A Match Made in Texas (34 page)

“I love you,” she said.

A look of resignation came into his eyes, and he followed her to the door and stood while Billy helped her attach the tandem harnesses. When they were secure, Dusty glanced back at her.

“I love you, too.” He released his breath. “God help me.”

Without further hesitation, they took the leap.

“There they go!” Rachel Dean yelled.

“Where?” Kenny Gene pushed through the crowd gathered in Miss Hattie’s garden. “All I see comin’ out of the plane Brant is flyin’ is a spot of white and black.”

“That’s them,” Rye Pickett said. “Ain’t that right, Sheriff Winslow?”

“Just Sam, Rye.” Sam Winslow adjusted the binoculars he had pointed at the sky. “Your new sheriff appears to be free-fallin’ about a hundred miles an hour.”

“Well, it’s the craziest thing that I’ve ever seen,” Twyla said. “Why would anyone want to fall out of the sky when they could walk down the aisle? I just hope she doesn’t drop the bouquet before she gets here. If it hits the ground, there goes my chance at a summer weddin’.”

“Stop worryin’, Twyla,” Rachel Dean said as a parachute appeared above the black-and-white speck. “You know as well as I do that any season is a good season for a weddin’.”

Minnie’s gaze moved over to the dark-haired maid of honor, who was the only one not looking up as the parachuting bride and groom floated through the bright blue west Texas sky. Instead, her pretty brown eyes were settled on a handsome groomsman.

Minnie smiled. “Amen to that.”

About the Author

Katie Lane’s interest in romance was sparked in high school in the backseat of a ’65 Mustang—okay, so maybe it wasn’t romance as much as raging teenage hormones. Still, coupled with a wild imagination, those make-out sessions inspired many a steamy storyline along with a strong belief that true love does prevail. Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the owner of that Mustang and would love to hear from her readers.

You can learn more at:

KatieLaneBooks.com

Twitter @ktlane3

Facebook.com/katielaneauthor

Also by Katie Lane

Deep in the Heart of Texas series

Going Cowboy Crazy

Make Mine A Bad Boy

Small Town Christmas (anthology)

Catch Me A Cowboy

Trouble in Texas

Flirting with Texas

Other Novels

Hunk for the Holidays

Praise for the Deep in the Heart of Texas Series

FLIRTING WITH TEXAS

“Wonderful… extremely entertaining… Every turn of the page is an unexpected journey full of humor as well as emotion.”

—FreshFiction.com

“4½ Stars! Complete success, blending humor, innovative characters, and a wonderfully quirky town with an unlikely and touching love story. [Katie’s] insight and humor are pitch-perfect, making the sizzling chemistry between her leading couple a constant surprise and a delight.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Another madcap Texan romance… lots of fun… The humor shines through.”

—BackChattingBooks.com

“Humorous and touching… very enjoyable… The romance was sweet with a touch of heat.”

—NikkiBrandyberry.wordpress.com

“A fabulous story that was full of romance, mystery, and drama, and did I mention the hot cowboy?”

—Romancing-the-Book.com

TROUBLE IN TEXAS

“This trip to Bramble, Texas, brings a close to the mystery of the Cates Curse with humor, romance, heartwarming affection, and some mighty intriguing characters. Readers are in store for some fine surprises and a glimpse at stories yet to be told.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“Katie Lane writes books that are hotter than Texas in July, and every reader always prays that they will keep on coming.”

—The Reading Reviewer (MaryGramlich.blogspot.com)

“I really enjoyed reading
Trouble in Texas
… The small town feeling with its grudges, history, and eccentric residents was a blast. I spent a lot of my time giggling and wondering what the henhouse ladies were going to do next… Lane has made me very curious about the previous three books, and I want to know what happens next in this series.”

—TheBookPushers.com

CATCH ME A COWBOY

“4½ stars! A heartwarming return to Bramble, Texas, with many familiar faces. This is an emotional story that will bring the reader to laughter as well as tears and spark a desire to see more of the characters, both new and old, who live here.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“An absolute hoot!…
Catch Me a Cowboy
is home to a plethora of wacky characters who make this a fun story… A winner!”

—RomRevToday.com

“Perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.”

—
Publishers Weekly

MAKE MINE A BAD BOY

“A delightful continuation of
Going Cowboy Crazy
. There’s plenty of humor to entertain the reader, and the people of the town will seem like old friends by the end of this entertaining story.”

—
RT Book Reviews

“If you’re looking for a romance true to its Texas setting, this is the one for you. I simply couldn’t put it down.”

—TheSeasonforRomance.com

“I absolutely loved Colt! I mean, who doesn’t like a bad boy? Katie Lane is truly a breath of fresh air. Her stories are unique and wonderfully written… Lane, you have me hooked.”

—LushBookReviews.blogspot.com

GOING COWBOY CRAZY

“Romance, heated exchanges, and misunderstandings, combined with the secondary characters (the whole town of Bramble), who are hilarious… This is the perfect summer read. Katie Lane has a winner on her hands; she is now my new favorite author!”

—TheRomanceReadersConnection.com

“Romance, steamy love scenes, humor, witty conversation with a twang… I’m looking forward to reading other books written by Katie Lane.”

—BookLoons.com

“I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It really reminded me of an early Rachel Gibson… or early Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Faith became a sassy, intriguing heroine… The chemistry between these two ratchets up to white-hot in no time.”

—TheSeasonforRomance.com

When beautiful country music sensation Star Bentley is threatened by a crazy fan, she doesn’t need just a bodyguard. She needs a rugged cowboy from Bramble, Texas.

Please see the next page for a preview of

The Last Cowboy in Texas
.

S
TARLET
B
RUBAKER HAD DISAPPEARED.

The only evidence of her existence was the tiny mole just above the right corner of Star Bentley’s glossy, pink-painted lips. Everything else was completely different. The green eyes. The blond hair. The skinny body. And the simple, loose-fitting, flowered dress. Nothing but the mole remained of the awkward, fat girl from southeast Texas.

Starlet pulled her eyes away from the mirror and looked down at the half-eaten banana MoonPie in her hand.

Well, maybe there were a few other things that remained.

A tap on the bathroom door had her cramming the rest of the pie in her mouth.

“Star?” Kari Jennings, her manager, trainer, and general ballbuster called through the door. “You okay? Did you need something? Because we can’t have the sweetheart of country music going without.”

Food. The sweetheart of country music needs food
. But instead of saying it, Starlet chewed faster and swallowed hard. “No, I’m good. I’m just touching up my lip gloss.”

There was a pause. “But your lip gloss is out here in the dressing room, sugar.”

Starlet rolled her eyes at her own stupidity and quickly wiped the crumbs off her mouth. A crumb slipped down the neckline of her dress, but she ignored it and opened the door, giving her manager a bright Star Bentley smile. “Silly me. I guess I’m just nervous about the concert tonight.”

Even in her power heels, Kari barely came to Starlet’s chin. With her petite body, short blond hair, and big, blue eyes, she looked just like Tinker Bell. Which was exactly why Starlet had hired her. Unfortunately, at the time, Starlet hadn’t realized how vicious and manipulative pixies could be.

“No need to worry.” Kari tugged up the neckline of Starlet’s dress. “You’ve played much bigger venues than this.” Her brow knotted as she stared at Starlet’s boobs. “Speaking of bigger, I still think you should consider breast reduction. These just don’t go with the new persona I’ve created.”

“They look like they go pretty good to me.”

Cousin Jed appeared in the dressing room doorway. Or more like filled it with his hulking frame, which had won him the title of “The Crusher” on the amateur wrestling tour and “The Asshole” at more than a few Texas nightclubs. While Starlet had never officially hired him, Jed had assumed the role of her personal bodyguard—something he excelled at given that he was always getting too personal with her body.

He shifted the toothpick to one corner of his wide, bulldoggish mouth as his gaze wandered over her breasts. “There’s some rodeo cowboy out there that claims you invited him backstage. Says you owe him money. You havin’ to pay for it, Cuz?”

Since her manager disapproved of rodeo cowboys more than MoonPies, Starlet played dumb. “Now that’s strange. When would I have had a chance to talk with a rodeo cowboy?” She fanned a hand in front of her face. “Is the air conditioner on in here?”

“Check the air conditioner!” Kari bellowed at her assistant, before turning to Jed. “Tell the cowboy he’s out of luck for a backstage pass, but give him a couple tickets—not front row.”

“We don’t have front row, anyhow. They’re filled with a bunch of hotshot military dudes. And I’m not Ticketmaster. I’m the head of security and people need to show a little respect.”

Kari barely gave him a glance as she fluffed Starlet’s hair extensions. “You’ll get respect when you’ve earned it. So far, all I’ve seen you do is stand around chatting with the t-shirt vendors.”

“Nothin’ wrong with bein’ friendly.” Uncle Bernard pushed his way past Jed. Back in Texas, Starlet’s uncle had always worn overalls and a white t-shirt with ketchup stains. But since following his niece on tour, he’d taken to wearing western suits with matching boots and Stetsons. “Just a few quick signatures, Star Baby.” He held out a stack of ball caps with a hideous picture of her on the front. While she gaped at the picture, he pointed a black Sharpie at her mouth. “MoonPie?”

Starlet quickly brushed at her lips, but it was too late. Kari had zeroed in.

“MoonPie?” Her voice hit a high note that had chills tiptoeing down Starlet’s spine. “You know you have to watch your sugar intake, Star, especially with your metabolism. This means that you’ll have to work extra hard with the ThighMaster tomorrow.” She turned her evil eye on Uncle Bernie. “And didn’t I talk to you about non-authorized merchandise?”

“I don’t know how much more authorized you can get than family.” Uncle Bernie polished the top of one cream-colored, lizard-skin boot on the back of his pant leg. “Especially when I raised Star like one of my own. It seems only right that she would want to repay me with a few signatures.”

“You are so full of shit, Bernie.” Starlet’s mother finally roused from her pre-concert catnap and sat up on the couch, her hair wild and her eyes bloodshot. Starlet had poured out the bottle of vodka she’d found on the tour bus. Obviously, her mother had found another one. “You and that bitchy wife of yours—God rest her soul—treated my kid like crap.”

Uncle Bernie’s smile didn’t falter. In fact, Starlet couldn’t remember a time when her uncle wasn’t happy and smiling. And maybe that was why it was so easy to forgive his shortcomings.

“Now, Jaydeen,” Uncle Bernie said, “let’s not go down that road again. I believe it was Shakespeare that said ‘Thee proof is in thee puddin’.’ ” He reached out and pinched Starlet’s cheek. “And there’s no better puddin’ than our little Star Baby.”

Her mother groaned and flopped back on the couch. “Anyone have a hit of cocaine?”

Jed’s gaze remained on Starlet. “I know what I’d like a hit of.”

There was one thing Starlet had to give her family: they kept her from getting stage fright. Being stuck with them in a dressing room was much scarier than being responsible for entertaining thousands of fans.