Brodie looked across the room to see the two laughing. “Ach, those lads aren’t ready to take care of a lass. I’m thinking it may be someone else.”
Maddy glanced around the room at those old enough to marry and still single. If Sean weren’t in Scotland at veterinary school, he’d be a good choice. Her gaze landed on Sean’s sister, Bridget. At nineteen, she knew the young woman wanted a family, the same as her older cousins. Coral, another who wanted to marry, stood next to her. Maddy had heard Deke Arrington, the owner of the local saddlery, held an interest in her, and Coral felt the same. Then she spotted someone else.
“Perhaps it won’t be any of the MacLarens.”
Fletcher kissed her again. “Who do you mean, Maddy?”
“What about Austin DeBell?”
Brodie’s eyes flashed. “The bounty hunter who shot Colbert?”
“Why not? Bay said he might stay in Conviction for a while. He’s handsome with a devastating smile, and—” Fletcher’s low growl and mouth covering hers stopped the list of Austin’s qualities.
Laughing, Brodie tilted his glass against his mouth, finishing the last of his punch. “Well, we know the lad can shoot.”
Fletcher nodded. “Aye, he can.”
Brodie thought a moment. “Maybe I’ll be talking to him about becoming a deputy.” He looked at his empty glass. “I’m going to join Colin and Bay. First, I’ll be needing more punch.” Eyes twinkling, he started across the room, knowing Fletcher and Maddy understood he meant punch with a liberal dose of whiskey.
When he got far enough away, and before anyone else could join them, Fletcher dropped another kiss on her mouth. “I love you, Mrs. MacLaren.”
Her blinding smile sent his pulse racing. “And I love you, Mr. MacLaren.”
Shifting when Quinn and Emma approached, Fletcher’s gaze landed on Colin and Bay standing in a corner of the dining room. They’d been talking for a while, their serious expressions piquing his curiosity. And something else. Bay’s attention kept straying to Suzette.
Bay hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off Suzette. Not today, not years ago when they’d first met. She’d been the only woman to keep his interest, fire his passion. The one woman he wanted beyond all others, the reason there’d been no others for longer than he could remember. His chest squeezed with desire each time his gaze landed on her.
“I’m not understanding why you don’t court her, Bay.” Colin handed him a glass of punch. Both knew it had already been spiked with whiskey. Bay downed it in one swallow, causing Colin’s brow to rise. “I’ll be getting you another if it will fortify you enough to speak with the lass.”
The knot in Bay’s stomach tightened. “No, thanks.”
Colin studied him. “She’s a bonny one. I’m confused as to why you don’t at least speak with her.”
Bay didn’t look over at Colin. “I have my reasons.”
“They must be good ones if you’re able to ignore her.” Colin lifted his glass to his mouth, taking a sip, then choking at Bay’s reply.
“They are. Suzette is my wife.”
Thank you for taking the time to read Fletcher’s Pride. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.
Watch for book nine in the MacLaren’s of Boundary Mountain series, Bay’s Desire
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About the Author
Shirleen Davies writes romance—historical and contemporary western romance with a touch of suspense. She is the best-selling author of the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Series, the MacLarens of Boundary Mountain Series, and the Redemption Mountain Series. Shirleen grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. Her passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona. Between them, they have five adult sons who are their greatest achievements.
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Books by Shirleen Davies
Historical Western Romance Series
MacLarens of Fire Mountain
Tougher than the Rest, Book One
Faster than the Rest, Book Two
Harder than the Rest, Book Three
Stronger than the Rest, Book Four
Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five
Wilder than the Rest, Book Six
Redemption Mountain
Redemption’s Edge, Book One
Wildfire Creek, Book Two
Sunrise Ridge, Book Three
Dixie Moon, Book Four
Survivor Pass, Book Five
Promise Trail, Book Six
Courage Canyon, Book Eight
Forsaken Falls, Book Nine
Solitude Gorge, Book Ten
Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven, Coming next in the series!
MacLarens of Boundary Mountain
Colin’s Quest, Book One,
Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two
Quinn’s Honor, Book Three
Sam’s Legacy, Book Four
Heather’s Choice, Book Five
Nate’s Destiny, Book Six
Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven
Fletcher’s Pride, Book Eight, Coming next in the series!
Contemporary Romance Series
MacLarens of Fire Mountain
Second Summer, Book One
Hard Landing, Book Two
One More Day, Book Three
All Your Nights, Book Four
Always Love You, Book Five
Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six
No Getting Over You, Book Seven
‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight
Foolish Heart, Book Nine
Forever Love, Book Ten, Coming next in the series!
Peregrine Bay
Reclaiming Love, Book One, A Novella
Burnt River
Shane’s Burden, Book One by Peggy Henderson
Thorn’s Journey, Book Two by Shirleen Davies
Aqua’s Achilles, Book Three by Kate Cambridge
Ashley’s Hope, Book Four by Amelia Adams
Harpur’s Secret, Book Five by Kay P. Dawson
Mason’s Rescue, Book Six by Peggy L. Henderson
Del’s Choice, Book Seven by Shirleen Davies
Ivy’s Search, Book Eight by Kate Cambridge
Phoebe’s Fate, Book Nine by Amelia Adams
Brody’s Shelter, Book Ten by Kay P. Dawson
Boone’s Surrender, Book Eleven by Shirleen Davies
Watch for more books in the series!
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Copyright © 2018 by Shirleen Davies
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, e
xcept by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
For permission requests, contact the publisher.
Avalanche Ranch Press, LLC
PO Box 12618
Prescott, AZ 86304
Fletcher’s Pride is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.