The Rancher's Bargain Page 15

  Happiness stole her breath, filling her with a shiny new hope that made her feel lighter. So light she might float right away with it.

  “Really?” She closed her eyes, swaying into him, needing to hear it again.

  “Every day without you has been painful. But I knew it was wrong to ask you to come back when I wasn’t sure about Teddy. I think I was still grieving for Parker. Still feeling like I’d never have enough to offer a child of my own.” He cupped her face in both hands, his gaze steady, certain. “But I’ve got everything he needs, because I love him.”

  “That’s true.” She arched up to brush her mouth along his, knowing she could help the Harris males find happiness. But more than that, she was going to love them, too.

  “And it felt so right when I figured that out.” He kissed her eyelids. Her cheeks. “But then, it got even better when I realized that I might still be able to win you back. Because it’s not a family without you.”

  “Consider me won.” She wrapped her arms around his waist, fitting against him like she was made for him. “I love you, too, James.”

  His expression lit up at her words. “I don’t have a ring yet.” He stroked her shoulders and peered down at her. “And I’m not going to rob you of a special proposal—”

  “I’m not worried about that.” She wasn’t the kind of woman who needed a splashy display. It was enough to have her “over the moon” love.

  “I can’t let Gus Slade outdo me in the romance department.” He arched a teasing eyebrow at her. “I want to give you the fairy tale, Lydia. You deserve that.”

  “I just need you.” She smoothed her hands over his chest, feeling all that delicious male strength. Feeling the steady beat of his heart. “Everything else is a bonus.”

  “It’s a new year today.” He kissed her lips. A slow, thorough kiss that promised so much more, a lifetime of more. “A new start. And I can’t imagine a happier way to begin it than having the woman I love in my arms.”

  She wasn’t ever going to get tired of hearing him say that. A shiver of pleasure tickled her neck. Anticipation hummed through her.

  She stepped away from him so she could lace her fingers in his. Leading him toward the staircase.

  “Actually, I can think of one way that might add to our happiness.” She felt breathless with new love. New hope. And a whole lot of desire. “Especially since we have babysitting help.”

  “I’ve heard that new parents need to make the most of their alone time.” He caught her up in his arms, kissing her again until they were both breathless.

  They stared at each other for a heated moment before their feet were moving again. Up the stairs, straight for the master suite.

  Sometimes, no other words were needed.

  Epilogue

  Four weeks later

  Rose Clayton Slade could have danced all night.

  She and Gus had invited half of Royal to the wedding ceremony and reception held in one of the restored barns at the Silver C. They’d brought in patio heaters and obtained special permission from the local fire commissioner so they could celebrate their night in a place close to their hearts. She twirled under her groom’s arm as he spun her in a country waltz they both knew all too well. Gus had hummed the same tune to her many, many years ago when he’d asked her to dance with him in this very barn.

  She’d never forgotten the steps. And she wanted to repeat them with him a thousand more times at least.

  When the music shifted to a more upbeat piece, Rose relinquished her new husband to one of his daughter’s friends who wanted to claim a dance.

  “I want a two-step when I come back,” Rose whispered in Gus’s ear before he kissed her on the cheek.

  “I want that and a whole lot more,” he told her with a wink.

  How was it he could make her feel like a girl again, all blushing and flirtatious, when they’d argued like cats and dogs for so many years? Rose tried not to question it. She wanted to just be. To let this beautiful wedding reception unfurl all around her like an endless summer day. They’d paid the fiddler and his band to play as long as there were guests still in the barn, since all their friends from the Texas Cattleman’s Club came out in force to celebrate.

  It did her heart good to see all the couples together having fun, even outside the barn in the cooler night air where you could still hear the music. They’d put up a canopy strung with white lights, decked with more greenery and patio heaters. She was surprised so many people had made use of it in the cool evening. But James Harris and his new fiancée, Lydia, were so wrapped up in each other as she strode past them, she was sure they didn’t even hear her say hello.

  Which was the lovely thing about a wedding. Everyone could celebrate their love. If only her grandson had that in his life.

  Ducking behind a rose-covered archway they walked through earlier, Rose breathed deep and looked up at the moon, savoring a peaceful moment alone before she went back inside. She was about to return to the barn when a familiar voice on the other side of the flower-covered arch stopped her.

  It sounded like Gus’s granddaughter, Alexis, was speaking in hushed tones to someone.

  “No, I’m not worried,” the woman was saying. “I’m pregnant, not helpless! I’ll manage. It will be fine.”

  Rose nearly fell over straining to hear more, but the voice outside must have moved farther away. Not even remotely concerned about eavesdropping, Rose rushed outside to see if it really had been Alexis.

  Pregnant?

  It couldn’t possibly be.

  Except there, walking fast toward the front lawn of the main house, she caught a glimpse of Alexis Slade clutching a cell phone to her ear. Her back was to Rose, but the pink floral lace dress was unmistakable in the outdoor lights.

  Rose felt faint.

  She walked as fast as she dared in her tiered white wedding dress and turquoise-colored cowboy boots. She was not surprised to see her grandson, Daniel, charging toward Alexis, too, a look of determination on his chiseled features.

  Not many women would have dared stop him with that look on his face. But those rules did not apply to grandmothers.

  “Daniel.” She double-timed her step to intercept him, tugging his arm.

  His gaze stayed on Alexis for a long moment before he focused on her. “Yes?”

  “Daniel, is it true?” She kept her voice low, mindful of guests even though they weren’t close to anyone here by a stack of hay bales left out in case anyone needed an impromptu seat. “Is Alexis pregnant?”

  His jaw jutted. “How did you find out?”

  Her heart sank. She didn’t need to ask if he was the father. She remembered seeing them together before. The spark between them was impossible to miss. Breaking them up had brought her and Gus together, and now Rose felt sick about it.

  “Daniel, you have to—”

  “I have.” His dark brown eyes flashed fire. “I asked her to marry me, and she said it was too late. That I was only asking because of the baby.”

  “Were you?” She couldn’t help but ask. But, seeing his expression and his patience worn thin, she changed tactics. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I—”

  “Gran, you know I’d do anything for you. And I’m happy for you today. But I really need to go.”

  She nodded, seeing the way his shoulders bunched. His hands flexing into fists at his sides. She understood the way feelings could drive you to dark, unhappy places. She’d feuded with Gus for most of her adult life because she loved him and couldn’t be with him.

  It hurt to see him walk away. Not toward where Alexis had been, but toward his truck, parked close to the main house.

  “Where’s my bride?” Gus’s voice called her from her worries.

  She watched him stride toward her across the grass, so handsome and vital. A wave of love steadied her despite the ache in her chest.


  “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” he asked as he came closer, pulling her into his arms. “You don’t look like the happy bride who promised to meet me on the dance floor.”

  “I know.” She nodded, gripping his hand. Needing his strength. “I just overheard that Alexis is pregnant.”

  Gus lifted a weathered hand to his face, covering whatever he might have said. She could see the shock in his eyes.

  “The baby is Daniel’s,” she continued, wishing she’d found a gentler way to break the news to him. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I asked him about it, and he said he asked her to marry him, but she won’t because he’s only proposing for the baby’s sake.”

  Gus stroked her back, hugging her closer. Until that moment, she hadn’t realized how chilled she’d grown outside. She was shivering.

  “What a mess we made,” Gus said gruffly, tucking her against him.

  “It was hard enough seeing them so unhappy. And now this?” She heard the music pause inside and she worried it might be time to cut the cake. “Gus, we need to go back. But promise me we’ll figure out a way to get them together?”

  She would gladly delay the honeymoon so they could put their heads together and figure something out.

  Gus nodded. He took her hand and squeezed. “I’ve got an idea. So don’t you worry about it for even another instant, Rose. I’m going to fix things this time. For good.”

  And at the strength of the conviction in his voice, a strength she wished she’d trusted in decades ago, she believed him. She tucked her fingers into the crook of his arm and started walking back toward the barn where their guests, their community, their future waited.

  * * *

  How will Rose and Gus fix the mistakes they’ve made with Alexis and Daniel?

  Find out in Alexis and Daniel’s story.

  Lone Star Reunion by Joss Wood!

  The final installment of the six-book

  Texas Cattleman’s Club: Bachelor Auction series.

  Will the scandal of the century lead to love

  for these rich ranchers?

  Available February 2019!

  Texas Cattleman’s Club: Bachelor Auction

  Runaway Temptation by USA TODAY

  bestselling author Maureen Child.

  Most Eligible Texan by USA TODAY

  bestselling author Jules Bennett.

  Million Dollar Baby by USA TODAY

  bestselling author Janice Maynard.

  His Until Midnight by Reese Ryan.

  The Rancher’s Bargain by Joanne Rock.

  Lone Star Reunion by Joss Wood.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Bombshell for the Boss by Maureen Child.

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  Bombshell for the Boss

  by Maureen Child

  One

  “We already talked about this.” Ethan Hart leaned back and stared across the desk at his younger brother. Elbows propped on the arms of his chair, Ethan steepled his fingers and narrowed his gaze. Irritation simmered inside him. How often did they have to go through this? Not for the first time, Ethan wondered if having his little brother on the board was a good idea.

  Gabriel Hart pushed up from the visitor’s chair and shoved both hands into his slacks pockets. “No, Ethan. We didn’t discuss anything. You commanded.”

  One eyebrow winged up as Ethan lifted his gaze to meet Gabe’s. “Since you remember our last conversation so well, I wonder why you’re here trying to go over it all again.”

  “Because even as stubborn as you are, Ethan, I keep hoping that I’ll manage to get through to you.”

  “I’m stubborn?” Ethan laughed and shook his head. “That’s funny, coming from you.”

  “Damn it, I’m trying to do something important,” Gabe argued. “Not just for me, but for the company.”

  And he believed that, Ethan knew. Gabriel had always been the one to try new things, to push envelopes. Well, that was no problem for himself. But for this company? Trying something new wasn’t worth risking a reputation it had taken generations to build.

  This was an old argument, getting older by the second. Ever since Gabe had taken his place in the Hart family chocolate company, the brothers had been doing battle. Ethan regretted that, because he and his younger brother had always been close. But the bottom line was Ethan was in charge and it was Ethan who would make the final call about the direction their company would take. And Gabriel was just going to have to find a way to live with that.

  Standing up, he faced his brother. “Reality is, Gabe, we sold thirty-one million pounds of chocolate last year. The company is doing fine. We don’t need to take risks.”

  “Damn it, Ethan, taking risks is how our great-grandfather started this company in the first place.”

  “True. Joshua Hart started the business,” Ethan said tightly. “And each generation has kept our reputation a sterling one. We’re one of the top five chocolate companies in the world. Why in the hell would I want to take risks now?”

  “To be number one,” Gabriel snapped. Clearly frustrated, he shoved a hand through his black hair. “Times change, Ethan. Tastes change. We can keep making the same great chocolate and we can add to our lists. Bring in new tastes and textures. Attract different customers, younger customers who’ll stick with us for decades.”

  Ethan looked at his brother and felt twin tugs of affection and irritation. It had always been like this between them. Ethan had been looking out for his younger brother most of their lives. Gabriel was the wild one. The one who wanted to try new things, see new places. He was a risk taker and Ethan had rescued him from more than one escapade over the years. And that was fine, Ethan supposed, until it came to business. There, Ethan wasn’t going to buck traditions that had built his family company into a worldwide giant.

  “You want to start your own company,” Ethan said softly, “and sell oregano chocolate or whatever, help yourself. Heart Chocolates will remain at the top of its game by giving our customers exactly what they want and expect from us.”

  “Very safe,” Gabriel muttered, shaking his head. “And boring.”

  Ethan snorted. “Success is boring? We do what works, Gabe. We always have.”

  Gabe slapped both hands down on Ethan’s desk and leaned in. “I’m a part of this company, Ethan. We’re brothers. This is our family business. Dad left it to both of us. And I want a say in how it runs.”

  “You get a say,” Etha
n said, as irritation simmered even hotter, becoming a ball of anger in the pit of his stomach.

  “And you get the final vote.”

  “Damn straight I do. The company was left to both of us, but I’m in charge.” Ethan met his brother’s gaze and tried to ease the hot knot of fury that settled inside him. He understood what was driving Gabriel. His younger brother wanted to make his mark on the family company. But that didn’t mean Ethan was going to gamble everything they’d built on his brother’s risky ideas.

  Yes. They could introduce new flavors, new types of chocolates with strange fillings and flavors that bucked every traditional norm. But their current customers wouldn’t be interested—they knew what they wanted and counted on Heart Chocolates to provide it.

  “Never let me forget that, do you?” Gabriel pushed off the desk, then stuffed his hands into his pockets.

  “Look, Gabe, I get what you’re trying to do, but it’s my responsibility to protect the reputation we’ve spent generations building.”

  “You think I’m trying to wreck it?” Gabe stared at him, astonished.

  “No. You’re just not considering all the angles of this idea.” Ethan’s patience was so strained now he felt as if he were holding on to the last remaining threads of a rope from which he was dangling over the edge of a cliff. So he tried a different tactic. “Introducing a new line of chocolates, hoping to reel in new customers, would require a huge publicity campaign well beyond what we already have in place.”

  “Pam says the campaign could be run within the plan that we’re already using.”

  One of Ethan’s eyebrows lifted. “Pam, huh? Who’s she?”

  Gabriel took a deep breath and looked as though he regretted letting that name slip. “Pam Cassini,” he said. “She’s smart as hell. She’s setting up her own PR firm and she’s got some great ideas.”