Mari Carr's Blog, page 91
November 26, 2011
Saturday Snippet
Today's theme is holidays. To kick the season off right, I thought I'd share a snippet from Three Reasons Why.
Prologue
Christmas
"Are you all right?" Jill Harper asked when Wes began fidgeting in his chair. No doubt he was uncomfortable due to the injuries he'd sustained in his last DEA mission. Simply thinking of how badly Wes had been hurt sent a cold chill through her. She could have lost him. Then she pushed the thought away. Hell, he wasn't hers to lose.
"Yeah," Wes answered. "Just bored."
They were celebrating the holidays with Jill's sister Kate and Wes' best friend Rick. Unfortunately, the revelry had been curtailed for a little while—two hours' worth of a little while—when Kate and Rick escaped upstairs to open their last gifts in private. Jill was finding it increasingly difficult to ignore the sexual sounds emanating from the upstairs bedroom. She'd like to say she was annoyed, but actually she was uncomfortably hot.
Fuck. She was horny as hell.
Wes' fingers thumped against his cast absentmindedly. "How about you and me go rustle up some breakfast? I'm starving."
Jill jumped out of her chair, grateful for Wes' suggestion. She'd cook. That might help beat down her building arousal, even though, God knew, she should be used to the sizzling physical reaction she suffered whenever she was with Wes.
"Sounds good." She crossed the room and offered Wes a hand to help him up. With his broken leg and ribs, rising was still difficult. He grimaced as she approached and she knew he was tired of being helpless. Wes was an active, strong man. Relying on her help—as well as Kate's and Rick's—was rubbing against the grain. Hopefully, the healing would happen fast and life could go back to normal.
They'd been together way more than usual lately and it was throwing Jill for a loop. She'd always recognized the slight tug of attraction when it came to Wes Robson, but lately it didn't feel like a tug as much as a hurricane-force wind blowing at her back, shoving her none too gently toward the man.
Wes reached for her outstretched hand. However, rather than allowing her to pull him up, he used their clasped palms against her. Pulling hard, Wes yanked her down and across his lap, quick as a flash.
"Wes!" she said, startled by his impulsive move.
"I want to give you your other gift," he said gruffly.
He'd already been far too generous, giving her a beautiful broach that had belonged to his mother before she passed away. She'd been equal parts touched and alarmed by the thoughtful gesture. He'd said it was to thank her for taking care of him while he was in the hospital, but a tiny part of her thought it was something more. That something more left her uneasy.
Before she could respond, Wes pulled her closer and kissed her. His lips grazed hers for just a moment. There was nothing tentative or apologetic in the touch. Wes wanted to kiss her and while he wouldn't ask or force, he was gonna get his wish. She liked that. She had a strong personality that tended to intimidate men. Sometimes she got tired of being the aggressor, the decision-maker.
Wes deepened the kiss and she let him lead the way. His lips were a mixture of strength and softness, a perfect reflection of the man. She'd learned so much about him in the hospital, watching him work through his physical therapy sessions with sheer determination and drive. Then he'd surprise her by stopping at the children's ward on the way back to his room to perform magic tricks for the kids.
She reached up to run her hands through his thick brown hair. She didn't want this moment to end. Not yet. It might not be the wisest decision of her life, but she liked the way Wes kissed. He held her like she was precious, important…special.
"Wes," she said after several minutes of the best kissing of her life.
"Shhh. Not yet. Let's disappear for a little while, Jill. We can think about what this means tomorrow. Today, it's Christmas and I want to kiss you."
She smiled and pressed her cheek against his. "It's Christmas."
Wes cupped her face, pulling her lips back to his. She let herself get lost in the sensations, the beauty of the moment. He was right. They could pay the piper tomorrow.
For today, it was ho ho ho.
Three Reasons Why is available at Ellora's Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Sony.
Celebrate more holiday snippets with these authors!
November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
To all the readers in the good ole USA, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope your turkey is moist, your gravy plentiful and that you are surrounded by your loved ones on this special day.
I have so much to be thankful for this year. I'm spending the day with my family for whom I am extremely grateful. I'm thrilled to be celebrating my brand spanking new New York Times and USA Today bestseller status with them. My brother has promised lots and lots of wine! I've been very blessed this year–in my writing career, at home and in my real life. I'm thankful my family is healthy and we have a warm place to sleep every night. I hope the same is true for all of you.
Have a wonderful day! Happy Thanksgiving!
November 22, 2011
Suck and Blow
Lexxie Couper, one of my all-time favorite authors, is releasing a series of books with my critique partner, Rhian Cahill. The first book, Suck and Blow, comes out today and Rhian's, Truth or Dare, will release in January. What can I say? These books are incredibly hot, fun and sexy. The pairing of Lexxie and Rhian might be the greatest combo since peanut butter hooked up with chocolate! Interesting fact–when they were brainstorming party game names, I told them about Suck and Blow. Ah…memories of college. Good times! LOL
Suck and BlowLet the games begin…
Party Games, Book 1
Talent agent Frankie Winchester is a hellion. Her motto is all a girl needs is a fun time, a fast car and an awesome masseur on speed dial. There's only one person who could beat her at anything. Alec. Bane of her high-school existence, a kid whose parents were as working class and loving as hers were rich and distant.
When celebrity landscape architect Alec Harris spots Frankie at an exclusive Sydney house party, everything comes rushing back. The memory of being the "cheap-money" kid, trying and failing to prove himself—and impress his dream girl, Frankie Winchester.
Unexpectedly partnered in a wildly sexy game, the delicious friction ignites a scorching sexual tension. But there's more than a playing card trapped between them. Frankie refuses to admit that kiss shook her to the core. Alec wants nothing less than her full surrender.
Game on!
Product Warnings
C'mon, the book's called Suck and Blow. What more warning do you need?
Excerpt:
Oh God.
Her heart leapt away from her, the soft pressure of his fingers at her waist making her head swim. Or was it the fact she was holding her breath? Holding her breath with the goddamn ten of hearts stuck to her lips?
Do something, woman!
She didn't have to. Alec did it for her. With a gentle push and pull on her hips, he turned her around to face him, his blue, blue eyes holding hers, his dimples flashing as the sides of his mouth curled. "So, who's going to win this one, Frankie?"
The question was asked on a low chuckle, each word making her sex constrict.
She stared at him. Watched him lower his head to hers. Watched him draw closer. Closer. Her lungs burned. Her head swam. The room fell silent.
And her breath ran out just like that, the card slipping from her lips at the loss of suction a mere second before Alec's mouth pressed to hers.
Explosive heat shot through Frankie, like she'd suddenly and inexplicably grabbed a live wire on an electrical fence. Except it wasn't electricity charging through her, singeing her nerve-endings and making her nipples pinch hard but arousal. Instant and undeniable. A wicked ribbon of warm tension unfurled through her belly and into the junction of her thighs, and before she could stop it, a low groan vibrated deep in her throat.
His lips were warm, soft. They melded to hers with perfection, slightly parted, his intake of breath drawing her exhalation into his mouth.
He'd expected to feel the playing card pressed to his lips now, of that she had little doubt, but instead of pulling away as she thought he would, his lips lingered on hers. Slanting over them as his fingers on her hips curled a little more firmly against her body, tugging her closer to his body with an insistence that made her head swim just as much as her earlier oxygen deprivation.
She stiffened, for the first time in her wild, uncontrolled life she was utterly and completely bamboozled as to what she should do next. Her feet stumbled over each other, her lurching forward momentum halted by Alec's hard form.
And he was hard. Very hard. All of him. Hard and big and impressive.
His stomach pressed against hers like a sculpted plane of marble. His chest was hard and smooth under her palms.
Her palms? Frankie's already rapid heartbeat kicked up a notch, thumping against her breastbone like a bloody sledgehammer. When had she put her hands to his chest?
Who cares? The brazen thought whispered through her head at the very moment Alec's lips parted against hers and his tongue dipped into her mouth.
Oh.
He tasted of sinful paradise. Pineapple and coconut and rum. It was intoxicating. She wanted more.
Snaking her hands up over his shoulders, she tangled her fingers in his messy crop of blond hair, opening her mouth wider to his kiss and stroking her tongue against his. She rose onto tip-toe, the elevation aligning her hips to his, the hard heat of him nudging at her groin.
Oh. The single word was nothing but a soft sigh in her mind—a mind furiously trying to remind her just who in the bloody hell she was kissing. Alec Harris. Alley Cat, Francesca, you're kissing Alley Cat.
And he was kissing her back. And doing a superb job of it.
November 21, 2011
Quote and Holiday Fun!
"I have come here not to find answers, but to find a way to live in a world where there isn't any." -Sue Monk Kidd, The Mermaid Chair
AND…Guilty Pleasures is hosting a fantastic event for the holiday season. They will be giving away a Kindle Fire Away to one lucky Happy Holidays commenter at the end of the Celebration. The more posts you comment on, the better your chance to win. I am one of the bloggers–my post will go live on New Year's Eve.
November 20, 2011
Six Sentence Sunday
It's flashback Sunday as I thought I'd share six sentences from the very first book I ever wrote, .
"You insulting, arrogant, smug son of a bitch," she yelled. "How dare you insult me for defending myself? If your present charms are any indication of your typical behavior, I'd be surprised to discover that you weren't a virgin."
He was shocked by her crude language and insult to his reputation. "Well, if you weren't such a shrew, I'd give you a demonstration of my charms that would leave you in no doubt of my experience."
"Touch me again and I'll blacken the other eye," she threatened as she stormed toward the cabin door.
No Recourse is available at , Amazon, Fictionwise, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance Ebooks.
Want more six sentence fun? Check it out here.
November 19, 2011
Saturday Snippet
Yee Haw! This week's theme is action. I thought I'd share some red hot, gettin' lucky action from Rekindled.
Snippet:
"I can't give you what you want."
He grinned, running the back of his hand along her cheek. "You're the only woman who can give me what I want. It's always been you, Claire."
He bent forward, his intention to kiss her as clear as the Texas sky. "Please don't," she whispered when his lips were a hairsbreadth away from her.
He paused for a moment but didn't retreat. "I've missed you."
She closed her eyes and gave in. She'd missed him too. Terribly. She closed the miniscule inch left between them and offered her lips. The moment they touched his, she was transported to the first time he'd kissed her—the night of the homecoming football game. She'd been sixteen and she remembered how excited she'd been when Jeb asked her to be his date for the dance the following night. He'd kissed her beside the bonfire at the end of the game.
Her first kiss, and it was every bit as beautiful as the one he was giving her now, and she felt all those old feelings rekindled. His lips lightly grazed hers, reawakening feelings she thought had died with her husband. Soon his kiss became hungrier, hotter. She reached up, gripping his neck, making her own demands as she pulled him closer. He rasped his tongue against her lips and she opened her mouth, welcoming him in. His grip on her waist tightened and she sucked in a breath as his hands began moving upward, not stopping until he cupped her breasts.
The kiss continued as Jeb tweaked her nipples through her T-shirt. She spread her legs and began rubbing herself against his thigh. Her body was on fire. It had been so damn long since she felt the slightest spark of desire. She'd have to change her panties at the end of this interlude. She was too wet, too needy.
One of his hands left her breast, rising to grasp her ponytail. She shuddered when he pulled her head back, directing her with slight tugs on her hair, nipping her neck.
"It's still there. Still the same," he whispered against her skin. It had always been this way between them. One kiss and it was as if the entire world had gone up in flames. She struggled to pull away.
"No," she whispered. He hesitated and she could sense him taking stock, trying to decide if she really meant her refusal. She battened down her hatches and pushed against his chest. "No." Her voice was stronger this time. "This isn't the time or place." She glanced out into the yard, relieved none of the ranch hands had walked by and caught her making out with Jeb Carter in the doorway.
She was just so damn tired. It had weakened her resistance. Next time he tried to kiss her, she would be prepared, stronger, better able to fight him off.
"You've got dark circles under your eyes." He studied her face and she knew he wasn't discouraged by her pushing him away. If anything, giving in to his kisses had likely fueled his intentions to claim her…by any means necessary.
She shrugged. "It's been a long month. Hell, a long year."
He grasped her cheeks in his large palms but made no move to draw her closer. "You're gonna hire me."
He was relentless. She chuckled, then conceded. She needed help. "Maybe."
The grin he offered in reply was cocky, smug, and she knew she'd lost this round. Jeb would get his way. "My duffel bag is in the car. Make room for my stuff in your closet."
She narrowed her eyes. "You'll stay in the foreman's cabin and my bedroom door will be locked—every night."
"Maybe." He walked back to his car and she wondered what the hell she'd just unleashed.
Rekindled is available at Ellora's Cave, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Kobo and All Romance Ebooks.
Want some more action? Check these snippets out!
November 18, 2011
November Novellas
My Carina Press novella, Do Over, is part of their month long celebration! You can pick up a copy of the story for $1.99 from now until Dec. 1. Check it out here!
Sometimes once is not enough…
After twenty-five years of marriage, Faith Wainwright wonders what she'll do next. Her kids have moved out and sometimes she feels so distant from her husband, Troy.
Right before their anniversary, Troy gives Faith an unexpected gift: a journey through their hometown to reenact all their "firsts." Their first date. Their first kiss. And especially the first time they made love—only better.
Each stop on their tour becomes an opportunity for Faith and Troy to rediscover how explosive their passion can be. Now Faith knows exactly what she's going to do—Troy, over and over again…
November 17, 2011
November 16, 2011
White Knight
White Knight releases today at Ellora's Cave. Click here to check out "Shameless Begging" contest that is running in conjunction with this release.
A sequel to Black Jack.
Shea Landon knows this is a bad idea. But when you're broke, tired and homeless, you do crazy things. She decides to crash in her new place of employment, a fetish club, borrowing the big, comfy bed that's used as a stage prop. She doesn't realize she's not alone…
Travis Knight knows this is a bad idea. As he views his new waitress sneaking around the club after hours, he realizes he should fire her, call the police. Instead, captivated, he watches her on the same security monitors that separate him from the world. Until watching isn't nearly enough…
Two people—one desperate, one broken, both hopelessly alone. Two people assuaging their needs through spanking and sex games, bondage and taboo fantasy. It's enough. It has to be—when the biggest secret between them might be a tragedy neither can overcome.
Excerpt:
Pulling out her tips for the night, Shea counted the money. She had a little over two hundred dollars. She sighed with relief, so happy to have money in her hands. It was enough for a room at the fleabag motel—as she liked to call the crummy place she'd been staying—and some food. Unfortunately it was two a.m. and she didn't like the idea of venturing into East Hollywood so late. While she was desperate for a roof over her head, especially after spending last night dozing in a Laundromat chair, she wasn't stupid enough to put herself in danger.
She rubbed her eyes wearily, too tired to think. She couldn't keep trying to exist from day to day. When she'd come to L.A., she'd had a plan, a goal. She looked one last time at the comfortable bed, wishing she could lay her head on the pristine white pillow. Then she stood up and headed back to the bar.
"How you doin', kid?" Bill asked.
Shea had instantly liked the bartender. He was a gruff-looking man—ex-Marine, according to Emma—in his mid-forties. He was quick to laugh and just as quick to eviscerate rude drunks. As long as patrons behaved at his bar, all was well.
"Fine. I finished cleaning in the theater."
"Great. The other gals took care of the dance floor area and the bar. I'm just about to finish a few things. You mind checking the bathrooms for me one last time? Make sure there aren't any drunks curled up in the corner and the lights are off."
She grinned. "I don't mind. I'll do it before I head out." The back door to the club led to a parking lot. Shea recalled seeing an all-night diner across the street from the lot. Maybe she could have a cup of coffee there, caffeine up and try to figure out her next move. If she could remain awake until daybreak, she could hit the subway with the commuters and head back to the cheap motel to catch a few hours of sleep on the lumpy mattress.
"Oh hey. Here's your bag."
She'd asked Bill to stow her duffel behind the bar. She was ashamed to say everything she owned in the world was in that bag. He'd remarked on the size of it when she'd come to work, but mercifully hadn't questioned her. "See you tomorrow, Shea."
She took the bag and hitched it onto her arm. "Good night, Bill."
Walking down the hallway, she heard Bill humming as he worked. She opened the door to the men's room, peering inside. The place was empty. Switching the lights off, she crossed the hall to the women's bathroom. It was also deserted.
She recalled the bed on stage…the clean sheets, the soft mattress.
An idea formed. A terribly stupid idea.
Glancing back toward the bar, she noticed Bill had gone to the kitchen. She took a deep breath for courage—then walked into the bathroom and turned off the lights.
The room was plunged into darkness and her heart began to race. Her earlier exhaustion gave way to nervousness and fear. What the hell was she doing?
Feeling her way across the room, she let herself into the stall farthest from the door. Sitting down on the toilet, she waited in silence. Too many minutes later, she heard the sound she'd been dreading and anticipating. She lifted her feet and sat frozen. The back door opened then closed. She heard a lock being thrown into place.
Shea remained where she was for fifteen minutes longer then lowered her feet and stood.
She'd done it. She was locked in the club. Christ, she was insane. She'd just gotten the job and with one foolish, rash act, she'd probably jeopardized it.
Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her mini-flashlight. Switching it on, she pulled off the white blouse and black mini Emma had supplied her with earlier. She didn't want to wrinkle the material since she'd have to wear it again tomorrow and she certainly didn't have an iron.
She pulled on a t-shirt and loose sleep shorts, brushed her teeth then left the bathroom, walking toward the stage, grabbing a blanket from the hutch along the way. If she was going to lose her job, she'd at least make it worth her while. When she reached the bed, she slipped off her shoes and lay down. She covered herself with the simple blanket but didn't dare crawl between the sheets, already feeling guilty for taking advantage of Emma's kindness. She took out her small travel alarm clock and set it for eleven. She prayed no one found her. Maybe after a good night's sleep, she'd be smarter, be able to figure out what the hell she should do next. For tonight, she was too tired and the bed was too soft.
Travis watched his new waitress curl up on the bed and fall asleep. He had watched her all night as she'd worked. Emma had stopped by after the show to tell him how impressed she was with the new girl's waitressing abilities.
He didn't give a damn about her drink-slinging talents. Travis had been fascinated by her face. She was pretty, but it was the look of determination and—for lack of a better word—hunger that caught his eye. He recognized the exhaustion, the desperation and fear written there. He'd come to know those emotions well. He also felt a definite attraction. That would come as a surprise to Emma, who often accused him of taking the California-girls dream too far. He typically surrounded himself with tall, slim, suntanned blondes. Shea, with her dark hair, pale complexion and curvaceous body, didn't fit that bill.
He'd watched her walk into the women's room on one of the security monitors and been surprised when she didn't come back out. After Bill locked up, he'd waited patiently. She didn't disappoint him. Travis watched her sneak out with flashlight in hand. He picked up his phone, ready to call the police. However, her attire confused him and he paused. She appeared to be dressed in pajamas.
When she walked to the stage and lay down on the bed, he rose, watching her through the two-way glass. That was when he realized her goal wasn't robbery, it was rest.
He stood watching her for nearly half an hour. Once he decided the exhausted girl was deeply asleep, he quietly crept down the stairs at the back of the stage. Shedding his shoes at the foot of the staircase, he padded across the stage until he stood next to her. Dim lighting from his open office door illuminated her face.
Shea Landon. Emma had told Travis her name. While he was typically absent from the main parts of the club, there was very little that happened in the place he didn't know about.
He was curious about the petite woman. Reaching down, he picked up her duffel bag, retrieving the mini-flashlight she'd used earlier. He didn't feel guilty about searching her stuff. After all, the woman was squatting in his club. Best to make sure she didn't have a weapon.
Her bag didn't answer his questions. If anything, it added more. There were several changes of clothing, some toiletries, a wallet and four books—all of them reminding him of the romance novels he'd been reading lately. Who the hell was this woman?
He replaced her things and put the duffel back on the floor. Shea rolled over and curled into a ball, nearly losing her blanket in the process. Travis slowly and carefully pulled the blanket up until it once more covered his sleeping waitress.
He was losing his mind. If he had half a brain, he'd wake her and fire her ass. Shea mumbled something incoherent and he grinned.
"You're going to be trouble, aren't you?" he whispered.
She sighed, but didn't stir.
Fuck it. He wasn't going to fire her. Where was the fun in that?
He climbed the stairs to his office, shutting the door. Usually he headed to his apartment but he didn't want to leave Shea alone. Grabbing a blanket from the chair, he laid down on the couch. For the first time in a long time, he actually felt sleepy, his usual insomnia remaining at bay. His last thought before he drifted to sleep was of Shea. He didn't know who she was, but she'd done something no one had done in a very long time.
Surprised him.
November 15, 2011
Rocky Mountain Heat
Rocky Mountain Heat is coming to Samhain Publishing today! Be sure to check it out. Lots of cowboy hotness in this one. 
He's the one who taught her to ride. Now all he wants is to ride her.
Six Pack Ranch, Book 1
Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble's a western-hat-wearing blonde with slim legs that go on forever, what's a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.
Jaxi has other plans for Blake's hands, and his heart. She may have once considered him a big brother, but that was a long time ago. She's all grown up now and ready to convince him that she's perfect for him. Except he can't seem to see past the big "don't touch" sign that's apparently still hanging around her neck.
When Jaxi ends up living right under Blake's nose, the undeniable heat between them slides off simmer and leaps up to barn-burning levels. However, a few of the younger six-pack Colemans have decided Jaxi's brand of trouble is worth risking a few busted bones.
That is, if Blake's finally ready to let go the reins and fight for what he wants…
This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release.
Product Warnings
Sexy cowboys seducing and being seduced in trucks, pool halls and barns. Droolworthy country charm, a little double-teaming, a few secrets and a whole lot of brothers to look forward to. Anyone wanna go for a ride?
Excerpt:
Chapter One
"I'm fine, boys, stop your fussing." Marion Coleman shook her good hand at the twins as they hovered nearby. "I didn't need the wheelchair. It's a silly hospital policy." She shot to her feet, batting Jesse and Joel away.
Blake offered his help, and she smiled, the edges of her mouth remaining tight and the lines at the corner of her eyes deep. She might make light of the situation but it was clear her arm hurt. A lot. She tucked her fingers around his elbow and dragged him across the hospital parking lot, her rapid pace unhampered by the heavy cast covering her right arm from wrist to shoulder.
They stopped beside one of the huge crew-cab ranch trucks, the twins scrambling into the backseat. Marion stared in disgust at the hand pull she couldn't reach.
"Why did you boys all have to grow to over six feet? None of you own a nice little Jetta or Mustang for me to be able to slide into. Just these monster trucks. I have to use a ladder to reach the seat."
"You fed us too well." Blake worked at remaining gentle as he lifted her to the bench, careful not to jar her arm. He'd closed the door and stepped around to the driver's side before he realized it was impossible for her to buckle her seat belt with the cast in the way. He slid behind the wheel and reached to help her. "Let me get it, Ma. You're going to find things a bit awkward for a spell."
"I hate this." Marion stared past him out the window, a touch of fury in her eyes.
"Maybe you should have waited for help picking the apples," Joel piped up from the backseat.
"She did ask, you jerk, remember?" Jesse said. "First we had to finish the back field before the weekend, then Dad asked us to—"
"This is no one's fault. You boys are all busy, with the hay ready to be cut and the animals to care for. I wanted to get the apples before you had time to help me and, well, I've never fallen out of a tree before in my life. Been climbing that one for years." His mom wiggled around in her seat to shake a finger at her youngest sons. "It was an accident. I don't blame either of you, so don't you think you did something wrong. But now I'm going to need some help. Not only do I have a bushel of apples to deal with, there's the garden that needs to be put up, laundry for the family and the cookin' and…" She returned her gaze to the window. "I've caused a mess, boys, and that's the plain truth."
Blake touched her hand softly. His ma was a hard-working woman and not just at the ranch. She'd toiled beside his father for over thirty years, doing everything inside the house, plus caring for and raising six boys, gardening and dealing with the livestock. In addition to her chores at home, she'd always been there for the community, for newcomers and new babies, and whenever a person needed a helping hand.
Having a broken arm was going to bother her a lot—the pain of it mending, and the annoyance of everything she'd be unable to do for a while. Sitting and watching others work was not her style.
"Well, I guess it's time the neighbours get a chance to show a little lovin' your way and come to give you a hand." Blake hoped she'd actually allow people to step forward.
"Blake Coleman, I've never done anything in my life in the hopes to be repaid."
He backpedaled. "That's not what I meant. We know you do things because you want to help others, Ma, but you've got to accept the friends who come to chip in. I'll do what I can—we all will. Even though we're temporarily back under your roof doesn't mean you have to feed us and tend to our needs. It's not as if we haven't all cared for ourselves before. We're big boys. In fact, you need to let us know what we have to take over for you."
Marion shook her head. "You say you want to help, but when are you going to manage that right now? The fall is the busiest time of year between the animals, the fields and the furniture orders. You can't add my chores to your list. Everyone else in town is just as busy."
She lifted the cast in the air tentatively. "I'll figure out how to work around this. I'll get by."
Blake looked in the rearview mirror and exchanged worried glances with his brothers. Something had to happen. He didn't know who was available, but sooner than later, his ma was right. They were going to need help.
Blake's truck rumbled up the long drive toward the Colemans' ranch house, past the cars in the parking area, right to the head of the circular driveway. News had always traveled fast in small towns, even before the invention of the cell phone. Jaxi turned from the kitchen window she'd been staring out, grabbed her tray of food and headed quietly into the main living area.
The neighbours and community folk who'd stopped in shifted from the living room onto the front porch to watch Mike Coleman approach like a bull headed for his mate. He'd been in Calgary fetching supplies when Marion had fallen. By the time the boys contacted him, there was no time to get to the hospital. Marion was already in a cast and being brought home.
Mike yanked open the truck door, lifted his wife carefully and carried her to the foot of the stairs, ignoring her loud complaints at his behavior.
"I'll carry you whenever I want, woman. Don't you ever scare me like that again." He placed her feet on the ground and held her as close as the awkward cast allowed. One long tender kiss on her forehead followed before he turned her to face the concerned onlookers. "Well, she's still in one piece, folks. I guess she learned to bounce pretty good."
As a few of her friends surrounded Marion to talk, Mike guiding her up the steps, Jaxi slipped away from her perch just inside the door to pour more coffee. She placed a couple of plates piled with cookies and squares on the long family table for people to serve themselves, then snuck back into the kitchen. Mike followed her, a sigh of what sounded suspiciously like relief escaping his lips.
"You're an angel. Thanks for helping on such short notice."
Jaxi grinned. "Mrs. Wade and Mrs. Leaner brought the baking. There are four casseroles in the fridge, and another six in the freezer. If you freeze anything else that arrives—"
"Whoa, girl," Mike interrupted. "I want to talk to you. I chatted with the doctor when he called, and he told me Marion's going to need some assistance for a couple weeks. Around the house and personal like. I'll do what I can, but you've got the training and he recommended you. You have the time to come and help us? It won't require a lot of nursing."
"I'm not a nurse, Mr. Coleman. I do have a first aid certificate."
"And a bit more."
Jaxi nodded. The strange assortment of classes she'd completed at the local college and through correspondence courses over the past couple of years didn't give her a degree. Still, her training had covered many areas. Personal care she could do.
"It's short notice, but Dr. Yale thought you were free."
Jaxi washed her hands in the sink and bent to get a new hand towel from the bottom drawer. "He should know. I've been acting as a nanny for him and Katie, but she's decided to stay home and care for the kids herself. My last day was Friday."
Mike clapped her on the shoulder. "Will you do it? We'll figure out some sort of pay rate for the nursing and such."
She turned to face him, smiling to soften the words. "Please don't talk about paying me. You and Mrs. C have always been there for me, and I'd love to return the favour."
"The thing is, you won't be able to do anything else to earn money. She's going to need you here twenty-four/seven at first. And now that I think of it, there's the garden that needs to be dealt with. I don't want to swindle you. We'll pay. I insist."
Jaxi grabbed another tray from under the sink for the empty plates and cups. "Let's discuss the details later. You go and visit with your neighbours—you know they won't make a lengthy stay. I'm happy to come and help for as long as you need me."
He gave her hand a quick squeeze, then returned to the living room.
Jaxi wandered the main floor, cleaning up and making more coffee. She figured out which of the casseroles to pop in the oven for supper, peeking in the fridge to see what else to feed the horde of hungry men who would descend on the house in a few hours.
Marion's accident had come at an awkward time, with more bodies than usual living under the Coleman roof. Jaxi had wondered when she'd heard Mike had rented out the second family home to a needy newcomer to the community a few weeks ago. The three oldest—Blake, Daniel and Matt—had been living in the nearby house for years. While the twins would return to college dorms in a few weeks, the rest of them, including her ex-boyfriend Travis, worked the Coleman spread with their father. Having all six boys crowded back into their childhood home made for a bizarre flashback—and a lot more work than Marion would be able to keep up with one-handed.
Jaxi finished her tidying and moved to peel the mess of potatoes she'd found soaking in the pantry sink. If she was honest, at least with herself, offering to ease the load for Mrs. Coleman was only part of the reason she'd come over today. The other? It was finally time to make her play. She wanted Blake, and she was ready to do anything to get him to see her as more than the little girl next door.
Others in her high school seemed overly eager to move to Calgary or Edmonton immediately after graduation, desperate to get away from the small town. The ones who returned to visit joked about the lack of culture, the lack of atmosphere, and the lack of everything in Rocky Mountain House. She thought many times it wasn't the location that was screwed up, but their attitudes.
She looked through the window of the rambling house toward the rolling foothills and the high Rockies rising beyond them. The Coleman ranch was set in one of the most beautiful areas in the whole world, yet young people were scrambling over each other to get away.
She knew better. There was nowhere she'd rather be than here.
A warm spot hit her, right in the middle of her chest. It wasn't just the location that made her happy. There was no one she'd rather be with than Blake Coleman. She'd do anything to have him be the one holding her tight. To care for the land at his side. It'd been that way forever. Every time she looked at him, pictured him—heck, dreamed of him—it was enough to get her juices flowing. The man was a hunk of handsome, generous to a fault and smooth in all the right ways.
Jaxi smiled as she dropped the diced potatoes into a pot and swirled cold water over them. She was finally grown up enough there would be less complaining among the gossipmongers. All she'd wanted her whole life was to be a rancher's wife. Blake's wife.
Staying here put her in a great position to let him know how things would go down from now on. He'd been looking ragged around the edges the past couple times she'd seen him in town. He needed a little caring for.
She was more than up for the calling.
"Jaxi? Wow, girl. Mike just told me you planned on lending us a hand for a bit but I never expected you'd…" Marion leaned on the doorframe to the kitchen, the clumsy bulk of her arm held cautiously in front of her. The older woman grinned and the expression took years off her face. "Well, actually, yes, I did expect you to jump in and make yourself at home. Your momma going to miss you if you bunk here with us?"
"No, ma'am. I've been living at the Yales' place since the spring so she's fine with the occasional visit. I'm all yours," Jaxi said.
"Good. We'll have to see about where to tuck you. The upstairs bedrooms are all full with the twins still here for another few weeks. We can put you in the guest cabin or in the den downstairs, or move one of the other boys from their room in the basement. The cabin is the most private."
"It's also a lot farther away if you need me quick. I really don't mind the den."
Marion sniffed. "I can get Daniel or Blake to move."
Jaxi shook a hand at her. "Please don't do that. I don't need much space for my stuff." Jaxi popped the potatoes on the stove and set the heat to boil. "For supper, there's a green bean casserole from the Thiessens and a large pot of stew from the Laings. You got salad fixings in the garden?"
"Some. I'll go—"
"You'll do no such thing. How are you going to pick cucumbers and lettuce with one hand? I can get everything in the oven and warming in five minutes. You stay and watch the potatoes don't boil over." Jaxi pulled herself up sharp before turning a guilty smile on the other woman. "Not that I plan on bossing you around in your own kitchen or anything."
Marion laughed out loud. "Oh, Jaxi, it's good to have you here." She tugged Jaxi in close for a hug, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "You go right ahead and boss all you want. I'll warn you if you step over the line. I consider you a part of this family, you know that, don't you?"
Jaxi glided around, prepping things for supper. She grabbed the garden pail and hurried through the back door. From Marion's lips to God's ears.
