“All right then.” His blue eyes stared right into her brown ones.
She sat back down, took a deep breath, and said, “Daddy, don’t get mad, but I’ve been dating Paxton Callahan since he came home a few months ago. We both got tired of the way we were running from the attraction we’ve kind of had for each other for all these years, and well…” She let the sentence trail off.
“Why would I be mad?” Matt asked. “Paxton and I get along fine.”
“Well, he and his brother were pretty wild before Granny Iris turned the ranch over to them.” She was amazed that she could talk rationally about anything after the emotional bomb her dad had dropped on her. But she knew she had to stay strong to pull this off. She had to be strong for her father.
“I wasn’t a saint either until I married your mother.” Matt smiled for the first time. “So how serious is this relationship?”
“Very serious.” She stood up and and got the chips from the cabinet to keep from meeting her father’s gaze. “We’ve kept it secret because you know how people in Daisy are with their gossiping and spreading rumors. They’d have me pregnant and married by the end of summer.”
“I wouldn’t mind that one bit. I could walk you down the aisle, and to know I have a grandchild on the way would be the icing on the cake.” Matt’s tone got lighter with every word.
“Daddy!” Alana rolled her eyes.
How could they be talking about anything but what was going to happen and what needed to be done the next six weeks? There was all kinds of legal stuff to take care of, she thought, and they’d never discussed things like funerals. That last word put a lump the size of a grapefruit in her throat.
“Don’t take that tone with me,” Matt chuckled. “I’m telling the truth. If y’all are very serious like you say, then you could move things along a little faster, couldn’t you?”
“How can you laugh when…” Tears flooded her cheeks again.
He handed her a napkin. “We’ll talk about serious things like my will, the ranch, and my burial another day. Right now, I want to feel alive and not think about the end. I don’t mind checking out of this life, but I sure hate to leave you alone.”
“You won’t.” She took a deep breath and forged ahead. “Pax proposed to me a week ago and we planned to elope to Las Vegas this summer, but if walking me down the aisle will make you happy, then we’ll have a wedding right here in Daisy. How about we have a small, family-only type ceremony at the church?” She glanced at the calendar on the wall to the right of the sink. “Does June sixth sound good? That gives us a month.”
“That’s the day that me and your mama got married.” Matt’s eyes welled up, and he took the napkin from her. “I can’t think of a better going-away present. I don’t see a ring on your hand. Didn’t he give you one?”
“Don’t talk about going away.” She wiped her new tears on her shirtsleeve. “We were going to pick out a ring this weekend.”
“All right then,” Matt said. “I’d love it if you used your mama’s engagement ring. It’s in the safe. I’ll get it out for you right now. And, honey, for the next month, we’re going to focus on your wedding. Your mama made me promise that you’d have a wedding to remember, and I’ll see to it that you do. This shouldn’t be a little family affair at the ranch. We’re goin’ to have a big event that folks will talk about for years and years.”
Oh boy. How was Alana going to convince Paxton Callahan that they were getting married in a month when they hadn’t even been dating?
About the Author
Carolyn Brown is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author and RITA finalist who has published more than one hundred books. She presently writes both women’s fiction and cowboy romance. She has also written historical and contemporary romance, both stand-alone titles and series. She lives in southern Oklahoma with her husband, a former English teacher who is also an author of several mystery books. They have three children and enough grandchildren to keep them young.
For a complete listing of her books (in series order) and to sign up for her newsletter, check out her website at CarolynBrownBooks.com or catch her on Facebook/CarolynBrownBooks.
Also by Carolyn Brown
The Longhorn Canyon Series
Cowboy Bold
Cowboy Honor
Cowboy Brave
Cowboy Rebel
Christmas with a Cowboy
Cowboy Courage
The Happy, Texas Series
Luckiest Cowboy of All
Long, Tall Cowboy Christmas
Toughest Cowboy in Texas
The Lucky Penny Ranch Series
Wild Cowboy Ways
Hot Cowboy Nights
Merry Cowboy Christmas
Wicked Cowboy Charm
Digital Novellas
Wildflower Ranch
Sunrise Ranch
High Praise for Carolyn Brown
“Carolyn Brown makes the sun shine brighter and the tea taste sweeter. Southern comfort in a book.”
—Shelia Roberts, USA Today bestselling author
“Carolyn Brown is one of my go-to authors when I want a feel-good story that will make me smile.”
—Fresh Fiction
“Carolyn Brown writes about everyday things that happen to all of us and she does it with panache, class, empathy and humor.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“I highly recommend Carolyn Brown as a go-to author for all things sexy cowboy.”
—Harlequin Junkie
CHRISTMAS WITH A COWBOY
“Carolyn Brown has captured the spirit of Christmas and the togetherness of family in this charming, warmhearted story…readers will be delighted.”
—Harlequin Junkie, Top Pick
“Another delightful story from the heart of Carolyn Brown, who creates some of the best characters.”
—Fresh Fiction
COWBOY REBEL
“Brown’s capable fourth Longhorn Canyon contemporary western romance…suggests that love can make even the baddest of bad boy cowboys want to settle down. Sweet, sexy romance and a strong heroine elevate the story. Fans of romance series filled with small-town charm and a cast of supportive family and friends will appreciate this installment and seek out earlier ones.”
—Publishers Weekly
COWBOY BRAVE
“Sizzling romance between believable characters is the mainstay of this whimsical novel, which is enhanced by plenty of romantic yearning.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Over 300 pages of warmth, humor and sweet romance…Carolyn Brown always manages to write feel-good stories, and this is definitely a…special read.”
—Harlequin Junkie, Top Pick
COWBOY HONOR
“The slow-simmering romance between Claire and Levi is enhanced by the kind supporting characters and the simple pleasures of ranch life in a story that’s sure to please fans of cowboy romances.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Friendship, family, love, and trust abound in Cowboy Honor.”
—Fresh Fiction
COWBOY BOLD
“Lighthearted banter, heart-tugging emotion, and a good-natured Sooner/Longhorn football rivalry make this a delightful romance and terrific launch for the new series.”
—Library Journal
“Cowboy Bold is the start of a new and amazing series by an author that really knows how to hook her readers with sexy cowboys, strong women, and a bunch of humor…Everything about this book is a roaring good time.”
—Harlequin Junkie, Top Pick
“Everything you could ever ask for in a cowboy romance.”
—The Genre Minx
“Western romance lovers are in for a treat. This wickedly saucy series is unputdownable. There’s no one who creates a rancher with a heart of gold like Carolyn Brown.”
—RT Book Reviews
Looking for more hot cowboys?
Forever has you covered!
COWBOY STRONG
Alana Carey can out-rope and out-ride the toughest Texas cowboys. But she does have one soft spot—Paxton Callahan. So when her father falls ill, Alana presents Pax with a crazy proposal: to pretend to be her fiancé so her father can die in peace. But as the faux-wedding day draws near, Alana and Paxton must decide whether to come clean about their charade or finally admit their love is the real deal. Includes the bonus story Sunrise Ranch!
COWBOY COURAGE
by Carolyn Brown
Heading back to Texas to hold down the fort at her aunt’s bed-and-breakfast will give Rose O’Malley just the break she needs from the military. But while she may speak seven languages, she can’t repair a leaky sink to save her life. When Hudson Baker strides in like a hero and effortlessly figures out the fix, Rose can’t help wondering if the boy she once crushed on as a kid could now be her saving grace. Includes the bonus story Wildflower Ranch!
Find more great reads on Instagram with @ReadForeverPub
MY KIND OF COWBOY
by R.C. Ryan
Avery Grant hates to admit it, but super-sexy rancher Brand Merrick is testing her patience…and her professionalism. She’s a born-and-bred city girl, yet she finds herself drawn to the rugged wilderness of Montana and the equally rugged cowboy she’s here to help. But when a threat from her past comes calling, can she put her trust in Brand and the growing feelings in her heart? Includes the bonus novel Cowboy Rebel by Carolyn Brown!
Discover bonus content and more on read-forever.com.
Connect with us at Facebook.com/ReadForeverPub
COWBOY COME HOME
by Carly Bloom
As far as Claire Kowalski is concerned, Big Verde, Texas, is perfect, except for one thing: the lack of eligible men. Some days it feels like she’s dated every single one. It’s too bad that the only man who ever tickled her fancy is the wandering, restless cowboy who took her heart with him when he left her father’s ranch years ago. Just when she’s resigned herself to never seeing him again, Ford Jarvis knocks on the door. Includes a bonus story by Sara Richardson!
FIRST KISS WITH A COWBOY
by Sara Richardson
With her carefully ordered life crumbling apart, shy and sensible Jane Harding welcomes the distraction of helping plan her best friend’s wedding. When she discovers that the boy who once tempted her is now the best man, however, her distraction risks becoming a disaster. Toby Garrett may be the rodeo circuit’s sexiest bull rider, but his kiss with Jane has never stopped fueling his fantasies. Can this sweet-talking cowboy prove that the passion still burning between them is worth braving the odds? Includes the bonus story Cowboy to the Rescue by A.J. Pine!
Follow @ReadForeverPub on Twitter and join the conversation using #ReadForever.
A COWBOY FOR KEEPS
by Laura Drake
Not much rattles a cowboy like Reese St. James—until his twin brother dies in a car accident, leaving behind a six-month-old daughter. Reese immediately heads to Unforgiven, New Mexico, to bring his niece home—but the girl’s guardian, Lorelei West, refuses to let a hotshot cowboy like Reese take away her sister’s baby. Only the more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny the attraction between them. Opening their hearts to a child is one thing—can they also open their hearts to a chance at happily-ever-after?
MY ONE AND ONLY COWBOY
by A.J. Pine
Sam Callahan is too busy trying to keep his new guest ranch afloat to spend any time on serious relationships—at least that’s what he tells himself. But when a gorgeous blonde shows up insisting she owns half his property, Sam quickly realizes he’s got bigger problems than Delaney’s claim on the land: She could also claim his heart. Includes a bonus novel by Carolyn Brown!
Sunrise Ranch--A Daisies in the Canyon Novella Page 9
