by Dylann Crush
“Nice try, Deputy.” She angled her lips to hit his under his makeshift snout.
“Hey, last-minute effort. Where’s Kenzie?”
“I don’t know. She was just here a second ago.” Jinx looked around the room, settling on a group of kids clustered around something in the back corner. “What’s that?”
Cash put an arm around her, and they made their way to the back. Someone had dragged Santa’s chair over from the community center, and Kermit sat square in the middle of it—in full Santa gear.
“What’s Santa doing at a Halloween party?” Jinx asked.
Cash shrugged his shoulders and nodded toward Santa. Kenzie had clambered up onto his lap, and they giggled over something she’d whispered in his ear.
“Seems like you’re getting all your holidays in Holiday mixed up this year.” Jinx pressed a palm flat against her belly, trying to suppress the slight nausea she felt.
“Hey, Kenz.” Cash caught his daughter in a hug before she could race by. “What’s Santa doing here tonight?”
“Hi, Daddy.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Your costume is lame with a capital L.” Forming her fingers into the shape of an L, she held them to her forehead.
“Where does she get this stuff?” He shot an accusing look at Jinx.
She shook her head. “Not me this time, I promise.”
“So what were you giggling about with Santa?” He rubbed his scruffy chin against Kenzie’s neck.
She kicked her feet at him and erupted into a fit of giggles. “It’s a secret.”
“Can I guess?”
“You’ll never be able to guess,” she promised.
“I’m going to try. Let’s see. You asked for a new horse?”
Kenzie shook her head.
Cash tapped a finger to his mouth. “You asked for Papa to build you a tree house?”
“Nope.”
“Well, I give up.” Cash released Kenzie. “I guess I don’t want to know what you asked Santa for anyway,” he called out after her just as Kermit passed.
The older man stopped between Cash and Jinx. “You’ve got your hands full with that one.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know.” Cash lifted his eyes to the ceiling and shook his head. “The gray hairs that one’s going to cause me…”
Kermit’s smile showed under his beard. “She asked for a baby brother.”
“No shit?” Cash’s eyebrows knit together.
“Curse jar!” Kenzie called from the drink table.
“You hear that, Jinx? A baby brother? How’s Santa going to pull that one off?” He shook his head, a lopsided smile on his lips.
Jinx didn’t respond, just pressed her palm over her still-flat belly. Flat for now.
“Jinx?” Cash’s hands curled around her arms. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Kenzie might have to settle for a sister instead. We ought to be able to find out in another couple of weeks if you decide you want to know the gender.”
“Good luck, you two. And congratulations.” Kermit continued toward the door.
“Cash? You okay?” Jinx asked. His face had gone a weird shade of green under the pink pig snout and with the help of the black lights.
“I’m going to be a dad again?”
She nodded.
“I’m going to be a dad again,” he said a little louder than she would have liked.
“Hey, quiet. We don’t need to tell everyone—”
He pulled a chair out from the table next to them and climbed onto it. “Hey, everyone. Listen up!” The crowd quieted, and “Monster Mash” playing through the speakers came to a screeching halt.
Cash tossed his hat into the air and yelled at the top of his lungs, “I’m going to be a dad again!”
All eyes landed on Jinx. She took in a deep breath and bit her lip. The silence lasted for suspended eternity—or, more likely, a few seconds. Then everyone started talking at once. She was passed around from Charlie to Dwight to Beck to Dixie to Ann to Waylon to Darby to people she hadn’t even met yet. They all wrapped her in hugs, offered congratulations, and patted her tummy. Finally, she made her way back to Cash.
Kenzie burrowed in between them. “Family hug!”
Jinx wrapped her arms around the little girl while Cash captured them both in a giant bear hug. She’d never thought she could be so happy. This town, these people, they’d accepted her unconditionally and showered her with love—especially the two people in front of her.
Finally, for the first time in her life, Jinx welcomed the sense of community. Let it wash over her and fill her with a strange but very welcome sensation.
For the first time in her life, she was home.
For more Dylann Crush check out
book one in the Holiday, Texas series
All-American Cowboy
On sale now!
For more Dylann Crush check out
book one in the Holiday, Texas series
All-American Cowboy
On sale now!
Acknowledgments
Writing a manuscript is a solitary task. Turning it into a story worthy of being a real book is a Herculean undertaking requiring input and effort from dozens of people. I’d like to thank a few of them.
First, my publisher, Sourcebooks, especially my editor, Mary Altman, who saw something in my writing that made her willing to take a chance on an unknown author with a wild and crazy idea. You took my rough draft and pushed me to make it bigger, better, and more badass than I ever imagined. You’re a rock star! And to the cover design department, a huge Thank You! You’ve given me gorgeous covers that will hang on my wall for eternity.
To Jessica Watterson, my agent, who responded to every email, provided reassurance and encouragement, and didn’t block my number even though I’m sure she was tempted (many, many times). I will always sing your praises… You’re a superhero!
To my fellow Romance Chicks: Christina, Jody, and Renee. Thanks for always being there with an inspiring word, the perfect GIF, and solutions to my burning plot issues no matter the time of day or night. I’m so fortunate to have found you.
To Jody, Paula, Joyce, Christine, Diane, Miguella, and LeAnne. Thanks for being critique partners, beta readers, cheerleaders, and soul sisters. Your feedback has made me a better writer and your friendship has kept me sane (mostly).
To my Romance Writers of America chapter mates at From the Heart and Midwest Fiction Writers. Thanks for the support, the encouragement, and the reassurance that having fictional people talking in my head all the time is perfectly normal.
To Liz, Cheryl, Marissa, Lynne, and Laura, the word warriors in my original writing group. You were the first ones to read my early words, including the four-letter ones, and the first ones to tell me you thought I’d write a really good sex scene. I hope you’re not disappointed, ladies!
To my family and friends, especially my sister, Carrie, who’s read everything I’ve sent her. Your unwavering faith in me means more than you know.
Finally, most importantly, to my husband and my kiddos: Honey Bee, Glitter Bee, and Buzzle Bee. You believed in me before I ever believed in myself. Your support and encouragement have made all the difference. The four of you are my why.
About the Author
Dylann Crush writes contemporary romance with sizzle and sass. A romantic at heart, she loves her heroines spunky and her heroes super sexy. When she’s not dreaming up steamy story lines, she can be found sipping a margarita and searching for the best Tex-Mex food in Minnesota. Although she grew up in Texas, she currently lives in a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul with her unflappable husband, three energetic kids, two chaotic canines, and a very chill cat. She loves to connect with readers, other authors, and fans of tequila. You can sign up for her newsletter at dylanncrush.com or connect with her on s
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Book + Main: bookandmainbites.com/DylannCrush
All-American Cowboy
First in an irresistibly charming contemporary cowboy series from debut author Dylann Crush. Welcome to your new favorite holiday!
Holiday, Texas, is the most celebratory town in the South—and no shindig is complete without one of its founding members. It’s a real shame the last remaining Holiday is a city slicker, but what’s that old saying about putting lipstick on a pig…?
Beck Holiday has no intention of being charmed by some crazy Texas town, but the minute he lays eyes on his grandfather’s old honky-tonk—and Charlie Walker, the beautiful cowgirl who runs it—he wishes things could be different. And when he looks into Charlie’s eyes, Beck may finally discover what it’s like to truly belong.
For more info about Sourcebooks’s books and authors, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Mistletoe in Texas
Bestselling author Kari Lynn Dell invites us to a Texas Rodeo Christmas like no other!
Hank Brookman had all the makings of a top rodeo bullfighter until one accident left him badly injured. Now, after years of self-imposed exile, Hank’s back and ready to make amends…starting with the girl his heart can’t live without.
Grace McKenna fell for Hank the day they met, but they never saw eye to eye. That’s part of why she never told him that their night together resulted in one heck of a surprise. Now that Hank’s back, it’s time for them to face what’s ahead and celebrate the Christmas season rodeo style—together despite the odds.
“This talented writer knows rodeo and sexy cowboys!”
—B.J. Daniels, New York Times bestselling author
For more info about Sourcebooks’s books and authors, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas
Beloved author Katie Ruggle’s new series brings pulse-pounding romantic suspense to a cowboy’s Colorado Christmas
When single dad Steve Springfield moved his family to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he meant it to be a safe haven. He quickly finds himself fascinated by local folk artist Camille Brandt—it’s too bad trouble is on her trail.
It’s not long before Camille is falling for the enigmatic cowboy and his rambunctious children—he always seems to be coming to her rescue. As attraction blooms and danger intensifies, this Christmas romance may just prove itself to be worth fighting for.
For more info about Sourcebooks’s books and authors, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Navy SEAL Cowboys
Three former Navy SEALs, injured in the line of duty, desperate for a new beginning…searching for a place to call their own.
By Nicole Helm
Cowboy SEAL Homecoming
Something in Becca Denton’s big green eyes makes Alex Maguire want to set aside the mantle of the perfect soldier and discover the man he could have been…
Cowboy SEAL Redemption
When Jack Armstrong and local bad girl Rose Rogers pretend to be in love to throw his meddling family off his trail, he discovers hope in the most unlikely of places…
Cowboy SEAL Christmas
When the ranch’s therapist, Monica Finley, tempts Gabe Cortez with all the holiday charm she can muster, it’s hard to resist cozying up to her for Christmas.
For more info about Sourcebooks’s books and authors, visit:
sourcebooks.com
You Had Me at Cowboy
These hockey-playing cowboys will melt your heart, from USA Today bestselling author Jennie Marts
Mason James is the responsible one who stayed behind to run the ranch when his brother Rock took off to play hockey for the NHL. Women have used Mason to get to his famous brother before, but he never expects to fall—and fall hard—for one of them…
Tessa Kane is about to lose a job she desperately needs—unless she’s clever enough to snag a story on star player Rockford James. But when her subject’s brother starts to win her heart, it’s only a matter of time before he finds out who she really is… Can the two take a chance on their love story after all?
“Funny, complicated, and irresistible.”
—Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author, for Caught Up in a Cowboy
For more info about Sourcebooks’s books and authors, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Also by Dylann Crush
HOLIDAY, TEXAS
All-American Cowboy
Cowboy Christmas Jubilee
Thank you for reading this Sourcebooks eBook!
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