawned. God, she had forgotten how truly boring this area was. No people, almost no traffic and certainly no lights. Nothing, as a matter of fact, to help her stay awake. Even worse, she’d already hit several icy spots where she felt the car’s traction turn loose for an instant. After years of rarely driving at all and only in warm, sunny climates, the ice had certainly jolted her back awake. Erin shook her head and blinked her gritty eyes several times.

  Shit, she was so tired she’d started to see things. Was that a deer in the road? Was it a pot-induced hallucination? That most recent bag had been a doozy. At the last minute, she stared into a white face and wide, startled brown eyes and yanked the wheel hard to the left. The car plunged off the shoulder of the road and through a dark board fence. The air bag exploded back at her, smacking her forehead and making it burn. Finally, the car landed at an odd angle, one wheel hanging over the bank of a creek. The only thing breaking the silence were the moos of panicked cows roaming in the darkness. Wow, this was some fucking trip. She slumped forward.