Honey Kisses

By Verna Clay

Ann Hackstetter first met Jackson Martinez while vacationing at Lazy M Dude Ranch with her husband and teenage son. Part of the "dude" package was a night of fun at Boot Bustin' Barn. At the time, Ann suspected that Sage Tanner, owner of Lazy M, bribed Jackson to ask her to dance as a way of making her inattentive husband jealous. On a whim, she danced with him. Little did she realize he would awaken emotions long suppressed. Of course, she ignored those emotions. Now, five years later, she's a widow--a destitute widow. Over the years, her son's friendship with Sage's daughter, Julie, has blossomed, and now they're getting married. Wedding responsibilities have temporarily taken Ann's mind off her desperate situation. At the reception, Jackson asks her to dance again--reawakening those emotions. He makes her feel twenty-one, instead of forty-one.

Jackson Martinez has an easy way with the women, but the one woman who sets his heart to racing is Annie Hackstetter. She's older, has a grown son, and probably has an aversion to men after being married to a jerk. When Sage reveals Annie's sad state of economic affairs and says she's looking for a job, Jackson knows his heart is in trouble when he offers her a position managing his household so he can concentrate on running his cattle ranch. Little does he know, or anyone else, that Annie has a secret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Verna Clay
• Release date: Apr 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310711862

Verna Clay

"2020 Finalist - Readers' Favorite International Contest (Paranormal Romance) for SOMEWHERE by the Sea.""2014 Gold Medal Winner - Readers' Favorite International Contest (Historical Romance) for Abby: Mail Order Bride."My perfect day: coffee shop; laptop; latte; characters demanding their stories be told; a plot that comes together; and hours to live in an alternate reality.Seriously, I have always loved reading, and now I love writing. As a preteen, I devoured Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys Mysteries. When I reached my teen years, the romance genre became my favorite and that has never changed. After years of procrastinating, I tried my hand at writing and I've been doing so with a passion ever since. I have written over thirty romance novels and novellas in the genres of contemporary, contemporary western, historical western, fantasy, and paranormal. Because I hate saying goodbye to characters who have lived with me for months, I usually create a series so they can be revisited from book to book. I have also written a Young Adult novella titled "Fragile Hearts" using the pen name of Colleen Clay.

Book preview

Honey Kisses

Romance on the Ranch Series

Verna Clay

This book is dedicated to anyone with a secret past.

Honey Kisses

Romance on the Ranch Series

Copyright © 2012 by Verna Clay

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For information contact:

[e-mail]

Website: http://www.vernaclay.com/

Published by:

Verna Clay

Cover Designer: Elaina Lee (For the Muse)

Pictures: Dreamstime

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Wedding Day

Chapter 2: Decisions

Chapter 3: Career Move

Chapter 4: Try Me Out

Chapter 5: Cozy Cottage

Chapter 6: Tour Guide

Chapter 7: Changes

Chapter 8: Someone for Jackson

Chapter 9: Molly's Surprise

Chapter 10: Alligator

Chapter 11: Bad Man

Chapter 12: Show Me the Money

Chapter 13: HFH

Chapter 14: Mud Madness

Chapter 15: Hogtied

Chapter 16: Surprise Visit

Chapter 17: Annie's Secret

Chapter 18: The Big Apple

Chapter 19: Change in Plans

Chapter 20: Flirting with the Enemy

Chapter 21: Double Vision

Chapter 22: Jackson to the Rescue

Chapter 23: Annie's HEA

Epilogue

Author's Note

Novels and Novellas by Verna Clay

Stranded in Oasis (Oasis Series)

Preface

I'm very happy with the way Honey Kisses unfolded. Although unusual, I went with the flow. I think Ann Hackstetter's secret is going to surprise everyone. I know it certainly surprised me. As for Jackson's reaction, well…that's unveiled in the story.

The next book in the series (#3) is the love story between Tooty Townsend and Miles Brightman in Baby Kisses. Miles is eighteen years older than Tooty and confined to a wheelchair. Harris, Tooty's four year old son, born when she was sixteen, is always looking to find himself a daddy. I guess you could say these star-crossed lovers have much to overcome. Of course, the more conflicts and challenges, the more fun the story is to write.

Dream Kisses

Honey Kisses

Baby Kisses

Candy Kisses

Christmas Kisses

Rock Star Kisses

Forever Kisses

Forgotten Kisses

Angel Kisses

The Last Kiss

Chapter 1: Wedding Day

Pastor Porter boomed, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.

Ann lifted a tissue to blot tears as she watched her only child, Jacob, kiss Julie Tanner, now Julie Hackstetter. Across the aisle, Julie's father and stepmother, Sage and Sarah, lovingly held hands. Sage lifted Sarah's hand to his lips and kissed it.

Pastor Porter asked the newlyweds to face the congregation. To everyone's delight, Jacob sneaked another kiss as the portly pastor loudly announced, I now present Mr. and Mrs. Hackstetter. Please congratulate our newlyweds in the foyer and then head on over to Lazy M Ranch for the reception. Everyone's invited!

There was a little crackle over the speaker system and then Shania Twain sang, From this Moment. The happy couple descended the few steps of the chancel platform, followed by Julie's maid of honor, Tooty Townsend, and Jacob's best man, Bobby Joe Banyon. Julie's gown, a simple strapless A-line with lace overlay, matched her easy going personality, and Jacob, in a gray cowboy tux with black vest, looked striking. The pair had insisted on a small wedding, so there were no bridesmaids or groomsmen.

Beaner, a ranch hand from the Lazy M, and now an usher in the wedding, stepped to the first aisle and offered his arm to Ann. She placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. Sarah and Sage stepped into the aisle behind Tooty and Bobby, and Beaner led Ann behind them. The bride and groom waited just outside the entrance to the sanctuary, ready to greet their guests. Ann took a position beside her son, and Sage and Sarah stood next to her.

Mr. and Mrs. Mercer, the parents of Julie's dead mother, and Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Sarah's parents, exited the sanctuary followed by Sarah's sister, Libby, on the arm of another ranch hand, Ned Waldo. Next, Ann's parents, Abby and Bert Baxter, and her grandmother, Molly Baxter, entered the foyer. The old cowpoke, Newt Tucker, escorted Molly, who was talking a mile-a-minute and gesturing with her hands to emphasize her words. He'd craned his bony neck downward so he could hear. Ann grinned at the sight of her granny talking Newt's ear off. Of course, Newt could hold his own in spinning a tale. Between the two of them, they could probably talk nonstop for days.

Ann returned her attention to accepting congratulations from guests and tried to keep her emotions at bay—her son was married. She blinked rapidly, wishing Jerry had lived long enough to see their son wed, and dabbed at her eyes again. Jacob bent and whispered, You okay, Mom?

Oh, yes, Jacob.

He looked into her eyes and read her unspoken thoughts. I know. I wish he was here, too.

Julie stepped around Jacob and hugged her. I love you, Mom, she said to her new mother-in-law.

I love you, too, Julie.

For the next half hour the bride and groom and family members greeted guests. Ann was exchanging pleasantries with Sally Higginbotham, a vocalist in the wedding, when she heard a familiar voice that shifted her heartbeat into triple rhythm. She wanted to look in the direction of the voice, but kept her gaze riveted on Mrs. Higginbotham's red lipstick teeth. She smoothed a hand down her pale green chiffon-over-satin, form fitting dress, with satin bolero jacket, and hoped it didn't make her look too matronly. Sarah and Julie had assured her the color contrasted beautifully with her olive complexion and set off her hazel eyes. She hoped so.

Jackson Martinez continued speaking, Julie and Jacob, you're a fine looking couple. After you're back from your honeymoon and settled in, I'd sure enjoy your company at the Triple T for dinner.

Jacob responded, We'd like that, Jackson. By the way, congratulations are in order for you, too, now that you own the Triple T.

Thanks. Tommy always said he'd give me first dibs if he ever put it up for sale, and when he did, I didn't have to think twice.

Mrs. Higginbotham moved on and Ann chanced a glance upward at Jackson. He was looking at her with a little smile creasing the corners of his mouth. Her face flooded with color. He continued talking to Jacob while still looking at her. I'll check back in about a month. Give you time to get settled. I'd like you to come too, Annie, if you're still in town.

Ann smiled and nodded; afraid her voice would sound breathless if she spoke.

Sounds good, said Jacob.

It's a date, Julie agreed.

Jackson leaned over and kissed Julie's cheek. You done good, baby girl.

Thanks, Jackson.

The tall cowboy stepped in front of Ann. Hello, Annie, he said, low and deep.

Hello, Jackson. Thank you for coming to the wedding. Stupid thing to say, and damn, you do sound breathless.

His little smile turned into a grin. I wouldn't have missed it. For a second he just looked at her. Hey, I like your hair that darker color.

Self consciously, Ann lifted a hand to a soft curl on her shoulder. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Pritzy Purvis. A beautiful young blond stepped up beside Jackson and possessively snuggled her hand under his elbow, interrupting the moment. She stuck her other hand out toward Ann."

Ann accepted the woman's gesture. I'm happy to meet you, Pritzy.

Pritzy said, How does it feel being the mother of a grown man who has just gotten married?

It feels wonderful. And now I have a grown daughter, too.

There was an uneasy silence and then Jackson said, Well, I guess we'll see you at the reception.

Pritzy gave Ann a sugar-coated smile and then looked up at Jackson, turning it into a sexy one. They moved on and the pastor's plus-sized wife stepped into their position, squeezing Ann in a bear hug that swallowed her in folds of taffeta.

After the last guest bid best wishes, the wedding party headed back to the Lazy M in the ranch's shuttle van. They couldn't have asked for a more perfect spring day for the festivities. Most of the guests had already arrived when they reached the dorm, and the moment the newlyweds stepped inside, the crowd hooted.

The great room had been hung with paper bells and draped with blue and yellow crepe paper, colors selected by the bride and groom. Furniture had been pushed against the walls to make space for a dance floor in one corner and dining in the rest of the room. Taking center stage on a round table with a sky blue table cloth was an eight-tier wedding cake, the pride and joy of Cowgirl Confections. Blue and yellow flowers danced up the sides of the frosting to the top tier where a cowboy groom and cowgirl bride, both wearing white cowboy hats and leaning toward each other for a kiss, created the perfect effect. Scattered throughout the room were more round tables, some with blue tablecloths and some with yellow, inviting guests to sit and take a load off.

Tooty, who had left the church right after the ceremony to make sure everything was prepared, rushed to Jacob and Julie as soon as they entered. Her strawberry blond hair contrasted beautifully with a pale blue strapless, mid-calf gown set off with dainty yellow flowers at the empire waist that crossed to one side of the bosom. While she was giving instructions to the bride and groom, Ann glanced down at Harris, Tooty's four year old son, trying to get his mother's attention by pulling on her skirt. When that didn't work, he yelled, Mommy, I gotta go to the bathroom!

Ann rushed to assist. Tooty, I'll take him.

Thanks, Ann, I've got to get the band lined out.

Ann grabbed Harris' hand. Come on, little man.

Holding the front of his pants, Harris tried to waddle to the bathroom. The strain on his impish face showed the effort he was making to keep from having an accident. Ann swooped him up and practically ran to the ladies room. When he'd finished, he said, Thanks, Aunty Ann. I almost pooped and peed my pants.

Ann tried to keep a straight face. Harris, you did real good. Now let's go back to the party.

Yeah. I like parties. Maybe Mommy'll find me a Daddy and get married like Jacob and Julie.

Ann's heart broke at Harris' statement spoken with such longing. Tooty was the same age as Julie, twenty, and already had a four year old son. She'd dropped out of high school late in her pregnancy and then gotten her GED later. Ann admired the girl. From what Julie had told her, Tooty's family had just about disowned her, but after Harris was born, he'd wiggled his way into everyone's hearts. Although Ann had never asked, she had heard Julie telling Sage and Sarah that the father wasn't someone Tooty wanted to be saddled with.

Ann brought Harris back to Tooty, but when he spotted Toby and Preston, the four year old twins of Sarah and Sage, he begged his mother to let him play with them. She smiled and knelt, kissed his cheek, straightened his little bow tie, and said, Okay, but remember your manners!

He grinned and rushed to play with his friends.

Thanks for taking him to the bathroom, Ann.

He's adorable. You let me know if you need help with him or anything else.

Sure thing.

Sage called for everyone's attention and announced that the buffet line was open. He invited his guests to fill their plates and enjoy the feast that Curley and his helpers had prepared.

The bride and