Day after.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel ~ Contemporary Romance
Sensual romance. Heartwarming stories. Strong family ties.
Day after.
Copyright Mary J. Dressel
Veterans Day Discounts 2019, Free Meals, Resources Exclusive to Veterans: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/67508/veterans-day-discounts-2019/
Sorry for the snafu with the last Hooked by Sundown post. At least I didn’t lose it like I lost another draft. Anyway, this ISN’T the post that went out yesterday on the official Short Snippet Saturday correct day. I haven’t mentioned Wade and Sophie much since their book had been released.
A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off
Snippet is self-explanatory without the need for a set-up.
Excerpt/ Snippet:
Wade finished breakfast in his room, poured a cup of coffee, then opened the balcony door one last time to sniff the air and enjoy the cool breeze. Hell, he didn’t have to leave here. His thoughts went to sitting with Sophie and her boy last night. She was nice enough, sort of, and damn pretty. Emmett’s physical characteristics resembled Wade’s with brown eyes and the same thick hair like his but a shade lighter from the sun.
Curiosity about her life filled his musings. He’d come to California only to meet a woman from home? Interesting. His flight left Saturday, if what the nurses said about his brother came true. In his mind he made a pact with himself. If they were on the same plane heading home, he’d search her out in baggage claim in Phoenix to pursue a date.
“Get in here.”
Wade glanced toward her voice. “Mornin’.” With her hand holding her son’s arm, she turned toward him and smiled. Wow, what an attractive morning smile. Better than what he’d seen on her face when he’d left them last night.
“Good morning, Mr. Emory—”
He corrected her, “Wade.”
“Are you getting ready to leave?”
“Yep, one last cup of coffee.” He raised it to her. Leaving this extravagant place wasn’t a necessity. It wasn’t like he couldn’t afford it, but this place wasn’t him. He didn’t need a thick robe to don after getting out of the shower or fancy sheets on the bed with a piece of chocolate on his pillow each night, though the chocolate tasted special.
She told Emmett to go inside. “Can I talk to you?”
He nodded then entered his room without hesitation. Wade changed out of running shorts and pulled on jeans. Before he had time to get a shirt to go into the hall, he answered the knock at his door. She and Emmett stood there. He held the door open, sweeping his hand forward.
Her gaze glued to his chest first off. “No, I don’t want to come in. Y-you didn’t tell me where you were staying.”
Was he supposed to? “Just a minute.” He nearly jumped up and clicked his heels together. Instead, he pulled on a t-shirt and wrote down the hotel name. “We still watching the sunset tonight?” Damn, how manly had that sounded?
“Yeah, if you come.”
“Sounds like a date…I mean, not a date, but a plan. Sorry.” He couldn’t win for losing.
She gave a shy smile he hadn’t seen before though she’d seemed direct and not shy last night. “I know what you mean.”
Wade handed her the slip of paper with the name of where he’d be staying. He was surprised and glad she wanted to know. “In case you need anything, do you want my phone number?” He didn’t retract his gaze. Neither did she. Say yes.
She handed her phone over, and he took no less than a few seconds to enter his number. “Here you go. Well, I better get outta here. Hey, Emmett, don’t forget the cups for your sand castle tonight.”
The kid had a cute smile like his mom. “I won’t. Mom? Don’t forget.”
“It’s your responsibility, boy.” She brushed his sun-streaked, brown hair from his forehead then glanced at Wade. “See you later.”
“Do you swim?” He asked without a thought.
“Yeah, but I don’t like Emmett to swim in the ocean. Rip currents, you know. We’ll go to the pool later.”
“All right. I thought it might be a nice night for a swim.” In man speak, he’d like to see Sophie in a bikini.
“Have fun if you do. We don’t mind watching.”
He nodded and closed the door. Wade checked the bedroom again, washed the cup, and sat it on the counter to dry. In a way, he hated leaving this nice place, but the other place was four-star, too, however not on the ocean and with no fluffy robes. Maybe he’d have a whiff of the salty air. Admittedly, he missed the dry, baked smell of the desert.
End of excerpt.
Canyon Junction: Hearts in Love Series
A Double Dutch Ranch Series Spin Off Novel
HOOKED BY SUNDOWN
Available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Apple Books.
If you’re in a participating state, don’t forget to turn back your clocks if you haven’t. Ugh, do we have to? I don’t like when it gets dark so early.
Enjoy your weekend.
Hi! Happy weekend. I’ve returned this Saturday with another excerpt from Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart. This one is a fun scene on the Two-Five Ranch between Karis and Tanyon with a couple other family members who make their appearances. Haunted House is mentioned and is one of the Five Common Elements used in the book. The haunted house episode referred to happened earlier which is another scene I love in the book. Oh, Max is an element too!
Karis went downstairs to wait for Tom and wandered into the kitchen. When had she eaten last? Lunch on the trail? A scrumptious sweet-cinnamon aroma filled the house bringing on an inkling of a memory from childhood. The oven was still warm when she walked by. It must’ve been dessert, so she opened it to see what Max had made. Mmm, apple pie.
“Where’s the pie,” Tanyon asked, entering the kitchen, soaking wet. “Something smells delicious.”
She laughed at his wet clothes and hair plastered to his head. Albeit, she didn’t mind his wet shirt hugging his abs. “Maybe you’ll patch your floor in the truck now?”
“Yeah, I don’t remember until it’s raining. Bring the pie over here. I’m starved.”
“No way. I’m not dealing with Max. He made this pie for a reason. I know dinner is around here somewhere.”
“Yeah, because I asked him to make apple or cherry pie.”
She blocked the oven. “No. I have to hear it from him.”
He strode over to her, set his hands on her upper arms and attempted to move her. She held her ground, but he hadn’t tried hard, or she would’ve been moved. She giggled. “Stop.”
Tanyon tickled her in the ribs. “I know how to get you out of the way.”
She fought off his hands, laughing and protecting her ribs at the same time. “I’m not ticklish, anymore.” Like hell.
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Max’s big voice roared. “You’re after pie, aren’t you?”
“Don’t worry, she’s protecting it like her life depended on it.” Tanyon chuckled.
“It does!” Max bellowed.
Tanyon raised his hands. “Come on. Didn’t you make it because I asked?”
“Well…”
“Ah, ha.” He gazed at Karis with a devil grin on his face then lifted her off the floor and moved her.
“Get it out and come on over here, you two,” Max called. “I’ll get the ice cream. Tanyon, change your damn wet clothes. Go on. You’re worse than a kid dripping on the floor.”
“You’re bad, Outlaw.” Karis chuckled when Tanyon and Max said, ‘No, I’m not’ at the same time. “You both know the truth.”
“I’ll be right back.” Tanyon hurried out of the kitchen.
Max made the cut. “You get the first bite, and we’ll rub it into his face.”
“Literally?”
Max reconsidered. “Ah, better not.”
She got plates from the cupboard. “You’ll get me in more trouble. He’s already mad at me.”
“He’s always mad at somebody, but darlin’, he isn’t mad at you. He was worried because you broke down in front of the haunted house.” Max snorted as he sliced the pie.
“Not you too.”
Tanyon entered the room with a dry shirt and the same wet and muddy pants, but he’d combed his hair. He raised a brow at Karis. “You two will do good to remember who signs your checks.”
“Yeah, Ronni signs the checks.” She defiantly held eye contact with him until Max waved a spoon between them.
“I’m glad you asked for pie this morning, Tanyon. I’ve been wanting to make apple or cherry.”
She dished out ice cream. “Me too! Cherry would be delicious.” A grumbling tummy wasn’t necessary to know she was ravenous.
“That’s why I made both. With this bunch, how could I only make one?” Max howled. “I made four.”
Cade came in, ducking through the doorway with Nadia on his shoulders.
Karis poured her, Tanyon, and Max a cup of coffee. “Nadia, have you been playing in the rain?”
Nadia flicked her smiling gaze to Cade. “Me and Daddy danced in the rain.”
“Sweet!” Karis said.
End of excerpt.
I wanted apple pie while writing this scene. Mmm, even I could smell it. No, I haven’t had any yet. LOL.
I appreciate you taking the time to visit. Thank you. ❤ ❤
A Common Elements Romance Project Novel
Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart (Two-Five Ranch Outlaws #1)
Four knife-piercing words in a frantic phone call from her mother, caused Dr. Karis Sutton to leave her cowboy in Northern Arizona to return home. While grief-stricken over a tragic loss, she’d let the man she loved slip away instead of allowing him to console her in a time of need. Now, a year later, and ready to break free from her world of gloom, she drives north to seek a second chance with the moody yet irresistible alpha-owner of the ranch. But she’s forced back to Phoenix to fight to keep two fatherless kids. While doing so, will Tanyon think she’s leaving him again and give up on any chance they might’ve had? She’s pulled in different directions. How will she make it right with so much distance between them all?
Tanyon Outlaw never thought he’d see her again. Now, she’s returned as part of the summer crew on the Two-Five Ranch. In her sad eyes, he sees straight through to her pained soul while memories of their past love invade each thought. What will it take for his cold heart to grow warm toward her again? Then, when bad things happen on the ranch, it comes in droves. Karis is called back home. A lawsuit looms over his head. Fences are cut to maim or steal his cattle. Someone else has an eye for the woman he longs to love. He’s running out of time. How can he discover why people are out to get him, while figuring out what his heart wants before he loses her forever?
Once again, Karis and Tanyon have separate, life-changing matters to attend to, so how will they keep it all together and still find a way to capture the love they once shared?
Enjoy your weekend.
This week, I’m posting more than a snippet for Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh: A Holiday Romance Novella. Tuesday of this week I wrote a post with tidbits of information about the Mighty Mac or the Mackinac Bridge in Northern Lower Michigan. You’ll find the bridge briefly mentioned in this excerpt.
For those of you who missed it, last week I posted an extended excerpt from Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart. You can find it here.
I hope you enjoy a sneak peek from another one of my October new releases. Not including my coloring book, these two books were my eleventh and twelfth published books since 2014.
A feel-good holiday romance novella.
Excerpt from Chapter Three:
Later, after the others got settled in, Terra dialed her mom’s phone to return a call from earlier. Her sister answered. “Hi, Grace. Can I talk to Mom?”
“Mom’s asleep. She took her sleeping pill early tonight. She apologized for not waiting for your call.”
“Did you remind her I won’t make it for Christmas? It breaks my heart.”
“She knows. We’ll celebrate Christmas when you get here. Mom’s so out of it lately, and you’ll be here in a couple days.”
“Grace… I’m sorry you won’t be home with your family. I tried, honest I did.”
“I know. It’s all right. Vance is bringing Liam here tonight, but it’s a slow go with the roads, and he had to wait to get across Mighty Mac because of high winds. We’ll stay on a few days since he’s off work. He doesn’t know how to explain Grandma’s illness to our toddler. I told him I’d handle it. Mom asks for Liam, so I want them to come. Liam won’t r-remember h-her.”
Terra saddened at the break in her sister’s voice. “I’m glad they’re coming to be with you. Give Mom a kiss for me? Take pictures for Liam to look back on.” Terra sniffled. “I better go so I don’t wake Kylee and the little girl who lives here. Maisy is her name and almost the same age. They’re in sleeping bags on the floor. This family is so kind. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay them. Talk to you tomorrow.”
“I’m sure they expect nothing. Give Kylee a hug when she wakes. Love you.”
Terra peered at the family room filled with holiday decorations strung on green roping—a tall and full tree, Christmas music boxes and snow globes, sparkly snowmen, family photos over the mantel—some with Maisy and Jude with her mom. Terra’s heart twisted to think of Maisy losing her mom at such a young age.
Christmas carols played in the background. Stopping in this village and running into Alanna couldn’t have come at a better time, but she so missed spending each moment possible with her mom before she… Terra bent over her lap and placed her hands over her face to hide tears that refused to stay back. The music stopped and footsteps halted abruptly. She sat up to wipe her eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you sitting there. I came to check on Maisy.”
Terra looked up at Jude who stood near the tree, ready to turn off the lights. She swiped at another fallen tear. “It’s okay. It’s your room. I’m the intruder.”
He walked around the couch with its back to the door, to the window to look outside, and then he faced her. “The snow’s drifting. It’s bad out there. Can I get you anything?” He peered outside again. “You all right?”
Shocked at him talking to her so candidly with an actual tone of concern in his voice caused her to open up. “This is my last Christmas with my mom, and I can’t be with her.” Knowing she would soon burst into tears again, she apologized in advance, “I’m sorry.” She covered her face with her hands again. Liquid poured into a glass and his footsteps came closer. She glanced up and recognized the bottle of brandy on the table.
“Here. Sounds like you could use something stronger than tea. Do you mind if I have a seat?”
She took the glass. “Thanks. No, not at all. I don’t know how to thank you for letting us stay in your home. I’ll repay you—”
“Payment isn’t necessary, Terra.”
She’d been lonely too long, and the sexy, raspy way he spoke her name, gave her a shudder. What was his story other than being a widower? “You have a sweet little girl. Thanks for taking Kylee out to the stable. I don’t understand her openness. It’s unlike her. She and your daughter have hit it off.”
“Welcome,” he said, then downed his drink. “No problem. I know what you mean though. Maisy doesn’t make friends easily. She has a rough time at school.”
“Oh? That’s too bad.”
“Yeah.” He lowered his voice and scooted to the edge of the loveseat. “She has reading issues and in fact, has a paraprofessional helping her in some of her classes. She goes to a special class too. The kids tease her. I don’t know how to make it right.” He looked off as if trying to figure it out this moment.
“I home school Kylee.”
He lifted his head. “Maybe I should look into teaching her at home.”
Terra shrugged. She could neither say yay or nay about him home schooling. The plan worked for her and Kylee. “I don’t know what to tell you. It has its pros and cons. Talk to someone who is doing it. There are forums and groups online. I can give you the URLs.”
“Hmm. Maybe I will if I can find the time to teach her. Thanks. Listen…” Jude paused. “Some friends are having a Christmas thing tomorrow night—with Santa. It’s a private party… You and Kylee should come as our guests. You’re here anyway and might as well enjoy it. Ride into town with Alanna. She’s going to the church service afterward, but she’ll be at the party first. You’re welcome to…” He cleared his throat. “Maisy will be in town with my sister. Christmas Day after opening gifts, Alanna’s family is spending time with Rico’s parents if the blizzard isn’t still brewing.”
Terra tried to read his eyes. She rose and paced to the window. “Sounds nice, but I’ll call the hotel again to see if they have any cancellations. I can’t intrude on your family more than I have. It’s snowing a lot. Wow, with those big flakes, we’ll have another six or eight inches. I love the crystalline blanket of snow beneath the security lights.” She peered out farther into the yard. “Do I see some kind of sleigh out there?”
Imagine everything covered in snow.
“Seriously, you’re welcome to stay here. I know you have nowhere to go.” Jude came to stand behind her, chuckling. “Yeah, it’s a farmer’s old bobsled or wood wagon you hook up to a horse. The old guy used it for winter work, but that isn’t what I use it for. I don’t know where she got the idea, but Maisy calls it a bobsleigh, so I guess that’s what it is now. I’ll be putting it to use tomorrow night. My buddy Andy, is usually my top elf, but he got sick and can’t make it—”
“There you are!” Alanna stood at the doorway with a playful grin directed at Jude and then to Terra, and back to her brother. “Hey, Rico talked to Andy. I wanted to make sure you know he can’t make it tomorrow, Jude.” She gave a big smile. “Let Terra and Kylee be your elves. Maisy would love it. Good night all.” She rushed away.
He hurried toward the door as if to catch Alanna. Instead of exiting, he returned to stand beside Terra—silent momentarily. Again, he paced but ended up right back with her at the window. “You know, my sister is right. Come along. Have you ever been an elf? Maisy comes with me. Of course, bring Kylee.” Jude grinned. “Who doesn’t like a sleigh ride on a snowy Christmas Eve? In fact, instead of an elf, you’ll be Ms. Claus.”
Terra smiled at his friendliness, but it caught her off guard too. He hadn’t exactly been hospitable since she’d been here. His bright eyes and grin added to his handsomeness. This truly had to be a fairy tale or a dream. It sounded like fun, but…should she? It’d at least be fun for Kylee and better than doing nothing on Christmas Eve in a stranger’s home.
End of excerpt.
Oh, there is so much more to come in this novella!
Check out the book description and more on my site’s book page.
Thank you for reading.
Image Credits:
Let it Snow: 3333873 – Pixabay
Rundown Sleigh- ©Bounder32h- Dreamstime
In in my new single title holiday romance novella, Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh, I mention “Mighty Mac” or “Big Mac” referring to the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan. The Mackinac Bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac connecting the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. It was built in 1957. The bridge is shy of five miles long, so “five” miles. Ha-ha. You can walk across it on Labor Day—the only time pedestrian’s are allowed to stroll, run, walk on the bridge. I’ve done it and plan on doing it again.
The Mackinac Bridge Authority says:
The center section of the bridge is much higher than it looks in the photo. Freighters go beneath it with lots of room to spare. In the book, Terra, my heroine, mentioned waving down at the ship’s captain when she walked across Big Mac. In deed, I did the same thing. It was “awesome to see the captain standing on deck and waving back,” as Terra says, wink wink. Mind you, I have a fear of heights, but I did this walk and stood at the railing to look down. Oddly, I’ve ventured up to many high places that still give me tummy tumbles to remember. Nope, I don’t regret one of them.
I forgot to mention that the two inner lanes of the bridge are a grid. Spooky!
In addition, the bridge closes during high winds. In fact, there was a high-wind warning on their website yesterday when I wrote this. Today it’s all clear. On June 25, 1998, it had its one millionth crossing. Find more Facts and Figures at this LINK.
Here’s a cool website LINK with pictures and live cam links. Plus, a gorgeous sunset picture of the bridge.
I’ve taken numerous pictures from every angle I could think of, but I don’t know where they reside at the moment. Meaning they’re packed away. LOL
I didn’t name the village where my story takes place, but I do mention other “real” places such as Mackinaw City where Terra’s mother lives. St. Ignace, which is right across the bridge, Mackinac Island, Gaylord, and Cheboygan are briefly mentioned. South Haven is where Terra has resided since she graduated from college.
I’ve had trouble with this blog post not separating paragraphs. Hopefully, it’s finally corrected and will look as good as it did in the preview. If not, I apologize for a bad layout.
Thanks for reading this little tidbit from one of my newest releases.
Pay no mind to the word short in Short Snippet Saturday today. I’m presenting to you the end part of Chapter One in one of my new releases this week. I love this story so much. I’m having withdrawals or I’m homesick for not being on the ranch, or in Wills Bend, and Sedona. This includes being with Tanyon and Karis and the whole crew of characters. Does that happen to you?
Set-up: Karis had arrived at the ranch tonight a year after suffering a tremendous loss. Grief had destroyed her and during that time, she’d let Tanyon slip away. Now, she’s back seeking a second chance. They came in contact earlier at the campfire. It didn’t go well. Later in the evening, she learned that the cabin she and two of her friends usually stayed in, was no longer available. She also learned some devastating news about Tanyon’s ranch. This excerpt is later that evening…
…Karis went in the direction of her car to gather her luggage. A light came on in a front section inside the barn. She headed that way, dropping her luggage outside the door. Through it, she spotted Tanyon in the front food storage area. She drew in a breath and blew it out before entering. What a devastating blow he’d been dealt. “Tanyon?”
He whirled. His gaze cruised over her in a quick glance. “What can I do for you?”
“Since arriving late, I missed out on the updated sleeping arrangements. Is the cabin off the agenda?”
He spoke as he prepared morning food baskets. “Yeah. I, uh, I had locks installed on the doors upstairs in my house for you three ladies to have privacy. Your seniority amounts to something ‘round here. You ladies have been coming longer than I’ve been here, well, I mean since before I left bull riding and took this place over from my folks.”
You ladies? That’s all it had amounted to now? You ladies? Tanyon had left the Army years ago, then had a hankering to ride those damn bulls like he’d done before he’d signed up for the military. Now after one too many knocks on the head, and a serious shoulder injury, he had moved back permanently to his family ranch. They’d officially met while he still toured on the circuit and had come home for a visit while recuperating from an injury. It’d been that long ago when she had the first inkling… He was the man she could fall in love with, and then she had fallen hard.
Tanyon strode to the rear of the barn. The man had thinned, making him look taller.
Two of his younger brothers, Dusty and Levi, had taken advantage of him when he’d finally retired. They’d dumped their chores back into his hands and returned to their rowdy, carefree ways. However, that changed last year for Dusty when he owned up to his role as a potential ranch owner. Cade though had a business mind from the start and assisted Tanyon with the business.
Their sister, Veronica, known as Ronni by the family, had remained with the business to do the books after his parents retired. After retirement, his mom and dad had moved from the big house and now lived on a small section of the property near their private lake in a newly built home.
Coming toward her, he barely stopped before exiting the barn. “I’ll be right back.”
Should she stay or go? Go where? She couldn’t walk into his house and upstairs until she knew for sure where she’d stay. Karis sighed.
Upon his return, he continued his chores. “I’ll have to get your key. Like I said, I didn’t know for sure if you were coming.” He continued mixing the horse’s feed and nutrients. “If I’d seen your application before Carmen, I’d a torn it up. Did you not have dinner?”
Go ahead, let his words beat her up. She deserved his harshness from walking away from the best man she’d ever find. “I ate on the way. Is there anywhere else I can stay on the ranch?”
“I don’t think so.”
“I’ll get a room near Williams.” She took out her phone to search for a number and attempted to leave the barn.
He caught her arm and placed his hand over hers holding the phone. “You don’t need to stay at a hotel for crissakes.”
She broke her hand free, continuing to search. “I’ll try the motel I stayed at a few years ago. They have great mountain views there.”
He shook his head. “Look around, dammit. You have forested mountain views here. Don’t be silly. Stay at the ranch.”
Karis glanced around at the updated interior. The barn had been organized since he’d returned and had order now. Hay nets hung above short stacks of hay bales. Feed bags had their own place at the rear of the good-sized room. Windows had been cleaned. He took better care of this barn than he had himself lately. “All right. At least for tonight. Need any help out here?”
“Nope. I hire people to do this when I can’t.”
She had to get away. The urge to be close to him became too much, and now she longed to feel his touch again. “I’ll wait on the porch.”
Tanyon called, “Karis? I’ll be over when I’m done here.”
Her name on his lips was more than she could bear. She shouldn’t have come. This would be hard, and she didn’t need hard right now, at least not that way. Karis picked up the handle of her suitcase, grabbed her backpack, and trudged through the sand over to his moderately sized house with newly painted steps and new shutters on the second-floor windows. In fact, the whole house had been painted.
She sat on the third step up out of eight. A white railing enclosed the wrap-a-round porch, separated by four white, wood pillars. The house sat high in the front and atop a two-car garage beneath it with an extended storage area. The rear of the home had a slight slope and a fancy patio his mom had designed.
How dare he assign her to the room next to his. Tiredness settled in, and she leaned back on her elbows to relax. Tomorrow she’d deal with this situation. She glimpsed the star-studded sky, forgetting how black it got up here, and already missed her niece and nephew. Karis moved from the steps and took a seat in a dark-stained Adirondack chair facing away from the lighted porch. Her clothes and hair had captured the smell of the campfire.
Thinking of her family now, and according to everything she’d learned, and would advise her grieving patients, they shouldn’t have gone through her brother’s belongings yet. Albeit, his house had to be emptied and there’d been no choice but to go through his beloved items—paintings and writings—photographs from around the world, the kid’s toys, their clothes, and bedroom furniture they’d need at their new home with Aunt Karis.
Later, she jerked when a foot tapped hers. She lifted her sleepy eyes to his. Oh, how she wanted to bring his face down to kiss his lips. Hers had been so needy these days.
“You ready?”
His voice held no compassion. She’d lost him. Omigod. He stood there looking so ruggedly handsome with that damn old hat, nice-fitting jeans though looser now, a t-shirt that clung to his strong upper physique, and his worn western boots. Karis stood. Tanyon’s released breath couldn’t be unheard. Had it come from frustration or something else? They grasped her luggage handle at the same time.
“I got this.” He yanked it away.
She slung her backpack over her shoulder and strode in beside him. His familiar all-male scent and sweat wafted through the air straight to her heart. “Give me a chance to explain what happened.”
“Out of sight out of mind is the way I see it. A fling that meant nothing.”
“So untrue! You know better. You certainly were not out of my mind, nor were you a fling. There hasn’t been anyone else. It was my mom and… My brother—the grief.” The word murdered remained unsaid. What had it mattered now whether he believed grief had destroyed her? Because it does.
At the bottom of the wide polished stairway with a carpeted runner up the middle, he removed a key from the antique table in the foyer, took the backpack from her shoulder, and nodded up the stairs, then right at the top, and down a long open walkway, past her two friend’s rooms and to her door. Tanyon’s suite encompassed the whole end of the upstairs on this end.
She’d known where it was but had never been in it on a personal basis. However, she and Tanyon had attempted to go in there one night until they were interrupted by two of his brothers dragging each other’s drunk asses up the stairs. All three of their rooms were to the left of the stairway, and Cade had the largest on that end. Ronni had a master suite downstairs next to an office since she had divorced and moved back home.
She paused outside the door, wishing to see a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Karis spoke softly. “Why did you give me this room?”
“I don’t answer work-related questions this late.” He unlocked the door and dropped the key into her hand. “Breakfast is at the usual time.”
He entered his room yet he’d glanced back at her with a frown before closing the door. Good thing she’d slept a half hour in the chair because lying in bed a wall away from him would drive her mad.
By the time she had changed and settled in the four-poster queen-sized bed with blankets smelling like delicate spring-scented fabric softener, a floorboard squeaked outside her room. Maybe Tanyon had second thoughts, and tomorrow he’d find new quarters for her. Karis gulped as her eyes welled. The floor squeaked again. She wasn’t as ready to confront him as she’d thought.
Now alone, she had time to recall memories of her brother Rory. Up until now, she’d been so busy caring for others, that she hadn’t taken time to properly accept her grief. Karis closed her book, got out of bed, and opened the curtain to look outside in the dark. This room had a balcony. She stepped out and stood at the wrought iron railing. It was a bit darker on this side of the house. The Milky Way stretched out bright and clear, dotted with a trail of scintillating stars. Forested mountains stood shadowed against the night’s backdrop. A soft breeze carried smells from ranch life from the horse barns and cattle in this direction, and pine.
Karis closed her eyes a moment, seeking solace, but all she saw was Tanyon’s arms around her as he’d joined her at the lake last fall. How he spoke softly into her ear asking her to stay on after the others left. She wrapped her arms around herself now for comfort. Tanyon, I miss you.
A sound below snapped her out of the love-sick vision then footsteps faded away. She leaned over the rail to the opening below. A stairway wrapped around the side of the building, which led down from Tanyon’s balcony. Would he mind company tonight?
End of excerpt.
Thanks for bearing with the length. That’s why it’s only part of the chapter. The first part up to the cutoff point I had chosen, was still too long to post here–longer than this. You can always use the Look Inside feature on retailer sites or order a free sample. Or, you know, buy the book while the price is still discounted. ❤
Enjoy your weekend.
What kind of author would I be if I didn’t announce Release Day! This is not a traditional new release announcement.
It isn’t often I get to release two books in one day. Wait, what? I NEVER have! I might not again, either. So, here we go today, folks, and then I probably won’t bother you for a couple days. I’ll post excerpts later when I’m not posting these two together. Both books are on Goodreads.
Is it weird to post both of them in one post since they’re so different from each other? I never said I wasn’t weird.
Full-length Contemporary Western Romance
Two-Five Ranch Outlaws, Book #1
Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart
Cover Design by DusktiDawn Designs.
I dedicated this book to my daughter-in-law.
My heroine is both a psychologist and a cowpuncher. I have no idea how that happened. Ha-ha!
One of the Five Common Elements was a “lightning storm.” That element turned out to be one of my favorite scenes in the book. So much, that I had to have it on my cover. It was either that or a sunrise in Sedona.
Here’s the description so you don’t have to click over to the BOOK PAGE here on my site. However, if you want to learn more about The Common Elements Romance Project and the Five Common Elements, you’ll find it there.
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Four knife-piercing words in a frantic phone call from her mother, caused Dr. Karis Sutton to leave her cowboy in Northern Arizona to return home. While grief-stricken over a tragic loss, she’d let the man she loved slip away instead of allowing him to console her in a time of need. Now, a year later, and ready to break free from her world of gloom, she drives north to seek a second chance with the moody yet irresistible alpha-owner of the ranch. But she’s forced back to Phoenix to fight to keep two fatherless kids. While doing so, will Tanyon think she’s leaving him again and give up on any chance they might’ve had? She’s pulled in different directions. How will she make it right with so much distance between them all?
Tanyon Outlaw never thought he’d see her again. Now, she’s returned as part of the summer crew on the Two-Five Ranch. In her sad eyes, he sees straight through to her pained soul while memories of their past love invade each thought. What will it take for his cold heart to grow warm toward her again? Then, when bad things happen on the ranch, it comes in droves. Karis is called back home. A lawsuit looms over his head. Fences are cut to maim or steal his cattle. Someone else has an eye for the woman he longs to love. He’s running out of time. How can he discover why people are out to get him, while figuring out what his heart wants before he loses her forever?
Once again, Karis and Tanyon have separate, life-changing matters to attend to, so how will they keep it all together and still find a way to capture the love they once shared?
Single Title – Two-hour read
A Feel-good Holiday Romance Novella
Secret Santa’s Rundown Sleigh
Cover Design: DusktilDawn Designs
I dedicated this book to my cousin and his family who live “up north” and grew up in the village in this book. Three of his brothers live there too. We had fun times when we were kids.
I had fun writing this book and would like to write more like this.
Description:
A feel-good holiday romance novella. The heat level in this little tale is on the lighter side. Contains kissing, mild cursing, and alcoholic beverages.
Why does a stroke of bad luck happen now while on her way to Mackinaw City, Michigan on a blustery weekend? Two days before Christmas, Terra Westbrook and her young daughter have nowhere to stay. How can she convince her child that Santa will find her while sleeping in their car in a gas station parking lot—if they don’t die from hypothermia first? For her child’s sake, she accepts an invitation of a warm home from a resident in the village, but Terra soon learns, the kind person had no right to offer. However, she never expects the homeowner to be a lonely widower who hides tenderness and a big secret under his hard-hearted exterior.
Jude Overton isn’t interested in a relationship let alone a wife. He tried marriage once. Sometimes his heart still aches. Now, if only his sister would get the message to stop matchmaking him with single women. His life is complete raising his daughter. He’s doing the best he can to make her happy. Jude accepts this as enough until he gazes into a stranger’s melancholy eyes that hold an unspoken yearning. As the big day rolls around, he expects it’ll be just another day like the past five Christmases as a single dad, but maybe this year, he wants his sister to ignore his wishes.
On the book page here on my site, I have a list of the differences between this book and the other books I write. I surprised myself when I wrote this novella. Maybe it’s a new calling.
Thank y’all for reading this non-traditional and weird new release announcement.
I’m back with another book releasing on the same day as my cowboy. Be sure to check out the bit of information I shared about this novella at the end of the post. Thanks!
Pre-Order Now
Why does a stroke of bad luck happen now while on her way to Mackinaw City, Michigan on a blustery weekend? Two days before Christmas, Terra Westbrook and her young daughter have nowhere to stay. How can she convince her child that Santa will find her while sleeping in their car in a gas station parking lot—if they don’t die from hypothermia first? For her child’s sake, she accepts an invitation of a warm home from a resident in the village, but Terra soon learns, the kind person had no right to offer. However, she never expects the homeowner to be a lonely widower who hides tenderness and a big secret under his hard-hearted exterior.
Jude Overton isn’t interested in a relationship let alone a wife. He tried marriage once. Sometimes his heart still aches. Now, if only his sister would get the message to stop matchmaking him with single women. His life is complete raising his daughter. He’s doing the best he can to make her happy. Jude accepts this as enough until he gazes into a stranger’s melancholy eyes that hold an unspoken yearning. As the big day rolls around, he expects it’ll be just another day like the past five Christmases as a single dad, but maybe this year, he wants his sister to ignore his wishes.
On Pre-order Now.
Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon DE
I hope you’ll like something a little different from me this time. 💕
Guess what? This one isn’t a western romance. Don’t fret. I gave our hero horses. He needs a horse to pull his “rundown” sleigh! This one is a feel-good holiday romance novella—a two-hour read and a single title. The heat level in this little tale is toned down and not steamy like my other books and exactly what I wanted for this story. However, it does contain kissing, mild cursing, and alcoholic beverages.
Last year while I reminisced with one of my cousins “up north,” I had the idea for this story, and I ran with it until the end. 🙂
Mackinac Bridge
Oh, and it takes place in my home state in a small village where, as a child, I visited my grandma, aunts and uncles, and cousins quite often in the summer and sometimes in the winter. Although, I never met anyone like my hero while there. I remember Christmases up north and staying at my cousins house with five quilts on the bed because the only heat up there floated up through vents in the floor. Seriously, five quilts!
From there, it’s takes less than forty-five minutes to drive to the Mackinac Bridge–“Mighty Mac or Big Mac, if there isn’t a blizzard. Some of my cousins still live in and around the small village in Northern Lower Michigan so I never named the village in the book. Terra tells her little girl a story about her grandma while there. That story is true. Maybe, or likely, it’ll pop up in an excerpt.
Thank you for reading. 😊
Heart cup image credit: Pixabay JillWellington
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Second Chance Romance
*Like Mary’s other books, you’ll find close-knit families, small towns, and sexy cowboys. Book #1 is a second chance romance. Is this the kind of book you like to read? If so, this one is for you!
Imprisoned in a Cowboy’s Heart by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
A Common Elements Romance Project Novel.
Plunge into the first book in Mary’s Brand-new Western Romance Series—Two-Five Ranch Outlaws.
Four knife-piercing words in a frantic phone call from her mother, caused Dr. Karis Sutton to leave her cowboy in Northern Arizona to return home. While grief-stricken over a tragic loss, she’d let the man she loved slip away instead of allowing him to console her in a time of need. Now, a year later, and ready to break free from her world of gloom, she drives north to seek a second chance with the moody yet irresistible alpha-owner of the ranch. But she’s forced back to Phoenix to fight to keep two fatherless kids. While doing so, will Tanyon think she’s leaving him again and give up on any chance they might’ve had? She’s pulled in different directions. How will she make it right with so much distance between them all?
Retired bull rider Tanyon Outlaw never thought he’d see her again. Now, she’s returned as part of the summer crew on the Two-Five Ranch. In her sad eyes, he sees straight through to her pained soul while memories of their past love invade each thought. What will it take for his cold heart to grow warm toward her again? Then, when bad things happen on the ranch, it comes in droves. Karis is called back home. A lawsuit looms over his head. Fences are cut to maim or steal his cattle. Someone else has an eye for the woman he longs to love. He’s running out of time. How can he discover why people are out to get him while figuring out what his heart wants?
Once again, Karis and Tanyon have separate, life-changing matters to attend to, so how will they keep it all together and still find a way to capture the love they once shared?
*Rated “R” by movie standards.
Pre-Order now to find it in your eReader in three more mornings.
Amazon Amazon UK Amazon AU Amazon IN
Thank you for reading.
Wanna share with your friends and followers? That’d be awesome!
Late 2019 / Early 2020
