Montana Darling (Big Sky Mavericks Book 3) (26 page)

She took a deep breath, kissed him soundly then whispered against his lips, “When.”

When.
The word made Ryker’s imagination soar. He could picture them tying the knot in the spring. Or maybe after their house was built. The possibilities were endless, but, first, he owed her the same honesty as she’d given him.

He reached down and picked up her robe. “Come back into the bedroom. There are a couple of things I want to show you.”

He led her to the beautiful mahogany table to the right of the gas fireplace, which flickered romantically. From the carry-on tote, he produced a folder and handed it to her. “These are the rough mock-ups of a book that will come out next spring. My agent says there’s a lot of buzz already.”

She hesitated. “Will it make me cry?”

He scratched his head. “Maybe.”

She sat and opened the folder on her lap. She took her time, reading the text and studying the images of Ryker and Colette. “She was beautiful. It hurts my heart to know she’s dead.”

Ryker knelt on the floor beside her chair. “Mine, too.”

“I expected to be jealous—even though that would be petty and ridiculous.”

“And human. I felt a stab or two of the green-eyed monster seeing your family photos spread around your parents; house. Edward holding Emilee when she was a newborn…pushing Hunter on his two-wheel bike…everybody smiling. It hurts to have missed out on so much of your life.”

She pointed to one of the final images. He’d taken it the morning of their ride. Colette was leaning against the side of the house waiting for him to finish taking pictures. One hand rested on her belly, her face turned up to the sun. Her expression radiated joy.

“I’m glad she was so happy. That kind of serenity is a gift some people never feel. Your book might lead them to it.”

He rocked back on his heels. “That’s what her parents said when I went to France to show them this. They’ll receive her share of the royalties. Mine will go straight into a scholarship in her name. I like to think if our child had been born this would pay his or her way through college, the way my father tried to provide for me.”

She made a soft cry and reached for him.

He kissed her with a need that was both raw and timeless. He stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come closer to the fire. I have one other thing I need to show you. When I stopped at the house this morning, Flynn spotted the boxes my mom sent with my studio stuff. Remember?”

She nodded. “Your childhood mementos.”

“Flynn asked me what was in them and I couldn’t remember, so we looked and I found this.”

He pulled a small, slightly yellowed snapshot out of the pocket of his robe and handed it to her.

“Did you take this?”

He nodded. “The summer Dad gave me my first point and shoot camera.”

She moved it closer to the light from the fire. “Is…is that me?”

She pointed to the girl in the red swimsuit floating in an inner tube, her eyes alight with joy. She had a stick of some sort clamped in her mouth, but you could still see the big, carefree smile on her face. Other kids were grouped together but she’d drifted closer to the shore. Close enough to make eye contact with an impressionable young photographer.

“You took my picture,” she exclaimed. “I don’t remember this.”

“Why would you? Flynn and I were two strange kids fishing on the banks of the river. But, apparently, you made quite an impression.”

She looked at him questioningly.

“Turn it over.”

She read what was written on the back. Her jaw dropped. “No way. That can’t be…no…how…?”

He took the photo from her and looked at his childish penmanship that read: Nitro. Girl I’m gonna marry some day.

“Apparently, a girl tossing firecrackers into the air from the middle of the river isn’t something you forget. You held the punk between your teeth like a Ninja and tossed them ambidextrously. Left, right, left, while the other kids tried to catch up to you.”

“You remember this?”

He nodded. “As soon as I saw the picture. Flynn said he remembers being envious of your nickname. Nitro.” When she failed to say anything he added, “We talked about you for days. You rocked my world, little girl. You still do.”

She looked at the picture again. “I guess we were meant to be.”

“I agree.” He kissed her as he walked them backwards to the bed. “Maybe we should think about July 4th for a wedding. I’ll be in charge of the fireworks.”

She gave him a playful push. “Yeah, right. They don’t call me Nitro for nothing.”

Then, she tackled him in a way that set off a chain reaction of bliss. They were still laughing when they fell into bed to seal the deal.

The End

The Big Sky Mavericks Series

Book 1: Montana Cowgirl

Buy now!

Book 2: Montana Cowboy

Buy now!

Book 3: Montana Darling

Book 4: Montana Maverick

Coming soon – February 2015

Former award-winning newspaper journalist Debra Salonen is a nationally bestselling author with 26 published novels for Harlequin’s Superromance and American lines and one single title release for Harlequin Signature. Several of her titles were nominated for “Best Superromance,” including
Until He Met Rachel
, which took home that honor in 2010.

In 2006, Debra was named Romantic Times Reviewer’s Career Achievement “Series Storyteller of the Year”.

Debra lives in the foothills near Yosemite National Park in California with her husband and two dogs. Luckily, her two children and three grandchildren live close by to keep Debra connected to the real world. Visit her website at
www.debrasalonen.com

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