Edith Mackenzie's Blog
April 24, 2022
Levi - Chapter One
Even from a distance, Levi could see the girl’s slender shoulders tremble as she buried her face into the old pony’s mane. Allie had had many other horses since she’d graduated from old Twinkie, the pony they’d all learned how to ride on, but somehow the old stead had never stopped being his half-sister’s first love and best friend. He’d never felt so useless as grief twisted in the very core of his jaded soul.
“We need to decide what’s best for Allie,” Amos, Levi’s identical triplet, said gravely, staring at their little sister. He handed a glass of whiskey each to Levi and their other triplet, Elijah.
“The ranch is Allie’s home,” Elijah said. “She’s going to need it even more now that Dad and Faith aren’t—” He blinked furiously as he swallowed the words, still too raw to speak. Levi understood how he felt. Today they’d laid their father and stepmother to rest in a plot together, never to be separated again. Just as how they’d lived and died.
“No one’s saying this isn’t her home, but I’d be lying if I said that the idea of raising our nine-year-old sister isn’t a little bit daunting.” Amos was always the calm, practical one. With the same deft touch he used to soothe a fractious colt, he could bring order to the chaos that were the triplets and the tornado that was their little sister. “It’s daunting enough running this place now that Dad and Faith aren’t here. There’s still so much they had left to show me.” He cleared his throat, staring down into his tumbler.
Until now, Levi had remained silent, buffeted by their emotions, adding to the tsunami of his own that threatened to engulf him, pulling him under until he feared he’d drown. Pushing it down, deep into his core and slamming a lid on it before it could escape with his other demons, he made a decision.
“I’d been talking with Dad just before—” He pushed it all down again as it bubbled inside. “Well, not so long ago. Since I retired from service, I’ve been at loose ends. Faith was always at me to move back, saying Allie wanted to see me. Maybe it’s time I come home.”
Home.
Was home meant to feel so achingly empty without the larger-than-life presence of their father or the effervescent force of nature that had been the stepmother they’d fiercely loved?
“Now that you mention it, there’s a position available at the hospital in town. Faith sent it through to me with a very strong hint that she’d love for me to be closer.” Elijah smiled sadly. “That woman was always bossing us around.” The brothers chuckled at the shared memory. They wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. “Maybe I should put in for it.”
Amos looked at his brothers, standing a little taller as if a weight had been lifted. “You’d move back so I wouldn’t have to do it alone?”
“Leaving Allie to be raised by you? I wouldn’t do it to her. Can you imagine? It would be steak and eggs for every meal. Faith would come back and haunt me.”
Levi snorted at Elijah’s ribbing of their brother’s culinary skill.
“I reckon Allie needs all of us. It’s what Dad and Faith would want.” Levi let the words settle. They felt solid, binding. He raised his glass of whiskey. “To Dad and Faith. And the big hole they left behind.”
Elijah and Amos raised theirs. “To Dad and Faith.”
#
A soft snore emitted from the slumbering girl snuggled on the sofa between Amos and Levi, Elijah having been banished to wash up.
“She’s exhausted.” Amos smiled sadly down at his sister.
Levi envied her ability to sleep so peacefully. She was granted a reprieve from the constricting weight that tortured each breath he took. “She barely ate dinner.” It concerned Levi. Allie didn’t exactly have any spare meat on her bones to be skipping meals.
“I think it will take a while for her to get her appetite back,” Elijah said, making his way back into the room. “We need to be very careful of how we handle things with her. She’s running on sheer emotion right now, but at some point, when life gets back to a new normal, we need to present a joint front. Not let her twist us around to do her bidding. The only thing we can be thankful for is that she isn’t a teenager yet. I don’t think any of us would be ready to deal with those hormones.”
“I don’t think I’m ever going to be ready for Allie to be a teenager,” Amos said in a panicked voice.
“I’m ready to deal with any of the teenage boys who come sniffing around.” Levi cracked his knuckles, the noise ominously sounding like muffled bones breaking. “I know a thing or two that might come in handy.” No hornbag teenager was getting anywhere near his little sister.
“I think we can draw straws with who gets to deal with the boys when the time comes,” Amos said, a fierce gleam in his eyes. He was usually so placid that it was easy to forget that he’d once been a star quarterback before he’d blown out both his knees. “Elijah might not want to since they made him swear an oath or something when he became a doctor.”
“I just can’t kill anyone,” Elijah said urbanely. “So I’ll have to patch them up after we’re finished with them.”
Levi chuckled. It had been years since they’d all been in the same room, what with him either on tour or Elijah working. God, how he’d missed them. Faith had always been trying her best to get them all together, always mothering them even if she’d had to do it by letter when he’d been deployed. It slammed into him again. They were gone. Staring down into his sister’s slumbering face, he silently vowed that he would do everything in his power to make sure Allie would only know love and safety.
“I’d better get this one to bed.” Amos gathered Allie in his arms and looked at the other brothers. “Can one of you pull back her bedcovers for me?”
Levi frowned at the name that flashed on his silently vibrating phone on the table. “Sorry. I need to get that.”
Amos rolled his eyes. “Okay. Elijah, you’re up. Go get the bed ready.”
Levi waited until his brothers were out of the room before answering. “Hello. It’s been a while.”
#
Agitated energy flowed through Levi’s body as he strode back into the room, having left for privacy while he took his call. Old habits die hard. He’d known Amos and Elijah wouldn’t be gone long, so he wasn’t surprised to see them there.
“That was an old friend.”
“Oh,” Elijah said with a suggestive wink. “No wonder you left the room. I have a few old friends like that too.”
Levi ignored him. “I think I might have found an answer to at least one of our problems.” He took a deep breath, both brothers focused on him. “I’ve found a nanny for Allie.”
“We need to decide what’s best for Allie,” Amos, Levi’s identical triplet, said gravely, staring at their little sister. He handed a glass of whiskey each to Levi and their other triplet, Elijah.
“The ranch is Allie’s home,” Elijah said. “She’s going to need it even more now that Dad and Faith aren’t—” He blinked furiously as he swallowed the words, still too raw to speak. Levi understood how he felt. Today they’d laid their father and stepmother to rest in a plot together, never to be separated again. Just as how they’d lived and died.
“No one’s saying this isn’t her home, but I’d be lying if I said that the idea of raising our nine-year-old sister isn’t a little bit daunting.” Amos was always the calm, practical one. With the same deft touch he used to soothe a fractious colt, he could bring order to the chaos that were the triplets and the tornado that was their little sister. “It’s daunting enough running this place now that Dad and Faith aren’t here. There’s still so much they had left to show me.” He cleared his throat, staring down into his tumbler.
Until now, Levi had remained silent, buffeted by their emotions, adding to the tsunami of his own that threatened to engulf him, pulling him under until he feared he’d drown. Pushing it down, deep into his core and slamming a lid on it before it could escape with his other demons, he made a decision.
“I’d been talking with Dad just before—” He pushed it all down again as it bubbled inside. “Well, not so long ago. Since I retired from service, I’ve been at loose ends. Faith was always at me to move back, saying Allie wanted to see me. Maybe it’s time I come home.”
Home.
Was home meant to feel so achingly empty without the larger-than-life presence of their father or the effervescent force of nature that had been the stepmother they’d fiercely loved?
“Now that you mention it, there’s a position available at the hospital in town. Faith sent it through to me with a very strong hint that she’d love for me to be closer.” Elijah smiled sadly. “That woman was always bossing us around.” The brothers chuckled at the shared memory. They wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. “Maybe I should put in for it.”
Amos looked at his brothers, standing a little taller as if a weight had been lifted. “You’d move back so I wouldn’t have to do it alone?”
“Leaving Allie to be raised by you? I wouldn’t do it to her. Can you imagine? It would be steak and eggs for every meal. Faith would come back and haunt me.”
Levi snorted at Elijah’s ribbing of their brother’s culinary skill.
“I reckon Allie needs all of us. It’s what Dad and Faith would want.” Levi let the words settle. They felt solid, binding. He raised his glass of whiskey. “To Dad and Faith. And the big hole they left behind.”
Elijah and Amos raised theirs. “To Dad and Faith.”
#
A soft snore emitted from the slumbering girl snuggled on the sofa between Amos and Levi, Elijah having been banished to wash up.
“She’s exhausted.” Amos smiled sadly down at his sister.
Levi envied her ability to sleep so peacefully. She was granted a reprieve from the constricting weight that tortured each breath he took. “She barely ate dinner.” It concerned Levi. Allie didn’t exactly have any spare meat on her bones to be skipping meals.
“I think it will take a while for her to get her appetite back,” Elijah said, making his way back into the room. “We need to be very careful of how we handle things with her. She’s running on sheer emotion right now, but at some point, when life gets back to a new normal, we need to present a joint front. Not let her twist us around to do her bidding. The only thing we can be thankful for is that she isn’t a teenager yet. I don’t think any of us would be ready to deal with those hormones.”
“I don’t think I’m ever going to be ready for Allie to be a teenager,” Amos said in a panicked voice.
“I’m ready to deal with any of the teenage boys who come sniffing around.” Levi cracked his knuckles, the noise ominously sounding like muffled bones breaking. “I know a thing or two that might come in handy.” No hornbag teenager was getting anywhere near his little sister.
“I think we can draw straws with who gets to deal with the boys when the time comes,” Amos said, a fierce gleam in his eyes. He was usually so placid that it was easy to forget that he’d once been a star quarterback before he’d blown out both his knees. “Elijah might not want to since they made him swear an oath or something when he became a doctor.”
“I just can’t kill anyone,” Elijah said urbanely. “So I’ll have to patch them up after we’re finished with them.”
Levi chuckled. It had been years since they’d all been in the same room, what with him either on tour or Elijah working. God, how he’d missed them. Faith had always been trying her best to get them all together, always mothering them even if she’d had to do it by letter when he’d been deployed. It slammed into him again. They were gone. Staring down into his sister’s slumbering face, he silently vowed that he would do everything in his power to make sure Allie would only know love and safety.
“I’d better get this one to bed.” Amos gathered Allie in his arms and looked at the other brothers. “Can one of you pull back her bedcovers for me?”
Levi frowned at the name that flashed on his silently vibrating phone on the table. “Sorry. I need to get that.”
Amos rolled his eyes. “Okay. Elijah, you’re up. Go get the bed ready.”
Levi waited until his brothers were out of the room before answering. “Hello. It’s been a while.”
#
Agitated energy flowed through Levi’s body as he strode back into the room, having left for privacy while he took his call. Old habits die hard. He’d known Amos and Elijah wouldn’t be gone long, so he wasn’t surprised to see them there.
“That was an old friend.”
“Oh,” Elijah said with a suggestive wink. “No wonder you left the room. I have a few old friends like that too.”
Levi ignored him. “I think I might have found an answer to at least one of our problems.” He took a deep breath, both brothers focused on him. “I’ve found a nanny for Allie.”
February 16, 2022
A little morsel from Levi
I thought today I would share a little bite sized snack of Levi. Enjoy.
“Levi, I appreciate your assistance in this matter.” Andrew, his old Navy SEAL buddy, extended his hand out. “You understand the need for discretion?”
“Sure thing.” He took a seat opposite him. “You were pretty vague on the phone.” It had come as a surprise to hear from him, especially asking for help with planting a ‘rose bush’. “I trust the rose is here?”
“She is. I can’t tell you anything except that her real name is Bella, and her alias, Rebecca. You understand.” Andrew held his gaze.
“Copy. The less I know the better.” Levi cracked his knuckles. “Actually, the timing works out well.”
“I thought so.” Andrew scratched the back of his neck. “I guess it’s time you meet her.”
Curiously, he followed Andrew into the other room and stopped, eyeing the delicate beauty in front of him. The horrendous mousey brown wig did little to hide the delicate English rose complexion and the large albeit exhausted eyes, rimmed in shadows of fatigue. Levi turned to his friend.
“I don’t think this is going to work. She’s not cut out for where she’s going.”
“Excuse me?” the woman said in a posh British accent. “I think you’ll find you’ll quit before I do.”
“Sweetheart, I’m a Navy SEAL. Quitting ain’t in my vocabulary.” He leaned closer to glower at her.
“I’m—” She stopped. Recovering, she glared down her pert little nose at him. “Well, if I could tell you who I am, you’d be shaking in your boots before your betters.”
“Good to see you two getting on.”
“Who is this loathsome man?”
Andrew hid his smile when Levi glared at him. “Rebecca, this is Levi. Levi, this is Rebecca. Rebecca, you are going to be the nanny to his little sister on their family ranch.”
“Which means, sweetheart, I’m your boss.”
“I don’t think so.” Alarmed, she glanced toward Andrew in appeal. “Surely there are other, better, more suitable options.”
“Unfortunately for you and me both, I’m it.” Levi liked the way she bit down hard on her bottom lip as she thrust her stubborn little chin out. “So, Beccy, you better get used to liking the idea.” Good Lord knew he was starting to.
“Levi, I appreciate your assistance in this matter.” Andrew, his old Navy SEAL buddy, extended his hand out. “You understand the need for discretion?”
“Sure thing.” He took a seat opposite him. “You were pretty vague on the phone.” It had come as a surprise to hear from him, especially asking for help with planting a ‘rose bush’. “I trust the rose is here?”
“She is. I can’t tell you anything except that her real name is Bella, and her alias, Rebecca. You understand.” Andrew held his gaze.
“Copy. The less I know the better.” Levi cracked his knuckles. “Actually, the timing works out well.”
“I thought so.” Andrew scratched the back of his neck. “I guess it’s time you meet her.”
Curiously, he followed Andrew into the other room and stopped, eyeing the delicate beauty in front of him. The horrendous mousey brown wig did little to hide the delicate English rose complexion and the large albeit exhausted eyes, rimmed in shadows of fatigue. Levi turned to his friend.
“I don’t think this is going to work. She’s not cut out for where she’s going.”
“Excuse me?” the woman said in a posh British accent. “I think you’ll find you’ll quit before I do.”
“Sweetheart, I’m a Navy SEAL. Quitting ain’t in my vocabulary.” He leaned closer to glower at her.
“I’m—” She stopped. Recovering, she glared down her pert little nose at him. “Well, if I could tell you who I am, you’d be shaking in your boots before your betters.”
“Good to see you two getting on.”
“Who is this loathsome man?”
Andrew hid his smile when Levi glared at him. “Rebecca, this is Levi. Levi, this is Rebecca. Rebecca, you are going to be the nanny to his little sister on their family ranch.”
“Which means, sweetheart, I’m your boss.”
“I don’t think so.” Alarmed, she glanced toward Andrew in appeal. “Surely there are other, better, more suitable options.”
“Unfortunately for you and me both, I’m it.” Levi liked the way she bit down hard on her bottom lip as she thrust her stubborn little chin out. “So, Beccy, you better get used to liking the idea.” Good Lord knew he was starting to.
January 3, 2022
2022 does that look weird or what?
2021 was massive for me and I'm guessing more than a few of you as well. It was a struggle to balance work and family like never before and some days I failed and others I succeeded beyond my expectations. But I also came dangerously close to the dreaded burnout.
Changing family dynamics, surgeries for ill health, crazy deadlines and more, it just didn't seem to quit. This year I've cut back on my publishing commitments, don't worry, I'll still have 5 books out. Life has thrown me a curveball again and we are moving from one side of the country to the other. With closed borders and a tough housing market, I'm trying to stress and view it all as an adventure. One that I get to take with my hubby and kids.
So far the words have been flowing freely and I'm loving the characters that fill my mind. The releases for this year are:
The Brothers of Creekside Ranch -
Levi
Amos
Elijah
A novella for Dana (She was a side character in Misty's story, The Billionairess' Cowboy) and I'm going to offer that as a freebie for my newsletter subscribers
And finally a yet to be named Christmas Story.
Add in lots of family time... And well that's the plan at least. Come at me 2022, I'm ready
Changing family dynamics, surgeries for ill health, crazy deadlines and more, it just didn't seem to quit. This year I've cut back on my publishing commitments, don't worry, I'll still have 5 books out. Life has thrown me a curveball again and we are moving from one side of the country to the other. With closed borders and a tough housing market, I'm trying to stress and view it all as an adventure. One that I get to take with my hubby and kids.
So far the words have been flowing freely and I'm loving the characters that fill my mind. The releases for this year are:
The Brothers of Creekside Ranch -
Levi
Amos
Elijah
A novella for Dana (She was a side character in Misty's story, The Billionairess' Cowboy) and I'm going to offer that as a freebie for my newsletter subscribers
And finally a yet to be named Christmas Story.
Add in lots of family time... And well that's the plan at least. Come at me 2022, I'm ready
February 23, 2021
Chapter One - The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire Preview
Prologue
Colt stared up at the solitary puffy white cloud in the fiercely blue sky—perfect conditions for lying in the field making big plans for the future. It seemed impossible to have such a day when Colt felt darkness calling him, but he knew his mother would have loved it. She’d have hummed under her breath as she went about her chores on the ranch, maybe even take his and his sister’s hands and dance with them around the table, laughing and giddy with happiness.
Anything was more suited to this day than this. A numbness held him comfortingly close as he stared across from where he sat, the preacher extolling his mother’s virtues as she lay cold and stiff in her coffin. Beside Colt, his kid sister, Indie, sniffled, her slight shoulders shaking as if her sorrow shuddered and shook to be free. Suddenly feeling older than his almost eighteen years, he wrapped an arm around her. The preacher continued to drone on, his words washing over Colt as though his brain reached out to grasp them but they slipped through like wisps of smoke, intangible to his grieving mind.
Woodenly, Colt rose to his feet when directed, helping Indie stand. A sudden growth spurt meant that her fifteen-year-old head didn’t quite make his shoulders. She clung to his hand as if fearful that, if she let go, he would disappear too. They walked together to the edge of the freshly dug grave their mother had just been lowered into, each pausing before tossing in a white carnation—their mother’s favorite flower. Colt swallowed hard, battling against the rising tsunami of grief. He would not let the town gossips have anything to discuss and dissect over their glasses of sweet tea. Gently and with head held high, Colt guided his sister toward his pickup, a temporary reprieve before the funeral attendees would gather at the ranch for the wake.
“I don’t think I can do this, Colt,” Indie said in a tiny voice, long gone husky from crying. “When Dad died, it was hard, but we still had Mom. What are we going to do now?” Her bottom lip quivered as fresh tears streamed down her face.
Resolve hardened in the pit of Colt’s stomach. He was all she had left now, and there was nothing he wasn’t going to do for her. “Indie, we’ve got each other. Dad left us enough money to get by, and I’ve been doing real good on the local circuit with my roping. In a few years, I might just be good enough to go pro. At least, that’s what Mom said.” He felt a fresh stab of pain at the thought of his mom. “And she should know. She spent a heck of a lot of time following Dad around on the circuit.”
“But I still need to finish school. You can’t go and leave me,” Indie wailed, fear making her eyes huge in her pale face.
“Indie, I’m not going anywhere. At least not for a few years. And by then, you’ll probably be heading off to college or something.”
Colt turned down the familiar dirt drive, the house beckoning him as he rattled past horses and cattle grazing in the fields. Pulling up, he turned the ignition off and sat, breathing deeply. When he walked through the door, there would be no smell of freshly baked cookies or music playing from the radio. No warm smile or hand to tousle his hair and remark once again—in surprise, like it was the first time—just when had he gotten so big, that only yesterday he’d come up to her hip. No, this time the house would be cold and empty.
A battered pickup ground to a halt beside Colt’s car. Two teenage boys stepped out and stood kicking the dirt, hands thrust into the pockets of their jeans. Somehow, he’d known that his two best friends would be the first to arrive. Taking in one last steadying breath, he opened his door.
“Come on, Indie, we’re home.” She gave a quick nod and slid out, standing forlorn beside the truck. Bennett, one of Colt’s best friends, quickly went around to her, and she smiled sadly at him, her braces catching the light.
“You might want to watch him,” Logan said, his joking tone strained as if uncertain how to act. “I’m not sure I’d want him around my kid sister.”
“I wouldn’t want you around my kid sister either. Bennett, I can trust. He’s just being a good friend.” Colt watched an old Volkswagen Beetle bounce down the drive. “Anyway, he hasn’t got a chance once her friends arrive. Speaking of which, how did your date with Misty go?”
Logan straightened with all the cocky dignity a seventeen-year-old boy possessed. “A gentleman never kisses and tells.” He winked at Colt.
“Last time I checked, you’re no gentleman. At least, that’s what Suzie Masterson says.”
“Well, Suzie Masterson ain’t no lady the last time I checked either,” Logan retorted, waving the dust the tires of the Volkswagen had sent flying through the air as it came to a stop and two teenage girls stepped out. “Hey, Misty.”
A cute little brunette waved shyly at him. “Hi, Logan.”
Her friend smiled at Colt, the compassion shining from her eyes almost bringing him undone. “We’re real sorry about your mom. My ma wants you to know that if there’s anything you need, just let her know.”
Colt nodded, not trusting himself to speak, watching as Evelyn gave him another sad little smile before heading over to his sister. Bennett, suddenly finding himself outnumbered, surrendered and re-joined his friends.
“You look like a rooster who just got thrown out of the hen house.” Logan nudged his friend.
“Quit it, Logan. I was just seeing how Indie was holding up. She’s got her friends now, so I came back.” Bennett sent cow eyes back over to the object of his affections.
Later as Colt stood beside his sister, accepting condolences from mourners, he was grateful for that moment of normalcy. Now as murmured conversation swirled around him, a gray tinge to a room that had always been filled with laughter and light, he wanted to demand that everyone get out. He wanted to kick and shout and punch the wall. Instead, he smiled and nodded as people stopped to pay their respects. The strong perfume of the church ladies mingled with the tobacco smell wafting off old Mr Peterson’s clothes, making the air too hard to breathe. Colt’s face felt stiff from trying to maintain a fake smile while refraining from crying. He just wanted his mom back. He wanted her to tell him everything was going to be okay and then wrap him in her warm arms and sing softly until it became true.
“They say it was a heart attack, but we all know it was a broken heart,” Bessy Warren murmured behind a sandwich to her fellow gossip, Rosie Smith. “After he passed away from cancer, we all knew it wouldn’t be long before she joined him. Such a shame with the children and all.”
Rage made Colt tremble. How dare they talk about his mom like she chose to die, that she chose to leave them behind. Setting down the delicate teacup he held in his hand for fear of breaking it, he cleared his throat.
“My sister and I would like to thank everyone for coming today. I know Mom would have been happy to know how loved she was, but now we would like to spend some time remembering her privately. Mrs Warren, Mrs Smith, I believe you both know where the door is.”
The ladies in question huffed, scandalized that they were being asked to leave. “He’s only going to get worse without the refining hand of a mother,” Rosie Smith whispered behind her hand to her accomplice.
“If everyone could please follow them, we thank you for your understanding in this trying time.” Colt ignored Indie’s questioning look from across the room where she was safely ensconced on the sofa between Evelyn and Misty. He stood, counting each breath in and out until the room was empty except for their friends and themselves.
“You want us to leave, too?” asked Bennett, a fragile plate piled high with sandwiches and cookies.
“No, you guys are family. I just couldn’t take it with the old busybodies who were only here to pick over Mom’s dead body like vultures.” Evelyn scooted over to make space for Colt beside Indie.
He wrapped his arm around his sister, and she burrowed into him like a little kitten. “Nothing’s going to be all right ever again, is it?” Her quiet voice made his heart clench unbearably.
“I promise you, Indie, I’m going to make sure you have the best life. You and me, we’re going to make Dad and Mom so proud. And when we’re old, we’re gonna sit on the porch out the front like Dad used to and tell our grandkids all about the adventures of their great-grandpa and grandma.”
Indie gave a sad little sigh. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m my mother’s daughter. But right now, all I want to do is go to bed and pretend like none of this ever happened.”
Colt closed his eyes against the sting of tears. Maybe she was right. Tomorrow he would wake up and it would all be a bad dream. Somehow his seventeen-year-old heart doubted it.
Chapter One
The sky was clean and bright with faint wisps of clouds like cotton candy dotted about. Colt swung the rope experimentally as he walked his horse around, warming up his arm, the smell of livestock and dust filling the air. The cute cowgirl coming the other way recognized him, her eyes widening gratifyingly and her gaze dropping to take in his gleaming gold world champion buckle. He sent her his best slow and lazy smile, cocking his head as he appraised her appreciatively, promising himself he would catch up with her later and get to know her better.
It was a good day to be alive. Big Wheels, his horse, was calm and steady beneath him, too much of an old rodeo hand to be bothered with nerves. A movement at the edge of the warmup area caught his attention. Standing to her full five-foot, three inches height, his sister waved, pausing to see if he’d noticed her before setting off waving again. Beside Indie and standing tall was his best friend—her fiancé—Bennett. Grinning at them, he loped Big Wheels over.
“I didn’t expect to see you guys here. I hope someone is looking after my ranch.”
Indie cocked her head at him. “The ranch is fine, and it’s our ranch. Maybe we just wanted to come and spend some time with you. You know, live the playboy billionaire lifestyle.” She looked up at Bennett, a silly smile on her face. “Can we just tell him already?”
Bennett’s smile was just as goofy. “If you don’t, I will.”
“Is someone going to tell me? Why didn’t you just call if you had something to say?” His sister looked like she was about to explode with whatever news she had to tell. Maybe he should torment her a little longer, string it out. Really, what kind of big brother wouldn’t take advantage of this situation?
“We didn’t want to tell you over the phone. This is something that I wanted to see your face when we told you. You’re the only family I have, and I want to do this right.” Indie seemed torn between blurting her news out or crying.
“You guys didn’t run off and get married, did you? Bennett, you and I are going to have words if you didn’t give my little sister the big wedding she’s always dreamed of.”
Bennet exchanged a knowing look with him. “You think she’d let me get away with an elopement?”
Colt chuckled. “Maybe not. So, what’s this big news you’re all fired up to tell me about?”
Indie’s eyes shimmered with excitement. She clutched at Bennett’s arm as if to anchor herself and not get carried away with her emotions. “Colt, I’m pregnant. We’re going to be having a baby.” Colt felt like he’d been poleaxed. His baby sister was going to be a mom. A wave of bittersweetness hit him. Mom would have loved being a grandma.
“You’re happy for us, aren’t you, Colt?” Indie’s eyes no longer shimmered with excitement. Now the tears that had threatened clung perilously to her lashes.
“You caught me by surprise, but I like the idea of being Uncle Colt.” He slid off his horse and wrapped her up in a giant bear hug. “You’re going to make the best mom,” he whispered in her ear. He shook Bennett’s hand. “Congratulations. I’m over the moon for you guys.”
Bennett’s grip was firm. “Thanks. You know I’ll make sure they never want for anything.”
“If I’d had my doubts, I wouldn’t have let you anywhere near her when we were in high school.” Colt’s name crackled over the loudspeaker. “I’m next in. Are you guys staying around?”
“Yeah, this one here”—Bennett smiled lovingly down at Indie—“informs me that she already has cravings. So we’ll stay for the rodeo and then head home afterwards.”
Indie punched her fiancé lightly on the arm. “Hey, mister, these cravings are real. Now, enough with this chit-chat. Colt, go catch a steer, and you”—she crooked her finger at Bennett—“need to go hunt me down some pickles, corndogs and ice cream.”
“That seems fair enough,” Colt said, climbing back into the saddle.
“She plans on eating them all together like one big, pickle corndog sundae.” Bennett shuddered at the thought.
Colt grimaced, staring in horror at his sister. “Indie, that’s gross.”
“And I don’t care. Now, git.” She shooed him away with her hands.
Colt could feel a gooey smile on his face. Well, how about that? His baby sister was having a baby—and with one of his best friends, no less.
#
“I swear I thought that bull was going to put a hole in your backside.” Bennett swiped at his eyes, laughing heartily at his friend’s expense.
“Ain’t no way that bull was faster than me. Heck, I was in that barrel before he even knew which way I’d gone,” denied Logan. Loud laughter from the bar broke through the music playing from the jukebox as he re-enacted his zigzag escape from the bovine’s attention.
“Let it never be said that Logan wasn’t fast when it came to running away from danger.” Colt took a slug from his beer, ducking playfully from his friend’s jab to the ribs.
“Speaking of running away, I sure as heck wouldn’t be running away from that pretty little blonde over there like you are.” Logan rolled his eyes from the woman in question back to his friend.
Suddenly getting a drink at the bar after the rodeo had finished didn’t seem like such a great idea. Especially with the way Indie was eyeballing him, her look only slightly scarier than the blonde’s.
Colt coughed uncomfortably, looking sheepishly at the raised brows of his sister sitting beside her fiancé. “Um, well, it’s not quite like that.”
“Oh, what is it like then?” Indie asked, dunking some onion rings into her chocolate sundae. “Actually, maybe I should go over there and introduce myself.” She made to stand.
“Don’t you dare, sis!” Colt made a grab for her arm which she nimbly dodged, moving her food safely out of reach at the same time. He shuddered at the thought of what she was heartily wolfing down. “Let’s just say that our friendship was of a fleeting nature and there’s no need to get family involved.”
“A fleeting nature? Is that what it’s called these days?” Bennett grinned at his friend. “I mean, I’m no expert. I was lucky enough to find the woman who holds my heart straight out of the gates. But Logan, is that what you would call it?”
“I mean, I’ve never used those exact words myself.” Logan stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “But I guess it’s one way of describing it.”
“Colt, did you lead her on?” Indie demanded, her eyes narrowing at her brother.
“No. I mean, I don’t really remember putting that much effort into it full stop.” Colt shrugged. He never had to. The ladies seemed to always be around and willing.
“Colt Montgomery!” Indie pushed her empty plastic dish away from her. “One day, you’re going to meet a lady and fall hard, and she won’t want anything to do with you because of your reputation.” She gave a wicked little smile. “And I hope I’ll be there to see it.” She patted her belly. “Now, this baby and I have had enough to eat, and I think it’s time for us to head home.” Indie laid her head on Bennett’s shoulder, gazing up at him adoringly.
Colt couldn’t resist giving a teasing shake of his head at the loved-up couple in front of him. The fact that two of his favorite people in the whole dang world were having a baby made him want to give a holler. It wasn’t something he wanted to do. Heck, after tonight, he was headed further up the road, hauling his horses, ready for another rodeo and then another the night after that. That was the life of a rodeo champion. Always a different town, a different blonde or brunette or sometimes a redhead, and always the buckle. And these guys waiting for me when I get home.
“You fellas heard little Mama here. Time to get her home.” Bennett stood and extended his hand toward Colt. “You rode well tonight, but then again, when don’t you?”
“It’s sickening how good he is,” Logan agreed. “Mr Perfect.”
“Well, someone has to be. I don’t see either of you two stepping up to take the burden of perfection off my shoulders.” Colt lounged back in the chair, his long legs sprawled out in front of him.
“But they’re such broad, manly shoulders that make all the gals sigh.” Logan fluttered his eyelashes at Colt.
“Oh gosh, don’t start. He’s got a big enough ego as it is,” protested Indie, laughing. “You don’t have to live with him, but Bennet and I do. He’ll be insufferable now.”
“Come over here and give your insufferable big brother a hug.” Colt opened his arms wide, his sister bending down to comply. “You won’t be doing that before long.”
“Then I’ll be the one snapping my fingers every time I want a hug.” Indie stepped back as Bennett clasped Colt’s hand.
“Take good care of my sister,” Colt said as he always did, safe in the knowledge that no harm would come to her while his best friend was around.
“Always do.”
Colt watched them leave the bar, shaking his head once again at the thought of his best friend and little sister becoming parents. “I guess we should have a drink for the parents to be,” he suggested to Logan.
“It’s like you were reading my mind.” Logan put his fingers to his temple and pulled an exaggerated thinking face. “And now what am I thinking?”
“That it’s my round, just like usual.” Laughing, Colt stood, making his way over to the bar. Feeling jubilant, he gave the cute brunette working behind it a wink. After all, he did have a few things to celebrate that night, and judging by the saucy smile she sent his way, the night wasn’t over yet.
Colt stared up at the solitary puffy white cloud in the fiercely blue sky—perfect conditions for lying in the field making big plans for the future. It seemed impossible to have such a day when Colt felt darkness calling him, but he knew his mother would have loved it. She’d have hummed under her breath as she went about her chores on the ranch, maybe even take his and his sister’s hands and dance with them around the table, laughing and giddy with happiness.
Anything was more suited to this day than this. A numbness held him comfortingly close as he stared across from where he sat, the preacher extolling his mother’s virtues as she lay cold and stiff in her coffin. Beside Colt, his kid sister, Indie, sniffled, her slight shoulders shaking as if her sorrow shuddered and shook to be free. Suddenly feeling older than his almost eighteen years, he wrapped an arm around her. The preacher continued to drone on, his words washing over Colt as though his brain reached out to grasp them but they slipped through like wisps of smoke, intangible to his grieving mind.
Woodenly, Colt rose to his feet when directed, helping Indie stand. A sudden growth spurt meant that her fifteen-year-old head didn’t quite make his shoulders. She clung to his hand as if fearful that, if she let go, he would disappear too. They walked together to the edge of the freshly dug grave their mother had just been lowered into, each pausing before tossing in a white carnation—their mother’s favorite flower. Colt swallowed hard, battling against the rising tsunami of grief. He would not let the town gossips have anything to discuss and dissect over their glasses of sweet tea. Gently and with head held high, Colt guided his sister toward his pickup, a temporary reprieve before the funeral attendees would gather at the ranch for the wake.
“I don’t think I can do this, Colt,” Indie said in a tiny voice, long gone husky from crying. “When Dad died, it was hard, but we still had Mom. What are we going to do now?” Her bottom lip quivered as fresh tears streamed down her face.
Resolve hardened in the pit of Colt’s stomach. He was all she had left now, and there was nothing he wasn’t going to do for her. “Indie, we’ve got each other. Dad left us enough money to get by, and I’ve been doing real good on the local circuit with my roping. In a few years, I might just be good enough to go pro. At least, that’s what Mom said.” He felt a fresh stab of pain at the thought of his mom. “And she should know. She spent a heck of a lot of time following Dad around on the circuit.”
“But I still need to finish school. You can’t go and leave me,” Indie wailed, fear making her eyes huge in her pale face.
“Indie, I’m not going anywhere. At least not for a few years. And by then, you’ll probably be heading off to college or something.”
Colt turned down the familiar dirt drive, the house beckoning him as he rattled past horses and cattle grazing in the fields. Pulling up, he turned the ignition off and sat, breathing deeply. When he walked through the door, there would be no smell of freshly baked cookies or music playing from the radio. No warm smile or hand to tousle his hair and remark once again—in surprise, like it was the first time—just when had he gotten so big, that only yesterday he’d come up to her hip. No, this time the house would be cold and empty.
A battered pickup ground to a halt beside Colt’s car. Two teenage boys stepped out and stood kicking the dirt, hands thrust into the pockets of their jeans. Somehow, he’d known that his two best friends would be the first to arrive. Taking in one last steadying breath, he opened his door.
“Come on, Indie, we’re home.” She gave a quick nod and slid out, standing forlorn beside the truck. Bennett, one of Colt’s best friends, quickly went around to her, and she smiled sadly at him, her braces catching the light.
“You might want to watch him,” Logan said, his joking tone strained as if uncertain how to act. “I’m not sure I’d want him around my kid sister.”
“I wouldn’t want you around my kid sister either. Bennett, I can trust. He’s just being a good friend.” Colt watched an old Volkswagen Beetle bounce down the drive. “Anyway, he hasn’t got a chance once her friends arrive. Speaking of which, how did your date with Misty go?”
Logan straightened with all the cocky dignity a seventeen-year-old boy possessed. “A gentleman never kisses and tells.” He winked at Colt.
“Last time I checked, you’re no gentleman. At least, that’s what Suzie Masterson says.”
“Well, Suzie Masterson ain’t no lady the last time I checked either,” Logan retorted, waving the dust the tires of the Volkswagen had sent flying through the air as it came to a stop and two teenage girls stepped out. “Hey, Misty.”
A cute little brunette waved shyly at him. “Hi, Logan.”
Her friend smiled at Colt, the compassion shining from her eyes almost bringing him undone. “We’re real sorry about your mom. My ma wants you to know that if there’s anything you need, just let her know.”
Colt nodded, not trusting himself to speak, watching as Evelyn gave him another sad little smile before heading over to his sister. Bennett, suddenly finding himself outnumbered, surrendered and re-joined his friends.
“You look like a rooster who just got thrown out of the hen house.” Logan nudged his friend.
“Quit it, Logan. I was just seeing how Indie was holding up. She’s got her friends now, so I came back.” Bennett sent cow eyes back over to the object of his affections.
Later as Colt stood beside his sister, accepting condolences from mourners, he was grateful for that moment of normalcy. Now as murmured conversation swirled around him, a gray tinge to a room that had always been filled with laughter and light, he wanted to demand that everyone get out. He wanted to kick and shout and punch the wall. Instead, he smiled and nodded as people stopped to pay their respects. The strong perfume of the church ladies mingled with the tobacco smell wafting off old Mr Peterson’s clothes, making the air too hard to breathe. Colt’s face felt stiff from trying to maintain a fake smile while refraining from crying. He just wanted his mom back. He wanted her to tell him everything was going to be okay and then wrap him in her warm arms and sing softly until it became true.
“They say it was a heart attack, but we all know it was a broken heart,” Bessy Warren murmured behind a sandwich to her fellow gossip, Rosie Smith. “After he passed away from cancer, we all knew it wouldn’t be long before she joined him. Such a shame with the children and all.”
Rage made Colt tremble. How dare they talk about his mom like she chose to die, that she chose to leave them behind. Setting down the delicate teacup he held in his hand for fear of breaking it, he cleared his throat.
“My sister and I would like to thank everyone for coming today. I know Mom would have been happy to know how loved she was, but now we would like to spend some time remembering her privately. Mrs Warren, Mrs Smith, I believe you both know where the door is.”
The ladies in question huffed, scandalized that they were being asked to leave. “He’s only going to get worse without the refining hand of a mother,” Rosie Smith whispered behind her hand to her accomplice.
“If everyone could please follow them, we thank you for your understanding in this trying time.” Colt ignored Indie’s questioning look from across the room where she was safely ensconced on the sofa between Evelyn and Misty. He stood, counting each breath in and out until the room was empty except for their friends and themselves.
“You want us to leave, too?” asked Bennett, a fragile plate piled high with sandwiches and cookies.
“No, you guys are family. I just couldn’t take it with the old busybodies who were only here to pick over Mom’s dead body like vultures.” Evelyn scooted over to make space for Colt beside Indie.
He wrapped his arm around his sister, and she burrowed into him like a little kitten. “Nothing’s going to be all right ever again, is it?” Her quiet voice made his heart clench unbearably.
“I promise you, Indie, I’m going to make sure you have the best life. You and me, we’re going to make Dad and Mom so proud. And when we’re old, we’re gonna sit on the porch out the front like Dad used to and tell our grandkids all about the adventures of their great-grandpa and grandma.”
Indie gave a sad little sigh. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m my mother’s daughter. But right now, all I want to do is go to bed and pretend like none of this ever happened.”
Colt closed his eyes against the sting of tears. Maybe she was right. Tomorrow he would wake up and it would all be a bad dream. Somehow his seventeen-year-old heart doubted it.
Chapter One
The sky was clean and bright with faint wisps of clouds like cotton candy dotted about. Colt swung the rope experimentally as he walked his horse around, warming up his arm, the smell of livestock and dust filling the air. The cute cowgirl coming the other way recognized him, her eyes widening gratifyingly and her gaze dropping to take in his gleaming gold world champion buckle. He sent her his best slow and lazy smile, cocking his head as he appraised her appreciatively, promising himself he would catch up with her later and get to know her better.
It was a good day to be alive. Big Wheels, his horse, was calm and steady beneath him, too much of an old rodeo hand to be bothered with nerves. A movement at the edge of the warmup area caught his attention. Standing to her full five-foot, three inches height, his sister waved, pausing to see if he’d noticed her before setting off waving again. Beside Indie and standing tall was his best friend—her fiancé—Bennett. Grinning at them, he loped Big Wheels over.
“I didn’t expect to see you guys here. I hope someone is looking after my ranch.”
Indie cocked her head at him. “The ranch is fine, and it’s our ranch. Maybe we just wanted to come and spend some time with you. You know, live the playboy billionaire lifestyle.” She looked up at Bennett, a silly smile on her face. “Can we just tell him already?”
Bennett’s smile was just as goofy. “If you don’t, I will.”
“Is someone going to tell me? Why didn’t you just call if you had something to say?” His sister looked like she was about to explode with whatever news she had to tell. Maybe he should torment her a little longer, string it out. Really, what kind of big brother wouldn’t take advantage of this situation?
“We didn’t want to tell you over the phone. This is something that I wanted to see your face when we told you. You’re the only family I have, and I want to do this right.” Indie seemed torn between blurting her news out or crying.
“You guys didn’t run off and get married, did you? Bennett, you and I are going to have words if you didn’t give my little sister the big wedding she’s always dreamed of.”
Bennet exchanged a knowing look with him. “You think she’d let me get away with an elopement?”
Colt chuckled. “Maybe not. So, what’s this big news you’re all fired up to tell me about?”
Indie’s eyes shimmered with excitement. She clutched at Bennett’s arm as if to anchor herself and not get carried away with her emotions. “Colt, I’m pregnant. We’re going to be having a baby.” Colt felt like he’d been poleaxed. His baby sister was going to be a mom. A wave of bittersweetness hit him. Mom would have loved being a grandma.
“You’re happy for us, aren’t you, Colt?” Indie’s eyes no longer shimmered with excitement. Now the tears that had threatened clung perilously to her lashes.
“You caught me by surprise, but I like the idea of being Uncle Colt.” He slid off his horse and wrapped her up in a giant bear hug. “You’re going to make the best mom,” he whispered in her ear. He shook Bennett’s hand. “Congratulations. I’m over the moon for you guys.”
Bennett’s grip was firm. “Thanks. You know I’ll make sure they never want for anything.”
“If I’d had my doubts, I wouldn’t have let you anywhere near her when we were in high school.” Colt’s name crackled over the loudspeaker. “I’m next in. Are you guys staying around?”
“Yeah, this one here”—Bennett smiled lovingly down at Indie—“informs me that she already has cravings. So we’ll stay for the rodeo and then head home afterwards.”
Indie punched her fiancé lightly on the arm. “Hey, mister, these cravings are real. Now, enough with this chit-chat. Colt, go catch a steer, and you”—she crooked her finger at Bennett—“need to go hunt me down some pickles, corndogs and ice cream.”
“That seems fair enough,” Colt said, climbing back into the saddle.
“She plans on eating them all together like one big, pickle corndog sundae.” Bennett shuddered at the thought.
Colt grimaced, staring in horror at his sister. “Indie, that’s gross.”
“And I don’t care. Now, git.” She shooed him away with her hands.
Colt could feel a gooey smile on his face. Well, how about that? His baby sister was having a baby—and with one of his best friends, no less.
#
“I swear I thought that bull was going to put a hole in your backside.” Bennett swiped at his eyes, laughing heartily at his friend’s expense.
“Ain’t no way that bull was faster than me. Heck, I was in that barrel before he even knew which way I’d gone,” denied Logan. Loud laughter from the bar broke through the music playing from the jukebox as he re-enacted his zigzag escape from the bovine’s attention.
“Let it never be said that Logan wasn’t fast when it came to running away from danger.” Colt took a slug from his beer, ducking playfully from his friend’s jab to the ribs.
“Speaking of running away, I sure as heck wouldn’t be running away from that pretty little blonde over there like you are.” Logan rolled his eyes from the woman in question back to his friend.
Suddenly getting a drink at the bar after the rodeo had finished didn’t seem like such a great idea. Especially with the way Indie was eyeballing him, her look only slightly scarier than the blonde’s.
Colt coughed uncomfortably, looking sheepishly at the raised brows of his sister sitting beside her fiancé. “Um, well, it’s not quite like that.”
“Oh, what is it like then?” Indie asked, dunking some onion rings into her chocolate sundae. “Actually, maybe I should go over there and introduce myself.” She made to stand.
“Don’t you dare, sis!” Colt made a grab for her arm which she nimbly dodged, moving her food safely out of reach at the same time. He shuddered at the thought of what she was heartily wolfing down. “Let’s just say that our friendship was of a fleeting nature and there’s no need to get family involved.”
“A fleeting nature? Is that what it’s called these days?” Bennett grinned at his friend. “I mean, I’m no expert. I was lucky enough to find the woman who holds my heart straight out of the gates. But Logan, is that what you would call it?”
“I mean, I’ve never used those exact words myself.” Logan stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “But I guess it’s one way of describing it.”
“Colt, did you lead her on?” Indie demanded, her eyes narrowing at her brother.
“No. I mean, I don’t really remember putting that much effort into it full stop.” Colt shrugged. He never had to. The ladies seemed to always be around and willing.
“Colt Montgomery!” Indie pushed her empty plastic dish away from her. “One day, you’re going to meet a lady and fall hard, and she won’t want anything to do with you because of your reputation.” She gave a wicked little smile. “And I hope I’ll be there to see it.” She patted her belly. “Now, this baby and I have had enough to eat, and I think it’s time for us to head home.” Indie laid her head on Bennett’s shoulder, gazing up at him adoringly.
Colt couldn’t resist giving a teasing shake of his head at the loved-up couple in front of him. The fact that two of his favorite people in the whole dang world were having a baby made him want to give a holler. It wasn’t something he wanted to do. Heck, after tonight, he was headed further up the road, hauling his horses, ready for another rodeo and then another the night after that. That was the life of a rodeo champion. Always a different town, a different blonde or brunette or sometimes a redhead, and always the buckle. And these guys waiting for me when I get home.
“You fellas heard little Mama here. Time to get her home.” Bennett stood and extended his hand toward Colt. “You rode well tonight, but then again, when don’t you?”
“It’s sickening how good he is,” Logan agreed. “Mr Perfect.”
“Well, someone has to be. I don’t see either of you two stepping up to take the burden of perfection off my shoulders.” Colt lounged back in the chair, his long legs sprawled out in front of him.
“But they’re such broad, manly shoulders that make all the gals sigh.” Logan fluttered his eyelashes at Colt.
“Oh gosh, don’t start. He’s got a big enough ego as it is,” protested Indie, laughing. “You don’t have to live with him, but Bennet and I do. He’ll be insufferable now.”
“Come over here and give your insufferable big brother a hug.” Colt opened his arms wide, his sister bending down to comply. “You won’t be doing that before long.”
“Then I’ll be the one snapping my fingers every time I want a hug.” Indie stepped back as Bennett clasped Colt’s hand.
“Take good care of my sister,” Colt said as he always did, safe in the knowledge that no harm would come to her while his best friend was around.
“Always do.”
Colt watched them leave the bar, shaking his head once again at the thought of his best friend and little sister becoming parents. “I guess we should have a drink for the parents to be,” he suggested to Logan.
“It’s like you were reading my mind.” Logan put his fingers to his temple and pulled an exaggerated thinking face. “And now what am I thinking?”
“That it’s my round, just like usual.” Laughing, Colt stood, making his way over to the bar. Feeling jubilant, he gave the cute brunette working behind it a wink. After all, he did have a few things to celebrate that night, and judging by the saucy smile she sent his way, the night wasn’t over yet.
January 24, 2021
Halfway there for The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire
Yay!! Halfway there. How about a little bit more of a sneak peek?
The fuel gauge needle hovered south of empty on the beaten-up old pickup. Why the heck couldn’t Logan even manage to do simple things like keeping a full tank of gas in his truck? Colt wanted to slam his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. He didn’t have time to pull over. He didn’t have time to stop. He just didn’t have time.
The lead weight in his chest pulled him down, making it impossible to breathe. The truck glided to a halt on the side of the road, Colt not sure if it had simply drifted off or if he’d somehow made the decision. He went to wind down the window, desperately needing fresh air, only to find the crank handle broken off. Darn it, Logan! He glanced around, spying a sign in the distance. Still fifty miles to the hospital. You better get it together before you see her. She’s going to need you to be strong.
Preorder at the special price of $2.99 https://bit.ly/TheWoundedCowboyBillio...
The fuel gauge needle hovered south of empty on the beaten-up old pickup. Why the heck couldn’t Logan even manage to do simple things like keeping a full tank of gas in his truck? Colt wanted to slam his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. He didn’t have time to pull over. He didn’t have time to stop. He just didn’t have time.
The lead weight in his chest pulled him down, making it impossible to breathe. The truck glided to a halt on the side of the road, Colt not sure if it had simply drifted off or if he’d somehow made the decision. He went to wind down the window, desperately needing fresh air, only to find the crank handle broken off. Darn it, Logan! He glanced around, spying a sign in the distance. Still fifty miles to the hospital. You better get it together before you see her. She’s going to need you to be strong.
Preorder at the special price of $2.99 https://bit.ly/TheWoundedCowboyBillio...
December 3, 2020
This week was rough
Like rolling around in a row boat during a tsunami kinda of rough. Once I finish feeling sorry for myself, I'll get back to writing some more
November 21, 2020
Search for a deadbeat brother
No, not mine, my heroine's. I'm having a major brain fade when it comes to naming my new character. If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Otherwise, it's business as usual here, playing with the kids (heck we even went to the pool today), baking, trying to get organised for this time of year and did I mention write. I'm working behind the scenes on Misty and Logan's story, desperately trying to get as much done as I can before I need to go into hospital and have surgery in Feb. I guess the week long visit without children could be viewed as an intensive writing session?
I guess I should get back to it
Otherwise, it's business as usual here, playing with the kids (heck we even went to the pool today), baking, trying to get organised for this time of year and did I mention write. I'm working behind the scenes on Misty and Logan's story, desperately trying to get as much done as I can before I need to go into hospital and have surgery in Feb. I guess the week long visit without children could be viewed as an intensive writing session?
I guess I should get back to it
November 8, 2020
Halfway there for A Cowboy's Riches
Yep, that's right, half of the prequel for the Billionaire Hearts Ranch series is in the bag. I guess I can give you guys a sneak peak.
----------------------------------------------------
Justice remembered once seeing a jaguar at a zoo when he’d been a kid, magnificence radiating from every strand of fur on her exotic hide. But it had been her glittering golden gaze that had riveted him to the spot. Aloof, wild, and utterly hopeless. The new girl serving drinks behind the bar had the same despairing look.
He’d noticed her as soon as he’d set foot in the bar.
Heck, it was hard not to. She just kind of drew the eye and kept it. Her dark hair was pulled sleekly back into a ponytail set atop her head, and high exotic cheekbones graced her delicate face. Justice was too far away to tell what color her eyes were, but he hoped to change that.
----------------------------------------------------
Justice remembered once seeing a jaguar at a zoo when he’d been a kid, magnificence radiating from every strand of fur on her exotic hide. But it had been her glittering golden gaze that had riveted him to the spot. Aloof, wild, and utterly hopeless. The new girl serving drinks behind the bar had the same despairing look.
He’d noticed her as soon as he’d set foot in the bar.
Heck, it was hard not to. She just kind of drew the eye and kept it. Her dark hair was pulled sleekly back into a ponytail set atop her head, and high exotic cheekbones graced her delicate face. Justice was too far away to tell what color her eyes were, but he hoped to change that.
November 1, 2020
End of an era
Well, that's a little dramatic, but it is the end of two series, the Barrels and Hearts series and The Mistletoe Collection. (Check them out on Amazon https://bit.ly/EdithMacKenzie)
Right now I'm furiously working on my next series, Billionaire Hearts Ranch (https://bit.ly/WoundedCowboyBillionaire). The exciting news is that I will be offering the prequel in a serialised form for my newsletter subscribers beginning next year. The best bit is that you will get it before it is released on Amazon and FREE!!!
If this sounds like something you'd like to be part of head over and sign up. As I mentioned it will be beginning next year (February to be exact)
The link to subscribe is https://mailchi.mp/3f1fabee8668/cowbo...
Right now I'm furiously working on my next series, Billionaire Hearts Ranch (https://bit.ly/WoundedCowboyBillionaire). The exciting news is that I will be offering the prequel in a serialised form for my newsletter subscribers beginning next year. The best bit is that you will get it before it is released on Amazon and FREE!!!
If this sounds like something you'd like to be part of head over and sign up. As I mentioned it will be beginning next year (February to be exact)
The link to subscribe is https://mailchi.mp/3f1fabee8668/cowbo...
August 13, 2020
Hello
Hi
I don't know what it is about writer sand their avoidance of blogs, but here goes, welcome to my blog.
If you've read my bio you know the basics, I'm a mum, an Aussie and I write books. Clean and wholesome contemporary cowboy romance to be exact. Right now I am about to release my fourth book in the Barrels and Hearts series, A Cowgirl's Pride. There are another three books left (all written, never fear) and then I will be launching my Cowboy Christmas series, the Mistletoe Collection out into the world. That too will be rapid release every two weeks apart.
Today has been a good one for me, I've sent back Boots and Mistletoe to my editor to be proofread and finished first round of revision on The Cowboy under the Mistletoe. (Title still to be confirmed). I might even give myself the weekend off before I start character development and chapter plotting of the final book.
On that note, I think I'll start my weekend now...
I don't know what it is about writer sand their avoidance of blogs, but here goes, welcome to my blog.
If you've read my bio you know the basics, I'm a mum, an Aussie and I write books. Clean and wholesome contemporary cowboy romance to be exact. Right now I am about to release my fourth book in the Barrels and Hearts series, A Cowgirl's Pride. There are another three books left (all written, never fear) and then I will be launching my Cowboy Christmas series, the Mistletoe Collection out into the world. That too will be rapid release every two weeks apart.
Today has been a good one for me, I've sent back Boots and Mistletoe to my editor to be proofread and finished first round of revision on The Cowboy under the Mistletoe. (Title still to be confirmed). I might even give myself the weekend off before I start character development and chapter plotting of the final book.
On that note, I think I'll start my weekend now...
