“Because if you don’t, folks’ll think you don’t trust them.” Alex slung an arm around Will’s shoulders, heading into the barn. “I know that’s not true, but do you know how bad I’d feel if you’d lost that clinic? Knowing I could’ve helped you, if only you’d asked?”

  Will was quiet a moment, overcome with emotion. He took a deep breath to calm himself and summoned a grin. “I’d have felt pretty stupid, myself.”

  “That’s ’cause you would’ve been.” Travis thrust a chair at him, a big heavy armchair with a high, laddered back. “See, here’s me asking you, will you lug this massive chair?”

  “This one’s too big. It won’t fit at the table.” Will set it down and grabbed a neat folding chair. “This one, on the other hand...”

  “Fine. Be that way.” Travis grabbed a chair of his own, and they all burst out laughing. They trooped back down the path and up the porch steps. Will left his boots outside, and Alex and Travis scraped theirs free of snow. They crowded the chairs in at the children’s end, then Will made his way to the kitchen.

  “Just in time for a taste-test.” Serena perked up at the sight of him and held out a spoon. “Custard for the meringue tarts. Too sweet or just right?”

  Will blushed as he sampled the treat, aware of Juniper and Scarlett watching the proceedings. Then the taste filled his mouth, and he nearly melted on the spot.

  “It’s delicious,” he managed. “Sweet, but not too sweet. Perfect, just like you.”

  Serena’s eyes narrowed. “You mean that, Will Harvey? Or you just buttering me up?”

  “Taste for yourself.”

  Serena leaned in and kissed him, smack on the lips. Her kiss was sweet too, and Will lost himself in it. A daydream overtook him, a glimpse of his future—laughter and kisses stretching out through the years. A house of their own with a picket fence and a porch swing. Kids and grandkids stealing baked treats from the kitchen. And tonight, to kick it off, the perfect Christmas dinner.

  I’m the luckiest, he thought, as Serena’s hand found his. The luckiest man alive.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  “Well, don’t you look smug? What’d you do, win the lottery while no one was looking?”

  “Dad? Where’d you come from?” Will shook off his daydream, but his smile didn’t fade. “You’ve gotta stop sneaking up like that. You’ll scare someone to death.”

  “I could’ve rolled up jingling sleigh bells, and you wouldn’t have noticed. You’re off in your own world. You have been all day.” Dad thumped him on the arm. “C’mon, what’s your secret? What’s with the grin?”

  Will shrugged his shoulders. “I was just thinking, Alex and Juniper couldn’t have picked a better day for their big event. A Christmas wedding, talk about magic.” He surveyed the barn, all decked out in lights and mistletoe, swags of roses and holly hanging from every beam. Soon, the happy couple would share their first dance, but for now the kids were bopping to the music, the girls with warm sweaters pulled over their bridesmaids’ dresses, the boys in their tuxes and holly boutonnieres. Travis was letting Lizzie dance on his feet. Denver was showing Nathan how to do a do-si-do.

  “It’s a great party,” said Dad. “But the wedding’s just the start. It’s the marriage that counts, showing up every day.” He nodded to himself, eyes fixed on Alex and Juniper. “You look at those two, you know they’ve got it in the bag. Same with you and Serena, so I was wondering—”

  “Oh, look. There’s the cake.” Will got to his feet as Scarlett and Serena emerged from the back, pushing the wedding cake on a big, rose-draped cart. A chorus of oohs and aahs greeted its arrival, and even though Will had seen it already, he joined in the applause. The cake was magnificent, truly Serena’s masterpiece—six tiers of Christmas decadence, sparkling with sugar snow. She’d been up all night crafting mint ganache leaves and raspberry cream berries, sprays of edible holly and mistletoe topping every slice. Will had been her taster, and after that, her masseur, working the kinks from her shoulders with practiced hands.

  “We’d best get a taste of that before the kids scarf it all.” Dad rolled past with a wink, and Will trailed behind. Travis fell in beside him with a companionable jostle.

  “He’s looking good,” Travis said.

  “Who, Dad?”

  “Who else?” He watched as Dad wove through the crowd, making his way to the front. “Even a year ago, he’d have needed a nap after dinner. Check him out now, first to the cake.”

  “I think he’s happy,” said Will. “Happy folks have more energy. That’s just a fact of life.” He shot Travis a sidelong glance. “Speaking of which...”

  “Hmm?”

  “Couldn’t help but notice you out there, dancing up a storm. Should I take that to mean you’ve had some good news yourself?”

  “Is it that obvious?” Travis fought it for a moment, then broke out in a grin. “I wasn’t going to say anything, what with it being Alex’s big day. But me and Scarlett just heard, we’re gonna be fostering a little girl come the New Year. Her name’s Juanita, she’s nine years old, and she’ll be arriving January fifth.”

  “Travis! That’s incredible.” Will clapped him on the shoulder. “I know you’ve been wanting this, you and Scarlett both.”

  “We’re over the moon.” Travis lowered his voice as they joined the line for cake. “Everything feels more settled, now we’re engaged. We want a big family, so you know. Why wait?”

  “Why, indeed?” Will waved at Serena, and his chest felt tight. He wanted to vault over the table and sweep her off her feet, hold her and kiss her till the world fell away. But she had her hands full dishing out the cake—a big slice for Dad, with extra red berries; a thin slice for Lizzie, who’d been stealing gingerbread all night. Will’s heart swelled as guest after guest showered Serena with praise for the cake—truly delicious. Almost too pretty to eat. Serena was glowing, and deservedly so.

  “I told you they’d love it,” he said, when his turn came around.

  “I saved you a corner piece, extra berries, extra icing.” She leaned in and kissed him as she passed back his plate.

  “You always take care of me.” Will took a bite, and the flavors flooded his mouth, vanilla and raspberry, a faint hint of rum. He’d never been a dessert guy, but since he’d met Serena, those delicate flavors had gained a new appeal. He couldn’t bite into a cookie without picturing her in her kitchen, couldn’t sniff a donut without being swept up in a rush of affection. He pressed in close, licking icing off his lip. “Hey, when you’re done here, want to go for a walk?”

  “I’d love that,” she whispered. “Meet me by the doors after the first dance?”

  “It’s a date.” Will stole one more kiss, and then he moved aside. The hungry crowd closed in, hiding Serena from view. Will would’ve resented them, but soon she’d be all his, under the stars. His heart thumped with that familiar anticipation, as sharp and fresh now as it had been on their first date. Serena was the one, no two ways about that. She was the one, and tonight, he’d let her know it.

  Serena arrived breathless, cheeks hot with exertion. Will was waiting already, and he hurried to meet her.

  “I thought you forgot me,” he said.

  “You did not.”

  “No. I didn’t.” Will let out a chuckle. “Actually, I was watching you. Watching you checking on Nathan and Julie, making sure they were warm enough. Doing up their coats.”

  “They’re up way past their bedtime,” said Serena. “But tonight’s a special night.”

  “One for the books,” agreed Will. He took Serena by the arm and led her outside. The footpath was lined with sparkling Christmas lights, and Serena stopped to admire them, and the bright stars above.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said. She did a slow turn to take in the scene. “I had my doubts setting it up, those wires all around. But in the dark it’s like walking through a constellation.”

  “Come up here a ways,” said Will. He guided Serena up the twinkling path, and her heart began to race. There was something in his expression, in the tone of his voice—something grave, something serious—which hadn’t been there before.

  “Will? You okay?”

  “Never better.” He stopped under the big tree, looking down on the hill where the kids loved to go sledding. “I brought you out here because—remember when you first moved to town?”

  “Back in sixth grade?” Serena laughed. “How could I forget? I was so nervous, starting at a new school halfway through the year.”

  “I saw you that day,” said Will. “I used to shovel driveways, five bucks a pop. I was shoveling Mr. Sopwith’s when you pulled up with your ma. You were heading inside when one of the movers took a spill. He went ass over teakettle and dropped this big box. It split wide open and these ponies fell out, these little china ponies, and your ma ran up and started trying to save ’em. You ran up too, but not for your ponies.” Will grasped her hands, his grip firm and sure. A slow smile had lit up his face, filled with such warmth and light Serena’s eyes swam with tears. “You helped him up,” he said. “You saw his hands were scraped, and you went to find Band-Aids. Your ma was all mad about the broken china, but you just wanted to help.”

  “I remember the ponies,” said Serena. “I collected those for years. But I don’t remember you there. Didn’t you come say hi?”

  “I was too shy back then.” Will shook his head. “But I never forgot that, how he smashed all your ponies and you never got mad. How you ran and found Band-Aids...you were so sweet.”

  “I wish you’d come over. We could’ve been friends.”

  “I wish I had too,” said Will. “Another seven years of you, middle school and high school—I could kick myself now, missing out on all that.” He laughed, low and rueful. “I’d got it in my head we were from two different worlds. You were so perfect, so popular. I was this nerdy kid from out on the ranch. But now—”

  Serena stood breathless, her heart beating fast. “But now?”

  “You’re still all those things, all I fell for back then. You’re still the kindest, the smartest, the best person I know. But we’ve built our own world together. Our own dream. Our own life with room for both of us.” Will moved closer, enfolding her in his warmth. “You have your bakery. I’ve got the clinic. We have our traditions, our rituals, our Sunday pancake breakfasts—we’ve got all that, and I never want it to end.”

  Serena reached for him, her hand on his cheek. “Will? Are you...?”

  “Yes. I’m proposing.” He dropped down to one knee and fumbled in his pocket. His hand shook and he dropped the ring, the box plopping in the snow. Serena knelt to get it and Will caught her in his arms.

  “I didn’t—”

  She cut him off with a kiss. She couldn’t wait one more minute, not one second more. Her heart was overflowing, and she needed him in her arms. She needed his rough lips, the scrape of his stubble, the taste of sugar on his lips as he kissed her back. She needed this for a lifetime, Will at her side—Will waking up next to her, kissing her goodnight.

  “I never got to ask you—”

  “It’s yes. Of course it’s yes.” She popped the box open and held it out to Will. He plucked out the ring and lifted it to the light. Serena caught the sparkle of diamonds and the rich gleam of rubies, and then Will was slipping the ring onto her finger.

  “I’ve put it on your right hand,” he said. “But just for tonight, so we don’t steal the spotlight.”

  “Our little secret, for our little world.” Serena kissed Will again, slow and lingering in the snow. “I love you,” she whispered. “You make me happy every day.”

  “That’s all I want,” said Will. “Our happy family, you and me and the kids.”

  Serena snuggled up to him, her heart filled with joy. She’d found a home in him, in the life they’d built together. In his big, messy family and his unwavering sense of hope. He’d taught her to hope, too, to believe in her dreams. She’d never been happier than she was in this moment, with Will’s ring on her finger and the world at her feet.

  “Let’s go check on the kids,” she said. “Make sure they’re having fun.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Will squeezed her hand, and he helped her to her feet. They set out hand in hand, toward the rest of their lives.

  End of Cowboy’s Christmas Homecoming

  Christmas at the Harvey Ranch Book Three

  Rancher’s Family Christmas, 4 November 2021

  Cowboy’s Christmas Return, 11 November 2021

  Cowboy’s Christmas Homecoming, 18 November 2021

  PS: Want to saddle up with another cowboy? Then keep reading for exclusive extracts from Cowboy’s Secret Son and Cowboy’s Christmas Past.

  Thank you!

  Thank you so much for purchasing my book. It’s hard for me to put into words how much I appreciate my readers. If you enjoyed this book, please remember to leave a review. Reviews are crucial for an author’s success and I would greatly appreciate it if you took the time to review the book. I love hearing from you!

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  About Leslie

  Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pen name for a critically-acclaimed author of women's contemporary romance and fiction. The anonymity gives her the perfect opportunity to paint with her full artistic palette, especially in the romance and erotic fantasy genres.

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  BLURB

  Lights, Camera, Romance…

  Remington’s late father left him half of the family’s famous cowboy camp. But he left the other half to a kid Remington has never met—although the adorable child's mother is no stranger. Melody Naly was Remington’s childhood best friend, until they foolishly spent a night together.

  When Remington left home to become a hot shot rodeo star, Melody stayed to run the Collier Cowboy Camp, and to take care of Remington’s ailing father. But in the process, she sacrificed her dreams of traveling to raise her son...Remington’s son.

  Remington only came back to star in a new reality show, following his renovations of the old-school camp, as he turns it into a state-of-the-art getaway for kids. With the cameras always rolling, nothing can stay hidden for long. Especially the smoldering tension—and chemistry—between Melody and Remington.

  Once Remington finds out about his secret son, he’s desperate to be the best father he can be. But can Melody trust him this time, when he says he’s back for good?

  Grab your copy of

  Cowboy’s Secret Son

  Available 27 January 2022

  Available for pre-order now

  www.LeslieNorthBooks.com

  EXCERPT

  Chapter One

  “So…” Maria leaned on the counter, drawing out the word as she took in the state of the kitchen. “It’s probably safe to say that Remington isn’t here yet?”

  Melody tried not to wince. Maybe she had gone a little too far. The kitchen wasn’t just gleaming, it was practically radiating cleanliness. She’d moved well past the basic wiping down the counters and scrubbing the sink, and had careened headlong into scouring the cracks between the stove, excavating the lost items from under the fridge, and alphabetizing the coffee mugs by humorous logo. When Maria had brought Melody’s son back from a playdate, she’d caught her in the midst of scrubbing the grout between the tiles. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Honey. Yes, of course it is. Oh, and you got out the label maker. That’s practically your security blanket, isn’t it?” Maria crossed over and gave her a tight hug, running her hand along Melody’s back. “It’s going to be okay. Deep breaths.”

  Melody let herself sink into the hug, but only for a moment. She didn’t have time to wallow. “I know. Well, actually I don’t know, but I hope so.” Not that her hopes ever amounted to anything. “I just never expected this to happen. I never thought Remington would actually come home.”

  It was his home, though it felt odd to say it. Remington Collier had spent the past several years on the rodeo circuit, winning nearly every competition he entered, becoming a household name, and winning himself fame and fortune far away from the small town of Red Ridge, Colorado, where they’d both grown up. Meanwhile, Melody had spent the past several years staying precisely here, at Collier Ranch—gradually taking over the reins of the cowboy camps started by Dane Collier, the previous owner and Remington’s late father. Eventually, when Dane had needed extra help as his health faded, she’d made her own home in the spacious, welcoming ranch house where she’d raised her six-year-old son, Colton.