Flame and Ink: An Anthology (Happy Ever After #1)(13)

“That boy really does like to try everything, doesn’t he?”

“Yep. I really, really hope our kids are as good as Brayden and Allison’s.”

Matt swallowed hard and thought about Jordan swollen with his child. “Knowing us, they’ll be hellions, but we’d manage.”

Jordan smiled. “I think we’d manage quite well.”

He looked at the woman he’d loved for so long and thought he’d lost. “You know, if we hurry, we can practice making one right now.”

Jordan rolled her eyes. “Really? That’s like the worst line ever.” The doorbell rang, and she raised a brow. “That would have been a record even for you.”

She flounced away, and he pulled his gaze from her ass as her words caught up to him.

“Even? Really? Well, just wait for tonight. I’ll show you ‘even.’”

“Aunt Jordan!”

Matt followed Jordan and smiled as his wife hugged Cameron close. Allison and Brayden stood in the doorway, leaning on one another as they smiled at their son. Hell, his brother looked damned happy. It was about time. He’d pined for Allison for years, and now the two of them were finally together.

“Thank you so much for watching him,” Allison said as she ran a hand through Cameron’s hair. Cameron immediately fixed it back the way he wanted. “We should be back after dinner.”

“You guys need time to go on dates,” Jordan said as Cameron made gagging sounds.

Matt laughed and picked the boy up over his head and held him upside down. “What’s with the gagging, dude?”

Cameron laughed and tried to wiggle free. Of course, Brayden had to come over and tickle him, just to make sure the kid knew who was boss. As Matt moved so he wouldn’t take a foot to the chin, he was afraid Cameron might end up being boss, after all.

“I give! I give!” Cameron giggled. “I don’t want to hear about Mom and Dad kissing and stuff.”

Matt’s gaze met Brayden’s at the word Dad.

Yeah, that was awesome to hear.

“Have fun tonight, you two,” Matt said as his brother and his new wife left the house.

He held Cameron over his shoulder and Jordan rolled her eyes.

“Hey,” Matt said. “I’m teaching the kid manners.”

“Sure, hon, whatever you say.”

He took Cameron out to the back to play catch, and Jordan followed. As the sun shone and the sound of a child’s laughter filled the air, Matt had to stand back and take a deep breath. This was it.

This was what he wanted.

He looked into Jordan’s eyes, and she smiled back.

“Soon, Matt. Soon.”

He froze. “How soon, Jordan?”

She just winked and shook her head.

Was she? Could she be?





At Home with Cupid


A Holiday, Montana Short Story



Author Note: This is a Holiday Montana short story set after the events of Dream of Ivory (Holiday, Montana Book 5). It’s based on Abigail and Tyler from Finding Abigail (Holiday, Montana Book 3). You don’t have to read the books before you read this one, as it really only spoils the fact that Abby and Tyler are married and since it’s a romance, that’s not too much of a spoiler!



“I’m not doing it, Abigail. I won’t.” Tyler Cooper raised his chin, showing he meant what he said. “I don’t care what you say. You’re not taking me there. No matter what reasoning you have, no matter what incentives you give me, I’m not going.”

Eric, his two-year-old, took that moment to vomit on Tyler’s shoes.

“Oh, he—ck.” He risked a glance at his wife—at his almost-curse—then picked up his pale son gently. “What’s wrong, buddy?”

“It was probably the candy you gave him when your brothers were over to watch the game,” Abigail said lightly, worry on her face as she powdered their daughter’s tiny butt. “Eric, honey, let Daddy take care of you for a bit. Mommy will be right back to hold you if you want.”

Tears streamed down Eric’s face, and Tyler brought his son to his chest, the surprisingly heavy weight familiar.

“I’m sorry, buddy. Come on. Let’s get you all cleaned up.”

After bath time with a two-year-old, Tyler was soaked, sore, and empty-handed, as Eric had gone directly into Abigail’s arms as soon as he could. Couldn’t blame the kid, really. He cleaned up the mess, ran a hand through his hair, and then changed into dry clothes.

Thus ended a usual day in the Cooper household.

It never failed to surprise him how much his life had changed in less than three years. Before, he’d been the bachelor and had never wanted to settle down. Now he was a father of two kids and married to his best friend—who also happened to be sexy as hell.

He looked into the nursery where Abigail was rocking Beth in her arms and smiled. Yes, still sexy, even with shadows under her eyes from lack of sleep. He knew he wore the same shadows, as he never let her get up without him. He also worked odd hours as sheriff of Holiday, Montana, so the aches and pains of getting older seemed to get worse as the months passed.

When Abigail gave him a small smile, he walked into the room, picked up a sleeping Beth, and put her in her crib. He tucked the blanket around her and ran his large hand over her little head.