Kissing Mr. Right

by Michelle Major

  “What the—” He looked over his shoulder to where the volunteer crew watched him. He searched Kendall’s face. “The guy with the first aid kit said you needed help.”

  She stared at him.

  Finally Bill answered, “She does need help. Patching me up.”

  Ty’s gaze switched to the older man.

  “You screwed up who should keep an eye on whom.” Bill laughed then winced. He gestured to his leg. “I got caught on a branch from one of the trees, almost went over the side. Kendall’s a helluva lot stronger than she looks. Pulled my fool ass up before I went too far.”

  As Ty tried to reign in his emotions, Kendall’s cool fingers slid over his wrist. “Are you ok?”

  “I thought you were hurt,” he answered woodenly, refusing to meet her eyes. Afraid his gaze would reveal too much.

  She tugged the first aid kit out of his stiff fingers. “We need a better bandage around Bill’s leg.”

  He still couldn’t look at her.

  “I’ll take care of this,” she continued. “You find something to use as a walking stick. He’s going to need support going down the hill.”

  He stood, grateful for the distraction. He was thankful to his core that she hadn’t been hurt but he needed to get away from her before he made an even bigger fool of himself.

  The volunteers still watched him. “Ok, people,” he said, struggling to keep his voice steady. “Let’s gather up the tools and move out. We need a couple of big guys to help Bill. Everyone else, head for the parking lot.”

  His legs felt like rubber as he searched the surrounding area for a branch large enough to make a walking stick. He handed what he’d found to one of the volunteers standing near Kendall.

  “I’m going ahead,” he said, “to make sure the trail is clear of rocks and debris.” Mainly, he needed space away from her. To regain his control before the conversation he knew was coming.

  Kendall didn’t look up, but Bill nodded. “Don’t worry ’bout me. I’ve had mosquito bites that hurt worse than this. Although I’ll never complain about being tended to by a beautiful lady.”

  Kendall smiled. Pain ripped across Ty’s chest. “I’ll see you down there,” he managed to choke out before he turned and walked away.

  Kendall took a long drink from the water bottle and waved to one of the other volunteers. “Nice to meet you, too. Maybe I’ll see you another weekend.” The woman smiled and nodded, then pulled out onto the mountain road.

  Kendall wasn’t sure when she’d be able to lift her arms above her head again, let alone do more of this type of work. She hurt in places she hadn’t even known she’d had muscles.

  “You did great today.”

  She spun around at the sound of Ty’s voice.

  He looked way too good in his dusty jeans and faded gray T-shirt with a hole below the collar. She brushed her fingers self-consciously through her hair. She felt out of her element away from the city. If she looked as worn out as she felt, she was one scary sight.

  “About what happened on the mountain,” she began, untying the flannel shirt from around her waist.

  “Sorry I grabbed you like that.” He stared at her hard, his gaze unreadable. “I don’t know what got me so worked up.”

  Worked up was good. This morning she’d been worried he’d want to push her off the cliff himself.

  He shook his head when she tried to hand him the shirt. “Keep it. It looks better on you anyway.”

  Her heart fluttered as delicate tendrils of hope trickled out from its edges. “Thanks.” She tried for neutral ground. “How are things going with your family since the GoldStar story broke?”

  The smile he gave her was brittle. “What family?”

  She cringed. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not. Actually, it’s my parents and Charlie who’ve disowned me again. Clare and I had dinner last week. For the first time in years, we had a conversation that didn’t end in a fight.”

  “I’m glad,” Kendall said, wishing she could reach out and brush the sadness from his face. “The rest of them will come around eventually.”

  “I doubt it. Did you come here to talk about my dysfunctional family? I think an e-mail would have worked.” He tilted his head and studied her. “Or even a phone call.”

  “Would you have talked to me?”

  “That would’ve been difficult. My phone had a little accident after you left. You made your choice clear.”

  “Great choice.” She smiled sadly. “I threw away everything that mattered to me for a dream that I was too headstrong to realize I didn’t want anymore.”

  He went still. “What does that mean?”

  She dragged in a deep breath. Now was the moment of truth. “I quit my network job. I moved back to Denver a few weeks ago. I’m staying with Sam until I find a new place.”

  His gaze shifted as if he couldn’t stand to look at her.

  Her stomach clenched, but she rushed on, “I told you I’d worked most of my life for an opportunity like the one in New York. That was true. The problem was I never stopped to reevaluate if my childhood dream was right for the woman I’ve become. Once I got there I was homesick for a place that was only supposed to be a stepping stone on my—”

  He held up a hand. “If you say the word plan I’m going to do something I might regret later.”

  She tried to smile. “Not going to say the word. I’ve got enough regrets for both us. I realized it wasn’t the place I missed, it was the life I created here. My friends . . . the community . . . you.” She toed the dirt. “Mainly you.”

  Tears stung the back of her eyes, and she hoped her voice would hold out. “I got everything I ever wanted.” She smiled through the tears that clogged her throat. “It turns out I wanted all the wrong things.”

  “What do you want now?” He turned back to her. His eyes scanned her face. His voice was low, no more than a whisper.

  She wiped her hand across her cheeks. “To belong somewhere. I want a home, work I care about, maybe a cat.” She paused and met his gaze. “I want another chance.”

  When he said nothing, just continued to stare at her, she felt her chest begin to deflate. The cool breeze tickled her wet cheeks. In the distance, a woodpecker tapped out a rhythmic beat against a tree trunk.

  Kendall wanted to jump into Sam’s Land Cruiser and speed away before she could be humiliated. But she’d committed to trying to make things right with Ty, and she couldn’t quit now.

  She didn’t care if she sounded desperate. “I know you said no second chances. I don’t blame you. I was stupid, selfish, and I probably don’t deserve another shot.” Now the tears were coming fast and furious and she hiccupped before continuing, “I need you to know how sorry I am. You’re best man I’ve ever met. You deserve to fall in love with someone wonderful, someone who deserves you and—”

  “I already have.”

  Kendall’s mouth gaped open as her heart wrenched. Her legs threatened to buckle. It had only been six weeks since she’d last seen him.

  “Oh.”

  She reached into the pocket of her jeans for a tissue. Finding none, she wiped her nose on the back of her hand. Her dignity was lying in a pathetic pile on the ground. One more soft kick at it wasn’t going to hurt. “I hope you’ll be happy,” she whispered, looking everywhere else but into his eyes.

  His hand reached out and tugged at the front of her shirt, pulling her to him. “There’s a boarding pass in the glove compartment of my truck.” He tipped her chin up so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. “I was flying to New York in the morning.”

  She swallowed. “For a visit?”

  He leaned forward and placed his mouth on the fluttering pulse at the base of her neck. “For as long as you would have me,” he said against her skin. “I was coming to fight for you. For us. You made me realize that I never want to give
up on the things that matter.” He kissed his way up her neck, then took her face between his hands. “You matter, Kendall. You were waiting for the plan to make you into who you wanted to be. But you’re already that person. You had the power all along.”

  “Another Dorothy Gale moment,” she said with a smile, “and you’re Glinda.”

  He frowned at her.

  “The good witch,” she explained. “Except in flannel, not a pink gown.”

  His brows drew together. “Are you sure you didn’t hit your head on the mountain?”

  “Positive,” she said and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You were saying . . .”

  He laughed. “I was saying that you’re smart, determined, dedicated, and loyal.”

  “Loyal?” She sniffed. “Dogs are loyal.”

  “And beautiful and sexy. Dogs aren’t sexy.”

  “Agreed.”

  He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I love how you challenge me every step of the way. I love who I am with you and what we are together.” He tightened his grip on her, nipping at her earlobe before whispering, “I’ve been working on my own plan.”

  “Is that so?” she asked, her knees going weak as his breath tickled her skin.

  “It involves you and me—”

  “And a second chance?”

  “And a third, fourth, or fiftieth chance, if that’s what it takes.” The pads of his callused thumbs brushed across her cheeks. “I love you, Kendall. Now that I’ve got ahold of you again, I’m never letting go.”

  “I love you, Ty. You are the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, dirt and all.”

  “What do you know?” He grinned as he spun her around in a crazy circle. “Chicks dig flannel and dirt.”

  She kissed him again. “This chick digs you.” When he finally put her down, she held her hands in front of his face. “It must be love because I broke all but one of my nails to impress you.”

  With exquisite tenderness, he kissed the tip of each finger. “Everything about you impresses me.” He leaned forward and placed another lingering kiss on the side of her neck. “Let’s go home and I’ll work on soothing some of your other aches,” he said against her ear, his voice a sexy rumble.

  A shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the cool mountain air. “Wherever you are, Ty Bishop, that’s where my home is.”

  “Forever?” he asked.

  She laced her fingers in his. “Forever.”

  EPILOGUE

  “Are you sure you have to head home so early?” Sam asked. “There’s a new martini bar downtown I thought we could check out.”

  Kendall scrunched up her nose. “We don’t drink martinis.”

  Sam grinned. “True. But it seems like the sort of trendy spot where Denver’s newest morning anchor might enjoy being seen.”

  Kendall returned her smile. “Well, this morning anchor has to be to work at four a.m., so a late night is not in my future.”

  She glanced around at the casual Mexican restaurant where they’d met for her celebratory dinner. Strings of lights in the shape of jalapeños lined the walls, papier-mâché piñatas fluttered from the ceiling, and the Formica booth top was clean but chipped in several places.

  “Besides, what could compete with this atmosphere? There’s no place I’d rather be.”

  “The chips are to die for,” Chloe added, popping one with a generous scoop of salsa into her mouth. “We’re so happy you’re back.”

  Thanks to the Silver Creek story, Kendall had been in hot demand once word got out that she’d returned to Denver. She ignored the calls from Bob Cunningham and Channel 8, even though he left numerous messages about how Liz Blessen was now working in the Albuquerque market.

  Instead Kendall had weighed her options and what she wanted from her career. She received offers for investigative reporting positions, but decided she liked the mix of news, politics, and lifestyle pieces the morning show format provided. The wide demographic she had access to as host appealed to her, as did the input she had on features and special reports. It might not be as fast-paced or glamorous as New York City, but it was a perfect fit for her.

  Just like Ty.

  A young woman approached the table. “Aren’t you Kendall Clark?”

  Kendall nodded.

  “Can I get your autograph?”

  She felt Ty and her two friends smiling at her. “Do you watch the news?” she asked as she took the pen and paper from the woman.

  “Not really,” she said, shaking her head. “Any chance you’re going to do another series like It’s Raining Men?”

  “No chance,” Ty answered for her.

  She scribbled a message and her name then handed the paper back to the woman, whose gaze remained on Ty.

  “I guess things didn’t work out with the computer geek?”

  Kendall laughed. “Things worked out exactly as they were supposed to.”

  The woman nodded quickly. “Hot guy. Nice choice,” she whispered then walked away.

  Sam burst out laughing and even Chloe couldn’t keep a straight face. “Do you regret doing It’s Raining Men?” Chloe asked. “It seems like you’ll never be able to leave it behind.”

  “I don’t want to,” Kendall said. “Owen is now a friend, and the promotion was the catalyst that took my life to where it is right now. It helped me understand that it’s who I am on the inside that counts, not the woman I thought I was supposed to be.”

  “Because you’re perfect just the way you are,” Ty whispered and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head.

  “Damn, he’s good,” Sam muttered. “If we can’t convince you to come to the martini bar, can we borrow the eye candy?”

  Kendall snuggled into Ty. “If you take him, who will tuck me in?”

  He reached his hand around the back of the booth to run his fingers across her bare shoulder. “Sorry, ladies,” he said to Sam and Chloe. “Looks like I’m booked.”

  Kendall’s gaze dropped to the diamond that glittered on her left hand. “You’re booked for the rest of your life, buddy.”

  “Fine by me,” he said and pressed his mouth to hers.

  “Ugh,” Sam groaned. “Get a room.”

  Chloe punched Sam on the shoulder. “Don’t be such a buzzkill. They’re cute.”

  “Cute like chicken pox.”

  Kendall smiled at Ty as her two friends bickered. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so happy.

  She’d burned her list in the fire pit on Ty’s patio the first night she’d moved in with him. It felt good to finally trust her instincts and her heart. The more she gave herself over to the possibilities her life could hold, the more they seemed to unfold before her. Even her parents had agreed to visit and were flying into Denver from Kansas City for the Fourth of July weekend.

  At first she’d been nervous about what Ty would think of them, but he’d already had several sweet phone conversations with her mom and had been following the Kansas City Royals since the start of baseball season so he’d have something in common with her dad. They were hosting a barbeque, and while she doubted his parents would attend, Clare would be there and even Charlie had agreed to stop by.

  They left the restaurant hand in hand. A full moon lit up the night as they walked the few short blocks to his truck. Her future was as bright as the glow from that moon, and she planned to savor every moment of it.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Over twenty years ago, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Now her house is filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, several furry pets, and a couple of well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves hearing from readers, so find her on Facebook or Twitter or at www.michellemajor.com.

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  Michelle Major, Kissing Mr. Right