The Cowboy's Last Goodbye (Grass Valley Cowboys Book 6) Read online

  “Are you ready to tell me where we’re going, Ben? I know we can’t take a honeymoon now because your dad still can’t handle everything at the ranch. The options are somewhat limited. It’s not like there’s an abundance of hotels to choose from around here.”

  “Nope. No local hotel for you, my sexy pixie bride.”

  Harper grinned at Ben as he started the truck and pulled onto the highway. “We can’t stay at Uncle Cletus’ place unless you think it would be fun to sleep on twin beds because that is all you’ll find there.”

  “As much as I love your uncle, I’m not spending a single night in that house. The walls are as thin as paper. Besides he’s already proven he’s a nosy old coot every time I brought you home and tried to steal a kiss or two on the porch.”

  “I think it was more than one or two kisses, but you’re right,” Harper sighed. “So that leaves your mom and dad’s house. This should be fun, spending our wedding night in your boyhood bedroom with all the movie posters on the walls and your high school trophies lining the shelves.”

  “Wrong again. We’re not staying there either.” Ben turned off the road and drove up to the Running M Ranch.

  The look she tossed his way held confusion. “I thought you said we weren’t staying with your parents.”

  “We’re not. Just trust me. I’ll be right back.” Ben rushed into the barn and was gone a few minutes when he returned and opened Harper’s door.

  “You’re seriously taking me into the barn? Come on, Ben. I’ve been in there. It smells like… well, a barn.”

  “Where’s your sense of adventure, Tink?” Ben’s teasing grin made Harper’s concerns fly right out of her head. As long as they were together, she didn’t care where they were.

  “Alright, Captain Morgan, I’m ready to be dazzled.” Harper kissed his cheek as he took her in his arms and carried her inside the barn. Scrubbed clean, no animals greeted her as they entered. Ben kicked the door shut behind him then walked over to a set of stairs at the back of the barn.

  Carefully, he carried her up the steps and used his elbow to open a door at the top into the barn loft.

  Harper gasped in disbelief as she looked around what appeared to be a well-appointed studio apartment. An abundance of candles lit the space with a romantic glow.

  “Oh, my gosh, Ben! This wasn’t here before.”

  He set her down and wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her hair. “Brice, Travis, Trey, Trent, and Hart all helped me do this. I started working on it after I decided to stay here at the ranch. It was easy enough to add drywall and paint. You see the little kitchen area over there? If you decide you want to cook you’ll have what you need, although Mom is more than happy to share her kitchen with you.”

  Harper took in an almost new couch and recliner with matching end tables and coffee table. A sturdy dining room table with four chairs sat beneath a window by the kitchen. A big king-sized bed and a large dresser took up the far wall. The sight of the bed made her cheeks fill with warmth as she cast a quick glance at her husband.

  “And there’s this…” Ben led her over to a door that opened into a bathroom. A vanity with a row of bright lights above it illuminated the space, highlighting a jetted tub and a walk-in shower. “I thought at the end of a long day, it might be nice to slip into that tub and relax.”

  Harper grinned as he nuzzled her neck and unzipped the back of her dress, maneuvering her out of the bathroom and toward the bed.

  “And I suppose it would be better to relax together.” She spun around the moment her gown dropped to the floor. “You are just full of surprises, aren’t you?”

  “You bet I am, Tink.” Ben stared at her, drinking in the sight of her from the top of her head to her toes.

  Under his intense perusal of the white lace and silk ensemble she wore, a blush tinted her cheeks bright pink.

  As his hands caressed her sides, she removed his jacket, tie and shirt, tossing them aside. Her fingers grazed over his broad chest, igniting a feverish trail everywhere she touched his skin. “I love you so much, Ben. Thank you for providing this beautiful, wonderful place for our future to begin.”

  “You’re welcome, Harper. Eventually, we’ll buy a place of our own or, if you’d rather, we can do some remodeling at your uncle’s house. For now, we can spend the winter tucked in here, hidden away from the world.” A fire burned in his gaze as he smiled at her.

  “I like the sound of that. There’s nothing I’d like better than to stay right here, forever with you.” Harper’s eyes glowed with warmth as Ben lifted her in his arms again, surrounding her in a lifetime of love.

  ><><

  Strawberry Drops

  The discovery of making cookies from a cake mix has led to any number of fun new recipes at our house. Enjoy these easy, yummy cookies!

  Strawberry Drops

  1 box vanilla cake mix

  2 eggs

  ½ cup butter (softened)

  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  ½ cup strawberry jam

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  Mix cake mix, eggs, butter and extract until it forms a nice ball of dough.

  Drop dough by spoonfuls on a baking sheet. Use your thumb to make a little indentation in the middle of each drop then spoon in a bit of jam (about 1/2 tsp.) Top with another drop of dough.

  Bake for about eight minutes, until dough is set but not brown.

  Remove from oven and immediately dust with powdered sugar. Place cookies on rack to cool then indulge and enjoy!

  Makes approximately two dozen.

  Author’s Note

  When I wrote The Cowboy’s New Heart, I fully intended that book to be the last in the Grass Valley series.

  Then I started getting messages from you, my dear readers, asking about Ben Morgan. Would he have a story? Did he fall in love with Sierra, Bailey’s sister? Did he move back to Grass Valley?

  Inquiring minds wanted to know what happened to Ben.

  Admittedly, I did, too.

  I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your feedback and encouragement to write Ben’s story. I’m truly glad I did.

  And before you start wondering if this is the last you’ll hear from the Grass Valley characters, let me assure you, it isn’t. I can’t say who’ll be featured next, but if you have ideas, feel free to send them to me!

  There were some details in this book I wanted to share with you. If you’ve never heard of Maryhill’s Stonehenge Memorial, look it up. It’s quite a fascinating little piece of history. The location with vineyards and wheat fields nearby and the Columbia River below is spectacular.

  Those of you familiar with Tess and Travis’ romance know how much that cowboy loves his Honeybee. When I came across the Honeybee Amaryllis, I knew I had to work it into the story. And it is such a beautiful flower.

  The barges that travel up and down the Columbia River hauling wheat, timber and other goods make it a vital export gateway. It is the number one wheat export gateway in the United States as well as number one in West Coast wood exports. In an average year, millions of tons of commercial cargo is transported on the river. Again, many thanks to Shaver Transportation for their assistance with the details about Ben’s job.

  For those of you unfamiliar with the Belgian Malinois breed of dog, they are strong, agile, and full of life. Often, they are used as military dogs. The dogs who serve our country have my full admiration. If you’d like to find out more about their service, visit U.S. War Dogs.

  Also, my sincere thanks to those who entered a contest I held to submit suggestions for Ben’s story. All those responses really helped generate great ideas for the this book!

  While you wait for more sweet romances from Grass Valley, I hope you’ll check out my other books.

  If you’d like to read Tate and Kenzie Morgan’s story, be sure to check out The Christmas Cowboy. (Don’t miss the first chapter excerpt included in this book!)

  As always, thank you for readi
ng the stories I write.

  Thank you for reading The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye.

  If you enjoyed this story and are willing to write a review, I’d be very appreciative. Reviews are so important to authors and they are important to readers, too. Thank you for considering it!

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  Shanna’s Newsletter

  It’s fast, easy, and only comes out when new books are released

  or extremely exciting news happens.

  Grass Valley Cowboys Series

  Meet the Thompson family of the Triple T Ranch in Grass Valley, Oregon.

  Three handsome brothers, their rowdy friends, and the women who fall for them are at the heart of this sweet contemporary western romance series.

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan (Book 1) — Cadence Greer’s plans for a happy-ever-after are quickly derailed when her fiancé runs off with his secretary a week before their wedding. Homeless, jobless, and jilted, she escapes to Grass Valley, Oregon, where she takes a job as a housekeeper and cook to seven cowboys on a sprawling ranch.

  The Cowboy’s Spring Romance (Book 2) — Trent Thompson has carried a torch for the new schoolteacher since she moved to Grass Valley more than three years ago. Instead of asking her out, he’s dated every single female in a thirty-mile radius, giving her the impression he’s not interested in her at all.

  The Cowboy’s Summer Love (Book 3) — Always the wild-child, Travis Thompson doesn’t disappoint as he rolls from one adventure to another in his quest to keep his adrenaline pumping. He needs a release for the tension constantly building inside him, especially after he discovers the girl he’s loved his entire life just moved back to Grass Valley.

  The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall (Book 4) — Brice Morgan thought love at first sight was some ridiculous notion of schoolgirls and old ladies who read too many romance novels. At least he does until he meets Bailey Bishop at a friend’s wedding and falls hard and fast for the intriguing woman.

  The Cowboy’s New Heart (Book 5) — Years after her husband died unexpectedly, Denni Thompson can’t bear to think of giving her heart to anyone else. With three newly married sons, a grandchild on the way, and a busy life, Denni doesn’t give a thought to romance until she meets the handsome new owner of Grass Valley’s gas station.

  The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye (Book 6) — With his siblings and friends all entangled in the state of matrimony, Ben Morgan is more determined than ever to remain blissfully single. Despite his vehement refusal to commit to a relationship, he can’t help but envision a future with the sweet, charming woman who unknowingly captures his heart.

  The Christmas Cowboy (Rodeo Romance, Book 1) — Among the top saddle bronc riders in the rodeo circuit, easy-going Tate Morgan can handle the toughest horse out there, but trying to handle the beautiful Kenzie Beckett is a completely different story. As the holiday season approaches, this Christmas Cowboy is going to need more than a little mistletoe to win her heart.

  Wrestlin’ Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 2) — Sidelined with a major injury, steer wrestler Cort McGraw struggles to come to terms with the end of his career. Shanghaied by his sister and best friend, he finds himself on a run-down ranch with a worrisome, albeit gorgeous widow, and her silent, solemn son.

  Capturing Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 3) — Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as the redheaded photographer he meets at a rodeo.

  Turn the page for an excerpt from

  The Christmas Cowboy

  Chapter One

  “This seat taken?”

  Startled by the deep voice speaking close to her ear, Kenzie Beckett glanced up into eyes the color of sapphires and lost the ability to speak.

  Shaking her head, she moved her oversized shoulder bag from the chair in question to a space near her feet. The intent gaze of the man made her sit up straight in the chair and fight the urge to lick her suddenly dry lips. She’d noticed the handsome cowboy at the airport many times, but never had the opportunity to be this close to him.

  He smelled every bit as good as he looked.

  “Mind if I sit down?” he asked, pointing to the empty chair beside her.

  Nervous, but with no reason to refuse, she nodded her head. Slowly inhaling a deep breath, she smiled and stuck out her hand as the cowboy folded himself into the seat. He filled the space next to her with an appealing scent that made her think of leather, spice, and rugged masculinity.

  “I’m Kenzie.”

  Pleased when he took her hand and gave it a firm, yet gentle shake, the contact created an unsettling storm of electrical currents to rush up her arm.

  “Tate.” A white-toothed grin displayed two dimples through the scruffy stubble on his face. “Tate Morgan.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan.” Tongue-tied and awestruck, Kenzie couldn’t believe she sat next to Tate Morgan, rodeo star.

  Although ranching and rodeos were no longer part of her life, she kept up with some of the details. The good-looking cowboy sitting next to her was one of the top saddle bronc riders in the world. She knew he was from Washington State, but never connected him to the Tri-Cities area where she lived. She absently wondered if he was from Kennewick, Richland, or Pasco.

  He must frequent the Pasco airport as often as she did with his rodeo travels. That was probably why she’d seen him there before and why he was waiting in the seat next to her to board the flight to Denver.

  “Where are you traveling today?”

  “Tennessee,” Tate replied, grateful he arrived late at the airport. The only seat left in the waiting area was the one next to the dark-haired beauty who caught his eye the last few times he flew out of town. “Call me Tate. All my friends do and I certainly hope we’ll be friends.”

  Kenzie narrowed her gaze. She should have known he’d start flirting within seconds of sitting down. Apparently, a pair of boots, a Stetson, and perfect-fitting Wranglers gave a man free license to flirt with any female crossing his path.

  “I don’t make it a habit of becoming friends with people I randomly meet at the airport.” She tore her gaze away from Tate’s gorgeous blue eyes. Swiftly closing the fashion magazine she’d been mindlessly reading before he startled her, she stuffed it into her bag and checked her watch again.

  “Really?” Tate pushed the brim of his Stetson up with an index finger and revealed a hint of light brown hair. “I figure once names are exchanged and handshakes are given, you’re a friend until proven otherwise.”

  Heat filled her cheeks at his words. Despite his friendly tone and broad smile, she recognized a rebuke when she heard one.

  What was it about this man that threw her off her game?

  As a corporate trainer for one of the most successful direct sales companies in the country, she could get a room filled with consultants on their feet and enthusiastically following her direction with no problem. She could take on the corporate team, pitch ideas, and win them over to her way of thinking with hardly a blink.

  But put her next to a cowboy, especially one as attractive as Tate, and she lost the ability to function with any degree of logic or wisdom.

  A voice over the loudspeaker interrupted her thoughts, announcing another fifteen-minute delay for the Denver flight.

  Kenzie released a pent-up sigh, opened a zippered pocket on her bag, and pulled out her phone. She sent a text message to the organizer of the regional meeting in Denver she planned to lead later that morning, informing the woman she would probably be late.

  Normally, Kenzie liked to arrive the day before an event so she didn’t run the risk of being late. It also gave her time to prepare to give her best to the consultants.

  The trainer originally lined up to lead the meeting had an emergency and asked Kenzie to cover for him, so she’d only found out she needed to b
e in Denver the previous evening.

  “Is everything okay?” Tate drummed his fingers on the arm of the seat. In spite of his calm facade, he had a tight connecting flight schedule and if they didn’t get moving, he was going to miss his plane.

  “It will be if we can board and be on our way soon,” Kenzie said, tugging on the navy skirt of her business suit. The airport was warm and stuffy, crowded as it was with people waiting for flights, even though it was early May and the temperature outside was pleasant. “I’m leading a meeting in Denver and unless we make up some time in the air, a few hundred consultants will be left waiting for me to get there. I don’t like to keep people waiting.”

  “That’s good to know.” He grinned again. “What is it you do?”

  Kenzie glanced over to see if he was genuinely interested or just killing time. At the inquisitive look in his eyes, she relaxed a little.

  “I’m a corporate trainer with Dew.” Kenzie took a business card from her bag and handed it to him. “We’re a skin-care company that’s been around since the 1940s.”

  Tate accepted the card from Kenzie and stared at the logo of a pale blue dewdrop with the word “Dew” embossed in gold across the center.

  “Dew?” He thought it was an odd name for a company. “Where’s the name come from?”

  Kenzie smiled and Tate felt drawn to the light shining in her beautiful brown eyes. They reminded him of the molasses his dad was so fond of eating - dark, rich, and sweet.

  “All women want a soft, dewy complexion.” She bit her tongue to keep from launching into her usual spiel about the company and their superior products.