by Liz Isaacson
Then he was gone. Amber stared after him, trying to remember how to do more than one thing at a time.
“He’s….”
“Wonderful,” Amber supplied. “Perfect for me.” She sighed, and her mother laced her arm through Amber’s.
“Is there another wedding on the horizon?”
“There better be,” Amber said, turning into her mom and laughing. Her mother relaxed after that, and they went back into the dining hall to see what else needed to be done.
Amber couldn’t wait until Lance returned, because then she could show him off to everyone.
Chapter 27
Lance sat next to Amber at the wedding, his own nerves about to launch him out of the seat. The man her sister had hired to marry them had about as much enthusiasm as a potato, and Lance had nodded off at least three times.
Then he’d remember what he had in his pocket, and his adrenaline would roar back to life.
Amber couldn’t get engaged until JJ got married. No problem. She’d be married any minute now, if the preacher would get to the point of this shindig. Then Lance could ask Amber to be his wife, and they could start planning their lives together.
She had a meeting with her boss tomorrow, and he didn’t think it would go well. Amber had assured him that she would be coming back to California whether she had a job or not, but he really didn’t want it to come to that.
“I do,” Hank finally said, and the preacher said they were man and wife. A cheer went up as they kissed, and Amber stood, her clapping quite loud as she applauded.
Lance joined her, seeing the happiness and love she had for her sister, even if JJ annoyed her. Forgot about her. Snubbed her.
He’d been right about one thing—Amber was not the same woman he’d wooed with doughnuts last year. She was just as beautiful, sure. Just as kind. Just as hardworking.
But she had more depth now. She’d matured, and Lance could barely contain his excitement over the diamond in his pocket.
He couldn’t get her alone until after the dinner. After the dancing. After the event center had been cleared, and they got back in the truck. They were staying at her parents’ house that night, and Lance wanted her to be his fiancée before they got there.
She exhaled, a long, slow hiss coming from her mouth.
“That was actually fun,” he said. “Except for that pastor. He was a snoozefest.”
Amber snorted and then started laughing. “He was, wasn’t he?”
Lance shook his head. “Sorry, that was probably rude.”
“We’re getting married by Pastor Williams,” she said. “At the ranch. With all the dogs on the side of the road.”
“Oh, we are, huh?” He looked at her, and with only the light shining from the streetlights, she was soft and beautiful. “When might you want to do that?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “You haven’t even asked me yet.”
He reached into his pocket and took out the diamond, pinching it between his forefinger and his thumb until she realized what he held.
“Lance,” she gasped, covering her mouth with both hands.
“I’m in love with you,” he said, his emotions choosing now to infect his voice. He didn’t care. He just kept going. “I’ve loved you for years, and while I didn’t quite have the faith that you’d come back to me, you did. You proved me wrong, and I hope you’ll surprise me for the rest of our lives.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she didn’t even try to wipe them away as they fell.
“Will you marry me?”
She nodded immediately, and he blinked back his own tears as he slid the ring on her left hand. She took his face in both of her hands and kissed him, a slow, sensual kiss that told him how much she loved him.
But it was still nice to hear when she said, “I love you, Lance.”
“And I love you, Amber. Let’s go show your parents and get a date on the calendar.”
“That goes in the kitchen,” Amber said from her spot on her new front porch. Lance grinned at her as he passed with the box he’d unloaded from her truck. He’d flown to Denver and driven the beast back when he’d heard about the flat tire she’d encountered on the way there.
Not only that, but he could see her front porch from his, and he couldn’t wait until March, when they would have a shared front porch.
A shared cabin. A shared bed.
He dropped the box on the kitchen counter and turned to go get something else. Hudson and Carson came in carrying a couch, and Lance stood out of the way as they maneuvered it into place.
Amber had left Forever Friends on good terms. Her terms. Scarlett had hired her as a goat trainer and yoga instructor, a program that wasn’t funded by the non-profit that gave the ranch a lot of money.
Not only that, but she’d approached the local fitness center about starting curvy women aerobics classes, and they’d jumped at the idea. Her first one was tomorrow, and she’d shown them a routine via video from her apartment in Colorado.
“Women carrying extra pounds should feel beautiful,” she’d told him. “The way you make me feel beautiful.”
“You are beautiful,” he’d told her, and then she’d explained how sometimes bigger people wanted their own space to exercise in.
“And they agreed. I got the job.” She’d been thrilled, and Lance was happy about whatever made her happy.
Hours later, with all of her belongings off the truck and in the cabin, they sat on the front steps, their hands intertwined.
“Thank you,” she said, leaning her head against his bicep. “For everything, Lance. Really. Thank you.”
He laid his cheek against her head. He’d said everything he needed to say. There wasn’t a conversation they hadn’t had that they needed to. So he just said, “I love you,” and she said it back.
This woman at his side and those words coming from her mouth created joy for him, and Lance couldn’t ask for more than that.
He did, however, send up his own prayer of gratitude to the Lord for all the love and support he’d received in those few dark months while Amber hadn’t been in his life.
Thank You, God, he thought.
“Praise the Lord,” he whispered, and she said, “Yes. He deserves all the thanks and glory, doesn’t He?”
Yes, He did.
“What will you wear at our wedding?” he asked.
She sighed happily at his side. “I’ve actually found the perfect dress….”
Yay! A happily-ever-after, with a wedding coming! If you liked this book, please leave your review now!
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Read on for a sneak peek at chapter one of HER COWBOY BILLIONAIRE BLIND DATE, another amazing seasoned romance in the Christmas in Coral Canyon Romance series!
And a sneak peek at a brand-new series in our very own beloved Three Rivers! RHETT’S MAKE-BELIEVE MARRIAGE is Book 1 in the Seven Sons Ranch, A Three Rivers Romance series, coming soon!
Sneak Peek! HER COWBOY BILLIONAIRE BLIND DATE Chapter One
Amanda Whittaker sighed as she closed the door, turning and letting her eyes flutter shut as she sagged into the wood behind her. She wondered what Ryder was doing on the other side. He’d certainly seemed stunned, and Amanda actually was too.
They’d been out four times now, and she just didn’t feel a spark with him. At age sixty-two, she didn’t have time to date a man she didn’t feel much for, even if she enjoyed spending time with someone besides her poochon. And that wasn’t even a someone. The little black poodle Bichon Frise mix certainly didn’t speak English.
She did balance on Amanda’s knee and whine, excited her master was home. Amanda bent down and said, “Hey, baby,” scooping the little dog into her arms. She moved away from the door as she continued. “I broke up with Ryder tonight. Just now, actually.”
Right when he’d leaned in to kiss her.
Another sigh leaked from her
mouth.
Maybe I shouldn’t have broken up with Jason.
It was not the first time the thought had crossed her mind in the past six months. She’d spent three Christmases with Jason. Two and a half years. He was a good man, and she’d loved him. She believed he loved her. But the man had a serious temper, and he’d lost his son because of some terrible things he’d said and done.
And he was completely unrepentant, and he’d stopped going to church years ago. They’d talked about faith and religion dozens of times, and in the end, he just couldn’t come back. Didn’t want the same things she did.
Seeing no other choice, she’d ended their relationship. Since then, she’d been lonelier than ever, second only to the months after her husband had died.
She allowed herself to weep as she fed Beans and refilled the little dog’s water bowl. She’d curl up in bed and Beans would lay right against her hip, and Amanda would figure out what to do in the morning.
Sunday morning, which she’d spend at church and then she’d go to lunch at Whiskey Mountain Lodge with her sons, their wives, families, and friends.
She wouldn’t be alone, and she was infinitely grateful for that.
The following morning, she slipped on her heels and said to Beans, “I’ll be back later, Beany Baby,” and headed out to her car. At least it was summer, and she didn’t have to worry about driving in snow.
Despite living in Wyoming for her entire life, Amanda didn’t particularly enjoy winter, and if the snow and wind was bad, she didn’t leave the house. After all, she didn’t have to. She had no job, no obligations besides those she chose. Visiting friends, or serving people in her church, or helping a neighbor down the street with yardwork or baking or making cards for their grandchildren.
She and Ronald had worked hard to provide a good life for their boys, and when he’d died, Amanda and all the children had become billionaires. And yet, money couldn’t seem to help find her a man that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
She set aside the thoughts as she went into the chapel. Beau and Lily always saved her a spot on the end of the row, and she hated how it was twice as much room as she needed. Of course, she’d been coming to church with Ryder for a week or two now, and she hadn’t sent any texts about the break-up.
“I’ll take Charlie,” she whispered as she sat down, leaving several inches of space between her and her son.
“Hey, Ma,” he said, looking behind her. “No Ryder today?”
“We broke up,” she said, gesturing for him to hand her the baby. Charlie had just turned eighteen months, and his chubby cheeks and quick smile disguised the fact that he’d spent several weeks in the NICU as a preemie.
“Broke up?” Beau took Charlie from Lily and passed him to Amanda.
She grinned at the baby and kissed him. He was so perfect, and she loved her grandchildren with everything in her. Beau set the diaper bag on the bench between them. “I thought you liked him.”
“I did,” Amanda said, glancing up to the pulpit and hoping the pastor would start soon so she wouldn’t have to answer her son’s questions. It wouldn’t matter if it was now or later. She’d have to answer them. “I do.”
“Did he break up with you?”
“No,” she said. “There was just no…connection there.”
“Mom,” Beau said, his eyes alight with concern.
“I’m fine,” she said. “We went out four times.”
“You should let me and Graham set you up,” he said. “He knows tons of guys, and—”
“I don’t want a guy,” Amanda said, throwing a glare in Beau’s direction. “And I don’t want to be set up.” It wasn’t the first time Beau had suggested such a thing. Amanda hadn’t had any problems getting her own dates, thank you very much. The problem was, she hadn’t had any luck choosing the right men either.
Men, not guys.
She wasn’t flirty and thirty, or even forty and fabulous. Heck, fifty was in her rear-view mirror.
The sermon started, and Beau focused his attention up front—or on Lily. She wasn’t sure which, but Amanda didn’t mind. She got to cuddle with her grandson and feed him crackers and listen to the pastor talk about treating everyone with respect.
About halfway through the sermon, her phone buzzed in her purse, and she pulled it out. Graham, her oldest son, had texted. No Ryder today? Beau says you broke up.
Amanda rolled her eyes, sure Graham would somehow be able to feel it. And she wasn’t dignifying his text with a response. He didn’t need one. Ryder’s absence on the bench was confirmation enough.
“Stop texting your brother,” she hissed to Beau, who simply smiled at her and then looked back up to the dais. She didn’t hear much of the sermon after that, and she took Charlie with her out into the lobby.
His other grandma waited there, with his grandpa, and she passed the baby to Jack Everett with a smile. “Do you want to ride up to the lodge with us?” Fran asked, taking the diaper bag from Amanda.
“I think I’m going to go with Vi today,” she said, looking around. “She wanted me to talk to her about making a coconut cream pie for Todd’s birthday.”
Sure enough, one of the blonde Everett sisters came out of the chapel with her arm through her husband’s. She brushed her short hair back and asked, “Amanda, you’re coming with us, right?”
“Yep.” Vi and Todd lived in town, so they’d be coming back this way later, and Amanda rode up to the lodge with them often. Or another of the Everett’s, as if made no sense for so many to drive up the canyon only to drive back down.
Beau and Lily appeared, and Amanda was suddenly anxious to leave. She didn’t want to get bombarded with more break-up questions, and she inched toward the door. But Graham exited the chapel on the other side and made a beeline for her before she could get very far.
He carried little Ronnie in his arms, and he said, “Mom, I know just the guy for you.”
“Man,” Beau said, nudging Graham. “He knows just the man for you, Mom.”
She looked back and forth between her sons, her patience so thin with them already. Perhaps she should just go home today. Heat up some leftovers. Snuggle with Beans and a pot of coffee.
Beau and Graham looked at her with bright eyes filled with hope, and Amanda wanted to give them world, same as she always had.
She sighed, knowing she was about to regret the words that came out of her mouth.
“Fine,” she said. “Set it up.”
A week later, Amanda had tried everything in her power to get out of the blind date Graham had arranged for her. He wouldn’t even tell her the name of the man he knew, and Amanda was beginning to think he didn’t know anyone.
But hey, she hadn’t heard the word guy again. It was always, Mom, I promise you’ll like this man, or Mom, this man is perfect for you.
After her son’s texts, maybe she was hopeful. She also knew how dangerous hope could be, and she tried not to hold onto it too tightly.
She knew there were apps for older singles like her, but she wasn’t ready to go there yet. She really just wanted a calm man. One with good values and morals. One who could support himself. Who just needed someone to talk to at night, the way she did. One ready to love, even if it only lasted for a few years.
“That was Jason’s problem,” she murmured as she put her earrings on. “He wasn’t ready to let go of the past and love.”
She’d told Graham and Beau very early on No cowboys. No one in their forties.
That had sparked one of Graham’s most disturbing messages from that week.
How young can I go?
Jason had been ten years younger than her, so she said fifty-two, and then begged Graham to tell her who he was thinking of setting her up with.
He’d done no such thing, and she was meeting this mystery man at Devil’s Tower in thirty minutes, just as Beau had directed her. He’d also said Mom, every man in Wyoming is a cowboy. How non-cowboy are we talking?
She hadn’t answered,
because a few minutes later, Graham had given more details about the date. She was supposed to wear her silver scarf, which was ridiculous this close to June, but that was what her son had said.
Between the two of them badgering her, Amanda had decided to just roll with it. Wear what they said to wear. Be where they said to be.
She draped the silver scarf over her blue sweater, and the two colors really worked with her dark hair salted with gray and her dark blue eyes.
That squirrel of hope moved through her again, and she took a deep breath to contain the giddy feeling in her stomach she got whenever she went out with a new man. There was always such an excitement, even if she didn’t know who he was.
Twenty-eight minutes later, she pulled into Devil’s Tower and clicked across the parking lot to the front doors. She wasn’t an idiot, and she’d seen Beau’s truck in the back of the lot, almost like he’d been trying to hide it.
She didn’t see him inside, nor Graham, and she gave her name to the hostess. “Right this way, Mrs. Whittaker,” the girl said, despite there being several couples obviously waiting for a table.
She was seated in a booth over on the side, away from the doors but with a good view of the park across the street from the restaurant. Nerves hit her then, and she wondered how long she’d have to wait.
“Something to drink?” a man asked, easily thirty or forty years younger than Amanda.
She gave him a kind smile and said, “Yes, please. I’ll have a frozen raspberry lemonade.”
The young man left, and she casually looked at the menu, noting that the hostess had put down a second one across from her, as if she knew Amanda would be meeting someone.
A few minutes later, the waiter put her lemonade down and said, “I’ll be right back, ma’am,” leaving her with the bright pink concoction.
