Love Shows Up

By Keriann McKenna

A wedding, a whirlwind trip around the country, and an unexpected attraction to the pilot always at her side...Carolyn's role as mother-of-the-bride is proving to be a lot more exciting than she expected.

Arthur is determined to be a gentleman. But from evening horseback rides at the ranch to an unexpected night in a hotel room together, his desire for Carolyn is tested.

Both have waited a long time for a second chance at love. Neither of them want to get it wrong. One room, one bed, two people who only met a week ago—a recipe for disaster or an opportunity for a second chance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keriann McKenna
• Release date: Dec 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386508663

Book preview

Just when you’ve lost hope…

Love Shows Up

By

Keriann McKenna

Copyright

Love Shows Up by Keriann McKenna

Copyright December 2017, Keriann McKenna and Ashlin Abbey Publishing, LLC, All rights reserved.

© 2017 Keriann McKenna and Ashlin Abbey Publishing, LLC

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the author and publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and is available at all major distributors. If you find a pirated copy, please be kind enough to notify the author or contact Ashlin Abbey Publishing, LLC by emailing [e-mail]. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Publisher: Ashlin Abbey Publishing, LLC December 2017

eBook Cover Design:

Daniela https://selfpubbookcovers.com

About This Book

A wedding, a whirlwind trip around the country, and an unexpected attraction to the pilot always at her side...Carolyn's role as mother-of-the-bride is proving to be a lot more exciting than she expected.

Arthur is determined to be a gentleman. But from evening horseback rides at the ranch to an unexpected night in a hotel room together, his desire for Carolyn is tested.

Both have waited a long time for a second chance at love. Neither of them want to get it wrong. One room, one bed, two people who only met a week ago—a recipe for disaster or an opportunity for a second chance?

Chapter One

Annie Campbell burst into tears—tears she’d been holding back for days. She excelled at keeping things together, but today she was having a complete melt-down.

Darlin’, what’s wrong, Mac asked her as he handed her a handkerchief from the back pocket of his jeans.

Oh Mac, I miss my mother. I want her here. I want her with me when I pick out my wedding gown, my flowers, all the things brides do with their mothers. I want her to have a few days to get to know you; after all she’s never met you.

Why didn’t you say something sooner? he asked, drying her eyes and pulling her into his arms.

I don’t know. I guess I just realized how much I want her to be more a part of this. I think it’s important for her too. It’s not right for her to arrive the day before our wedding, meet you, and watch me walk down the aisle.

He rocked her back and forth in his arms and then whispered in her ear. I’ll call Arthur. You call your mom. We’ll get her here tomorrow; I don’t want you to be upset, okay?

Okay. Thank you, I’m going to call her right now. She sniffed and picked up her phone.

During the preparations for the wedding, Arthur spent a lot of time at the ranch. Content with being single and working for Mac, he got in enough flying hours to keep his pilot’s license current and he usually had plenty of time off—until Mac met Annie. He was thrilled Mac had finally found someone to share his life. They had a whirlwind courtship and their wedding was fast approaching. Bringing in Mac’s parents and guests from across the country would give him more time in the air and he loved flying.

Early the next morning, Arthur headed to the airport. He had filed his flight plan and was ready to head for Kansas to pick up a woman he imagined would be some dowdy older woman who spent a good deal of time in the corn fields.

He set the Challenger down without incident and taxied to one of the two gates the small airport had. After powering everything down, he went inside the terminal which wasn’t much bigger than an average hotel lobby. As he looked around, he saw two women talking and approached them.

You must be Carolyn, he said to the older, grey-haired lady. I’m Arthur, Mac’s pilot. Are you ready to go?

I’m pleased to meet you, the older woman replied. But, I’m Mrs. Seibolt. Carolyn went to school with my son, Larry, and I offered to give her a ride. This is my neighbor, Goldie Dinkle. She came along with me so I’d have some company on the way home.

Well, I’m happy to meet you both. Where is Carolyn?

She’ll be right out. She just stepped into the ladies room…oh, here she is now.

Arthur’s mouth fell open when he looked up to see Annie’s mother. She was smiling and could have passed for her daughter, although as she got closer he could see a few laugh lines around her eyes and a sprinkling of grey in her long auburn hair.

She extended her hand. You must be Arthur; thank you so much for picking me up. I offered to drive, but neither Annie nor Mac would hear of it. I’m not much of a flyer…I guess they might have told you that so forgive me if I’m a little nervous.

Arthur marveled at the softness of her hand in his until she let go and turned to say good-bye to her friends.

Thank you so much for driving me out here, Carolyn said as she hugged them.

Now take lots of pictures, Goldie said. We want to see pictures of everything.

Oh, I will, I promise. Carolyn waved to her friends as they left and turned to face Arthur as he picked up her luggage.

Right this way. It was about all he could say given the smile that seemed to be locked on his face. She was a beautiful woman and he couldn’t remember the last time any woman had caught his eye.

He helped her up the steps, then raised them, and secured the door.

My goodness, this is a lovely plane. Where should I sit? Carolyn asked.

Any seat is fine. There is a couch near the back if you want to lie down and sleep after we take off.

I’m so excited I don’t think I can sleep. Which is the safest seat; I’m not much of a flyer. Oh, I guess I already said that.

Yes, you did. Arthur laughed. You’re in good hands. It’s a short flight and we’ll be there before you know it. If you’d be more at ease, you can sit in the cockpit with me.

I think I’d like that; I’d feel safer if you don’t mind.

I don’t mind at all. I’ll have someone to talk to and the time will pass quicker. I think you’ll like the view too. Let me just stow your luggage and we’ll take off.

Arthur put her bags in the storage compartment and then led her into the cockpit. Once she was seated, he buckled her in and took his seat. He secured his seatbelt and fired up the engines.

The view is wonderful from here; much better than looking out one of the little windows on the side of the plane, Carolyn said.

Yes, it’s 180 degree view. It will be even better after we take off, Arthur said and smiled.

I’m sure it will, she said as he taxied the plane into take off position and picked up the microphone. He thought for a minute about how to address whoever was in charge. There wasn’t an actual tower, just a small brick building on the ground with a windsock. He decided he’d be professional, the size of this tiny airport notwithstanding.

Challenger007 to tower: We are ready to take off at your go.

No response from the tower.

Challenger007 to tower: Do you read me?

There’s only one man in there, Carolyn said. Maybe he stepped away and went to the vending machine. I’m sure he’ll be right back.

So, they waited…about five minutes.

Hey there, Challenger. This is Radar. Sorry about the delay, I could hear ya but I couldn’t answer. I had to see a man about a horse.

Arthur laughed.

Hey Radar, we’re ready to take off. Are we cleared?

Yes sir. Get that plane in the air before you run out of ground. Our runway is pretty short, and take good care of Carolyn, Radar came back.

Will do, Radar. Carolyn is in good hands. You’ve got nothing to worry about.

"Okay then, you’re go for takeoff. Git on outta here; I’ve got a crop duster comin’ in, well…when he’s done dustin’ the crops and I figure that’ll be in just a few minutes. Bye Carolyn, have a good time. See ya