Tend My Heart: My Heart, #2

By Marian Griffin

Dedicated dairy farmer, Cash Wallace, has decided to get married. He goes off to Mimosa Key where his youngest sister lives only to find out she's beaten him to it and is already engaged.

But he's the oldest. He's supposed to get married first. So what if he waited 35 years to do it!

Penny Sikes loved growing up on her family's farm in north Alabama. Her father always said "girls don't farm" but he never said no when he needed help with calving or driving farm equipment. He sold the farm out from under her when he died and left her a pot of money instead. Considering the multi- in front of millionaire, she's decided to try the high life. She's drinking fancy drinks instead of beer, wearing cashmere instead of denim and having her nails and hair done regularly.

When Cash meets up with Penny and the Casa Blanca Resort & Spa, the attraction is immediate...but she hates farming. Too entranced to write her off, he keeps his dairy farm to himself and tells her he sells commodities. He can't imagine a future with a woman who hates farming. Penny can't be the woman for him because he won't--can't--give up his lifestyle.

So he'll settle for a fling. At least that's what he tells himself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marian Griffin
• Release date: Sep 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386884231

Marian Griffin

Marian Hallett Griffin is a native New Yorker imported to Florida in the 1970s. The family moved to California then back to New York after her father passed away. After high school, she and her mother moved to Florida, not that Marian like hot sun, humidity or the beach. The University of Florida granted her a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting, after extracting a pound or two of flesh, which got her to work in television production. The University of South Florida granted her a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science after seven short years to complete a one year degree (due to a full-time job, a family, taking care of her mother and going to school).    Join her on a journey through contemporary, historical and paranormal romance featuring the men you want to meet and the women you want to be while living the life.

Book preview

Chapter 1

When the half-dressed man opened the door, Cash realized if Dixie Rose had been early to bed, she’d been kept up late by this man. He had wondered if it was too early but then his sister had always been the early-to-bed type.

He rolled back the urge to punch and transferred all the aggravation to clenching his jaw. Which made it difficult to speak.

I’m looking for Dixie Rose.

Huh? Oh! Dixie. You must be her brother, Cash. The man with the bare chest and unzipped pants opened the door wider to let him pass.

Yeah. That’d be me. Cash swiveled, effectively reversing their positons. That put the half-naked guy practically outside. And you are…?

Cash watched realization wash over the man’s face. First it was questioning, then surprise as he looked over his shoulder out the door, then amusement as he turned back.

That’s a neat trick, he said. Dixie told me you were sneaky. But I’m not actually outside.

Yet. Cash started reaching for the door.

Cash! You’re here!

He could do nothing but turn to catch his baby sister as she threw herself at him. Grinning, he spun her in a circle while she laughed out loud.

You’re early. Did you meet Brand? Did you say hello to Blues?

Slow down, girl. You’re gonna spoil the milk. He set her on her feet before him.

Ugh. She tapped him on the chest. You know I hate those farmisms.

Tough. Yes, I’m early. No I didn’t meet your new dog, and I didn’t know where Blues was. He tilted his head. But I hear him.

She frowned at him. Uh-oh.

I don’t have a new dog. She reached around him and pulled the half-naked guy inside and closed the door. Hanging onto his hand, she gave him a questioning look. What were you doing out there?

I—

Oh, never mind, she said waving a hand. Brand, this is my brother, Cash Wallace. Cash, this is Brand.

Cash lifted an eyebrow. Dixie, if you needed money, all you had to do was call me. You did not have to take in a boarder.

Cash! Brand’s not a boarder.

Brand’s not a name. It’s something you burn on the back end of a cow. He let his big brother glare settle on the half-naked guy. It didn’t seem to intimidate him though. The sucker just grinned and draped his naked arm around Dixie’s shoulders. Name’s Brandtley, Brand to my friends.

I’ll call you Brandtley.

Please call me Brand. After all, we’re going to be brothers-in-law.

Cash scoffed. In order to be brothers-in-law… His gaze bounced to Dixie, back to Brand and back to Dixie.

You obviously haven’t spoken to mother in a few days, Dixie said with a grin.

No, I, uh… He shook his head. Thought back. He paced away from the happy couple, paced back. You’re getting married?

Dixie grinned and laughed. Yes!

Why haven’t I heard about it until now?

Well, I know Mom called you twice but got no answer. She figured you were in the field and would call her back.

He grimaced. I thought she wanted to set me up with some friend’s daughter. Even though I’ve decided Mom’s right. It is time to take the plunge.

So you didn’t call her back. You’re such a wimp.

He kept his head down but took a quick peek at the half-naked guy. Brand. The last thing he needed or wanted was for this interloper to think he was a wimp.

Ha! I wouldn’t speak to my mother for two months when she tried to set me up with a ‘friend’s daughter,’ Brand said.

Okay. Maybe I don’t have to punch him.

Of course there was no daughter, the ‘friend’ was forty years old and she put the moves on me as soon as I stepped inside the house. I tucked tail and ran. He grinned at Dixie. I’m sure glad I got away.

Me, too.

Cash watched as they kissed. They didn’t get sloppy or dramatic or goofy. It was a nice kiss. The twinge in his chest wasn’t so nice.

Am I worried for Dixie Rose? Of course. Marriage is a big step. Is she ready? Is Brand?

Am I ready for my little sis to get married? Am I ready to get married? Where’s my Pepto?

Dixie turned and caught his gaze. Ready for breakfast? I’ll make my buttermilk pancakes, eggs over easy and bacon.

He grinned. When have I ever said no to one of your breakfasts? The pancakes will soak up the extra stomach acid.

That would be never. I’ll get started.

She turned to leave but Brand still held her hand. When she came to a stop, he kissed her again. Make enough for me?

She laughed. Of course, silly. I’ll be in the kitchen.

Looks like you already started, Cash muttered. He watched her walk away in an over-large T-shirt. Just the right size for the boyfriend. He looked at Brand. You going to get dressed?

Brand rubbed his stomach. If it makes you uncomfortable.

He cocked his head. No, it doesn’t make me uncomfortable. It’s a matter of common decency. You know, courtesy and all that.

When Brand just smiled and patted his stomach, Cash knew the guy wouldn’t fold easily. Maybe I will punch him.

Why don’t I get dressed? He strolled straight into the room Dixie had come out of earlier. Cash groaned. The sounds and scents of breakfast came from the kitchen. He chose the kitchen, not the bedroom.

"What’s with this guy, Dix? Where’d you meet him? What does he do?"

She turned slowly to face him. Never a good sign. There’s nothing ‘with’ him. I met him at a City Council meeting and he’s opening a water sports shop on the beach. Is that the end of the interrogation?

That’s the guy who’s opening the Jet Ski rental place that you’re so against? What are you thinking? He shook his head in disgust. You need to stick to your principles.

The glare she sent him was strong enough interrupt cable signals all over the island. I am sticking to my principles, and he is, too. He revised his plans to reduce air and noise pollution. For me. And for the island, she added gesturing with a spatula. A drop of hot bacon grease flew off the end of the spatula.

Watch it! Cash said and took a dramatic step backwards. He bumped into a solid wall of flesh.

She throwing grease at you too? She does like to gesture while she talks and cooks.

Cash narrowed his gaze at Brand. "And you would know that,