First Kiss with a Cowboy: Includes a bonus novella Read online

  “Okay everyone!” Jane’s mom came walking down the aisle breaking off their kiss way too soon. “We need to move on to the reception hall. Everyone’s waiting.”

  “I’ve been waiting,” Toby murmured, giving Jane a pout.

  “You’ve been very patient.” Jane drew her lips to his ear. “And I promise your patience will pay off,” she whispered, nibbling on his earlobe for a quick second before she pulled away.

  “Now you’re just torturing me.” Not that he was complaining.

  Smiling, she took his hand and led him to where everyone was piling into the golf carts to head down to the reception hall. They climbed in and sat close as Mara drove them down the hill. Music already blared from the new reception hall. With how long pictures had taken, the party was likely already in full swing.

  “Family and the wedding party can go ahead on in,” Mara instructed when she’d parked the golf cart. “We’ll send Ethan and Beth in after.”

  Toby slid out of the seat first and then helped Jane stand. “Have I mentioned how much I love that dress?” He admired it again, paying particular attention to the strapless neckline.

  “You may have mentioned it.” Jane seemed to take her time checking him out too. “I’m definitely a fan of that tux on you.” She straightened his bow tie. “Though I prefer your jeans.”

  “Why is that?” Toby asked. He knew, he just wanted to hear her say it.

  Before Jane could answer, Mara ushered them toward the reception hall doors. “Come on you two. We’re running behind schedule. There’ll be plenty of time for flirting later,” she said wearing a knowing look.

  They’d gone way past flirting, but Toby didn’t point that out.

  “Come on.” Jane held on to him as they navigated the path to the reception hall. “Let’s go dance.”

  He’d never liked dancing much, but something told him he’d like it with Jane. He’d like doing just about anything with Jane.

  Inside the reception hall, the wedding crowd was milling around enjoying appetizers and drinks while they anxiously awaited the bride and groom’s arrival. Toby swiped two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter. He was more of a beer guy, but today felt like a good day to celebrate. “Cheers.” He handed Jane a glass and they clinked them together.

  “Are you trying to get me tipsy so I’ll kiss you again?” she asked after her first sip.

  “I’d like to think you’d kiss me regardless.”

  Jane teased him with a shrug. “I might.” Her playful expression turned serious. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about—”

  “There you two are.” Wes strode between them. “I thought you’d snuck off into the woods to make out again.”

  Toby might have to sneak her off into the woods in order to avoid any more interruptions. What had she been about to tell him?

  The music stopped suddenly, and the room went silent. “Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Rockford!” the DJ announced. “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees started playing and the whole crowd went crazy while Ethan and Beth disco danced their way into the room and headed straight for the dance floor.

  Jane had been about to tell him something important, but now the party had really started, and she seemed to forget all about it. She pulled him and Wes to the edge of the crowd and started to clap along with the music, cheering on their friends while they lit up the dance floor with some impressive disco moves.

  Just as Toby was about to lean in and ask her what she wanted to tell him, Beth danced her way over to them.

  “Come on!” She pulled them both out into the center of the circle with her.

  Toby almost expected Jane to edge her way back to the crowd, but she surprised him by doing the hustle instead. Toby joined her, mimicking her movements since he couldn’t dance to save his life.

  The crowd really got into it then, and their cheers and whoops seemed to make Jane shine even more. She put it all out there, swinging her hips, shaking her shoulders. The rest of the wedding party joined in, but Jane seemed to steal the show. Toby stopped dancing and simply watched her, utterly amazed. That night at the brewery she hadn’t wanted any attention on her, and now she seemed to thrive on it.

  The song ended and Jane made her way back to him, her face flushed and her eyes still dancing.

  “That was amazing.” Toby pulled her against him. “I had no idea you could dance like that.” There were so many things he hadn’t discovered about her yet. He hoped he had the chance to learn everything.

  “I didn’t know I could dance like that either,” she said, still out of breath. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun.”

  “I love watching you have fun,” he told her. “And so did everyone else.”

  She turned a slow circle looking around her. People still clapped and smiled, staring at Jane in awe.

  She turned back to him, cozying up. “I guess they’re finally seeing me for who I really am.”

  “I’ve always seen you.” Toby stared steadily into her bright, happy eyes. “I may not have known what to do with you back then, but I still saw you.” A slow country song started, and he cradled Jane in his arms, urging her back to the center of the dance floor.

  They swayed to the music and Jane lifted her face to his. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

  Oh, yeah. He’d gotten so wrapped up in watching her dance, he’d forgotten. “You can talk to me about anything.”

  Jane inhaled deeply. “I—”

  “Selfie time!” Beth crashed their two-person party, breaking them apart and snapping a picture of the three of them.

  “No. No way.” No more interruptions. Toby quickly resumed their slow-dance position and danced Jane into the corner where they had more privacy. “What were you going to say?” He had to know why her face suddenly looked so serious. Nerves buzzed in his stomach.

  “I was going to say…” She seemed to think for a minute. “Or rather, I was going to ask, do you want to buy the ranch with me?”

  “Yes.” He’d buy a shack with her. If it meant he got to spend his life making up for lost time, he’d buy anything. “Tell me when and how and I’ll sign the papers. I’d do it today. Right now.”

  Jane’s laugh made him want to kiss her. “Well, I don’t think we can move that fast. But I talked to my mom about it, and I want to keep the ranch in the family. I know you’ll be traveling a lot—”

  “And now I’ll have every reason to hurry home.” Because Jane would be here. Because this place would be theirs. Together.

  “I still want to travel with you too sometimes.” She stopped dancing and bit into her lower lip shyly. “I still want to have adventures with you.”

  “We’re gonna have so many adventures.” Toby kissed her letting his lips linger over hers while he continued. “I’m going to give you everything.”

  * * *

  “Thank you so much!” Beth threw herself at Jane, holding her tight. “I never would’ve made it through this without you.”

  Jane squeezed her back. “And I never would’ve faced everything I needed to face here if you hadn’t gotten married.”

  “You’re going home with Toby tonight, I would hope?” her friend whispered. Like it was some big secret after the way she and Toby had danced and kissed during the entire reception.

  “Oh, yes. I’m definitely going home with Toby tonight.” Her gaze wandered off to find him. He stood by Ethan near the door. They were shaking hands instead of hugging of course. The rest of the close family and friends who’d lingered to see Ethan and Beth off were clustered around the reception hall doors.

  “In fact, the faster you get going, the faster I can go home with Toby,” Jane said, giving her friend a nudge. Hint, hint. “Ethan is looking pretty impatient himself.”

  “I’m going, I’m going.” Beth didn’t budge. “I want details on you two as soon as I get home. Before you go back to California.”

  “I’m not going back to
California. Well not for long, anyway.” With all the craziness, she hadn’t had the opportunity to discuss her plans with Beth. “I’m buying the ranch from Mom, staying right here.”

  “What?” Her friend leapt into another hug, and Jane was pretty sure she saw Ethan’s foot start to tap. “Staying forever? Living at the ranch?” Her friend started to cry.

  “Yes.” Jane started to walk her to the door. “So, we’ll have plenty of time to catch up.”

  “And we can have babies together!” Beth blurted out.

  Toby’s eyes went wide.

  “When you’re ready, of course.” Her friend patted Toby’s shoulder.

  “I think that’s our cue to make a fast getaway.” Ethan took Beth’s hand. “Ready?”

  “I think so.” Beth glanced at Jane over her shoulder. “But we’ll talk soon, right?”

  “Of course.” Jane helped herself to a small container of bubbles sitting in a basket nearby.

  “Bye everyone!” Beth couldn’t seem to leave the party. She’d never wanted to leave a party early.

  “Have the best time on your honeymoon!” Jane called, blowing the bubbles in their direction. Everyone else followed suit and soon they were trailing Beth and Ethan out the door with bubbles floating in the soft moonlight.

  The couple climbed into Ethan’s Jeep, which the groomsmen had covered with streamers and balloons, and then they drove away, Beth waving frantically out the window.

  The crowd started to disperse, with everyone going their separate ways.

  “I’m glad your mom hired a cleaning crew.” Toby tucked Jane under his arm.

  “Me too.” The wedding had been so much fun, but she was ready to collapse into Toby’s arms and stay there as long as he would let her.

  “You want to get out of here?” he asked hopefully.

  “I would love to get out of here.” She held on to him and they snuck away from the reception hall, following the path by the lake. Moonlight bounced on the water, filling the whole area with a soft glow.

  “What a gorgeous night,” Jane said, almost afraid to disturb the peace.

  “It’s perfect,” Toby agreed. He led her to the edge of the sand where they both removed their shoes. After a full evening of dancing, the cool grains felt nice against her feet. They walked along the edge of the water in a quiet contentedness. Everything was still and peaceful, Jane almost didn’t want to ruin it with words.

  Taking her hand, Toby pulled her to a stop. The moon gave off enough light that she could see his face, his captivating blue eyes. He’d lost the bow tie somewhere along the way, and the buttons on the starched white tux shirt had mostly come undone. Jane’s heartbeat seemed to resound all through her.

  “You’re the reason this night is perfect.” A note of reverence lowered Toby’s voice. “I love you, Jane.”

  The sincerity of his words engraved them into her heart.

  Jane let the stillness descend again so she could savor the moment she gave her whole heart away. She memorized how the lake looked like it was made of glass, how the dark outline of the trees hemmed them in, how intent Toby’s eyes were in telling her what he felt, and when she had catalogued every detail to hold it in her heart forever, she finally said, “I love you too.” This time she kissed him with no reservations, with no fears, with no logic to fall back on.

  And then Toby swept her up in his arms and carried her all the way home.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  You don’t have to do this,” Toby said, rubbing his hand up and down her arms.

  “I want to do this.” Jane found his hands and weaved her fingers through his. She understood he wanted to protect her, but it was time for her to step out from behind her walls. And sharing her books with her hometown was a great place to start.

  “It’s going to be fine,” she assured him. “I’m sure people will be surprised, but I want them to know.” For the last few weeks, the library had been promoting this mystery author event, touting the fact that attendees would get the chance to meet E. J. Mattingly—who had never made a public appearance—and have their books signed. Tickets had sold out, and they’d raised over three thousand dollars for the library. For Tanner’s library.

  “This is part of who I am,” Jane said, and she’d never been prouder of that. Toby was proud of her too, he’d made it clear. He read everything she wrote, always giving her thoughtful feedback. “It’s part of who we are together,” she reminded him. “I don’t know what I would do without my favorite research partner.”

  It didn’t matter what her cowboy was up to, all she had to ask to get Toby’s full attention was, “Do you think it’s possible to make love in a—” Regardless of how crazy the place she’d dreamed up was, Toby always did his best to prove it could be done.

  “I like the research.” He leaned in closer. “In fact, maybe we should do some research tonight.”

  “We have to. I was thinking about writing a canoe sex scene.” Since she and Toby had been spending pretty much every night together, her sensual imagination tended to run a bit wild.

  “No problem,” he said, wearing her favorite grin. “Leave it to me. I’ll figure it out.”

  She had no doubts.

  Someone knocked and the door opened. “Are you ready?” Lucinda, who’d become Jane’s favorite librarian, asked. “Everyone is so excited. I don’t think they can wait much longer.”

  “We’ll be right out,” Toby said, still shielding her in his arms.

  “Okay. This is it.” Jane checked her mirror one more time.

  “You look ravishing.” Toby brushed a kiss on her cheek. “And I’m so proud of you, sweetness.”

  “Thank you.” She snuck an extra moment locked safely in his embrace and then took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and found the signing pen she’d selected. Holding tightly on to Toby’s hand, she walked out of the room and followed the path to where they’d set up the line.

  A collective gasp sent a hush over the crowd.

  Lucinda stood at a small podium they’d set up. “It is my great honor to introduce you all to the incredibly talented E. J. Mattingly, otherwise known as Jane Harding.” She swung her arm out in dramatic presentation and a rowdy applause swelled.

  “A local!” someone yelled. “A famous author is one of our own!”

  “Jane!” Patti, her old friend from the gas station, frantically waved her arms from the middle of the line. “I always knew you were a talented writer! Oh, this is so exciting! I can tell everyone one of my dearest friends is an author!”

  Toby gave Jane a look that cracked her up.

  “Jane, would you like to say a few words before we start the signing?” Lucinda asked.

  “I would love to.” She walked as gracefully as she could to the podium given her trembling knees. “Thank you all for coming here, for supporting the library. For supporting me.” Her voice sounded strange in the microphone. “As some of you may know, my goal is to write stories about strong heroines who are brave and feisty and independent. That is the kind of woman I’ve always wanted to be.” She paused to stare at the love of her life.

  Toby gave her a wink and the grin he reserved especially for their sexy times.

  “When I came back to Silverado Lake, someone very special showed me that is who I’ve always been, even when I felt lost. Thank you, Toby, for helping me find that part of myself. The part I’d protected. The part that needed to be free.”

  A chorus of awwws moved up and down the long line.

  Jane had to pause until the emotion cleared from her throat. “I also want my books to be about strong, close-knit communities,” she went on, smiling at all those faces staring back at her. “Growing up here, I didn’t appreciate this community the way I do now. I didn’t feel I belonged. But this summer I’ve realized it was fear holding me back. After my father died, I closed myself off to feeling much of anything, to embracing relationships.” Jane glanced at her mother, who was dabbing her eyes. “Being back here has helped me op
en up to both of those things. And I’m looking forward to building a life here.” She couldn’t wait to build a life with her love here. Her eyes met Toby’s again.

  A month ago, she never would’ve dreamed her heart could hold so much love, and yet here she was, walking straight into a new life with Toby at her side.

  Epilogue

  Jane stared at the cursor blinking back at her on the computer screen. Ugh. She couldn’t seem to get this sentence right. Leaning back in the chair, she tipped her head, gazing up toward the ceiling as if she’d find the answer written there. She didn’t, of course. Unfortunately, it never proved to be that easy.

  What she needed was a break—a chance to stretch her legs. Jane pushed back from the desk and walked away from the computer, attempting to pace some energy into her imagination. Over the last two months, Toby had provided her with plenty of romantic inspiration, but he’d been gone for almost two weeks with back-to-back events, so she had to finish this book without him.

  Hmmm. Pacing didn’t seem to be working. Chocolate! She needed chocolate. Jane marched into the kitchen and opened the cabinet where she kept her secret chocolate stash only to find a pile of empty wrappers. Nooooo. She’d forgotten she’d finished it off last night when she’d started the final chapter. In the last twenty-four hours, she only managed to eke out twenty-five words onto the page and no amount of chocolate seemed to be helping.

  Okay, plan B. She pulled out her cell phone and started flipping through the pictures she and Toby had taken the day before he’d left to return to the circuit. They’d taken a horseback ride up to their spot where they’d had a picnic…and quite the memorable make-out session on a blanket underneath the trees. They’d taken a series of selfies together, and even though she couldn’t write to save her life right now, she had to smile flipping through those pictures. Her face glowed in each one, and it wasn’t only because of the beautiful sunshine. There was one with Toby kissing her cheek, one of him making a face while she laughed, one of him simply staring at her with that intense loving gaze while she smiled for the camera.