Boot Hill Bride (36 page)

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Authors: Lauri Robinson

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they may, he realized her dress was wet. Regretfully, the

knowledge made him end the kiss.

"How did you get wet?"

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Boot Hill Bride

by Lauri Robinson

"Oh, I had to take a little swim," she said, as if it was of no

importance whatsoever. The tiny kisses she plastered over his

neck stopped, and she lifted her face.

"The hotel?" she asked, "How bad is it?"

"Not bad at all," he said. "We only have to replace the

back porch. Matter of fact the party was still going strong

when I left."

"Really?"

He nodded. "Snake's fire hose put the fire out before it

could do much damage. It seemed the event just added

cause for people to celebrate a bit longer."

She nodded, and bit her lips together, as if holding

something in.

"What?" he asked, "What else is wrong?"

"I promise, from this moment forward, I'll stay out of the

kitchen."

"Why? What are you talking about?"

"Ma said all you ever wanted to do was cook. Yet, since

you started building the hotel, it's the one thing you haven't

had time to do. So from now on, I'll take care of everything

else so you can cook."

He let out a hearty laugh. One that felt good all over.

"You," he said, touching the tip of her nose, "Am a much

better cook than I. So you will not stay out of the kitchen." A

hint of seriousness took over. "Don't you know by now that

I'd give up everything for you? The hotel, cooking,

everything. I want you more than anything else in the world.

I
need
you more than anything else in the world."

"Really?" she whispered.

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Boot Hill Bride

by Lauri Robinson

"Really," he answered, covering her mouth with a kiss that

should drowned any lingering doubt she may have.

When they separated, her gaze locked with his. "I do know

that. Maybe I just had to prove it to myself."

"No doubts," he said, "ever."

She nodded. "Never-ever."

"Remember that."

"I shall," she whispered, kissing him.

He held her tight, thanking the heavens above for all he

had. When the stinging in his eyes eased, he said, "I suppose

we should head back."

"I suppose," she laughed and plucked at the material of

her gown. "I'm afraid I'll have to take a bath before I can

rejoin the festivities at our hotel."

He nuzzled her neck, kissed her ear lobe. "Want some

company?"

Both of her arms encircled his neck, and she arched her

back, bringing them as close together as possible while sitting

on Ted. "Always," she said.

Howard lifted her hips and swung her around, pushing her

wet dress aside so she straddled his lap. "Come here, my

Boot Hill bride, you're bath is going to have to wait a bit

longer," he said, kissing her face from top to bottom.

She giggled an enticing little sound that was more

welcoming than a soft spring rain. "I love you, Hog Quinter."

He laughed, loving his nickname for the first time in his

life. "And I love you, Randilynn Quinter. Have since the first

moment I laid eyes on you and always will."

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Boot Hill Bride

by Lauri Robinson

A word from the author...

As a young girl I remember spending warm summer days

and long winter nights with Nancy Drew and Laura Ingalls-

Wilder. As the years slipped by the books evolved into

romance novels by Kathleen Woodiwiss, LaVyrle Spencer and

a host of others.

In 2000 when my husband said I should write one, I took

the challenge, and have loved every moment of the journey.

To create characters from once upon a time and lead them

through a life that ends in happily ever after is a joy. Of

course, you have to torture them a little bit along the way,

and just like real-life children you often have to clean up after

them. But, just like real children, they are worth it.

My husband and I live in Minnesota, have three grown

sons, two precious granddaughters and two handsome step-

grandsons. I'm a life-long Elvis fan (yes, I've been to

Graceland) and love spending Sunday afternoons watching

NASCAR with family and friends.

Visit Lauri at www.laurirobinson.blogspot.com

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Boot Hill Bride

by Lauri Robinson

Thank you for purchasing

this Wild Rose Press publication.

For other wonderful stories of romance,

please visit our on-line bookstore at

www.thewildrosepress.com

For questions or more information,

contact us at

[email protected]

The Wild Rose Press

www.TheWildRosePress.com

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