Allie Bock's Blog, page 13
July 4, 2020
Sunnydale Saturday: My Cowboy Crush Chapter 2
Welcome back for Chapter 2 of My Cowboy Crush. If you missed Chapter 1, follow this link. Chapter 3 will be posted next week Saturday. If you enjoy it, it is on sale right now where you buy your ebooks (Buy Me). It is also free on Smashwords for the month of July. Follow the link on the side bar!
Chapter 2 Katie
I clutched the binder and iternary to my chest. My heart pounded so hard I thought others could hear it. Levi was going to help me take pictures. He was going to help me take pictures of people, at a wedding.
I didn't know which one was more anxiety-producing. The handsome cowboy with his shaggy black hair and dark grey eyes, taking pictures of people, or hoping that everything turned out great because these were once in a lifetime wedding photos. I searched in my pocket for a Tums. No luck. Levi walked to the archway where his mother was attaching balloons to it. His jeans looked good on his long legs. What was I thinking? Get it together, Katie. He was not my type. He'd never noticed me before, even when I had a huge crush on him in high school. Those were the days. My tongue swelled in my mouth and my throat closed up whenever he glanced my way. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I headed outside to my truck. The noon sun beat down on the asphalt and heat rose from the surface. It was going to be a scorcher this weekend. It was always hot in south Texas on the Fourth of July.
"I should've worn shoes," I muttered to myself as my flip flops slapped the pavement.
The heat started to burn the bottom of my feet. Finally, I reached my beat-up old truck. The paint was peeling from the doors and an old dent stood out on the tailgate. I pulled out my camera and checked the lens. Everything was in my bag. Annie was lucky I traveled with my camera at all times. The perfect picture could happen at any time. I slung the nylon strap over my head and opened the binder on the hood of my truck. There were pictures of people posing by trees, in long grass, by a waterfall, being backlit, and close-ups.
"She doesn't do anything halfway, does she?"
"No, she doesn't." The low timbre of his voice jolted me from my thoughts.
"Don't sneak up on a girl." My hand flew to my chest to contain my galloping heart.
"It's impossible to sneak wearing spurs." He set one booted foot on the tire of my truck and leaned toward the binder. The spur in question glinted in the sunlight. "She has a lot of ideas." He turned the page. "Are you going to get all of these?"
I shrugged. "I've to check out the park first and see what would work."
"Ma'am, I am at your service." He bowed low, sweeping his hat from his head.
He winked as he straightened to his full height. He was a whole head taller than me. Most men were as I was barely five foot three. The grey in his eyes was the color of storm clouds on a winter day. He gently touched my shoulder, jerking me back to reality.
"Katie, are you ok?"
"Yep, never better." I snapped the binder shut, grabbed my backpack from the passenger seat, and placed the binder in it. "Let's get started, cowboy."
I marched off to the grove of trees beside the pavilion. Levi's spurs jingled with each step he took as he followed behind me. I sighed. It was going to be a long weekend.
A few hundred yards away from the pavilion was a small stand of oak trees. Their trunks twisted to the sun while pale green lichen grew on their bark. These weren't the stately oaks of the east, but their wiry, scrappy cousins. They fought against drought, extreme heat, and pests. The trees intertwined in a complicated dance with their branches reaching out over an open space. I marked off the area and framed it out in my mind. I took a couple of practice shots, but without people, it would be hard to tell.
"Levi," I turned to where he stood, leaning against a tree. "Can you stand between the trees? I need to be able to gauge the lighting."
His brow furrowed at my request.
"The wedding will be in just over 24 hours from now. The light will be similar. Please."
He slowly made his way to the center of the trees and shoved his hands in his pockets. I snapped a picture. I groaned when I looked at it on the screen. It was awful.
"No, stand like this." I placed my hands on his shoulders to turn his body.
Electricity ran up my arms. A half-smile pulled at his lips as he watched me. A blush spread up my neck as I turned him this way and that.
"Now, stay like that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” A grin cocked on his lips.
I shook my head as I marched back to my spot and took some more pictures. The butterflies in my stomach danced. Keep your focus, Katie. I moved from side to side and changed the height of my shot. He flexed his biceps, placed one foot on an imaginary rock, fanned himself with his hat. His antics helped me to relax as I worked on getting the best exposures. I jotted down which ones worked well all the while trying to hide the growing amusement as he clowned around. He leaned against a tree and used his cowboy hat to cover his face, pretending to fall asleep. Soft snore came from him. I crouched down to get a different angle. A flash of red caught my eye.
"Let's go over there." I pointed to a rose-covered archway.
I strode down the path and around a bend. The archway stood at the end of the path. The scent of roses filled the air. A small bench sat under the arch. A bubbling of water drew my attention to a quaint water fountain. It was the centerpiece of this quiet sanctuary in the park.
"This is perfect." I blew out a breath.
I brought my camera up to look at it through the lens. I needed to back up to get enough of the arch. I bumped into a solid mass. His spicy scent washed over me as his hand grasped my elbow to steady me. My breath caught in my throat.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear. "Where do you want me?"
A shiver ran down my body as my stomach twisted into a knot. I twisted around to meet his eyes. He smiled down at me. The skin wrinkled at the corners of his eyes. His hat shielded his face.
"Under the arch." I stepped away from his touch and pointed to the bench. "Sit on the bench, please."
He settled on the bench, resting his boot heels on the seat. He winked at me before closing his eyes and leaning back on the seat. The angle was not right. It distorted the picture. I needed to get up higher. I stepped up on the edge of the fountain. The next few shots of the cowboy in the archway were almost perfection. My anxiety over the wedding gradually dissipated as I took another picture. As long as the handsome cowboy kept his distance, my heart might stay whole.
LeviI closed my eyes to enjoy the sunshine as she capered about taking pictures of me under the arch. The smell of roses overwhelmed my senses. I brought my hat over my eyes as I pretended to be anywhere else but here. Somewhere I didn't have to drag my gaze from the beautiful woman engrossed in her pictures. Her nose wrinkled as she concentrated, her blouse gapped when she squatted down, and her jeans hugged her curves nicely. It was getting hard not to notice her, especially when we touched and it felt like my whole body was magnetized to hers. She mumbled to herself, breaking the silence. I cracked one eye open to watch her as she balanced on the edge of the fountain. If she fell in, it would make it hard to look away.
"Levi, wake up. I'm done here. Let's go over there." She hopped off the stones and walked to a large open grassy area
I groaned as I slowly got up and stretched. My watch read a little after 1:00 PM.
"Yes, ma’am," I called after her.
She waved her hand in the air and kept going. Man, she looked good, walking away. Curves in all the right places. I wondered if she has a boyfriend wherever she’s living. A jolt of jealousy shot through me. Why did it matter to me if she had someone? But it did matter. I jogged after her. My spurs jiggling with every step.
Until next week! Happy Fourth of July!
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July 1, 2020
Insecure Writer's Support Group July
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
July 1 question - There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?
The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet @ Roaming About, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!
Here are my thoughts!
I haven't been in the industry very long so I don't have a lot to say on this subject. I guess I am excited to see where audio books go with AI narration. I really would love to see more of the wide platforms really do better. Amazon having a large control of the US ebook market is a little scary with what they can do to authors, but that is one of the reasons my books are wide.
Where do you see the industry in the next decade?
June 30, 2020
The Billionaire's Dog Walker Scene 4
I start Vivian and Trevor's story several months ago and it kind of fell by the wayside. I decided to pick it up again and maybe finish it. I am going to try (Crossing my fingers) to post a scene every Tuesday. Here are Scene 1, Scene 2, and Scene 3 to refresh your memory. Then Scene 4 is at the bottom. Happy reading!!!
Scene 1
Vivian
I woke to a bright and sunny morning after spending all night unpacking my new apartment. It wasn’t much, definitely a downgrade from my previous place. The building was built in the 1940’s. The outside brick was faded and chipped. My neighbor’s pipes creaked as he started his shower. The footsteps of several children pounded on the ceiling above my bed. I stretched my arms above my head before hitting the OFF button on the alarm. This was the first day of my new life and I was excited to start it. I jumped out of bed, pulled on my cargo pants and a sweatshirt, and tied my hair up into a knot. Whistling, I ran down the three flights of creaky stairs to the sidewalk outside.
The morning sun beat down taking out the little chill of the autumn air. People hurried on by. Some drinking coffee, others buried in their newspapers. Blaring of horns punctuated the air. I pulled my hood up to block the wind and headed the ritzy residential neighborhood a few minutes away.
A chill crept into me by the time I found number 304 Mullberry Boulevard. The houses were giant and stacked close together without any yards. A black Porsche parked in front of the door. I rang the doorbell, which echoed throughout the house. The wind picked up nipping at my ears and burning my cheeks. I stomped my feet. The door swung open and a large, broad shouldered man filled the doorway. My breath caught at him, but then again it might be the cold. I really should've gotten some coffee. He was wearing an Italian suit and had a bluetooth in his ear.
“Sarah, I’ll call you back.” He turned his attention to me. His eyes roved from my head to my tennis shoes. “Can I help you?” He crossed his arms and glared at me.
“Mr. Trevor Donne?” I extended my hand. “I’m Vivian from Viv’s Dog Walking.” He nodded but did not take my hand. “Okay, no shaking hands.” I muttered. “Is Champ ready to go for his walk?”
“Can a little girl, like you, handle a large dog?” A sneer marred his pretty face. His muscles bulged as I stared him in the eyes. The pulse jumped at the base of his neck.
“I will manage. He’s not my first large, unruly dog.”
“Fine, I’ll go get him. I’ll pay you when you return.”
A few minutes later, the door opened and a large Rhodesian Ridgeback leapt at me. His giant pink tongue licked every inch of my windburned face. I clicked the leash on to him and set out for the thirty minute walk his owner wanted. He pulled hard and chased every squirrel. Champ did not lollygag around. By the time we made it back, my hands were sore, shoulders ached, and the bottom of my sneakers were worn out. I rang the doorbell on 304, again.
Trevor answered right away. He took in my windblown hair and red cheeks. His dog sat obediently next to me, his tongue rolling out of his mouth.
“Come in, Vivian.” The invitation startled me, but the warmth was welcomed. I stepped into the foyer and rubbed my hands together. His eyes squinted as he looked at me. “I have a business proposition for you if you’re interested.”
“Um,” I squinted back at him. “What kind of proposition?”
“I need a date tonight for the gala for my charity.”
Taken aback, I crossed my arms. “I’m a dog walker. Not a call girl.”
The first real smile tugged at his lips. “No, I need a date, not a call girl. Let’s get coffee and discuss it.” He ushered me into the kitchen.
From <https://www.alliebock.com/2020/01/the-billionaires-dog-walk.html>
Scene 2
Vivian
The sun was shining brightly but then it had turned out be a beautiful day for October in Chicago. My first day as a dog walker went by fast, but I had the satisfaction of exhaustion from physical labor. After walking Trevor Donne’s large, unruly canine, I had six more appointments. My feet ached, my shoulders were sore, and my lips chapped from the strong winds. I collapsed on to a park bench to catch a few rays before dragging myself home. The sun’s warmth was welcome on my face as I closed my eyes to savor it. The laughter of children filled the air, the swings creaked on their chains, and birds chirped. The hotdog stand had just started cooking the dogs for the afternoon. My stomach rumbled at the smell of cooking hotdogs. I sighed and threw my arms over the back of the bench. The ache in my shoulders eased, slightly.
A shadow blocked out the sun, causing a shiver to race through my body. I cracked an eye open to see who dared to interrupt my break. A large, heavily muscled man dressed in a black suit stared down at me.
“Miss Vivian?” The beard covering his face barely moved when he spoke.
I cocked an eyebrow at him. My heart thundered at the sight of him and my palms went clammy, even though it was cold. Play it cool, Viv. You’re in a park. What’s he going to do to you?
“Yah, that’s me. What do you want?”
“Mr. Donne sent me.” He crossed his arms before nodding to a sleek black car.
“Why?” I was instantly alert. We had agreed to meet at the event this evening. “How did you know where I was?” I jumped to my feet and spoke in my most demanding senior clinician voice.
He paled a little bit and raised his hands as I stalked closer to him. I glared at him with everything I had in my 5’2” self.
“I’ve followed you.”
“All day!” And I hadn’t even noticed! I didn’t know what was came out stronger my anger at Trevor Donne for having me tailed or myself for not even noticing. I paced back and forth in front of the bench. I needed to up my game. This wasn’t the quiet town I was used to. Anyone could’ve been following me. A serial killer, a rapist,... or a really large guy driving a black car.
“Miss, we should be going.” He interrupted my internal scolding. “Mr. Donne wanted me to take you shopping.”
“Shopping? I have clothes.”
At that, a small smile broke his face. His eyes went from my dirt smudged sneakers to my paw print covered pants to my windblown hair. For a moment he looked like he didn’t know what to say, then a genuine smile spread out under the bushy growth.
“You need a dress.”
“I HAVE dresses.” Not really, I had one black dress that I used to wear out with my girlfriends and... a white dress that will never be worn. So, yes, technically I have two dresses. It was my turn to smirk and cross my arms.
He took a step toward me and reached out for my elbow but stopped a few inches away.
“I was told to take you shopping for an appropriate dress tonight.” His voice was stern and gravelly. “Mr. Donne wants you to be suitably dressed.”
I tossed my hair to the side and opened my mouth to tell him exactly how I felt about that.
“Please, miss, just try on some dresses. If you don’t, he will dock it out of my pay.”
Rats, I don’t know this man from Adam but what if he needed every bit of his salary.
“Fine.” I marched to the waiting black car.
Shopping with the man whose name was Carl turned out to be fun. We went to this high end boutique where I tried on dresses that cost more than a year of rent. Then, Carl took me to a salon. I was pampered with in an inch of my life. A massage, a mani, a pedi, and a facial. Then, my hair was coiffed into an elaborate up-do and my make up professionally applied. Afterwards, he dropped me off at my apartment to relax a bit before promising to pick me up in an hour.
Exactly sixty minutes later, the door bell sounded in my tiny home. I rushed to answer the door, wobbling in my red stilettos. I swung it open. Carl’s gruff face broke into a grin as he took in the new me.
“Quite a bit different than earlier.” He held up my jacket to help me into it.
“There was a lot of work to go into it.”
He chuckled as he took my elbow to steady me down the stairs. A long black limo waited at the curb,
“We’re going in that?” I whispered.
He nodded as he opened the door for me. My heart sank as I glanced into the back of the limo. It was empty.
“Mr. Donne had to arrive early to make sure everything was ready.”
I nodded as I slid into the back. The inside smelled of brand new leather and the seats were plush. A bottle of champagne sat in a silver bucket of ice.
“Help yourself. It’ll take some time to get to the gala.” Carl said before sliding into the passenger seat up front.
The limo ride was fun. I drank some champagne and watched the lights of the city roll by. Butterflies danced in my stomach as I adjusted the red dress. It was a soft silk that hugged my curves while the back was nonexistent and front plunged to a deep V. A long slit went up the side and made me feel very exposed. I wasn’t even sure how this thing stayed where it was supposed to but Carl and the sales woman assured me it was absolutely right for tonight.
The limo pulled up in front of the entrance. White columns lined the front and a carpet covered walkway led up to the doors. On either side, cameras flashed and people shouted. Carl opened my door and helped me out of the limo. Flashes blinded me and the roar of the crowd overwhelmed me. My heart raced, blood pounded in my ears, and my ankles wobbled in my new shoes. What was I doing? I made to turn back to the limo when a tall broad-shouldered man in an elegant black and white suit gripped my elbow. His blue eyes sparkled at me and a grin tugged at the corner of his lips. His artfully styled black hair and a face of an angel made my heart pound in a different way than before. Suddenly, my voice froze and I couldn’t move. Trevor Donne, in all of his glory.
He leaned down with his mouth inches from my ear. Tingles raced down my spine as he said, “You look beautiful.” He placed my hand at his elbow and led me into the gala.
From <https://www.alliebock.com/2020/02/the-billionaires-dog-walker-2.html>
Scene 3
It was Friday, time for the weekend to begin. I’d been looking forward to spending some time by myself exploring my new city, coming to grips as to where the journey of my life had taken me. But no, instead, I’d been dressed up in a fancy ballgown, escorted across the city, to go to a gala with a man I’d just met this morning.
Flashes of the cameras brought me back to the present. Mr. Donne had me my the elbow and was whispering something in my ear. The cameras flashed again and my heel caught on the carpet. It snagged, throwing my body forward. A strong arm wrapped me around my waist to hold me upright.
“Easy there,”” he purred into my ear. “You don’t want to give the tabloids fun things to write about.”
What? The tabloids. My stomach sunk like a stone to my feet as my heart hammered in my chest.
“Whoa, no need to panic.” His blue eyes searched mine. “I was just joking.”
Joking or not, this was not good. “I can’t be in the papers or magazines,” I whispered out of the side of my mouth. My eyes darted from one side to the other as we stepped into the ballroom. It was elegantly decorated and a band played a soft tune in the corner. I should’ve been excited but instead my brain screamed run away. “Pictures wasn’t part of the deal.” I freed my arm from his grasp. “I need to leave.”
He took a step back and his piercing blue eyes searched my face. In my other life, I’d be enjoying every moment in this man’s company. Not anymore, I saw an exit sign and made to go to that.
“Wait. Don’t leave.” His hand engulfed mine, pulling me back to him. Tingles of electricity ran up my arm and my cheeks heated as he came near. “If it’s the pictures, I’ll have my assistant buy their silence.”
“I wish it were so easy.” I shook my head, “I’m supposed to keep myself invisible.”
A frown crossed his brow. “Why?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. Do I trust him? I trusted the last man who promised to take care of me and look where I ended up. Making up my mind, I stepped closer to him. Standing on my tiptoes, I whispered, “I’m in witness protection.”
From <https://www.alliebock.com/2020/04/the-billionaires-dog-walker-scene-3.html>
Scene 4 - Vivian
"You're in what?" He asked in disbelief, his voice dropped and sent shivers down my spine. His hand tightened on mine sending little electric bolts up my arm as he dragged me into an alcove, away from any prying eyes. The band started playing on stage. "Why didn't you say something this morning?"
I played with the silver earrings and scuffed the toe of my shoe on the marble floor. "Um, I didn't realize that there would be photographers here."
He chuckled in my ear. "There are always paparazzi where I am. Do you not know who I am?"
I shook my head. How was I to know who he was, I just moved here yesterday? I gasped as I realized I said the words out loud, but looking at his smirk he wasn't offended.
"I didn't mean to say that out loud." I muttered, a heat rising up my neck.
"Are you a bad guy or a good guy?" He blocked me in with his large body so there was no way to escape.
"I am a naïve bystander that tried to help someone." I twisted a lock of hair behind my ears. "I wish I hadn't." That wasn't exactly true. Being a doctor, I had to help the girl; I wished she wasn't tied up in the mess that she was and now I am too from what I'd seen.
He mulled it over for a bit; his eyes boring into mine as he contemplated my words. "Alright," he looked me up and down. "I don't know if anyone will recognize you with how you look right now. I certainly didn't. It's a nice change from the ratty jeans and sweatshirt you were wearing this morning."
I shifted my weight from foot to foot. Where was he going with this? When could I leave?
"How about you stay here with me and my assistant will okay all the photographs that will be used? We can screen the photos to make sure you don't appear in a full frontal."
"What if someone recognizes me anyway?" I chewed on my lower lip.
His eyes darkened as he stared down at me, his thumb pressed on my lower lip. "No one messes with my people."
My heart pounded as my head got light headed "Your people?" I whispered.
"I hired you and I'll protect you. Come on Vivian, let's dance." His voice lowered causing tingles of excitement to race through my abdomen.
Could I trust him? Was it safe? No, life for me was no longer safe. Maybe I could pretend it was for one night.
I slid my hand into his, earning a brief twitch of his lips as he escorted me to the dance floor.
June 27, 2020
Sunnydale Saturday: My Cowboy Crush, Chapter 1
I though it would be a fun to share my books and the world of Sunnydale with you on Saturday mornings. Who doesn't love cowboys in the morning? Today, we are starting with My Cowboy Crush as Katie is surprised by what she has to do for her friend's wedding!
Chapter 1 Katie
I strode up the stone pathway to the white doors of the park pavilion. Nerves shook my body causing my palms to be clammy, my heart pounded, and my body to sweat more than normal. Breathe, Katie. You’ve got this.I closed my eyes for a second to steel my nerves. Then, I pushed open the doors with a loud screech. Swarms of women scurried around the large open room. No one noticed me as I took another step inside. A large breath escaped as I scanned the room for the one person I was looking for.
“Katie, you finally made it!” The bride-to-be rushed at me from the center of the room.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch us. My anxiety skyrocketed, making my chest hurt. I rubbed at my sternum as I took in another breath. They paused for a moment before resuming their decorating.
“Um, I just got here.”
The bride-to-be, Annie, wrapped me into a big hug and bounced up and down.
“I’m getting married!” She screeched.
I winced at the pitch, but I couldn’t help smiling at the other woman. Her shiny black hair bounced around her shoulders. It contrasted nicely with her ivory lace dress and faded cowboy boots.
“I’m just so glad you are here,” she whispered in my ear, “Come on.”
She took my hand and led me to the far corner. She opened a small door and shoved me into a dark closet. The door shut softly behind her with a click. The dust tickled my nose as the moldy smell suffocated me.
“What are we doing in here?” A sneeze erupted from my nose.
I covered my mouth and nose with my hand. My eyes adjusted to the darkness. Cobwebs suspended in the corners. A couple of discarded folding chairs leaned against the back wall. A large yellow spider dropped from the ceiling and hung inches above her head as she leaned close to me.
“I need your help.” Her blue eyes grew wide as they searched my face.
“OK.” Where is she going with this? Is that spider going to drop on to her head?
“Katie, pay attention.”
“Sorry, there’s a big spider up there.”
“Don’t worry about the spider. I need your help.”
“You’ve said that.”
“My wedding photographer is in the hospital.”
“Oh no.” I gasped, inhaling a breath of dust. Coughing. “Is everything alright?"
"Her baby was born a preemie. They are both still in the hospital. I know that this is a lot to ask, but you’re the only one that can help me.” Tears glistened in the corner of her eyes. “Can you, please, take pictures of the wedding? For me?”
I backed up until my back hit the wall. A shower of dust fell onto my shoulders. The large yellow spider scuttled back up her silk to hide in the rafters.
“Um, doesn’t she have a backup?” I coughed and sputtered in the dust.
“It was supposed to be her partner but she got thrown from a horse and broke a leg. I need you to do it.”
I glanced around but there was no way out. My palms started to sweat, again.
“But I only do landscape and nature photography.” Panic rose in my chest.
“Please.” She clasped my hands in hers.
“But photographing people is hard. They don’t listen to me.” My hands shook. “The lighting has to be perfect. Everyone needs to be looking at the camera.” My thoughts jumped ahead and I got lost in them for a minute. “Plus, it’s a wedding. I’ve never done a wedding before!”
“But you do such beautiful work. How hard would it be to add people to your landscapes?”
How hard indeed? “People” My voice sounded weak to my ears. My mind trudged like it was stuck in fudge. “It’s not really in my wheelhouse. Or even within a hundred miles.”
“Please, say you’ll do it for me? It’s my wedding, I need this to be perfect.”
I nodded. That didn’t make me feel any better. But this was a big deal for Annie. And she had always been a big supporter of my work.
“I want this to go well. If you do it, you’ll be saving the day.” She pleaded.
My heart sunk at her words. Annie was always good at getting me to do things for her. She knew what buttons to push to get me to cave. And she did need help.
“Fine, I’ll do it.”
She squealed and gave me another hug before opening the closet door.
“Perfect! Here is a list of pictures I want to be done.” She thrust a large binder into my hands. “See what you can do. Here’s the itinerary for the wedding. And I’ll get you an assistant.” She bustled away.
An assistant? I sat down on a nearby bench as my head swam. My relaxing weekend away to see my old babysitter get married just turned into the stuff of my nightmares.
LeviI slapped the dust from my cowboy hat before shoving it on my head. I loved my sister, but the whole wedding nonsense drove me crazy. I’d rather be branding two hundred calves than delivering Annie’s wayward balloons. But here I was. My fist grabbed a hunk of ribbon and tugged the fifty white and ivory balloons. They fought for freedom, blocking my view as I stumbled my way into the pavilion. I fumbled for the doorknob until the door opened and I stepped into the large room. A couple of balloons stuck to the door frame, stopping my forward progress. I turned to pull them into the room. With a loud squeak, they released from the door frame. I stumbled backward, my arms flailed, and balloons floated to the ceiling. With a thud and a soft cry, someone broke my momentum. We went down in a pile of arms and legs.
“Levi, are you OK?”
Annie bent over me as she extracted the woman underneath me. She was curvy with bouncy blonde hair. She straightened her skirt before looking at me. Her blue eyes widened when our gazes met. The breath caught in my throat as recognition dawned on me.
“You remember Katie Kisment?” Annie flung an arm over the girl’s shoulders.
“Of course.” I swept my cowboy hat from my head as my heart thundered in my chest. “It’s good to see you.”
A pretty blush colored her cheeks. Boy, has she grown up. I haven’t seen her for five years when she went off to college. Back then, she was a shy teenager who’d barely say hi to me. She dyed her pretty blonde hair black and wore baggy black clothes. She didn’t smile much and hid behind chunky black glasses. I preferred her current natural blonde and blue glasses. She looked lovely and my body responded to her. I could stare into her blue eyes forever.
“Earth to Levi.” Annie waved her hand in front of my face.
“Yup.” I drew my gaze from the stunning beauty next to her and collected the balloons I could reach.
“Katie needs an assistant for the wedding. And I need you to help her.”
I froze in mid-reach. I loved my sister but I was trying to stay out of the wedding. I just wanted to shine my boots and walk my mother down the aisle.
“What?” I stuttered.
“She’s going to be my photographer since my original one is in the hospital. She needs help and you’re going to help her.” She poked me in the chest, hard. She spun on her heel and stalked off to torment someone else.
I caught the last balloon before turning to Katie. Her eyes were wide and her mouth opened into a little O. I smiled at her as she wrung her hands together.
“I don’t know anything about being a photographer’s assistant.”
“That’s fine.” A smile tugged at her lips. “I’ve never done a wedding.” She stage whispered, causing me to laugh.
“That makes two of us. I’ll take these over to my mom.” I motioned to the grey-haired woman by the archway. “Then, I am at your beck and call.” I winked at her as I walked past.
My head spun as I crossed the room. I had to spend the next thirty-six hours being with the one girl I’ve crushed on. The one girl that was off-limits, because I worked for her family. There were three rules to working on the Kisment ranch. No fighting, no drugs, and no dating their only daughter. It was shaping up to be a long wedding. I had to live the next several hours without losing my heart or my job.
Stay tuned for next week installments. You can buy this book HERE!June 24, 2020
Book Review: The Marriage Pact by Linda Lael Miller
Book Blurb:
The women of Bliss County are ready to meet the men of their dreams! See how it all begins in this enthralling new series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller...
Ten years ago, Hadleigh Stevens was eighteen and this close to saying "I do," when Tripp Galloway interrupted her walk down the aisle. Now that she's recovered from her youthful mistake and Tripp's interference, Hadleigh and her single friends form a marriage pact. She doesn't expect Tripp to meddle with her new plan to find Mr. Right—or to discover that she's more attracted to him than ever!
Divorced and eager to reconnect with his cowboy roots, Tripp returns to Bliss County to save his ailing father's ranch. He's not looking for another wife—certainly not his best friend's little sister. But he's never been able to forget Hadleigh. And this time, if she ends up in his arms, he won't be walking away!
Book Review:
Linda is one of my favorite western romance authors. I fell in love with her writing in college when I read her McKettrick Brothers series. This story is very cute and gives me the soft happy feels.
Hadleigh has had a secret crush on Tripp for years but never acted on it. Tripp has hidden feelings for her too, but thinks they are because she is his best friend's kid sister. In an effort to grab Tripp's attention, Hadleigh attempts to marry the town loser. Tripp stops the wedding, but proceeds to break Hadleigh's heart. Fast forward several years, Hadleigh and her girlfriends make a wedding pact only to marry for true love and not to settle. Isn't that sweet? Then, Tripp moves back into town, and you can guess what happens next.
Overall, this isn't one of her best works. The story just goes along like everyday life, and I found the side characters to be much more interesting than the two main characters. Tripp's dad is hilarious and I would read the rest of the series just to read about her best friends. She throws in a red herring when the town loser shows up about 2/3 of way through the book for one scene and makes threats but he never carries through with them. The reader never sees him again. The tension was too little for me. If you like books that are happy and don't have a lot of angst, this is the one for you.
June 17, 2020
Book Review: Anything for You by Jessie Gussman
Book Blurb:
After the circus she works for goes bankrupt, Jillian Powell takes advantage of a dubious family connection.
The little farm in Pennsylvania that belongs to her “cousin” is a safe haven for Jillian, and she’s sure no one will ever uncover the incriminating truth she’s hiding…
…until an elephant shows up on her doorstep.
By-the-book animal control officer, McKoy Rodning, is thrown for a loop when an elephant crashes his best friend’s wedding.
He’s even more confused when the exotic Jillian evades all of his questions about permits and regulations. All he knows for sure is that she’s emphatic about reuniting the depressed animal with her elephant sister.
McCoy finds himself uncharacteristically bending the rules to help Jillian, risking both his job and upcoming promotion. When her secret is exposed, he's faced with following the rules or following his heart.
Book Review:
Jessie Gussman is one of my favorite sweet and clean writers. I always feel better after reading one of her stories and I almost always fall in love with the characters.
I picked this story to read as an ARC for City Owl Press. They seem like a pretty cool group of authors and publishers.
Anyway, I chose this story to read because of the blurb. I love elephants and I think it would be really cool to be an elephant trainer, and I also love the circus. My grandparents would take my brothers and I to Baraboo, WI to see the Ringling Brothers when their circus came home. I was excited to read about an elephant trainer finding love. The story itself was good. It did have a tendency to be a little slow in the first half that I almost set it down, but then it picked up steam after the 60% mark. Jillian had smuggled her way into the States where she found a place to open a boarding kennel; while, McKoy was the animal control officer in town. She had to overcome her distrust of authority figures; even though, he had been a complete gentleman the whole time. He had abandonment issues and never thought himself interesting enough to catch a girl like Jillian. But this is a romance, so we all know how it ends. Without giving the story away, there were enough plot twists and surprises thrown in once you got halfway through the book to keep me turning the pages.
I would say that usually Jessie has an underlying theme in her stories, and some are more subtle than others. The struggles of people trying to get into the States for a better life was front and center throughout the story. It lent a heavier feel to the book than what she normally has.
Overall, this was a good story. It is very different than her ranchers in North Dakota as it's tone is not as carefree and happy as they are. I did enjoy it and can't wait to read the rest in this series.
June 13, 2020
Falling for My Cowboy Release Day!
My book released today! Yah!!! Below are buy links and a sneak peek. If you like it please leave a review!
Melanie
The sign said twenty miles to Sunnydale, TX and the nearest gas station. As I glanced down at my fuel gauge, the empty light flashed at me. Like I didn’t know my car was starving; we were all starving! The last stop was over a hundred miles back, and I forgot to buy food. My stomach growled at me the minute I thought about all the things I didn’t buy. I rubbed my abdomen in a circular motion trying to ease the hunger pains.
“Well, Benny, I hope we can make it.”
I glanced over at my Beagle and rubbed his long brown ears. He was the best co-pilot a girl could ask for as he never complained about my driving or my choice in music. Benny opened his one good eye, giving me a long look before he yawned and went back to sleep. He didn’t have a care in the world.
“I wish I had your life,” I muttered to him before turning back to the stretch of highway.
The empty light stopped flashing as my car started to spit and sputter.
“No! No! Come on! We only have a few more miles to go.”
With a last sigh, the car died as I guided it over to the shoulder of the road. I pounded my hands on the steering wheel in frustration, silently seething inside. I pulled out my cell phone, but all it said was “Searching for Service”.
A tightness started in my chest and tears filled my eyes. Come on, Melanie, hold yourself together. The tears leaked out, running hot trails down my cheeks. Not this too, on top of everything. My retreat to my best friend stymied by a lack of fuel in my gas tank. Just perfect. What to do now? I looked over at Benny. He curled into a little brown ball, squeezing his one eye shut, totally ignoring me.
“Well, buddy, I guess we are going to have to hoof it to town.” I wiped at my tears and blotted my mascara. “No need to have coon eyes as we walk into Sunnydale” I muttered to myself.
I strained for his leash and my purse, both of which had slid under the seat. Next, I searched for some sneakers, or boots, or anything besides my cute strappy sandals. But, alas, in my haste to leave I’d only packed those super cute sandals and a couple of pairs of heels. What was I thinking! Stupid, Melanie. Just stupid. I grabbed the sandals without a heel, blew my bangs out of my eyes, and clipped on Benny’s leash to start my trek into town. I sure hope Sunnydale is more than just a one-horse town.
The sweltering heat plowed into me when I stepped out of the car and onto the road: immediately, the sweat beaded on my back and ran down my body.
“Why is it so hot in South Texas? It’s not even noon.” I complained to Benny.
Of course, he didn’t care. He was too busy sniffing all around, making happy little noises in his throat the way Beagles do as he explored the large cacti, flowers, and jackrabbit trails. The sun continued to beat down as we walked. Thirty minutes later, my shoulders were burnt and the dirt clung between my toes while I dabbed the sweat from my eyes. How did everything fall apart? Where was my life going? Sunnydale could not get here fast enough.
Falling for My Cowboy Sneak Peak!
I have a sneak peak on my book coming out on Monday!
Melanie
The sign said twenty miles to Sunnydale, TX and the nearest gas station. As I glanced down at my fuel gauge, the empty light flashed at me. Like I didn’t know my car was starving; we were all starving! The last stop was over a hundred miles back, and I forgot to buy food. My stomach growled at me the minute I thought about all the things I didn’t buy. I rubbed my abdomen in a circular motion trying to ease the hunger pains.
“Well, Benny, I hope we can make it.”
I glanced over at my Beagle and rubbed his long brown ears. He was the best co-pilot a girl could ask for as he never complained about my driving or my choice in music. Benny opened his one good eye, giving me a long look before he yawned and went back to sleep. He didn’t have a care in the world.
“I wish I had your life,” I muttered to him before turning back to the stretch of highway.
The empty light stopped flashing as my car started to spit and sputter.
“No! No! Come on! We only have a few more miles to go.”
With a last sigh, the car died as I guided it over to the shoulder of the road. I pounded my hands on the steering wheel in frustration, silently seething inside. I pulled out my cell phone, but all it said was “Searching for Service”.
A tightness started in my chest and tears filled my eyes. Come on, Melanie, hold yourself together. The tears leaked out, running hot trails down my cheeks. Not this too, on top of everything. My retreat to my best friend stymied by a lack of fuel in my gas tank. Just perfect. What to do now? I looked over at Benny. He curled into a little brown ball, squeezing his one eye shut, totally ignoring me.
“Well, buddy, I guess we are going to have to hoof it to town.” I wiped at my tears and blotted my mascara. “No need to have coon eyes as we walk into Sunnydale” I muttered to myself.
I strained for his leash and my purse, both of which had slid under the seat. Next, I searched for some sneakers, or boots, or anything besides my cute strappy sandals. But, alas, in my haste to leave I’d only packed those super cute sandals and a couple of pairs of heels. What was I thinking! Stupid, Melanie. Just stupid. I grabbed the sandals without a heel, blew my bangs out of my eyes, and clipped on Benny’s leash to start my trek into town. I sure hope Sunnydale is more than just a one-horse town.
The sweltering heat plowed into me when I stepped out of the car and onto the road: immediately, the sweat beaded on my back and ran down my body.
“Why is it so hot in South Texas? It’s not even noon.” I complained to Benny.
Of course, he didn’t care. He was too busy sniffing all around, making happy little noises in his throat the way Beagles do as he explored the large cacti, flowers, and jackrabbit trails. The sun continued to beat down as we walked. Thirty minutes later, my shoulders were burnt and the dirt clung between my toes while I dabbed the sweat from my eyes. How did everything fall apart? Where was my life going? Sunnydale could not get here fast enough.
June 10, 2020
Book Review: Boss Man Bridegroom
Book Blurb from Goodreads:
"Will you do me the greatest honor of all time and be my bridegroom?” she asks, hope in her eyes . . .
How did I get here? My assistant, bent on one knee, holding my hand, her expectant face waiting for an answer.
Just . . . how?
How did I go from being insulted by Charlee Cox to hiring her to be my assistant? How is it that she’s chaos in color - making me crazy and my life better at the same time?
I never thought I would be staring down at her bright blue eyes begging me to go along with this ridiculous scheme I suggested.
Yes, I suggested. Like the idiot I am, I thought hey, why not start an HR nightmare and have my assistant ask me to marry her?
Confused? Don’t worry, so am I.
But try to follow along, because this is how I became Boss Man Bridegroom.
Meghan Quinn
Goodreads
Amazon
Book Review:
I picked this book up off of Kindle Unlimited. The Facebook ad just drew me in and I had to click on the link. Good job Meghan Quinn on the advertising!
She delivers a quirky story about a woman that needs a marriage of convenience so she marries her boss.
I just love the way she writes. I laughed out loud and cried several times while reading. I've also read many of the passages out loud for my Hubby's enjoyment and he laughed too. Charlee was just the most perfect character. She was fun, she was wacky, and she was real. I loved seeing how she feel for her hunk of a boss, who definitely needed a woman in his life.
If your looking for a fun, well written love story, check this one out!
June 7, 2020
She carefully walked down the....
This prompt was done for Grammy's Grid. She has a prompt posted each month where you can write whatever micro, flash, or short fiction. It's a lot of fun! Check it out!
She carefully walked down the steps, picking up the abundant lace fabric that trailed behind her and tangled around her legs. One step, then another, and then another. She placed each ballet slippered foot on the step below it until she got to the bottom. The church bells tolled out as the organist pounded on to the keys. What should have been a happy tune sounded like a funeral march. Her heart pounded in beat as her palms sweated through the gloves that encased her fingers. The heavy oak doors were shoved open by large young men she did not know as the gathered crowd stood to face her. Her head swung up and took in the sea of faces staring at her, her vision darkened on the edges as she fought the bindings to drag in one breath after another.
Her father, dressed in black, stood out from the crowd as he glowered at her, daring her not to take another step. She swallowed and clutched at her bouquet, praying it wouldn't slip out of her hand as she fought herself to take another step forward. Her bridegroom leaned nonchalantly against the side rail, his dark brows pulled close over his eyes, as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, causing his muscles to bulge menacing. A corner of his mouth pulled up in a smirk as he watched her hesitancy on proceeding. Hatred welled in her, she wanted to slap the look off of his face. She couldn't believe her father would make her marry a man such as him.
"Miss, are you okay?" The young man, who held open the door, prompted, pulling her out of her thoughts.
She swung her eyes to him and her heart fluttered with happiness to see his face. The young man smiled down at her, even though he had sadness in his eyes. For a minute, she glanced between the young man and bridegroom. To honor her family and make a smart marriage for the future heirs…or…to follow the love of her life, risk being a pauper, and the disdain of her father.
What do you think she did?
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