Coral Hearts (24 page)

Authors: Avery Gale

Tags: #Fiction, #Romance

The rest of the evening passed in a blur. It was the most fun Coral had ever had at a party and everyone around her seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. She danced so much she’d finally kicked her shoes off and continued dancing until she was about to collapse. Brushing back the long tendrils of hair sticking to the sides of her face, she smiled at the youngest of the Morgan brothers. “I have to stop, Kip. I’m done in.” When she started to step back, he shook his head and turned her into her husband’s waiting arms.

“One more dance, my love. This song is from me to you. I want you to listen carefully to the words, and rest assured each word is exactly what my heart wants to say to yours.” When she realized Colt was standing on the small stage singing
Everything I Do
by Bryan Adams, she felt tears fill her eyes. Laying her head over his heart, she let herself melt into the dance. The lyrics whispered to her soul and she knew in that moment her heart was forever bound to his. Their future lay before them in a sparkling panorama and the view was breathtaking.

Epilogue

B
randt Morgan leaned
against the wall watching his new sister-in-law and her friends dance. He couldn’t hold back his smile, damn they were having a great time. His personal contribution to the wedding festivities had been the rental fee for several vans and their drivers. The shuttles had picked up many of the wedding guests at their homes and would return them home safely. He hadn’t wanted to risk losing any friends on the twisting mountain road leading to the ranch. Driving under the influence was not only illegal, it was dangerous, and preventable.

Brandt watched Joelle Freemont step over to a nearby table to take a gulping drink of her bottled water. When he’d offered to act as her designated driver, she’d shaken her head explaining that she didn’t drink and riding with him would be “too dangerous.” He wasn’t sure she’d intended for him to hear her words, but there wasn’t much about her he allowed to slip by unnoticed.

“She’s beautiful, but damned spooky, that one.” His younger brother Phoenix tipped the top of his beer in Joelle’s direction and grinned. “What do you think her story is? Her record is so clean it squeaks.” Brand understood exactly what his brother was saying—anything that scrubbed had to be created.
Damn, the Feds usually don’t make that sort of mistake—unless they’re trying to get someone killed.

“I have been wondering about that myself, but I’m afraid to ask too many questions. I don’t want to draw attention to her if she has a reason to hide, and I don’t want to spook her either.” If she ran, he knew he’d never find her and there was something about her that drew him in. Hell, she was the first woman he’d been interested in since he’d moved home. Oh, he’d dated and he’d topped subs at the kink clubs he visited, but Joelle was the first woman he’d wanted to spend time with when they weren’t both naked.

“She’s way smarter than she wants anyone to know.” Brandt raised a brow in Phoenix’s direction in question. “It’s in the way she speaks, the way she puts words together. Listen closely and you’ll hear it.”
God damned Mensa brother.
Why hadn’t Brandt noticed that?
Maybe because you’re too busy trying to figure out how to get her into your bed.

“Word on the street is one of the boys from the Dennison Ranch has taken an interest in Joelle.”
What the fuck?
Phoenix nudged him. “Don’t sit on your hands too long brother, she’s a sweet one even if she’s a mystery.” His brother stood straight and grinned over at him before moving back to the bar. Brandt stayed in the shadows watching as Joelle darted down the hall to the powder room. The little minx had been avoiding him all evening, but
that
was about to end. Moving to the end of the hall, Brandt stepped to the side and waited.

Joelle looked into
the mirror and sighed. Damn that man had been watching her all evening. She’d managed to stay one-step ahead of him, but she suspected her time was running short. Brandt Morgan didn’t appear to be a man who would be dissuaded for long. His dark eyes always seemed to be tracking her…like a wolf watching a lamb.

They’d shared a table at the local diner on several occasions and she’d been surprised to discover the normally stoic sheriff was actually fun to talk to. He was well read and had traveled extensively as a Navy SEAL. He’d been as open about his military service as she suspected he could be, and the few times she’d asked something sensitive he’d just shaken his head no without answering. She’d appreciated the fact he hadn’t given her that cheesy line about having to kill her if he answered the question.
Wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that line.

Brandt Morgan was straight up sex on two legs. The man exuded confidence on every level, but she’d seen flashes of vulnerability in his eyes more than once which made her wonder how many layers lay beneath the swagger. Walking back down the short hall, Joelle couldn’t hold back her smile. Holy shit, who’d have ever thought Coral Williams would turn out to be childhood friends with Josephine Alta? Or that the singing sensation would perform at Sage and Coral’s wedding celebration?

Joelle had learned years earlier there was nothing to be gained by regret, but seeing Brant’s blatant interest in her made her wish things were different. What would it be like to have the freedom to pursue her interest in the local sheriff? Taking a deep breath, Joelle firmed her resolve to resist the temptation he represented. When she stepped back into the room, Joelle gasped in surprise when warm fingers wrapped around her wrist before spinning her against his chest, “Dance with me, minx.”
Oh brother….

The End

Books by Avery Gale

The Wolf Pack Series

Mated – Book One

Fated Magic – Book Two

Tempted by Darkness – Book Three

Masters of the Prairie Winds Club

Out of the Storm

Saving Grace

Jen’s Journey

Bound Treasure

Punishing for Pleasure