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Three Months Later:
Tanya stood beside her parents on their porch watching Birch frolic on the grass with Carly and Layla. The grass was still green but there was a definite chill in the fall air. Her mother’s marigolds and mums were still blooming, adding bright spots of color to the yard. Birch, her father, and Birch’s friend Vince, had spent half the day stringing up white Christmas lights in all the trees. Now, as dusk was falling, the yard looked like a fairy wonderland. It was beautifully romantic.
Over the past few months, her brother was the happiest she’d ever seen him. He was more upbeat than when his first horse won a major race. She was ecstatically happy for him and so very jealous at the same time.
She should be living in marital bliss, or at least pleasant companionship, and expecting her first child. Instead, her marriage was officially over before it started, and she was achingly single.
Her mom slipped her arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, your turn is coming. I can feel it.”
“I sure hope so.”
“I know so,” her father piped in. “The Lord will send you the right man. Just be open to his gifts.” Sometimes, her father’s eternal optimism was hard to stomach. Her parents had been nothing but supportive when they realized that she had married George in a desperate last-ditch effort to have a baby. The doctor had said she had twelve to eighteen months to conceive. She was fast running out of time.
She was getting desperate. Enough so that she had an appointment with a fertility clinic next week to discuss her options. Maybe things would come together quickly, and she’d get a sperm donation and an embryo implant well within that timeframe. Of course, she’d rather her child was conceived in love like Layla should have been, but it wasn’t in the cards.
“Oh, here he goes,” her mother whispered eagerly and jostled Tanya to get her attention.
Birch dropped to one knee in front of Layla and Carly. “Ladies,” he said, “I’d like to ask you a question.”
Carly’s hand went to her throat, like she knew what was coming. Layla bounced up and down in excitement though she had no real idea what was going on. Birch pulled two small boxes from his pocket and flipped them open. He held them up, one in front Carly, the other in front of Layla.
“Carly, I love you more than life itself. Just knowing you fills my heart and soul.” He turned his head toward Layla. “Little Bean, I love you as much as if you were my own daughter.”
Layla threw her arms around him, knocking both boxes out of his hands. “I love you too, Uncle Birch.”
He returned the hug and picked up the boxes. “Carly, Layla, my life is nothing without you. Will you ladies do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Yes!” Carly threw herself at Birch just as her daughter had. They rolled over and over in the grass kissing until Layla jumped on them shouting, “We’re gonna get married!”
Tanya dashed away a tear at the beauty of the moment. She glanced down the deck to where Vince leaned against a support post. His broad shoulders dwarfed the square pillar and his dark hair shone in the fairy lights above him. His face was dark with scruff and his smile was slow and sweet. He flashed her a quick wink.
Her heartrate soared like a runaway colt, and she looked away, heat filling her face. She’d known Vince for years but until that second, hadn’t really noticed him beyond the fact that he was her brother’s best friend.
She peeked at him again. He was still looking at her. He straightened up and took two slow steps toward her and she bolted inside, slamming the door behind her.
Holy moly. What just happened to her?
For the first time in months, she wasn’t thinking about babies, she was fully focused on the attractive man she’d just run from. He wasn’t her type at all. He was too busy and too carefree, but he was handsome and sexy. Maybe he’d be interested in a quick fling. If she planned it right, maybe he could be the father of her baby...
Books by Katie O’Connor
Coyote Creek:
Fall in love along with the uniquely entertaining residents of Coyote Creek. They're sure to steal your heart and bring you smiles, laughter, and tears. A contemporary, small-town romance series centered around The Flint family, their ranch, their friends, and neighbors.
A Silver Fox Christmas:
Welcome to Christmas in Valley Springs the place that proves that the heart can still find love as you get older. Valley Springs is the home of the hottest silver foxes in Canada. Pop in for a while, read these heart-touching holiday romances featuring ladies and gentlemen in their fifties.
A Silver Fox Christmas Box Set
Hearts Haven:
Welcome to the friendliest small town you've ever visited. Come, sit for a while, enjoy a cup of tea. Quirky characters, heartwarming romance, and picturesque mountain scenery.
Fall in love with Heart's Haven.
Three Moon Falls:
Welcome to Three Moon Falls, the home of the Hawk sisters, four talented witches each with a special gift. With their abilities to control fire, water, earth, and air, it’s hard to remain hidden in the broom closet, but they’re doing their best. Mundanes don’t believe in magic, or dismiss it as coincidence, and that’s how it should be. But if the Hawks can’t stop evil from taking over Three Moon Falls, someone’s going to notice the paranormal goings on and the universe will spiral out of control. Can they keep their magic a secret? Is it strong enough to defeat an evil entity with decades of experience, or will the sisters lose everything, including each other?
Coming Soon:
Cappuccino Mugs and Fire Fighter Hugs
Stand Alone Books:
Books with Heat:
