Mended Hearts: Bad Boy Action-Adventure Romance (Renegade Series Book 2) by Arabella Steedly

Author:Arabella Steedly [Steedly, Arabella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781723720277
Publisher: Sweetwater Creek Publishing
Published: 2018-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The canopy of white lights strung from the boughs of the oaks in the Morrow’s backyard twinkled. Beneath them, an array of colored bulbs were laced through the wheels of Sebastian's old buckboard. When he joked about renting a Clydesdale to pull the guests along for a hayride, Vanessa laughed so hard she almost cried. Instead, they had opted to fill the wagon with metal tubs full of iced bubbly drinks. The riser and backdrop for the band were set up beside the barn. And Jake's smoker was smoking. It was New Year's Eve. Renegade Ridge Ranch was a happening place.

After Vanessa discovered she was expecting a baby and Jake unveiled his new plan to build bunkhouses to capture the tourist trade, she decided to celebrate. They had invited a small group of friends and neighbors, and a few of Vanessa's favorite clients to their New Year's Eve party.

After Christmas, business was slow. So, Vanessa closed the clinic and used that time to prepare for the event. Along with Jake and the two ranch hands, Beth had worked with Vanessa every day. While the men decorated and built the riser, the two women had worked on the menu and shopped for party favors. Without Beth, Vanessa was not sure what she would have done.

"Hey, Beth, come help me set out the potato salad and baked beans, will you please." Vanessa pulled open the spare refrigerator Jake had moved to the back porch for the occasion.

"Hold on a sec. We forgot to put the cloth on the picnic table."

"Oh... let me help. It completely slipped my mind."

"Get used to it. I hate to tell you, that’s what happens when you're pregnant.” Beth giggled.

“I’ve noticed."

Vanessa had made a big deal about keeping her pregnancy secret until tonight. She asked Jake to promise — cross his heart and hope to die — he would not tell a soul. As far as she knew he kept his promise. But, well, for her the rules were different.

That Monday morning after her discovery, Vanessa couldn't wait to tell her receptionist and friend. She insisted Beth vow to keep it a secret. In a few days, though, Beth admitted she let the cat out of the bag and told her mother. And she was pretty sure her mother told her aunt... and on and on...

In reality, Vanessa had no idea if anyone would be surprised, but she didn't care. Tonight was a night to celebrate. The situation with the horses escaping and Jake's bad dreams were distant memories.

An hour later, the band played a variety of songs as Vanessa circulated through the guests that numbered about fifty. At least, that was what Jake told her. Noticing Joyce Carter, a neighbor from down the street, standing beside a teenaged girl munching on potato chips, she moseyed over to her. "So glad you could make it this evening. Welcome to Renegade Ridge. Is this your daughter? She resembles you?"

"Yes, Emma... say hello to Dr. Morrow."

"Is that a pot belly pig over there in the pen?" Emma asked.

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