A Match Made In Texas (23 page)
Austin quickly closed the distance and took her lips in a hungry, searing kiss.
"Aw geez!" Kelsey said. "I'm out of here."
EPILOGUE
"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Kelsey watched her dad kiss his new wife. Her new mother. Applause erupted in the small church. Kelsey scanned the congregation and saw her friend Amelia give a thumbs up. Her dad continued to kiss Theresa and Kelsey rolled her eyes. They were always kissing and hugging and holding hands. It made her feel a little funny in the tummy. It also made her very happy.
For a while there, Kelsey thought her plans weren't going to work out. She had given up hope that her dad and teacher would get together. Looking at Miss Rogers's--
Mom's
--glowing face, she was glad her dad had finally come to his senses. Kelsey knew her dad had loved her mother desperately, but she had died. And he'd been so sad. So alone.
Now, everything was like it should be. Dad had a new wife. And she had a new mother. It had all been worth it. The matchmaking business wasn't really so difficult, thought Kelsey. She looked around the church, speculating about some of the other people she loved. Uncle Tyler leaned on his crutches, standing next to her dad with a big smile on his face. He caught her eye and winked. Uncle Tyler sure could use a wife. He dated a lot of girls, but never stayed with one for long. He definitely had problems in the relationship department.
He also had a big problem about flying. Since the crash, he hadn't been near any of his planes. Of course, he'd been hurt pretty bad. Rehab and physical therapy didn't leave much time for flying. But Kelsey had the distinct impression that her uncle was afraid to fly again. She tried not to feel guilty about any of it, since it had been her idea to fly Miss Rogers--
Mom (man, she couldn't get used to calling her that even though it had been her dearest wish)
--to fly
Mom
to Houston last Christmas. Everyone assured her it wasn't her fault, but she still felt guilty.
A huge sigh on her right pulled Kelsey's thoughts away from her uncle toward her Aunt Tori, who was standing next to her in the bridal party. Kelsey stole a glance at her. She didn't look too happy. Who was she looking at in the congregation? Or trying
not
to look at? Oh my God! Sam Garza? He worked at the garage with Aunt Jessie. Was something going on between Aunt Tori and
him
?
Kelsey shook her head. Why did people make their lives so complicated? It shouldn't be difficult to find someone to love and marry. When her time came, Kelsey decided she would make it as simple as possible. She would meet a man and they would know instantly they were meant for each other. Then they would marry and live their lives happily ever after.
No problem. Not a big deal.
Right?
###
For more eBooks by Anne Marie Novark
Go to
Amazon.com
***
The Diamondback Ranch Series
Book One:
The Doctor Wears A Stetson
Jessie Kincaid was fifteen and innocent when Cameron asked her to the prom. She lost her heart that night, but his plans didn't change. He left their small town to pursue his dreams.
Seventeen years later, a trip home leads Cameron McCade back to Salt Fork, Texas and the newly widowed Jessie Divine. Since his return, the fire between them burns as hot as ever. Can they take up where they left off? Can Jessie risk her heart again?
The Diamondback Ranch Series
Book Two
: The Cowboy's Surrender
Copper River Oil Company is drilling for oil on the Diamondback Ranch. Dallas McCade can't do a thing to stop them, because he doesn't own the mineral rights. To add insult to injury, they've sent a woman to oversee the operation. Dallas has good reason to distrust women. As soon as he sets eyes on Gillian Bankston, he loses his temper . . . and his control. That makes him spitting mad and frustrated as hell.
Gillian has never met a man quite like Dallas. He's as prickly as a cactus, but his kisses are hot enough to ignite a West Texas wildfire. Gillian's been burned before and wants nothing to do with love or lust. Battle lines are drawn and it's war between the sexes. Will they surrender to the powerful attraction neither can deny? Who will be the first to wave the white flag?
***
For announcements on upcoming releases:
***
Return to Stone Creek
Living with his stern grandfather taught Trevor Callahan one important lesson: Caring makes a man weak. Now the old man is dead and Trev returns to Stone Creek for one reason and one reason only--to sell the Rocking C Ranch. Maybe then he can put his past behind him and move on.
Beth Evans once confused lust for love and vows never to let it happen again. The bookmobile driver is trying to raise funds to build a new library. The late Hank Callahan bequeathed a million dollars for the project, but he attached one stipulation: Do not let his grandson sell the ranch.
***
A Regency Romance Novel
The rakish Viscount Rochdale, Damien Avenall, loved Alexandra Turlington like a little sister; or so he thought until Alex grew into a lovely and desirable young lady. In a moment of madness, he kissed her and everything changed between them. Harboring a lifelong distrust of beautiful women, he believed they could no longer be friends.
Ten years pass and Damien finds himself escorting Alexandra’s critically-wounded brother home to Willowmede, where he must face the only woman he’s ever truly wanted; the one woman he can never have. He is determined to exorcise Alex from his heart once and for all, even if it means he must kiss her again . . . one last time.
Alex often wonders why Damien betrayed their special friendship. His kiss awakened her to passion, but she knows better than to give her heart to a libertine. Or does she? When the viscount offers to stay and help nurse her brother back to health, Alexandra discovers her heart has always belonged to Damien. But this time, she wants more than his friendship. This time, she wants it all.
***
Sparks fly and computers crash when Claire Maxwell's cybercafe is used for nefarious purposes. She's thrown into the midst of an undercover operation and doesn't like it one bit. She really doesn't like being thrown in the company of the hot private eye handling the case. Claire doesn't believe in love or happily ever after anymore. Can the handsome P.I. change her mind?
Dillon Anderson needs Claire's help to stop a dangerous corporate hacker. What he doesn't need is the sucker punch of desire whenever she's near. Dillon has always avoided women like Claire, but avoiding this particular woman proves to be an impossible mission. Can he get the job done without getting done in himself?
***
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Travis is a hard-working, self-made rancher that has never known love or softness of any kind. His only use for women is sexual, and Selena is caught on his ranch with no way out. While Selena plots her escape from his control, Travis ruthlessly and methodically tightens his possession and makes it impossible for her to leave. The struggle that follows is a clash of wills that pits purity against passion, virtue against vice and love against lust.
and
A futuristic paranormal romance novel (120k words) in a retrospective style reminiscent of the great science fiction of the 1960s.
In an obscure arm of the Mist Galaxy, light years from old Earth, the Ajoricans (Jories) are life companions to certain humans with psychic abilities. Time and space obey these cat-like creatures. They can bend and stop time, see time-to-be, jump vast distances alone, and take their humans with them.
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Captain Lord Rhad Detangi, heir to the ancient Leopard throne, rescues twelve-year-old Princess Reisa Hyatt-Hale from a hostile takeover of her parents' castle. Able to read minds and manipulate others by "pushing" them, Rhad discovers Reisa is an empath, who is unaware of her own psychic powers.
Years later, their lives intertwine again when they are put on a ship bound for the prison planet Cortania. Reisa is grown up. Her powers have evolved and her feelings have matured. The compelling presence of Rhad Detangi is an irresistible force she cannot fight.
Rhad has never forgotten the girl he rescued so long ago. The emotional bonds they forged, and Reisa's ethereal beauty combine to fuel the obsessive need Rhad feels. Can they win against the evil forces that threaten their worlds? Can her absolute love survive his absolute power?
***
About the Author . . .
Anne Marie is a Texas girl, born and raised. Romance is her passion. She loves to read and write about men and women falling in love, overcoming life's obstacles, and living happily ever after. She writes spicy contemporary novels, usually involving a cowboy or two, as well as Regency historicals.
Anne Marie lives just outside of Houston with her husband who is her best friend and her own special hero. They have two grown children, two mischievous cats and one sweet puppy dog. Besides reading and writing, Anne Marie enjoys puttering around in her flowerbeds, going to garage sales, collecting antiques and watching old movies.
Visit her at
www.annemarienovark.com
.
Happy Reading!!!