Under Pressure (17 page)

Did she even want to know these things about him?

Yet, he felt they were close, like they’d known each other a very long time. They had a connection unlike anything he’d ever known.

He was also a foolish man.

Blowing out a long breath, he turned right.

Chapter
Twelve

JEWELS CHECKED HER watch.
Twelve-ten A.M.

“We need to get this started, Jewels. I’d like to get to bed and get some sleep before my early morning meeting.”

Looking over her shoulder, Jewels offered a smile to her father who looked debonair in his expensive tux. At sixty, Joshua Stone could still melt the heart of many females. Tonight at the auction, he’d earned the most money for the charity. “Okay. I had invited another person for the meeting, but I don’t think he’ll show up.”

A concerned expression flitted across his face. “Al
l right then. The girls and I can wait a little longer if needed. Come find us when you’re ready.” He patted her shoulder and left her at the window.

Jewels gave one last glance into the
foggy night. There was no sign of Spark.

Sighing, she walked away.

In the den, she found Pearl and Em sitting on the couch and her father in the oversized recliner, his shoes were removed and his feet were propped on the stool. He looked tired, and Jewels realized he was getting older, even if he had the energy of a man twenty years younger.

“Why are we here, Jewels?”
Em asked.

“Because I have a lot to say.
Be patient.” Jewels took a spot in the middle of the room. Pearl gave her a smile of encouragement. “I have done a lot of thinking lately and realized it’s time for me to make some changes. That starts with me moving out.”

“Come on, Jewels.
That’s not necessary. Why move out when we have all of this space here at the ranch?” Joshua said.

She looked at her father squarely. “Dad, I know you like having all of us here, but we’re all adults.” She turned. “And
Em, I’m sorry that I accused you of telling Dad about Spark. It seems Kiefer has a conscious after all and admitted the truth. Of course, I’m sure he knew Dad would tell me sooner or later. Kiefer enlightened me on a few things this evening.” Em’s face went pasty. “And yes, I was shocked, but I realize Em that you’re a grown woman and have to make decisions for yourself. They’re not always going to be the ones I’d want you to choose, but you should be accepted for who you are as a person. A beautiful, kind woman. No matter what, we’re sisters.”

Em’s
mouth trembled and a tear slid down her cheek. “I’m sorry, Jewels.”

Jewels nodded. “
I know. And you’re right. I needed to back off long ago.”

Pearl cleared her throat. “Well, I per
sonally think you should move. And this is a good spot to mention why we’re all here in the first place.” She winked.

Jewels sucked in a deep breath. “Dad, you should know I’ve fallen in love with an employee
of Rhinestone. I don’t think he feels the same…I thought he did, but I let him slip through my fingers.”

“You know the rules, Jewels—”

“Yes, Dad, I know the rules. And screw the rules.” Joshua blinked. “Sorry, but I’m tired of living by all of the guidelines. That’s another thing I need to change. If I’d followed the rules, I’d have never met Spark, and felt more alive than I have in a long time. And since I’ll be moving out, there shouldn’t be an issue with who I’m seeing…but you can’t fire Spark because of this!”

A grin curved Joshua’s mouth. “That won’t be necessary. He quit yesterday afternoon. He has already told me everything.
A man with honor indeed, and I’d go out on a limb and say he cares more than you might think.”

“How do you know that, Dad?” Jewels sniffed back tears.

“Because he came back.”

“What?” She followed her dad’s stare. Spark stood in the doorway, rain dripping from his hat.

“I’m sorry I’m late, but I was about thirty miles away when I realized I left something behind.”

Jewels swallowed a hard lump in her throat. “You left something?” Her heart ached.

He stepped forward, dragged his hat from his head. “I’m sorry about the water puddle on the floor, Mr. Stone, but right now I have to speak to your daughter.”

“You do? What do you have to say?”
Jewels twisted her hands.

“Maybe we should talk in private.”

She shook her head. “No. This is my family. And they can hear.”

He nodded. A droplet of rain fell from his hair and slid down his cheek. “I was driving
away, feeling sorry for myself because for the first time in my life I cared for someone who I had to walk away from. And then, it struck me, I had never been a quitter and giving up had never been my style. I wasn’t about to change now. Jewels, I am the man you need. I’ll never let you hide away from who you really are. I’ll always be kind and I’ll never stray. I’ll hold your hand. I’ll wipe your tears. I’ll share your laughter. I love you. I have from the very moment you approached me at Two Step. Even as I pulled off the strips of wax, I knew I’d never forget you, not in a million years.”

She laughed. “You should know that I’m in love with you too.
How could I not be? You see me for who I am.”

“
Yes, I know you love me. The door was open and I walked in at the right time. Best words I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Jewels raced into his arms.
“I hoped you’d come back, otherwise I was going to have to come find you.”

“I’ve been searching for home a long time now, sweetheart, and I’ve realized you are my home. When we’re together, everything falls into place.”

“You and me…a place I never want to leave.”

He held her close and twirled
her around.

“But hold up a second.” Spark set her back on her feet. “There’s something I have to do.”

“What is it?” She couldn’t contain her need to kiss him much longer.

“Mr. Stone, with your permission, I want to ask Jewels to marry me.”

The room turned quiet. Jewels looked at her father who sat with a blank expression. “Dad?”

Joshua
leaned forward. “Let me just say, I’ve never seen my daughter smile as brightly as she is now. And though I’m a traditional man and respect the fact you have asked my permission, I have to allow my daughter to decide this for herself. Although, I think it’s pretty obvious how happy you two will make each other.”

Jewels lifted her hand and touched Spark’s warm cheek. “In ten years, twenty and thirty, my answer will always be yes!
There’s nothing I want more than to be your wife.”

THE END

From the author:

Thank you for reading. Please leave a revie
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and like my author page
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http://www.amazon.com/Rhonda-LeeCarver/

Hugs,

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

At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day
she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.

Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.

When Rhonda isn't crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.

I hope you’ve enjoyed
UNDER PRESSURE
(BOOK 1, RHINESTONE COWGIRLS)

Watch for Book 2,
RISING PRESSURE
, coming soon!!!!

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)

Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)

Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)

Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)

Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)

Castle’s Fortress

Dreaming Ivy

Friends
With Benefits

Sin
With Cuffs

With Honor

Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)

Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)

Fighting Flames

COMING SOOON!!!!

Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance) Releasing 2014

&

Rising Pressure (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls) Releasing 2014

Have you read
Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance)
(Available at Amazon)? If not, here’s an excerpt I hope you’ll enjoy.

18+ ONLY

HE WAS EXHAUSTED and the sooner he fell into bed, the better. He was horny and the torment wasn’t getting any better.

Storming out of the house a few hours ago,
he’d rambled an excuse off to Elsa as he passed her in the kitchen on his way to the door. Hell, he couldn’t admit to her that he’d implode with need if he touched her one more time and was expected to back off.

Sometimes a man just needed to clear his head.
He’d gone to Starkey’s and had a beer.

A group of women who were celebrating a bridal shower had paid for his drink. Several of them, gorgeous and smelling good, had made it obvious they were available for his taking.
They’d brushed their breasts against his shoulders, laid soft hands on his forearm and looked at him with sultry gazes. He’d gotten a glance at more cleavage tonight than he had in the last year. He’d known, without a doubt, he could have propositioned one, two or more of them and they’d have screwed him senseless.

When was the last time
he’d been screwed senseless?

He groaned in disappointment.

Truth was, not one woman he saw tonight had interested him. Even the most beautiful of the group didn’t fill him with a desire so dark and deep that he thought he’d starve with hunger if he didn’t have her. He had no overwhelming drive to tear any one of their clothes off, throw them into bed and make love to them until they were a trembling mass of skin and bones.

The only woman who came to mind—the one who had him raging like a savage beast—was the one he
couldn’t have. The woman he had no business wanting.

Elsa.

Climbing the stairs, he tore his shirt from his frame. Seams ripped and he didn’t give a shit. He got to the middle of the hallway when he heard a faint sound.

A sliver of light tumbled from the crack of the opened bathroom door.

Another sound drifted to his ears. A moan?

What the hell?

“Elsa? Is that you?”