This is one of my favorite scenes in Tracy Garrett‘s novella in the new Wishing for a Cowboy anthology out this month.
I love an alpha cowboy backing his woman into a wall, door, whatever and taking his pleasure of her. And this scene goes that much further due to the fact Will hasn’t seen Katie in a number of years. You can tell he hasn’t forgotten a thing about her, including the fact he still wants her something fierce. A man after my own heart.
Katie is the strong, independent heroine to take what Will gives, give it back to him, and then some. Even when she thinks she’d be crazy to allow him back into her life, well, let’s just say she doesn’t stand a chance.
So take a few minutes to read this teaser from Her Christmas Wish. Then I’ll bet you’ll be wishin’ you had a copy to start readin’ right now!
Summary:
HER ONLY WISH FOR CHRISTMAS WAS THE MAN WHO LEFT HER BEHIND.
Even a woman capable of living on her own…
Kathryn McConnell is a widow celebrating a milestone birthday alone. Though she feels a woman should be able to mourn the passing of her thirtieth birthday any way she wants, she won’t turn away a cowboy in need of lodging—until she learns it’s the man she’d expected to marry thirteen years earlier.
…never forgets her first love.
Will O’Brien had challenged his father’s prejudice against the woman he loved only to discover he was unable to stand against his family’s wealth and connections. Without a way to support his bride, Will struck out for the west, determined to earn a living for them both. When he returned after two years with no word from Katie, he found she’d married another and moved away. Heartbroken, he returns to his work, but never stops hoping to find her.
When chance lands Will at the remote stagecoach station run by the widowed Kathryn, he grabs at the opportunity he’s been handed, hoping to win back the only woman he has ever loved.
“William Matthew O’Brien. You picked a fine time to finally make an appearance.”
“Katie?”
His eyes widened in surprise. And no wonder. The last time she’d clapped eyes on him had been in Chicago and she’d been thinking he might propose.
Will dropped the reins of his mare and strode across the yard, not stopping until he’d backed her against the cabin wall. “My Katie.”
His kiss was masterful, reaching, and still irresistible. So much better than memories. She managed to remain stiff for one moment then melted against him as if thirteen years hadn’t passed since the last time she’d been in his arms.
“Happy birthday, Katie,” he breathed into her hair. It was enough to break the spell he wove around her.
“No!” She shoved him back a step. “You left me once and broke my heart. I’ll not be letting you draw me in so you can do it again.”
“I left? That must be why I arrived at your home only to discover you were gone. Married. And your father…” His jaw stiffened as he stopped the words, held back on giving voice to the reminder of why she’d finally had to leave the hopeless dreams of him behind.
“You thought I’d just wait? Waste my whole life when I hadn’t a word from you in… I won’t discuss this anymore. I’ve important things that need tending.”
For an instant she thought he’d refuse to let her go. It was in his eyes to hold her there. Thankfully, he took a step away from her, allowing her to escape into the yard.
“Katie, I never expected to see you way out here. Are you waiting on the next stage?”
“I’m through with waiting. I run this station.” The shock on his face gave her a measure of satisfaction.
“Alone?”
The note of disbelief had her temper flaring again. “I’m not in the habit of lying. This place was my husband’s dream and I chose to make a go of it after he died.” She didn’t mention that she hadn’t wanted to come here in the first place. “If your horse needs tending, you’ll find what you need in the barn. A bed and three meals for you is seven cents a day, plus three for the horse.” His hesitation surprised her. He’d come from a wealthy family in Chicago, something his father had mentioned frequently.
“I’ll pay for my horse, Katie, but I’ll spread my bedroll in the barn or out here.”
As much as she wanted to let him sleep in the brush, just to keep him as far away as possible, she’d never refused hospitality to anyone. Besides, she knew how bad the storms here could be. “We’ll be having a storm by sundown tomorrow, maybe snow. If you’d rather work to pay your way, there’s plenty you can be helping with. You never feared work before.”
“I’m happy to help you while I’m here, Katie, but I don’t want your charity.”
“You have my offer, Mr. O’Brien.” Walking past him into the cabin, she tugged her husband’s heavy duster off a hook. “There’s hay, water and feed in the barn for the mare. You’ll find biscuits, bacon and coffee on the table. Put yourself into any empty room, preferably far from mine. I’ll be around when you’re ready to work.”
