Connor's Gamble (31 page)
Authors: Kathy Ivan
“I didn't do anything, Gran. This was always Gladys's game.”
His grandmother smiled at his words, nodding in understanding. She knew that playing Texas hold 'em against the others in a major event was Gladys's dream, not his. He'd just helped her fulfill her last and most important dream, satisfied to have a small part in making her wish come true. And, of course, cementing her place of honor as the best hold 'em player at Whispering Pines Adult Senior Living Center. Connor made a mental note to have a special wall plaque made to commemorate Gladys and her love of the game. He knew Molly would make sure it held a place of honor.
They hadn't been able to do it the tournament in New Orleans as originally planned; they'd needed time for Alyssa to recuperate from the injuries Bethany had inflicted and for his grandmother to recover from the overdose of sleeping pills Bethany had forced her to swallow. Remy's wound had been minor.
Connor saw the light of love and understanding in his grandmother's gaze and knew he'd done the right thing. The winnings would be donated to a charity near and dear to Gladys's heart.
“I think we have someplace to be, don't we?” Alyssa's hand slid into his, warm and comfortable, and her smile lit the room. Her dress of pale blue caressed her curves, hugging all the right places. Glistening dark brown curls surrounded her face, cut in a fashionably short style that suited her. It would take a long time to grow back after Bethany's mutilation with the shears, but he'd made sure a professional stylist went to the Alyssa's hospital room and repaired the damage as best as possible outside a professional salon..
Squeezing her hand, he crooked his elbow, taking her delicate fingers and placing them in the bend of his arm, patting them as he pulled her close to his side.
“Gran, you ready?” Connor couldn't hold back his smile at his grandmother's matching beam. He crooked his other elbow, offering it to the other special woman in his life.
“I've been ready for this day for a long time, boy.”
They'd only taken a couple of steps before Connor stopped. Craning his head around, he looked back toward the poker table, canted one brow at the elderly redhead seated in the chair he'd just vacated. Her polyester pantsuit and pink fuzzy bedroom slippers may have been out of place in a large bustling casino, but to Connor's eyes they suited her to a T.
“We've got a wedding to get to. You coming, Gladys?”
Her ghostly laugh echoed in his ears. Wrapping his arms around the shoulders of his two favorite women, they exited the lobby and headed toward the cozy wedding chapel where they'd made an appointment earlier that morning. Overwhelming joy and a sense of peace blossomed in his soul.
Gladys's words echoed in his head, and Connor let her infectious laughter fill his soul.
“You betcha, kiddo. I wouldn't miss it for the world.”
THE END
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Acknowledgements
Connor’s Gamble wouldn’t have been possible without several people providing help, inspiration and sometimes a swift kick to the backside to get it finished. You all know who you are (and never doubt I won’t return the favor the next time I see you slacking on your own book).
Special thanks to Alicia Street, my editor. You did an amazing job of helping tie up all the loose ends and making the story much cleaner and tighter.
A big hug and thanks to Tanya Newbern, who read through the manuscript and helped
catch all those annoying little mistakes that always seem to slip through the cracks.
The Plotting Princesses, a huge thank you for always being there for me when I need help. You ladies ROCK!
And, of course, my sister, Mary. You keep me writing. Even when I don’t feel like sitting at the keyboard for one more day, knowing you’re supporting me to live my dream means more than words can say. Thank you!
Author Bio
Kathy Ivan
Kathy Ivan spent most of her life with her nose between the pages of a book. From best-selling authors to just-getting-started writers, as long as it was a good story, she devoured it and happily searched for the next romance novel. It didn't matter if the book was a paranormal romance, romantic suspense, or action and adventure thrillers, sweet & spicy or sexy novella. As long as there was an alpha hero and a feisty heroine who got their happily ever after, she'd gladly spend her time with a psychic in New Orleans, or a mysterious stranger manipulating the fates of lovers. You might find her deep in the woods with her werewolf lover, or being wined and dined by the sexy vampire who loves her, or talking to ghosts.
Kathy turned her obsession with reading into the next logical step, writing. Her books transport you from a paranormal lodge in the Colorado Mountains in her Destiny's Desire Series, to the sultry splendor of the French Quarter in New Orleans in her award winning romantic suspense and mysteries. Kathy tells stories people can’t get enough of; reuniting old loves, betrayal of trust, finding kidnapped children, psychics and even a ghost or two. But one thing they all have in common - love (and some pretty steamy sex scenes too).
A Florida native, Kathy has island hopped from one set of islands to another, having spent several years in Key West and Hawaii. Happily living in North Texas, she's always on the lookout for a cowboy of her very own. (And if he's a billionaire cowboy, well, she won't say no to that.)
You can find more on Kathy and her books at
www.kathyivan.com
or visit her facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.ivan.5
and follow her on twitter at
@kathyivan
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Relentless Pursuit (New Orleans Connection Series Book #2)
If they stop running – they die.
Jennifer "Jinx" Marucci witnesses her brother's shooting and the leader of New Orleans' Russian mob thinks her brother, Carlo, passed something valuable into her keeping--and demands its return. Every instinct tells her to trust no one, but what choice does she have except to turn to the police?
Detective Remy Lamoreaux can't believe his luck when Jinx walks through the doors of the New Orleans Police Department. He's tried for years to bring down Vladimir Dubshenko. Fate has finally handed him the opportunity to go head-to-head with the vicious mobster and lock him up for good before Jinx becomes one more casualty in Dubshenko's lust for power.
Intrigue, kidnapping and danger combine to keep Remy and Jinx constantly on the move. One thing is certain--if they stop running, they die.
Available now on Amazon
Ultimate Betrayal (New Orleans Connection Series Book #3)
With his cover blown to hell after a media frenzy in New Orleans, all DEA agent Carlo Marucci wants is a week of rest and relaxation. Add in a Bed and Breakfast in Key West and a beautiful woman, and he thinks he's hit the perfect trifecta. Macie Branson has come to Key West to reconnect with her family after her sister's messy divorce. Cavorting with a tall, dark and sexy stranger isn't part of her plans. Until she meets Carlo.
The chemistry burns fast and furious between them, but when Macie's nephews vanish, evidence connects the boys' disappearance back to New Orleans and the newest party drug flooding its streets. It's a race against the clock as Carlo and Macie search for the missing boys. Will they find her nephews before time runs out?
Available now on Amazon
Keeping Secrets (New Orleans Connection Series Book #4)
How do you surprise a psychic?
When Max Lamoreaux proposed to the love of his life, she happily said yes. But months later, every time he broaches the subject of setting the date, Theresa gets cold feet and won't commit. Taking matters into his own hands, and with the help of his family, Max hatches a secret solution.
Sometimes being a psychic reveals things she'd rather not know. Theresa Crawford loves Max, but her visions show deadly consequences if she weds him. How can she avoid marrying him without losing him forever?
When two strong-willed lovers start keeping secrets, it sets them and everyone they love on a collision course with dangerous consequences.
Available now on Amazon
Copyright
Copyright © 2014 by Kathy Ivan
Formatting by
Ink Lion Books
Release date: Mar 2014
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, downloaded, transmitted, decompiled, reverse engineered, stored in or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form, whether electronic or mechanical without the author’s written permission. Scanning, uploading or distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without permission is prohibited.