12-Alarm Cowboys (66 page)

“Fuck.” Dax put his head in his hands. “Everything always leads back to her.”

Lucas reached over and picked up the beer, taking a big swig. “You know my granddaddy always used to say there’s one mate for you in this life, and sitting on your ass isn’t going to change a thing. You gotta snatch at life with both hands or it’s gonna pass you by.”

“She might be my mate but she’s not gonna give me a third chance. I stepped in the shit too deep this time.” He glanced around at the four best friends he’d had all his life and realized that family was the most important thing. Family was more than blood. Lucas was a prime example of just that.

So was Sophie.

“If you’re going to get her back, you’d better learn to grovel.” Hannah smiled at him. “Girls like men who can grovel.”

They all laughed and called the server to order drinks. Dax had the support of his family. Now he had to find a way to convince Sophie they were meant to be together.

And practice being on his knees to grovel. He couldn’t let her get away this time.

Sophie unlocked the
door to her townhouse a week after leaving Tanger, feeling more exhausted than she ever had in her life. She’d pushed herself beyond her limits keeping herself busy and occupied so she didn’t have to think about Dax. About how he’d turned all her friends against her, leaving her alone for years simply because he didn’t want any reminders of her existence.

The memory of that moment was like a knife to her heart. She closed the door and set the borrowed keys on the counter. Myron had texted her earlier that day letting her know her car was fixed and that she would have it back by evening.

The sedan was the last visual reminder of the two days she’d spent with Dax. It would be good to send it back where it belonged so she could get on with her life.

She consoled herself with the knowledge she hadn’t confessed how she felt about him. That at least she was grateful for. The past was too painful to set aside. She needed to bury it again. This time for good.

Sophie had asked her boss for a transfer to anywhere but Texas. She needed a fresh start away from memories, old and new. She might hear something next week.

For now Saturday was over. One more day and she’d travel to Austin for another investigation. One more day to get through with only herself as company. How was she going to endure the rest of her life? Being with Dax had reminded her of how much life should be enjoyed, not endured.

Sophie was eager to drop the shackles she’d wrapped around her own wrists and begin anew. No Tanger. No Dax. No heartache.

She took off her hiking boots and trudged to the kitchen to grab a beer. After she twisted off the top, the doorbell rang. She glanced at her watch. Myron was right on time.

She opened the door and almost dropped the bottle on her foot.

Dax stood there looking as perfect and handsome as always. Her heart clenched in pain. “Soph, I—”

She slammed the door in his face. He knocked softly.

“Please open the door.”

“Go away.” She took a gulp of beer, hoping she was hallucinating his presence.

“I can’t. I have your car keys.”

“Shit.” She closed her eyes. “Leave them on the mat and go away.”

“I can’t. You have my mother’s car keys.” He knocked again. “Please, Sophie.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Then just listen. I’ve been waiting all week to tell you this and with Hannah’s help, I’ve been practicing how to grovel. You are the one person I will always return to. You were my true north and I fucked it all up.” He spoke through the door. “I’m sorry. More sorry than I can possibly explain.”

“You should be. You were vindictive after I left and you took away the people I had left in my life.” She blinked as her eyes stung. “You left me with nothing.”

A pause while she drank more beer.

“I know. I was a dick. Believe me that my family and friends have been pounding me over the head with it for the last week.” A thump on the door. “Please, Sophie, let me see your beautiful face.”

“No.”

She waited a full minute and no sounds emerged from the other side of the door. She hadn’t wanted to see him but she was a little glad he apologized. That didn’t mean she forgave him.

“I love you, Sophie. Always have. Always will. You will always own my heart.”

She fell to her knees and set the bottle down. Her heart pounded at the words she’d hoped to hear. Was she ready to accept them and respond?

Sophie rocked herself for a few minutes while she contemplated what her choices were. If she opened the door, she was forgiving him. If she remained inside, she would be alone again.

Her heart cried out for Dax, for the perfect pair they made, for the children they could have together, for the future she could have if she took a chance and forgave him.

For the love she had for him.

She made it to her feet and opened the door to find the stoop empty. Her breath caught. She was too late. Sophie ran outside barefoot searching for her car. Searching for Dax.

“Looking for me?”

His voice came from behind her. She whirled around to find him sitting on her front porch swing. Sophie burst into tears and ran toward him. Dax opened his arms and she flew into them.

No matter what happened next. There was this. There was love.

The End

Beth Williamson, who also writes as Emma Lang, is an award-winning, bestselling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her books range from sensual to scorching hot. She is a Career Achievement Award Nominee in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times Magazine, in both 2009 and 2010.

Beth has always been a dreamer, never able to escape her imagination. It led her to the craft of writing romance novels. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family. She has a weakness for shoes and purses, as well as bookstores. Her path in life has taken several right turns, but she’s been with the man of her dreams for more than 20 years.

Beth works full-time and writes romance novels evening, weekends, early mornings and whenever there is a break in the madness. She is compassionate, funny, a bit reserved at times, tenacious and a little quirky. Her cowboys and western romances speak of a bygone era, bringing her readers to an age where men were honest, hard and packing heat. For a change of pace, she also dives into some smokin’ hot contemporaries, bringing you heat, romance and snappy dialogue.

Life might be chaotic, as life usually is, but Beth always keeps a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and a cowboy on her mind. ;)

Website:

www.bethwilliamson.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/bethwilliamson

Twitter:

twitter.com/authorbethw

Newsletter:

eepurl.com/fd822

A Harland County Novella

Book 6: Tanner

Donna Michaels

‡

A Harland County Series Novella//Book 6: Tanner

Copyright © 2015 Donna Michaels

Cover Art by Donna Michaels © 2015

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without written permission from the author—except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web. For information, please contact the author via email at
[email protected]

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

Book 6 in Harland County Series

About Wyne and Chocolate:

“The Citizen Soldier series has a fantastic new addition with Wyne and Chocolate. The book had a great start. I found myself laughing out loud right away – and that set the tone for a light-hearted, funny, and romantic read. I’ve read a LOT of romance books, and Wyne and Chocolate has one of the best first kisses that I have read.”

—Reviewer – Romancereader

About Her Uniform Cowboy:

“Ms. Michaels pens a tale with pure heart and true grit! This story will hit so many readers close to home there is not one part of the plot that will feel foreign. No super models here, just true, down to earth servicemen and woman getting back to their place in the world. The characters and plot have a wonderful arc and the laughter, tears and emotional ride readers get to take on this journey will not disappoint.”

—InD’tale Magazine, Crowned Heart of Excellence 4.5 Stars

—Voted BEST COWBOY in a Book/Reader’s Choice-LRC

—Finalist BTS eMagazine Red Carpet Book Award/Reader’s Choice-Best Romance & Best Book 2014

About Her Forever Cowboy:

“Ms. Michaels has done it again! Book four in this series is another great success. The author knows how to lure her readers in by telling them a wonderful story that’s wrapped around characters we get to know and love as if they’re real people. This book was no exception. I highly recommend this book and this author!”

—Night Owl Reviews,
Reviewer Top Pick

—July Read of the Month—SSYL

—Nominee BTS Magazine Red Carpet Book Award/Reader’s Choice-Romance 2014

-RONE Award Finalist 2015 InD’tale Magazine/Cops, Jocks & Cowboys

Thank you for purchasing Her Volunteer Cowboy. This is the sixth book in my Harland County Series.
Unruly cowboys and the women who tame them…

This book is about one of Kade’s guardsmen, Tanner Hathaway, a firefighter and Sergeant in the Texas National Guard. He volunteers his time, but never his heart. Except for his mentor, the former fire chief suffering with Alzheimer’s. Between the station, the guard, and taking care of his old friend, he doesn’t have time for love. Doesn’t want it. Too bad it shows up in the form of a one-night stand from the Poconos.

Gwen Gablonski, reforming bad girl, and former supermodel, is eager to change her ways. Agreeing to help Kerri and Jordan out while Kerri has her baby, she shows up in Harland County to cook at The Texas Republic. Rekindling an old flame with the volunteer firefighter isn’t on the menu, but she can’t seem to control the burn Tanner causes when he’s near.

This is another hot, heartfelt, sexy read in this series involving some series regulars, and introducing some new ones.

Thanks for reading,

~Donna

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

~Novels~

She Does Know Jack

Royally Unleashed

The Spy Who Fanged Me

~Time-shift Heroes Series~

Captive Hero (Time-shift Heroes Series-Book One)

~Harland County Series~

Harland County Christmas (Novella/Brock and Jen)

Her Fated Cowboy (Harland County Series-Book One)

Her Unbridled Cowboy (Harland County Series-Book Two)

Her Uniform Cowboy (Harland County Series-Book Three)

Her Forever Cowboy (Harland County Series-Book Four)

Her Healing Cowboy (Harland County Series Book Five)

~Citizen Soldier Novels~

Wyne and Chocolate (Citizen Soldier Series-Book Two)

Wyne and Dine (Citizen Soldier Series-Book One)

~Novellas~

Cowboy-Fiancé (formerly Cowboy-Sexy)