Betting on a good luck c.., p.1
Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy,
p.1
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2023 by Sara Richardson
Only Home with You © 2022 by Jeannie Chin
Cover design by Daniela Medina. Cover photographs © Rob Lang Photography; Shutterstock. Cover copyright © 2023 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
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First Edition: June 2023
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ISBNs: 978-1-5387-2590-0 (mass market), 978-1-5387-2591-7 (ebook)
E3-20230513-JV-NF-ORI
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Author’s Note
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Discover More
About the Author
Also by Sara Richardson
Praise for Sara Richardson
Bonus Story: Only Home with You Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
About the Author
This book is dedicated to the Oldham family at the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary. What a legacy you’ve built.
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AUTHOR’S NOTE
Hello, dear readers,
Thank you for picking up a copy of Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy. Before you start reading, I wanted to let you know that this book deals with some difficult issues, including animal abuse and grief over the loss of a loved one. I have done my best to handle these topics with sensitivity and discretion, but do understand that they could be intense and triggering for some readers. As with any story I write, the characters are all on a path toward wholeness and healing, and there is always the promise of their happy ending lighting the way. Please be sure to take care of yourself as you join them on the journey.
Best wishes,
Sara
CHAPTER ONE
Tess Valdez had experienced many firsts since burying her husband two years ago, but this one might be the toughest.
Staring at herself in the hotel’s bathroom mirror, she pulled up the side zipper on her brand-new cocktail dress and exhaled against the sense of dread building behind her ribs. It wasn’t the dress. No, the little black off-the-shoulder number happened to be fabulous. The red cowgirl boots she wore on her feet completed the ensemble, making it the perfect outfit to wear to her brother’s rustic yet swanky engagement party at one of the nicest hotels in Jackson. She looked good.
But this would be the first party she’d attended without Jace by her side—the first large-scale celebration she’d have to walk into alone…
“Tess?” Her friend Lyric knocked on the bathroom door. “You almost ready? I told Thatch and Silas we’d meet them in the lobby five minutes ago.”
“Almost ready.” She didn’t know how to be ready for these new firsts. Truthfully, she never felt ready. But she’d gotten through them—the first full night in her bed without Jace, the first Christmas for her and her daughters without him, the first family vacation on their own.
But tonight, everyone would be watching her. Tonight, she was stepping outside of her comfort zone.
Glancing in the mirror, she smoothed her hair once more. She couldn’t very well hide in the bathroom forever. So, Tess did what she’d had to do many times before. She put one foot in front of the other.
“Sorry,” she said when she opened the door to see Lyric standing on the other side. “I wasn’t sure about this dress.” That was an easier explanation than confessing the real reason for her hesitation.
“Seriously?” Her friend sashayed over to her wearing an incredible floor-length red number with a plunging neckline. Her friend’s sleek black hair had been elegantly knotted at the crown of her head. “That dress is exquisite. Trust me.”
“Your dress is exquisite.” That was the only adjective to describe Lyric. Her friend was graceful and wise and thoughtful. Since they were nearly the only two single women from Star Valley attending this party, they’d decided to bunk up together tonight. “My dress is pretty. But I’ll take it.” Tess snatched her clutch purse off the dresser. “I’m not sure I remember how to go out and be a grown-up.”
For the last two years, her two main companions were under ten years old. Sure, she’d spent time with her brother and his two SEAL friends who’d moved to Star Valley to help take care of her and the girls after Jace had died. And she, Lyric, and Kyra got together every so often too. But hanging out was different than attending a fancy party. Maybe she should’ve stayed home with Morgan and Willow instead of letting her parents travel out to babysit.
“I’m not much of a partier,” Lyric reminded her. “But I can’t wait to celebrate your brother and Kyra’s engagement.”
“I can’t either,” Tess said as she finally stepped out into the plush hallway. “I’m thrilled for them.” She’d already learned it was possible to be happy and lonely at the same time. “Some of Jace’s family will be here,” she continued as they waited for the elevator. “Aiden felt like we should invite them.”
For over ten years, Jace’s family had been hers—and Aiden’s by proxy. “I haven’t seen a lot of them since the funeral.” Her husband had had too many cousins and aunts and uncles for her to know any of them well. “I guess I’m a little nervous.”
“Stick with me.” Lyric held her hand as they stepped into the elevator. “We’ll do this together. You and me and Silas and Thatch. And Aiden and Kyra when they’re not busy dancing or gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes.”
“I don’t know what I would do without you all.” They’d gotten her through, these friends who’d become her family. They’d gotten both her and her daughters through.
“We’re going to have a blast,” Lyric assured her.
The elevator came to a stop and they stepped into the hotel’s main lobby. Tess wasn’t sure she’d ever stayed anywhere quite this nice. As a ranching family, she and Jace never had the money to splurge for fancy hotels. She hadn’t needed expensive lodging, because they were just as happy camping in the high meadow back at the ranch.
Tess admired the massive antler chandeliers dangling from log beams overhead and the enormous stone fireplace that provided a focal point for the space. Yes, she had certainly found herself in a new era of her life.
Silas and Thatch stood at the bar on the other side of a baby grand piano, both dressed in jeans, crisp button-up shirts with sport coats, and their cowboy boots, naturally.
“Sorry we’re late,” Lyric said, leading Tess to the men by the hand. “Tess wasn’t sure about her dress.”
Silas tilted his head and gave her a long, smoldering appraisal—because he had long ago perfected the smolder. “I’m damn sure about that dress, Tess. Damn. Sure.”
“Yeah. Looks great.” Thatch’s opinion would’ve meant more if he could’ve managed to tear his gaze away from Lyric and roll his tongue back into his mouth. But she also thought his crush was cute.
As for Silas, Tess knew how he operated. The man was full of smooth lines and charm and, yes, intense smolder
But Tess prided herself on not being most women.
“I knew I should’ve worn the blue dress.” She shot him her sassiest smirk to show him she wouldn’t fall for his wizardry. Though she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t been tempted a time or two.
Matching her smirk, he thumped his fist into his chest directly over his heart. “Why you gotta wound me like that?”
No matter what, Silas always seemed to lure a laugh out of her. He’d been the only one who could make her smile in the months following Jace’s death. “Easy, Beck. Save that charisma for the women who’ll actually appreciate it. I’m sure the party will be crawling with them.”
Aiden and Kyra had gone all out for this shindig. Last she’d heard, there were 136 people on the guest list.
“Well, those other women won’t look as good as you look in that dress.” Silas said the words without the smolder this time, which gave them a more genuine ring.
“Hey, Lyric.” Thatch moved in on her friend. “I’ve been dealing with this sciatica thing and wondered if you could recommend some stretches.”
Tess snorted. That was a new approach. Had Thatch really stooped to asking for yoga advice? A month ago, her friends had opened up a holistic health clinic in Star Valley, offering medical care by Kyra and yoga classes and naturopath services from Lyric. But as far as Tess knew, Thatch had never had any interest in yoga before.
“Sure. I can recommend some things to try.” Lyric led him in the direction of the ballroom talking about a pose called half lord of the fishes. Either her friend was clueless or she continued to ignore Thatch’s blatant interest in her.
“I guess we should get in there too.” Silas offered her his arm. “Ready?”
“No.” Instead of letting him escort her away, she sat on a stool and ordered a martini. A little pregame libation would potentially relax the nervous fluttering that seemed to be gaining momentum.
“Ooookay.” Silas slid onto the stool next to her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Tess sipped the drink the bartender set in front of her and coughed. Whew! Martinis were a lot stronger than she remembered.
Silas swiveled his stool to face her fully, his expression calling bullshit. “Tess.”
The way he spoke her name said so much—that he knew her, that she wasn’t allowed to lie to him… not after all they’d been through together. Lying to Silas was impossible. She didn’t even know why she tried.
“I don’t know how to act at things like this anymore.” She played with the toothpick that held the skewered olive in her drink. “Everyone stares at me.” Most people still saw Tess the widow. But she was someone else now. Someone who was still finding her way and figuring herself out but also someone who had walked through hell and survived. “I wish I could just have fun without anyone watching me or judging me or feeling sorry for me.”
There was no official twelve-step program for grieving your spouse. And yet, a lot of people sure seemed to offer their insight and advice on how she should be living. “You need to get out there again,” her mom had insisted before she’d left the house earlier this afternoon. “It’s been two years, honey. Jace would want you to move on.” And then there was Jace’s family. His sister asked Tess if she was dating anyone every time they talked on the phone, and when she told her no, Kelly sounded relieved. “Oh good. I don’t know if I could handle that.”
Sighing, she forced down two more gulps of martini. Gah! Her whole face grimaced. The vodka started a fire in her throat.
“All right.” Silas stood and downed the last half of her martini, likely so she didn’t have to. “Then that’s my mission tonight.”
Even though her drink was gone, she didn’t budge. “What’s your mission?”
“Fun.” He tugged on her hand until she stood too. “I am going to make sure you have too much fun to care if someone’s watching you or judging you.”
“So, you think I’m a charity case too.” She picked up her purse, but before she could leave a tip, Silas threw a ten-dollar bill down next to her empty glass.
“Yeah, but you’re a hot charity case, so I don’t mind.”
Tess punched his shoulder but the effort was futile. Silas happened to be all muscle.
“Come on.” He threaded her arm through his and prodded her toward the ballroom.
Music already played, the bass thumping out into the hallway.
“There’s one catch to this mission tonight. You have to pay attention only to me,” he told her outside the doors. “Keep your eyes on me, and you’ll have the time of your life. I promise.”
“God.” She rolled her eyes. “Are you sure there’ll be room in there for me? What with your ego taking up so much space and everything?”
Silas laughed. He always laughed when she gave him a hard time, which made her laugh too.
“See? You’re already having fun.” He gently nudged her. “Remember. Eyes on me,” he whispered on their way through the door.
A crowd already packed the ballroom. Most people were dancing in front of the stage set up for the live band, but there were also guests sitting at the tables on the outskirts of the room, drinking and enjoying hors d’oeuvres.
“Hey, Sis.” Aiden ambled to meet them, holding tightly to his fiancée’s hand.
“I’m so happy you’re here!” Kyra hugged her tight. “This is going to be so much fun! You look ravishing, by the way.”
“Told you,” Silas murmured a little too close to her ear.
The goose bumps his voice roused down her arm annoyed her. “Congrats, you two.” She hugged her brother. “I can’t wait for the wedding.” That would be a new first too. Attending a wedding without Jace, listening to the same vows Jace had said to her when they thought they’d have forever.
“What a great party.” Lyric joined their little posse. True to form, Thatch wasn’t far behind.
“We’d better get out on the dance floor,” Thatch said to Silas. “Show them all how it’s done.”
“But all of your clothes are staying on tonight, boys,” Kyra warned sternly. “I’ve heard all about you two, and this is an elegant affair.”
Silas shook his head. “Man. You strip at one Navy buddy’s drunken wedding reception—at the bride’s request, mind you—and everyone holds it over your head the rest of your life.”
“That was five years ago,” Thatch added. “We’ve matured since then.”
Tess laughed. “In all fairness, the bride did beg them to do a striptease. And it didn’t go further than their boxer briefs.” Thankfully. She’d attended that wedding with Jace and things had gotten a little wild after midnight. She decided not to mention that Aiden had been right there with Silas and Thatch. SEALs really knew how to let loose and party. “But I won’t vouch for their maturity since then.”
Silas made the dagger-to-the-heart motion again. “Come on.” He tugged her arm. “Let’s go dance and I’ll show you how much I’ve matured.”
“We’ll join you soon,” Kyra promised. “We still have a few more people to greet.”
“Count us in.” Lyric sidled up to Tess’s other side with Thatch and the four of them made their way through the crowd to the front of the stage.
The band had started playing “Little Bitty” by Alan Jackson.
“Perfect.” Silas took Tess’s hands and pulled her into a two-step. “I’ve been working on my moves.”
She was already laughing too hard to answer. He had moves, she’d give him that. With one hand on her waist and the other clasped around hers, Silas led her around the dance floor, two-stepping and twirling and spinning her until she had no choice but to look only at him. God, she’d forgotten how fun it was to dance—to move with the music, to get her heart rate going with the beat.
At the end of the song, he dipped her low and she didn’t even have a chance to catch her breath before the band struck up a lively rendition of “Let’s Go to Vegas” and they were off again, dancing and laughing until she was almost dizzy.
Lyric and Thatch had disappeared in the crowd somewhere, but that didn’t even matter. Silas was taking good care of her.
