Silver Spoon

By Cheyenne Meadows

Spoon thinks no woman can hold his interest until he meets a woman he'd passed by many times.

Spoon feels the weight of bachelorhood settle heavily on his shoulders until he stumbles across an author at a book signing, a woman he'd walked by dozens of times and never truly seen before.

Riley is a part-time romance writer who never expects to find a man to live up to the heroes in her books. Instead, she pushes through life on her own terms, happily single.

Just when they start to develop feelings for each other, fragmented family relationships come to a head and danger lurks right around the corner, threatening to end not only their budding relationship, but their lives as well.

Will they conquer the challenges and come together in love or will events out of their control tear them apart forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Feb 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781784304331

Cheyenne Meadows

Cheyenne Meadows, while growing up in the Midwest, began reading romance novels in high school, immediately falling in love with the genre, to the point where she decided to write professionally for a career. However, that dream splattered against a brick wall, resulting in a quick death in her first writing class in college when the professor told her bluntly that she wasn’t any good at it. She shifted gears quickly and left her writing dreams behind, eventually settling on becoming a nurse. A few years back, she stumbled across a fan-fiction writing site on a favorite author’s webpage. She began to read stories others wrote, not only making some wonderful close friends from the experience, but also, really learning to write for the very first time. Here she was able to share short stories, practice her writing skills, and truly develop into a writer. More than that, the experience allowed her to revitalize her dream as she rediscovered joy in writing. Now, she spends her days off with her characters, seeing how much trouble everyone can get into. When she’s not working or writing, she enjoys playing in the garden, hanging out with her diva kitty, and using her backyard as a living canvas for her whimsical landscaping, and, of course, reading romance novels.

Book preview

Page

A Totally Bound Publication

Silver Spoon

ISBN # 978-1-78430-433-1

©Copyright Cheyenne Meadows 2015

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright January 2015

Edited by Sue Meadows

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2015 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Sizzling and a Sexometer of 2.

Wind Warriors

SILVER SPOON

Cheyenne Meadows

Book five in the Wind Warriors series

Spoon thinks no woman can hold his interest until he meets a woman he’d passed by many times.

Spoon feels the weight of bachelorhood settle heavily on his shoulders until he stumbles across an author at a book signing, a woman he’d walked by dozens of times and never truly seen before.

Riley is a part-time romance writer who never expects to find a man to live up to the heroes in her books. Instead, she pushes through life on her own terms, happily single.

Just when they start to develop feelings for each other, fragmented family relationships come to a head and danger lurks right around the corner, threatening to end not only their budding relationship, but their lives as well.

Will they conquer the challenges and come together in love or will events out of their control tear them apart forever?

Dedication

For all those who believe in the greatness of love.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Grammy: National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

Playboy: Playboy Enterprises

Desert Eagle: Magnum Research, Inc.

Styrofoam: The Dow Chemical Company

Kevlar: DuPont

Rambo: StudioCanal

Three Stooges: Screen Gems

Jell-O: Kraft Foods

Cheshire cat (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland): Lewis Carroll

Word: Microsoft Corporation

Chapter One

Spoon punched his cell phone off with a muttered curse. He knew better than to speak with his father, especially lately.

Is he badgering you again? Loco asked from across the bench where the men currently lifted free weights.

Spoon glanced up at the sandy-haired Marine who matched him in height and build. Unfortunately.

Supposedly, the world’s resources of diamonds were drying up, leading to a highly competitive market for the few remaining newly dug rocks worth selling. His father had scrambled, pulled every string and openly bribed mine owners to give him first selection. This painstaking process had made him realize he needed a right-hand man. He’d chosen Spoon.

You don’t owe him anything. Hell, a Komodo dragon would have made a better father than he did.

Counting under his breath with each curl, Spoon nodded. All the Wind Warriors knew his background and had never failed to provide support and understanding, much more appreciated than the taunting, blatant harassment he’d endured early in his military career. Just because his parents were wealthy didn’t mean he benefited from free access to their funds.

The subject of his childhood had come up more than once, with increasing frequency now that his father had thrown all his weight toward forcing Spoon into the family business. A place the retired Green Beret refused to go. Ever.

Taking a breath, he replaced the free weight on the rack. I just wish he’d learn to take ‘no’ for an answer. Pending that, another lingering mission comes up where I’ll be incommunicado for the next three months.

Loco picked up the recently deposited dumbbell. He let it fall to his side before lifting once more. I’m with you on the ‘no’ business, but a three-month assignment would suck.

Afraid Oakley would find a replacement?

Nah. She loves me. Besides, she’s become quite spoiled with my special talents. No other man could stack up. He puffed out his chest and waggled his eyebrows, as he finished the set and relaxed both arms straight for a moment, shaking them to work out the kinks.

Spoon grinned at his best friend. You’re one lucky dog. I’ll give you that. He had met Loco’s fiancée on several occasions, even before the pair had become an item. She made the sun rise and set with her compassion, caring and upbeat attitude. A man could do worse, much worse, than have her at his side for a lifetime.

Believe me. I know it. Loco threw a quick smile over his shoulder as he moved to the other side of the free-weight area to stand in front of the pull-up bar.

Spoon applauded the rest of the Wind Warrior team members for finding their other halves and remained envious of the sheer happiness he spied on their faces these days. He never expected to find the perfect woman, to marry and raise a family. None of the guys did. Their jobs included too much danger, not only to themselves but anyone close to them. However, that fact didn’t stop any of the others who’d found strong women willing to not only stand by them but also fight alongside them if necessary.

The only single one left, Spoon felt a new burden. He wanted what they had—a beautiful woman to come home to, who loved him for who he was and wasn’t afraid to deal with any backlash from his current occupation. Seeing how contented the others were pushed his shoulders down in resignation. Never before had loneliness planted itself at his doorstep and refused to move on.

Damn, soldier. Snap out of it.

Spoon mentally shook himself, trying to dislodge the melancholy from his system. He needed to get past this funk that had hung over him like a persistent rain cloud for the past couple of weeks.

Normally, he lived in the present, never focusing on what he lacked or measuring his life against others. His childhood had taught him that comparing himself to peers led down a road of frustration and pipe dreams, and proved an illusion that, while right for another, didn’t fit him like the glove he envisioned.

Maybe he just needed a vacation. Get away from everything for a week or two, find an escape with no stress, just good old-fashioned R and R. He snorted. Who was he kidding? His job, and now his persistent father, would either prevent or continually pester him the entire time.

Barring a fluke, his next best idea would just have to work, his trusty stand-by. Hit up one of the local dance bars, find a hot, willing woman and spend the night releasing pent-up stress in the time-honored method preferred by men. He worked off some steam, she enjoyed her night and they both went their separate ways the following morning. The best situation of all.

Spoon? Earth to Spoon. Loco’s voice broke through his thoughts.

What? He used the end of a towel to wipe his perspiring face.

I asked if you wanted to come to dinner with Oakley and me.

He stood and grabbed another set of weights. Nah. I don’t want to intrude.

You wouldn’t be. She likes you, you know. Loco took a seat on the vacated bench.

Still. No thanks. He lifted both arms over his head, using upper body strength to push the dumbbells to a full arm extension each time. When finished, he puffed out a tired breath. I think I’ll hit the dance bar tonight, instead.

Loco’s eyebrows shot up as the corners of his mouth curled. Tomcatting, huh?

You know it, Spoon replied with a grin before repeating the exercise once more.

One of these days you’ll find a woman worth coming home to.

Softly replacing the dumbbells, Spoon glanced at his best friend. I don’t know about that. Right now there’s half a world full of women that I haven’t yet sampled. That should be enough to keep me busy for a couple more years anyway.

I used to think that, too.

Spoon shrugged. So many women, so little time. Besides, I doubt there is a single woman around that can hold my attention for an entire month, let alone a lifetime.

Chapter Two

Riley checked her watch for the tenth time since leaving for lunch as she maneuvered around slower moving vehicles on one of the major roads in the city. Nothing like lunch-hour traffic to make one late to work. Dang it. She chastised herself once more for being too lazy to fix a lunch that morning, instead relying on a local restaurant for her meal—along with half the city. She stood in line for twenty minutes before finally collecting her sandwich and soup in just enough time to inhale the meal before rushing back to work on an overcrowded street.

After zipping her small car into an empty parking space in the back row of the gym’s lot, she grabbed her purse, shut and locked the door then ran for the building’s entrance. Her boss, though easy-going, frowned on tardiness, a fact clearly explained at her orientation a few months back.

With a burst of speed, she rounded the corner then yanked the door open only to run into a brick wall. Ohhh.

Large, strong hands grabbed her arms, steadying her before she tumbled to the cement. Gaining her balance, she peered up into the face of her rescuer. Short dark brown hair, a shade darker than his eyes, topped a large framed man with an athletic build and toned muscles. The tip of her head nearly reached his clean-shaven chin. Smooth skin and a firm jaw relayed confidence, hinting at his age.

She sucked in a breath. I’m sorry. I was…

He set her away from him with a mumbled word as he continued on his way, his friend glancing at her with an apologetic expression. Not only hadn’t the man spoken directly to her, but he’d barely even noticed her, except that she’d stood in his path. If anything, he’d looked right through her before the curt dismissal—rude and inexcusable.

With a growl of annoyance, she yanked the door open once more. Men! Some of them remained solidly in the caveman days. Surprising they didn’t beat their chests with their fists more often, carry clubs, wear animal skins and drag women to their cave by the hair with their primitive attitudes.

Just another reason she didn’t have a boyfriend or even a date. Her personal philosophy clashed mightily with such barbaric behavior. Riley preferred to be the one carrying the club and choosing her own men. Luckily, in present day, she enjoyed the luxury of being a single woman, supporting herself, not requiring a guy for anything. Complete freedom and independence from dictating, demanding males—a blessing, in her mind.

She returned to her station, dropped the purse into a bottom drawer then settled down onto a stool with a bored smile plastered on her face. Splitting time between staring out of the glass door and the people inside working out, she drifted back into thought.

She enjoyed her job at the gym. Her position as receptionist and greeter allowed her nice benefits, despite the low pay. She carried insurance and had permission to use the upscale facilities anytime she wanted, as long as she clocked out first. The work, mundane to some, allowed for little stress and much repetition. Most of the members politely spoke or waved as they came in or left, even if few actually stopped long enough for an actual conversation. On slower days, she sat and watched the prime males of the species in their workouts, mesmerized by the muscle movements as they rippled just under the skin. Eye candy for sure and research for her books.

In her free time she wrote romance novels. With five published books on the market, she worked hard to stay ahead of the game in order to keep new releases coming out at consistent intervals. While most considered it another job, she found it more like a hobby, one she thoroughly enjoyed. Writing allowed her to escape to other lands, a different time or setting. The hero proved gorgeous, well-off and chivalrous—the heroine beautiful and brave. Together, they would find adventure, danger and true love.

So much different from her own life—full of work, hassles, obnoxious people and a strict budget.

Her thoughts returned to the guy who had nearly bowled her over earlier. He qualified for the yummy part of her favored man—the rest of his behavior fell short of her ideal. Perhaps she set her standard unreasonably high, expecting a modern-day man to compete with her fictional world heroes. Yet, the thought of accepting something less left her sullen and drained. No, if she ever found a guy, he would have to fit the bill. Otherwise, she’d be settling for less than her dream. In that instance, she might as well drag her sorry rear back to her father and marry one of the half-dozen suitors he’d lined up over the years.

Resolve straightened her spine. No way. She believed in romance and freedom to choose who she’d spend her life with, even if she never found the right person and died an old spinster. It was still her choice. Riley had marched away from a fortune four years ago when she’d stood up to her father, adamantly refusing to live under his thumb any longer. With little money and nowhere to go, she’d tested her wings for the first time and learned that after each fall, it became easier to take flight once more in search of not only happiness, but herself as well.

You still have that book signing tomorrow evening? Marissa, one of the aerobics instructors, asked from across the desk.

Riley beamed. I do. Six p.m. sharp. She slid off the stool and ambled closer.

Corner Bookstore?

Yep. The one about two blocks from here. I’m so excited. My first book signing. I’m still dumbfounded they agreed to it.

The tall, lean red-haired lady shook her head. Why not? You’re a star in the making.

Uh, huh. In my dreams. Most authors have to keep their day jobs, you know. Writing is pretty much a hobby that provides a little extra money. Only a lucky few hit it big.

Either way, I’ll be there. Marissa gave a quick wave then departed, her gym bag hoisted over her shoulder.

Watching her go, Riley rubbed her hands together in anticipation. She still couldn’t believe a publisher not only contracted one book, but five to date, let alone that the largest bookstore in the city agreed to purchase a case of her print books in order to sell during a book signing. Magic, in her eyes.

The prickly sensation of someone watching her made Riley stand up straight and slowly scan the area. Finding the gym’s clients busy working out, she turned to glance out of the window. Cars waited in the parking lot, others drove along the nearby street. A couple walked down the sidewalk. Nothing seemed amiss, yet her neck itched. Calling herself a bit paranoid, she shook it off and returned to her job. When the phone remained silent and no customers approached the desk, she took the opportunity to relax.

Riley settled back on her seat, absently glancing at the clock. Two more hours before she could escape and dash home. In the meantime, more members trickled in, giving her another opportunity to consider each one as potential cover models for her characters.

Too bad the Neanderthal who nearly knocked her down stuck his nose in the air in a blatant snub. From her brief glimpse, he was prime cover-model material—tall, dark and handsome, confident airs with athletic skills, and abilities to warrant respect.

With that image, she turned her thoughts to her latest book, pondering what trouble the characters could run into next on their road to romance.

Chapter Three

Spoon shouldered his way through the dense crowd, frowning at the mass of humanity blocking his way. The one day he decided to stop by the bookstore to pick up a new release on his way to another night out fishing for a sexy bed partner, it just happened to be packed to the ceiling with shoppers.

He gazed across the immense space, catching sight of the problem. Lines of people, mostly women, stood waiting patiently for their turn to speak to a young woman sitting at a small table. A book signing. Grumbling under his breath, he changed course to avoid the worst of the traffic jam, marching past aisles full of books before circling back on the other side of the room. With the adventure genre directly ahead, he turned his head and stopped in his tracks.

A bell of recognition rang loudly. He knew the author signing books. But from where?

Her crimson curls, cut to just above the shoulder, framed her round face. Bright green eyes twinkled in the light, broadcasting intelligence and happiness with her present activity. While not a raving beauty, she appeared well put together with curves in all the right places. Pretty. And, if her works actually were published, she had to possess a decent brain. She might not stand out in a crowd of pageant contestants, but something about her intrigued him.

If only he could remember where he knew her from.

Forgetting his hurry to grab the book he’d come for, Spoon stood transfixed, kicking his brain into high gear. Easing closer, he