"Riley? Earth to Riley?" Her co-worker waved a hand in front of her face.
She blinked, focusing back on the present. "Oh, I'm sorry, Danielle. I get off early for the holiday in an hour and guess my mind is already there. I must have…"
The tall blonde waved her hand. "You were daydreaming about that hunky fiancé of yours. Again."
Her face heated at the accuracy of the guess. "I…"
Danielle leaned in. "Don't worry about it. Honestly, girl, if I were in your shoes, I'd be tons worse. A woman catches a man like that, she's got a right to be distracted."
They both turned as male voices carried across the room. Sure enough Loco and Spoon stood at the base of the wall, surrounded by other gym members eager to watch them race to the top.
Someone shouted, "Go," and they flew up the sheer face using hand and footholds only briefly before moving to the next.
"Mighty distracted." Danielle's tongue flicked out to lick her lips.
Riley bit back a chuckle, proud that other women appreciated what they saw in Spoon, but really glad they didn't attempt to poach. She would hate to have to yank them bald.
Spoon finished his climb before letting the safety harness ease him down. Feet back on the mat, he turned, shooting her a wide smile that sent her heart to racing and belly into a slow delightful somersault.
"Oh, yeah. Definitely distracted."
* * * *
July's heat and humidity gave way to a temperate day after morning rain, lowering the day's high temperature a good twenty degrees from normal. Not that anyone minded.
Matt and Crystal had invited Spoon and Riley out to celebrate Independence Day at their house with a backyard picnic. Eager to see the new house and reacquaint with his brother, Spoon happily accepted, dragging Riley along without a single protest. Even Achilles received an invitation.
The standard sized house conveyed a sense of home without being too stiff or cluttered. However, the backyard made the deal in his opinion. Stately oak trees overshadowed the backyard, allowing only filtered sunlight through their canopy of green leaves. A covered patio served as a the focal point for relaxing in the great outdoors while the grill busily cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for a traditional holiday lunch. Made for either a growing family or retired seniors who enjoyed lazy mornings and bird watching, the large area provided a clean slate for just about anything. Mature landscaping only added to the appeal.
"How's the job at Rare Gems?" Spoon tossed out before taking a sip of his soda.
"Great." Matt turned his attention from the grill to address Spoon. "The engineering sector was quite interested in my thesis work. Last I knew they were poring over it to determine where and how to initiate my suggestions." He waved the spatula in the air. "If it works, the CEO promised a tidy raise."
"That's wonderful." Spoon sat on the steps leading from the house into the backyard. "I knew you could do it."
"Without you confronting our father and showing me my own stupidity in waiting on a pipe dream, it would never have happened."
With a shrug, Spoon stretched out his legs. He might have connected his brother with a high level management in the business, but the rest fell on Matt's shoulders.
Riley placed the paper plates and silverware on the outdoor table before following with matching cups. Grabbing the ice scoop, she doled out cubes into each one.
He watched her with masculine interest, noting the way her light beige shorts outlined her rear each time she bent over. Cropped red hair curled around her face, emphasizing her bubbly energetic appearance.
"Crystal, let me help you with that." Riley put the bag of ice down in order to lend a hand.
Matt's slender dark-haired wife just shook her head. "I've got it." She set down an armful of bowls, each filled with side foods for their meal. Potato chips in three different flavors sat to one side, beside a platter full of freshly cut watermelon. A pitcher of lemonade waited to be poured into cups while a small cooler filled with plastic bottles of soda waited for those choosing that option.
"You went way overboard." Riley shook her head at the feast that lay before them.
The other woman simply smiled. "I wanted to make sure no one went away hungry."
Achilles took that moment to sniff the table, snatch the paper plate holding the hot dogs, and drag it off the table, letting it fall to the ground. All eyes turned at the plop to find the pony-sized canine scarfing down every hot dog that Matt had plucked from the grill.
"Achilles!" Riley gasped out.
Matt shook his head, a grin on his face. "My fault. Poor guy has been begging since you arrived. I ignored him for too long."
Spoon chuckled. "He acts like he's starving to death all the time."
Riley walked over, taking the seat at the end of the table. Her small hands ran down Achilles' filled-out sides where just a couple months ago prominent ribs stood out in his gaunt state.
Spoon flashed back to the day he'd presented the large-boned and skinny dog to her. Definitely one of the best days for him and also for Achilles who now ruled the roost with his noble bearing.
"As far as I can figure, he's got two talents. Sleeping and counter surfing." She continued stroking her pet with great affection.
"Don't forget snoring and drooling," Spoon added in, walking over to take the seat beside her, then reaching out to scratch behind the large dog's ears. He didn't worry so much when a new assignment came down the pike, forcing him to be away for sometimes weeks at a time. Despite Achilles' friendly nature, he didn't doubt the beast would stand between Riley and any threat that might appear. Heck, just his massive size and huge head would be enough to drive most would-be burglars away.
"No worries. We have plenty of hamburgers still," Matt assured, agilely turning several more patties over. Finishing that task, he ambled to his wife's side.
Matt and Crystal shared a look before smiling widely at them both. "We have an announcement," Matt started in.
"We're pregnant," Crystal finished for him.
"That's wonderful!" Riley exclaimed, getting up to hug the other woman.
Spoon followed suit, shaking his brother's hand enthusiastically before slapping him on the back. "Congratulations. The kid will have the best parents." He hugged his younger brother, more proud and delighted than ever.
Crystal returned to Matt's side, leaning into his embrace. "Not to mention the world's best uncle and aunt."
Riley blushed prettily with the sudden rapt attention aimed her direction. Spoon's lips tilted up. His little fiancée squirmed under direct appraisal and shied away from being in the spotlight at every opportunity. And, he knew for a fact just how low that crimson stain went on her lovely body.
"Oh, don't play innocent with me. Besides, I need to see this rock I've heard so much about," Crystal continued, waving toward Riley's left hand.
"Well…" Holding out her hand, she let Crystal get a close-up view of her shining engagement ring, a platinum base with a shiny blue sapphire. While the stone wasn't rare or huge, she loved her ring, nonetheless.
When Spoon had presented her with the colored gem, she'd accepted it without hesitation, understanding a diamond would always remind him of his father and the canyon-sized gap in their almost non-existent relationship. Much better to go with a totally non-traditional stone that would have no negative connotations attached. Start clean with a lovely sapphire whose only memories would be happy ones.
"I knew he would propose two months ago when all he talked about was you," Matt chipped in before turning to flip the remaining hamburgers.
Spoon chuckled. "I'm not stupid. Saw a good thing and decided to keep her." So Riley had taken over his thoughts a while back. Sue him.
"Gee. Thanks." She snorted at him, ruining the haughty response by beaming brightly.
Moving to her side, he pulled her against him, brushing a kiss across her temple.
Months earlier, he had lamented to Loco about being the only single Wind Warrior remaining while he'd struggled with envy at their happiness and resulting loneliness on his end. Then, he'd realized how blind he had been to the unique beauty right under his nose once he saw her in a different light.
He must have sailed under a lucky star that day because she had not only returned his love, but brightened his days and filled his nights with unending passion. A priceless gem, she sparkled with happiness and alluring sensuality, a combination he craved for now and always.
Glancing at Matt, he grinned with pride. The break from their father had done him good, allowing him the opportunity and providing the needed motivation in order to start on the ladder to success. From the sounds of things, Matt had quickly scaled up a few rungs with only a short hike to the top. He and his wife glowed with their announcement, telling him of their simple joy in not only their lot in life, but in the soon-to-be new family member. In all honesty, Spoon didn't miss his father and felt a weight lifted off his shoulders after the final confrontation. Long ago he'd realized his position in that man's life and wanted no part of it. Everything he had, he had earned himself, just the way he wanted. He hoped Matt felt the same, but couldn't be sure since they never spoke about what could have been. His brother had worked so long and hard to receive the rewards of his devotion and loyalty only to discover the illusion vanish like a morning fog heated under the sun's rays.
Riley snuggled against his chest until Achilles nearly toppled them both over when he decided to join in the huggy-kissy moment by leaning heavily on her legs. Spoon steadied her while bracing himself against the heavy animal, a habit he'd developed since the canine entered his life.
A new life full of happiness and one he had never envisioned for himself. He continued to beat the odds by staying alive in his dangerous occupation, more motivated than ever to return home to his soon to be wife, the woman he loved more than anything else in the world. She never failed to put a smile on his face, a bounce in his step, a tightening in his groin, and a lifting in his heart.
Not bad, not bad at all, for a lonely wealthy kid, ex-Army grunt, and Wind Warrior known as Silver Spoon. He'd won life's lottery and intended to revel in the richness for the rest of his days.
The End
About the Author
Growing up in the Midwest, I began reading romance novels in high school, immediately falling in love with the genre, to the point where I decided to write professionally for a career. However, that dream splattered against a brick wall and resulting quick death in my first writing class in college when my professor told me bluntly that I wasn't any good at it. I shifted gears quickly, and left my writing dreams behind, eventually settling on being a nurse. A few years back, I stumbled across a fan-fiction writing site on a favorite author's webpage. I began to read stories others wrote, not only making some wonderful close friends from the experience, but also, really learning to write for the very first time. Here I was able to share short stories, practice my writing skills, and truly develop into a writer. More than that, the experience allowed me to revitalize my dream, as I rediscovered joy in writing. When I'm not working or writing, I enjoy working in the garden, canning, and seeing my backyard as a living canvas for my whimsical landscaping, and, of course, reading romance novels.
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Also by Cheyenne Meadows
Available from
Silver Publishing
As Fate Would Have It
Christmas with Mesa
Dreams and Desires
: "A Fate-filled Christmas"
WIND WARRIORS
Tiger's Lily
Loco
Summer's Night
Sky's Lark
Silver Spoon
THE COIN TOSS
Heads: Vampire
Reviews
As Fate Would Have It
The unbelievable chemistry of these two characters, is what makes
As Fate Would Have It
, the sweltering and fantastic read that it is. Rye is a detective that once worked as an actor. He's not just any actor though, he's a retired porn star, with a whole heck of a lot more experience then the virgin that is Brie. Rye will rock your socks off with his sexy sweet talking and his domineering ways. He's got a hidden sensitive side as well, creating a character that will leave you dying for more with every page you read. Brie is a good girl nurse, with nothing but an uppity spirit flowing through her. She also happens to be most hilarious heroine I have read about in a while. She's determined and strong-willed, never wanting to give up on anything in life. I admire her willingness to take risks in order to help people she knows nothing about. She's a grade A character who will make you want to be a better person yourself.
I read As Fate Would Have it in one setting, and it was the most fun I have had, while reading a book, in a very long time. With humor galore throughout, and passionate sexual tension thrown in too, I guarantee that As Fate Would Have It, will become a favorite for many. I know for suret, that it's now one of mine! So if you need a fast paced romance with an abundance of humor, then be sure to pick As Fate Would Have It up! You can't get much better than this!
~ 5 Hearts ~
—Sizzling Hot Book Reviews