The Cowboy Next Door--Includes a bonus novella Read online

  “Oh, Sam.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Against his mouth she whispered, “That’s what I want, too. I love you so much.”

  “And I love you more than my own life.”

  Before he could kiss her again the parlor door burst open and the family spilled through.

  Otis and Roscoe were slapping Sam’s shoulder.

  Zachariah shook Sam’s hand. “How does it feel to be a good woman’s hero?”

  “Feels good. At least I think it does. I’m in a daze.” The two men shared a smile.

  Ben grabbed his brother in a bear hug. “Welcome to commitment, bro. You’re going to love being a team.”

  Finn gave a mock shudder. “Two of the mighty have fallen. I guess it’s up to me to stay strong and resist whatever love virus is going around.”

  Laughing, Becca and Mary Pat took turns embracing Penny.

  Mary Pat whispered, “I knew you could do it.”

  “Oh, Mary Pat.” Penny touched a hand to her heart and gave a long, deep sigh. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”

  “Hey, you survived being buried alive.”

  “That was nothing compared to declaring my love right out loud.”

  The two women shared a laugh.

  Mac waited until all the others had stepped back before hugging Penny. “Welcome to the family, honey.”

  “Thank you, Mac. I couldn’t have found a better family than this. I love all of you.”

  “Not nearly as much as we love you.” Mac turned and put an arm around Sam’s shoulders. “I’m proud of you, son.”

  “Just trying to do what a really smart man taught me.”

  The two shared a knowing smile.

  Otis gathered Penny close. “You really pay attention, don’t you, Miss Penny?”

  “I do when a wise man has something to say.”

  His eyes were twinkling. “I’m convinced that you and Sam are all part of a heavenly plan. All it needed was a little help from you.”

  “Even though I was terrified, I kept hearing your words in my head.”

  He nodded. “And, Miss Penny, you kept riding that train until it brought you home.”

  “Just like you.”

  The two shared a heartfelt embrace.

  Mary Pat called, “Come on. Time to celebrate with salad and really hot chili.”

  As the others started toward the kitchen, Sam caught Penny’s hand, holding her back.

  Very deliberately he closed the parlor door before turning to her. “If you’ll give me time to shower, I’d prefer a private celebration.”

  He gave one of those sexy smiles and Penny felt her heart melting.

  “Take all the time you need, cowboy. I’m not going anywhere without you.”

  As he sauntered away, Penny pressed a hand to her heart.

  She’d lied to Sam. She’d once said she would never gamble. And yet today, she’d risked everything.

  Everything.

  On love.

  And won the biggest jackpot of all.

  Epilogue

  Spring

  Mary Pat and Zachariah were up to their elbows in white frosting as they topped off the four-layer chocolate torte and nestled several autumn leaves made of spun sugar on top.

  When Penny opened the kitchen door, they stood together to block the cake from her view and ordered her to leave.

  “It’s just a cake,” she protested. “Why can’t I see it?”

  “It’s your wedding cake. That’s why.” Mary Pat pointed with her spatula. “Go upstairs and let Becca fuss over your hair.”

  “She’s been fussing for an hour.” Penny breathed deeply. “Is that prime rib on the counter?”

  “Go. We want you to be surprised.”

  “But I could help.”

  “Absolutely not. The preacher will be here in less than an hour, and you have to put on your dress.”

  When Penny turned away, Mary Pat and Zachariah shared a laugh.

  The old man shook his head. “Even on her wedding day, she just can’t let go of being chief cook.”

  “Thank heaven. I hope she never tires of cooking for all of us.” Mary Pat looked up when Ben and Finn walked in. “Is the table all set outside?”

  The two men nodded. “And those little bowls of flowers are the perfect touch.”

  Mary Pat turned to Zachariah. “We’re going to make wedding planners out of the whole bunch.”

  Ben was already shaking his head. “This was a one-and-done deal. Dad wants us up on the hill.” He reached into the cupboard above the stove for the bottle of Irish whiskey, while Finn snagged rocks glasses. “Come on, Zachariah. Dad and the others are waiting.”

  While the men trooped out of the house, Mary Pat took a look around the kitchen. Satisfied, she walked up the stairs to dress for the ceremony.

  On a windswept hillside, the men gathered around the familiar grave site.

  Archie, wearing a fancy white bow attached to his collar, ran in circles around Ben’s legs as he climbed the hill.

  While Ben filled tumblers with whiskey and passed them around, Sam walked up to join the others. He was dressed in his best dark suit and string tie, his boots polished to a high shine.

  When everyone was holding a drink, Mac lifted his glass and saluted the marble headstones standing guard over the graves of his wife, Rachel, and son, Robbie. “Here’s to those we love who are no longer here, but with us always in spirit.”

  The men drank.

  Ben, in his crisp sheriff’s uniform, turned to his brother. “And here’s to Sam, who lost his heart to the most amazing woman.”

  They drank again.

  “Smartest thing you ever did, bro,” Finn put in with a laugh.

  Zachariah, in his best courtroom voice, added, “I’ll second that, Samuel. You showed us just how clever and patient you can be, when you put your mind to it.”

  “Want to know the truth?” Sam’s self-deprecating humor broke free. “I was scared to death she’d walk out that door and never look back. What did a woman like Penny need with a no-good cowboy like me?”

  “She needed the same as you, son.” Mac put an arm around Sam’s shoulders. “Unselfish love. It’s the very best kind.” He lifted his glass. “To love.”

  They all intoned his words before drinking.

  As Sam turned away, Mac called, “Where are you going?”

  Sam paused and turned back. With a sly grin he handed his empty glass to his father. “I need to get away from here before I start believing all this bull…” He stopped, then composed himself and did a perfect imitation of Zachariah. “I believe I’ll take a walk in the fresh air and clear my head. After all, the lady said yes. And if that doesn’t show the power of my amazing personality, I can’t imagine what would.”

  As he descended the hill, the sound of his family’s derisive hoots and raucous laughter followed.

  Mary Pat knocked on Penny’s door and Becca hurried to open it.

  “Reverend Grayson is here.” As she stepped farther into the room, she caught sight of Penny in an ankle-length dress of ivory silk.

  “Oh, my.” Mary Pat put a hand to her heart. “Aren’t you a picture.”

  On Penny’s feet were simple ivory sandals. Instead of a veil, she’d tucked a sprig of baby’s breath in her hair, worn soft and long, with just a hint of curls.

  Becca’s maid-of-honor dress was also ankle-length, in pale seafoam.

  Penny handed Becca and Mary Pat pretty white gift bags.

  “What’s this?” Becca opened hers first and was thrilled to find a book of Penny’s favorite recipes, all carefully compiled and labeled, from appetizers to desserts.

  “Oh, Penny. I just love this. And I know Ben will be so thankful.” She embraced her soon-to-be-sister-in-law. “I hope this doesn’t mean you won’t still cook for us.”

  Penny returned the hug. “I hope I can always cook for our family. I just love cooking for all of you.”

  “And we love everything yo
u make.” Becca cradled the cookbook to her heart. “I can’t wait to try some of these recipes.”

  Mary Pat opened her bag to reveal a beautiful book. On the cover was a photo of her standing beside her old red van, with the towering Bitterroot Mountains in the background.

  At her questioning look Penny smiled. “I asked Mac for a picture, and he said this was one of his favorites.”

  When Mary Pat opened the book, the pages were empty.

  Before she could ask, Penny touched a hand to hers. “I believe this is the book only you can write, Mary Pat. It’s the story of your life, through the many people you’ve known and helped and have come to love.”

  Tears sprang to the older woman’s eyes. “Oh, Penny. How could you know? It’s something I’ve thought of through the years but was always too busy to try.”

  “Someday you won’t be nearly as busy.” Penny kissed her cheek. “You’re the reason this day is happening. You helped me find a job, and then you helped me find my courage.”

  Mary Pat shook her head. “Penny, you would have found it with or without my little pep talk.”

  As the two women embraced, Penny whispered, “Sam said you’re the closest to a mother he’s ever had. I feel the same. I treasure you. Thank you.”

  Mary Pat sniffed, then squared her shoulders. “I believe it’s time you said those vows. Reverend Grayson is waiting outside.”

  Penny nodded and picked up the nosegay of baby’s breath Sam had handed her earlier that day, before following Mary Pat and Becca down the stairs.

  When they reached the parlor, Sam was there, pacing. His head came up sharply, and when he spotted Penny behind the other two, he simply stared.

  Becca seemed about to pause when Mary Pat caught her hand, hauling her from the room, leaving the two alone.

  “Money, you look…” He shook his head, lost for words.

  “Is it that bad?”

  He hauled her into his arms and pressed his mouth to the hair at her temple. “You’re so beautiful, you take my breath away.” He held her at arm’s length. “You know, the first time I saw you, I was speechless.”

  “As I recall, you had a lot to say. You thought I was some poor, fragile old woman, and you tore a heavy box right out of my hands.”

  “And then I saw your face and heard your bossy voice, and something happened to my poor heart.”

  “Or your mind.”

  He grinned. “You did play hell with my mind, Money. I spent a lot of sleepless nights thinking about you.” He drew her close, his eyes staring hungrily into hers. “I love you so much. I still can’t believe you’d give up your dream for me.”

  “I haven’t given up anything. The school board called to say there will be an opening in the fall.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m getting so much more than I ever dreamed possible, Sam.”

  He kissed her full on the mouth, and she felt the familiar jolt.

  With a wink he caught her hand. “Come on, babe. Time to make it legal before you come to your senses.”

  With a laugh they walked hand in hand out the back door and toward the family, gathered around the town’s minister.

  Suddenly Penny stopped and gave a gasp of surprise at the sight of her three handsome brothers, all looking splendid in their military uniforms, standing together.

  She let out a little cry and turned to Sam. “Did you know they were coming?”

  He nodded. “I didn’t want to spoil their surprise. They’ve been busy meeting all the family.”

  “Oh. How wonderful.” She flew into the arms of Danny, Cooper, and Curtis with a mixture of laughter and tears. It had been so long, and she’d missed them so much.

  As the family watched, she fussed over each of her brothers like a mother hen, admiring their uniforms, asking a million questions about where they’d been and how their lives were going since leaving Montana.

  From the attention they lavished on her, it was obvious to all who were watching that they adored their big sister.

  When at last Penny and Sam stood before the minister to speak their vows, the two families joined together into a crowd of handsome, rugged men surrounding them, with two pretty women, Becca and Mary Pat, in their midst.

  Archie, sensing the importance of this gathering, began barking and circling, causing everyone to burst into gales of laughter.

  While Becca and Ben tried to quiet their dog, Penny turned to Sam with a wide grin. “I can see what my life will be like in this big, noisy family.”

  “Getting cold feet, Money?”

  “Not on your life.” She touched a hand to his cheek. “I’m going to love every chaotic moment of it.”

  After the vows were spoken, the two families gathered around the big log table made festive with bowls of wildflowers and baby’s breath, and enjoyed a wedding feast of prime rib, baked potatoes, garden vegetables, and a four-layer chocolate torte with white frosting, autumn leaves, and standing amid the colorful leaves, two wedding figures depicting a bride wearing an apron and wielding a school bell, and a groom in denims and plaid shirt.

  As the sun slowly made its arc behind the mountains, Penny’s brothers announced it was time for them to go.

  “We’re driving to Bozeman,” Danny explained. “From there we’ll be taking separate flights.”

  “I wish we could have had more time.” Penny kissed each of her brothers, exclaiming on how they’d grown so tall and strong.

  “But at least for today, we were all together,” Curtis said against her cheek. “And for that, we have Sam and his family to thank.”

  At her arched brow he explained. “Mac sent air tickets for all three of us.” He took her hands in his. “You’re getting a good man, Penny. And joining a really good family.”

  “I know.” She felt the beginnings of tears and blinked them away. She wanted no tears to mar this special day.

  Sam and his family gathered around to see them off as Penny’s brothers drove away.

  Afterward, Sam and Penny changed into comfortable denims and plaid shirts.

  As the others began to clear the table, Penny picked up a plate, and Mary Pat took it from her. “Not today, Penny.”

  “But you’ve done so much.”

  Mary Pat glanced at Sam, heading toward them. “I believe your husband has plans for the two of you. And they don’t include kitchen duty.”

  Sam walked up behind Penny and wrapped his arms around her waist. Against her neck he said, “Time for that honeymoon I promised you, wife.”

  “You still haven’t said where we’re going. I had no idea what to pack.”

  “I told you. The less you pack, the less you can wear and the happier I’ll be.”

  They were laughing as he caught her hand and led her toward a truck, where their bags were already secured.

  After hugging each and every member of her new family, Penny was surprised when Otis took her hand.

  His big, dark eyes were solemn. “Remember, Miss Penny. Life has a way of throwing us curves. It was no accident that you didn’t get that first teaching contract. Heaven had something better in mind for you.”

  “I know.” She nodded, feeling a lump forming in her throat.

  “And heaven had something better in mind for Sam, too. Here, way off the beaten track, the two of you found what matters. Family, home, and good people who will always have your best interest at heart.”

  “Oh, Otis.” With a cry she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely.

  “Hey, now.” Sam hurried over. “You just made my wife cry.”

  Penny wiped her eyes. “These are happy tears.”

  “Yeah. I get it.” With a wink, Sam took Penny’s hand and helped her into the truck.

  Calling good-bye to the others, he drove along the curving ribbon of driveway, waving until they were out of sight. Then, turning the wheel, he started across a high meadow and into the woods before catching Penny’s hand.

  He pressed a kiss to her palm. “I don’t think the
y were fooled. They know us too well. But I don’t think any of them would dare to show up at the cabin.”

  “Is that where you’re taking me?”

  “I hope you don’t mind. I thought we could spend a whole week alone, sleeping in the range shack and planning our very own home.”

  “Oh, Sam. A home on your property?”

  “It’s our property now, Money. And that’s the plan. At least for part of the time.” He winked. “But I hope you won’t be disappointed if we spend the first couple of days just in the cabin.”

  At the smoldering heat in his eyes, she smiled. “I was hoping that was your plan.”

  He gunned the engine. “Money, if we don’t get there soon, I may have to just stop in the woods and hope there are no bears looking for a place to hibernate.”

  As she shared his laughter, she thought about the strange twists and turns of her life. She’d come here hoping for a dream job and had faced such disappointments. And then, in the midst of despair, she’d found her reason for living.

  Otis was right. This had to be part of some grand plan.

  This man and this amazing family had forever changed her life. And she was, she vowed, going to grab this grand new life with both hands and live it to the fullest.

  With the cowboy of her dreams.

  Beef Tenderloin

  The Main Dish in the Wedding Supper for Sam and Penny

  3 tablespoons butter, softened

  1/3 cup kosher salt

  3 cloves garlic, minced

  black pepper

  4 to 5 pounds beef tenderloin, trimmed

  Stir the butter, salt, garlic, and a sprinkle of black pepper together and rub over the entire length of the tenderloin. Let the tenderloin stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.