"It's up to her, but from the expression on her face when she saw you, I'd say she'd be more than happy to see you again."
"You think so? I feel like such a loser right now."
Privately Blue agreed with that statement, but he wasn't going to say anything. One thing he was learning was that those gray areas between the blacks and the whites sometimes made a whole lot of sense. He patted Daniel awkwardly on the back.
"Let's sit down together with Maria and ask her what she wants, okay? You can stay the night. We can talk it through tomorrow."
"Okay. I'd like that."
Blue managed a smile. "Now there's a piñata full of candy waiting to be batted to pieces, so we'd better get with the schedule before Ruth starts complaining."
Daniel wandered off and Blue stayed put, his gaze on the smiling face of his daughter. He had a good sense that he and Daniel would work things out. Now, if he could only do the same thing with Jenna. Maybe it was time to stop waiting on her and make some decisions for both of them. Maybe it was time to let her know she would always come first with him. He spotted her at one of the tables gesticulating to her parents, her auburn hair in a high ponytail that bobbed as she talked.
He loved her.
It was as simple as that-a single black-and-white moment that had no shade to it at all.
So he'd wait for her.
As he watched she got up and went over to Chase and whispered something in his ear. Blue stiffened as she mounted the small stage and grinned down at the assembled guests.
Chase cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Listen up, everyone! Jenna has something to say."
"Firstly, the piñata is ready to be whacked, so after I finish speaking please go down to the oak grove and form a line-birthday girl gets first hit. Little kids before the big kids, okay?"
Everyone laughed.
"Secondly, I wanted to share some news with you." She paused to take a deep breath. "From the end of this month, I will no longer be working for my uncle's veterinary practice."
Blue's gut tightened and he took a step forward only to be blocked by one of the local ranchers, who wagged a finger at Jenna on the stage.
"Don't you go leaving because of that Mark Lymond, now, Jenna. You're a good veterinarian."
Two other ranchers stood up as well. "Hear, hear."
Jenna's cheeks went pink and she pressed one hand to her face. "That's . . . so nice of you guys, but-"
"You want us to talk to Big Mac? There's no need for you to leave." That was Maureen from the store. "Because I'll tell him how great you were with Missy's horse."
"No, it's all good." She searched the crowd and her gaze fell on Blue. "I'm going to stay. Chase Morgan has offered me a job as the new vet for the guest ranch, and I've accepted."
Blue started to smile.
She looked down. "Sorry, Mom and Dad, but I love it here, and I never want to leave."
Dave whooped and punched the air as Blue walked toward the stage.
"There is one more thing," Jenna called out above the applause.
"What's that?" Blue spoke up.
"It's kind of about you, actually." She smiled right down into his eyes. "I wanted to tell you that I'm ready to believe in myself."
"Yeah? And what else?" He'd reached the stage now and only had to look up a little to see her clearly.
"I love you and I want to be with you."
He took a long slow breath, reached up, and wrapped her in his arms. "That's my girl." He kissed her slowly. The crowd started to clap and holler again.
A persistent tugging on his elbow made Blue look down.
"So, can I be a flower girl?" Maria asked.
Blue raised an eyebrow. "I haven't had a chance to ask her to marry me yet."
"But you're going to, aren't you? Ruth says she's perfect for you."
"Ruth's right."
Maria's smile widened. "She told me to tell you she always is."
For Blue Morgan
Grandma duPont's Peaches and Cream Cake
(Courtesy of the Mentink Family)
¾ c. flour
½ tsp. salt
½ c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
3 oz. package of vanilla pudding mix
3½ Tbsp. butter, softened
1 egg
½ c. milk
1 29 oz. can drained peaches or apricots in heavy
syrup (reserve 3 Tbsp. of the syrup)
1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
½ Tbsp. – 1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides and bottom of a 10" deep pie plate.
Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and pudding mix. Blend in butter, egg, and milk. Mix until smooth. Spread in pie pan. Arrange fruit on top of batter.
Beat cream cheese with ½ c. sugar and 3 Tbsp. reserved juice. Spoon over peaches. Mix ½ – 1 Tbsp. sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake for 40 minutes until brown. Serve room temp or cold with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
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themorgansranch
The Morgan Ranch has seen its share of bad times. But as the four Morgan brothers are drawn back to their childhood home, the nightmares of their past give way to the promise of a new beginning . . .
Ry Morgan has always had a thing for Avery Hayes-one more hope his twin wrecked for him, pretending to be Ry to kiss her at the high school prom. Eight years later, Ry has had enough: he's quitting the pro rodeo circuit, moving home to California to mend fences, and letting his brother clean up his own messes for a change. Reclaiming Avery's stolen kiss is at the top of his agenda . . .
But Avery has changed. Her rodeo career ended with a fall that left her lucky to be alive, let alone walking. She hasn't been on a horse since, and between surgeries and fighting off everybody's pity, she hasn't done much else either. Ry is strong, confident, and sexy as hell-exactly what she thought she wanted at seventeen. Now she'll have to protect the safe space she's made for herself-or risk it all for a dream she thought would never come again . . .
Please turn the page for an exciting sneak peek of Kate Pearce's
Click here to get your copy.
Sacramento, California
Before he even left the parking lot, Ry Morgan heard the bass booming through the walls and the sound of heavy partying from the third-floor apartment. When he turned the corner, he almost walked into a squad car flashing blue lights and a small crowd of agitated neighbors gathered around the door.
"Hell, not again," he breathed as one of the helpful neighbors pointed him out to the cop.
He held his ground as she came toward him and the noise from above suddenly shut off.
"Can I help you, Officer?"
She jabbed her thumb in the direction of the apartment block. "You live here?"
"I used to. I just stopped by to pick up my stuff."
"Are you HW Morgan?"
"Nope, I'm his brother, Ry."
"You sure about that?"
Used to being mistaken for his identical twin, he cautiously reached inside his jacket, took out his wallet, and handed over his driver's license.
"Thanks." She studied it, made the usual face at his given name, and then handed it back. "Have you seen your brother recently?"
"Not for about three weeks. What's up?"
He asked even though it was obvious. The last time HW had thrown a party, the police had been called. Maybe HW had learned something by not sticking around long enough to get caught in the aftermath. Ry's gut tightened.
"Is it okay to go up there? I just want to get my stuff and head out again in the morning."
"Wise decision." The officer looked at him steadily. "Maybe you can make sure the party doesn't start again."
"I'll do my best." He tipped his Stetson to her. "Thanks."
"And tell your brother that if he keeps this up, he'll be spending the rest of his evening with the Sacramento Police Department."
Ry nodded as he turned away and headed for the front entrance of the building. A police officer was escorting a group of partygoers down the stairs. There were others emerging from the two elevators, still complaining loudly about the abrupt end to their evening. Ry ignored them all. They weren't his kind of people. They stunk of booze, cheap perfume, and other substances he hoped the police hadn't noticed.
Wearily, he climbed the stairs, spoke to the building security guy who had lingered on the landing to make sure everyone had left, and went inside. The place was a mess. He shut the door and leaned against it, letting his backpack slide to the floor.
"Well, look who's turned up."
He raised his head to see Lally Goldstein glaring at him from his brother's bedroom doorway. She wore a halter top that had silver spangled bits on it and tiny blue shorts. Her blond hair was piled up on top of her head in a messy ponytail.
"You still here?" Ry asked. "I thought the cops cleared everyone out."
"I live here now."
"First I've heard about it."
She tossed her head. "You left. Someone had to look after your brother."
"HW knew where I was." He glanced around the wrecked apartment. "Where is he, by the way?"