Second Round Cowboy (Second Chance Series) (24 page)

No answer. Seconds ticked by. Leslie’s heart ached just as a wide smile lit Lilly’s face. “Y—ee—s.”

Every bit of oxygen was sucked from the room as they each realized the little girl had spoken. Leslie looked over her shoulder at Tessa who had her hand over her mouth and tears were falling from her eyes. Leslie controlled her own emotions. “Lilly, you spoke.”

Lilly’s head bobbed. “Yes.”

Leslie didn’t need to look at Lila and Carly to know they were crying too. “You speaking is the best gift ever.”

“Sorry to intervene, but it’s time for you to go, Leslie. Go get your cowboy,” Lila gently told her. “Your ceremony starts in ten minutes and there can’t be one without a groom.”

Leslie squeezed Lil
ly’s hand then stood up, taking several deep breaths before leaving the room.

The walk down the hall, the stairs and through the fr
ont door was the longest one she could imagine. She’d gone through an entire list of emotions as she made her way to Stryker.

She spotted him standing by his truck. He was kicking rocks with the toe of his
boots.

He was the best thing she’d laid eyes on
in a long time. His hat was lowered over his forehead but she knew by the tight set of his jaw that he wasn’t entertained by being here.

Stepping off
the porch, she started across the gravel and his chin came up. She knew the second he saw her because one corner of his mouth dropped. His eyes swept down her dress to the tips of her white cowboy boots. He pushed back his hat. “Why am I here?”

“I wanted to
see you.” She stopped.

“I heard.”
His tone could have knocked the paint right off the vehicles.

“Thank you for coming.” Her
arms ached to wrap around his neck and kiss him senseless, but she needed to take things slow. He may never forgive her. Did she even have a clue what she’d do if he didn’t?

“Tessa threatened life and limb if I didn’t get in the
truck.” He pushed off the passenger side and stood straight. “I can’t believe I came though.” He jerked his hat off and tossed it through the open window onto the seat.

He looked tired
—and aggravated. “I’m glad you came.”

He shrugged a brawny shoulder and smirked. “
I hope I don’t regret it.”

“
What do you think of the dress?” she asked.

“Looks nice.” He kept his gaze on her face. “Did you bring me here to show me what I could have had?’

“I’m neither cruel nor spiteful.” Crossing the rest of the distance, she stood toe to toe with him, cocking her head to look at him. “I have a confession to make.”

“
Do you?” His voice was husky.

“I’ve been a fool twice. I’m not sure you can forgive me, but if you will I promise to never, ever
, be a fool again.”

“I
don’t hate you, Lesi, but believing you is hard.” He shifted and she got a strong whiff of soap and musk. “You like running.”

“It won’t happen again.” A sob lifted in her throat. “I mean every word.”

“How do I know that?”

“My heart has never been so strong. My mind has never been so clear.
I want you to marry me. Today. In fact, in five minutes. I want us to become a family.”

He squinted. “
What? Is that why there are cars parked along the grass?”

“
I’ve only invited a few guests. And you’re the only one who matters, you and Lilly.” She could no longer hold back the rush of tears.

“As in love as I am with
you, there are some things a man can’t forget.” His gaze moistened.

“You are my life, my lo
ve, my forever, baby,” she said. “You are the sunlight upon my path and without you, and Lilly, there’s only promise of darkness. I know this is fate. Let’s stop fighting it and allow our happiness in.” He remained quiet. Was she bombing? “In Chance’s office there are clothes—dressy shirt and jeans—if your answer is yes. The choice is yours. I plan to walk down the aisle and you can decide if you will be there, waiting for me, ready to begin our forever together as a family. If you choose not to take this path, I will understand. I will still love you. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. My heart belongs to you, with you.”

****

The harp’s melody played as Stryker looked up as Leslie appeared through the French doors. He inhaled sharply. She was beautiful. Her gaze stretched down the grassy path scattered with white rose petals. Her eyes lit up like diamonds as a lovely smile stretched her mouth.

Had she doubted for a second that he wouldn’t be here, waiting for her?

Their gazes attached and everyone, the music and the sounds of sniffles, faded as only the two of them existed.

She came toward him, each step closer made his heart beat faster. He wanted to run and meet
her, time not ticking fast enough, yet he needed it to go slower so he could treasure this moment.

He
felt the tug of a tiny hand on his. He looked down. Lilly was looking up at him. “Pretty,” she whispered.

Flabbergasted
, his vision blurred with tears of joy.
She spoke
. “Beautiful,” he said.

He brought his gaze back up as
Leslie stepped next to him. He gently took her hands into his shaking palms, while holding her gaze. “I say yes.”

“Thank goodness. I wa
sn’t sure to what extent I’d have to go. I’d have done anything to get you back.”

“You never lost me. Ever,” he said.

“And you never lost me.”

“Leslie, there’s somet
hing you should know.” Her eyes slightly rounded. “I love you. Yesterday, today and every tomorrow. Will you marry me?”

Tears poured down her cheeks. “Yes.”

“No matter where we live all will be okay as long as we’re together. Home is not a residence, but a feeling.”

“Does that mean we can live anywhere?” she asked.

“Yes, it does.”

“That’s good, because my house is up for sale and I’m looking to
start a business in Hollyville. Working on the Mason Ranch should keep me busy until I get things up and running. I’ve been thinking that I need to expand my services to working with other animals, not just horses.”

He gulped air. “Are you sure, sweetheart?”

“Yes I am. I want to because you are my home.” She cupped his cheek.

They both turned, facing the
smiling official who would marry them. “We are here today to join in matrimony, Leslie and Stryker…”

And
it was the beginning of forever.

Rhonda Lee Carver…”Writing Men Who Love to Get Their Hands Dirty…”

Suffering from years of hopeless romantic notions with sexy, sassy
heroines and bad-ass heroes taking residence in her mind, Rhonda decided to write, bringing the stories alive. With baby on hip and laptop on the other, and a couple of years later, Rhonda has published a delightful array of books with a handful of spicy love stories waiting for the final touches. Many of her stories begin on used napkins because when an idea strikes, she must write it down.

When Rhonda isn’t crafting edge-of-your-seat, sizzling novels, you will find her with her husband and children, too many cats and dogs to name, watching a breathtaking movie, traveling to exotic places, doing (or trying) yoga, and finding new ways to keep her smile bright.

Rhonda thrives on making her readers happy. She believes life can be a challenge, but reading is a place where one goes to get away. Everyone deserves romance—one page at a time…
 

 
I hope you’ve enjoyed
Second Round Cowboy (Book 3 of the Second Chance Series)

For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit:

www.rhondaleecarver.com

 
Find me on Facebook, too!

www.facebook.com/rhondalee.carver

Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver

Diamond in a Rose

Double Dare

Delaney’s Sunrise

Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)

Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)

Castle’s Fortress

Dreaming Ivy

Friends
With Benefits

Sin
With Cuffs

With Honor

Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)

and Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series) releasing February 2014