Head Over Hooves: Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild, page 16
Drew looped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She leaned into him, absorbing his warmth.
The past year with him in Autre had been amazing. He’d, of course, fit in perfectly with the animal park, and had taken on a lot of the daily animal care activities.
He’d moved into Rory’s apartment with her for the first few months, but they had decided they needed more space and were now living in a house not far from Tori and Josh.
Drew’s brother and cousin were doing great back home running the farm in Iowa without him and his mom had finally gotten over him moving so far away after Rory had visited Iowa and won her over. Then Linda had taken her first trip to Autre and met the Landrys for herself. Now she, and Drew’s father, were huge fans of everything having to do with Louisiana, the Landrys, and the bayou. They were on their way to Louisiana for the holiday, in fact. They’d be here tomorrow.
Rory rubbed her stomach where the butterflies were kicking up. She wanted this Christmas to be perfect. She loved the life they’d made together and something about bringing everyone they loved together for the anniversary of when everything had started seemed hugely monumental.
“So…”
She looked up at Drew. “So?”
He took a breath and met her eyes. “Your dad’s getting out the day after tomorrow.”
She processed that. Roger was getting out of jail on Christmas Eve.
Huh.
He’d messed up not long after starting the job at the casino. Of course. He’d been in prison for six months, so he must be getting out for good behavior. Which was hilarious.
“Well…how nice. The whole family can be together,” she said dryly.
Drew squeezed her. “He’s not coming down here for Christmas.”
“How do you know?”
“Ellie went and visited him.”
Her eyes went wide. “What?”
Drew nodded. “I actually ran into her in the parking lot.”
“What parking lot?”
“The prison parking lot.”
Rory pulled away so she could turn to look at him more fully. “You were going up to visit him?”
“Yep.” Drew frowned. “I had a few things I wanted to say and figured that was the best way to make sure I’d get to say them.”
She wasn’t sure what to do with that information. “That’s… a strange coincidence.”
“Apparently she’d seen him several times. And I think she knew I was headed up there that day and made a point of getting there first.”
Rory shook her head. She wondered if she’d ever get used to the way Ellie Landry was always three steps ahead of everyone else. “What did she say?”
“Neither of them would tell me exactly, but Roger is…different.”
“Different how?”
“He wants to come to dinner at Ellie’s. Not for Christmas. Nothing important like that. Just a regular dinner when everyone is around.”
Rory felt her mouth drop open. “Are you serious?”
“I am. And I think it’s a good idea. I want him to see the force you have behind you. The family you’re a part of. What he’s actually taking on if he decides to mess with you again.” He paused. “But it’s totally up to you.”
She chewed on her bottom lip and studied Drew’s face. “You think Ellie got to him? Like converted him or something?”
Drew shrugged. “If anyone could, it’d be her.”
Rory wondered if Ellie had threated Roger with becoming the main part of her famous, secret-recipe gumbo. But, she’d put time into going to see Roger. That had to mean something.
“I’m not afraid of him. Or intimidated by him anymore,” Rory said, reaching for Drew’s hand. “Being loved by you, and the Landrys, for this past year has taken that all away. He doesn’t have any power over me anymore. Just like you said.”
He frowned slightly, then understanding dawned. “You heard me say that?”
She nodded and stepped close. “It was the best thing I’d ever heard.”
He cupped her face. “I meant it.”
“And you were right.”
“I’m glad.”
“And now you’re being a good guy again,” she said, with a smile that came from the very depths of her heart. “You want to give Roger a chance to reconcile.”
He frowned. “I actually don’t. I want you to have a choice in what happens next with him out and on the prowl. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“No. I don’t. But I will. Because your good guy stuff has rubbed off.”
He leaned in with a little growl. “You’re poking at the good guy stuff because you know that makes me get the nipple clamps and chocolate sauce out to remind you I have another side.”
She grinned. “Yep.”
“Well, before I do that—” He shifted back and reached into his pocket. “I have one more really sweet, good guy thing to do. And I figured this barnyard, where it all started, was the perfect place for it.”
She frowned, but as soon as he dropped to his knee in front of her, her stomach swooped, her heart leapt, and her eyes filled with tears. She covered her mouth with her hands and started nodding.
He chuckled. “I haven’t even asked yet.”
“If you don’t ask me, I’m going to ask you,” she told him, dropping to the ground with him.
He popped the ring box open and the twinkle lights overhead made the diamond sparkle.
“Rory, would you—”
“Beeehhh!”
A goat ran past. Then another came skidding around the corner of the barn.
Through her happy tears, Rory started laughing.
“Yes.” She nodded her head, making the white pom pom on the end of her red Santa hat bob. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Drew slipped the ring on her finger and gathered her close, kissing her deeply.
When he lifted his head, he said, “You don’t even know what you’ve just agreed to do. I didn’t finish the question.”
“Well, I’m wearing a wedding dress to it, whatever it is, so I hope that’s okay.”
He laughed and cupped her face. “That’ll work.” Then he kissed her again as goats dressed as sheep ran in circles around them.
Christmas in Autre was most definitely merry and bright…and crazy and chaotic and unexpected and fun and full of love.
Like every other day of the year.
Thank you so much for reading Head Over Hooves! I hope you loved Drew and Rory’s holiday story down on the bayou!
There’s SO much more from the Landry family and Autre, Louisiana!
* * *
Next is Zander Landry’s story!
* * *
What happens when a hellraiser turned hot cop is stuck with a headstrong heiress he’s determined to protect...and resist?
A run-away bride, wearing a freakin’ tiara, and carrying a stolen lion cub, of all things. This was not how rowdy, bad-boy-turned-small-town-cop, Zander Landry expected his day to go.
He really didn’t expect his night to end with her sleeping in his bed after her near-kidnapping.
But his intense attraction to her and the feelings of protectiveness she stirs up? Oh, yeah, he knew those were coming.
She’s stunning, whip-smart, and trouble with a capital T.
Which means, he needs her to head right back the way she came. ASAP.
His town is exactly the way he wants it . . . crazy and trouble free.
Well, the crazy trouble he’s not related to anyway.
Stranded in a tiny town in her half-million-dollar wedding gown with no money and no place to go . . . today is going pretty much exactly the way Caroline Holland expected it to.
But the grumpy, tattooed, oh-my-god hot cop being the answer to all her problems isn’t at all what she expected.
Now that she’s turned all the criminal (and obnoxious) info about her exotic-animal-dealing ex-fiance over to Zander, she can kick back in a hammock with some sweet tea and relax.
Or not.
Turns out Caroline’s not the spoiled heiress Zander thinks she is. The gorgeous hellion wants in on the action and soon discovers just how dirty things can get in the bayou. And the bedroom.
More and more, Zander just wants her safe on the sidelines. But Caroline isn’t going anywhere until justice is done.
It’s a clash of wills that’s gonna get hotter than a crawfish boil in July. And the most fun the Landry family has had watching sparks fly since . . . well, the last book.
* * *
Check out Say It Like You Mane It now!
If you love Autre and the Landrys…
If you love the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild, you can’t miss the Boys of the Bayou series! All available now!
* * *
My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding (Josh & Tori)
Sweet Home Louisiana (Owen & Maddie)
Beauty and the Bayou (Sawyer & Juliet)
Crazy Rich Cajuns (Bennett & Kennedy)
Must Love Alligators (Chase & Bailey)
Four Weddings and a Swamp Boat Tour (Mitch & Paige)
And be sure to check out the series about Appleby, Iowa, Drew’s hometown!
* * *
The Hot Cakes Series
One small Iowa town.
Two rival baking companies.
A three-generation old family feud.
And six guys who are going to be heating up a lot more than the kitchen.
* * *
Sugar Rush (prequel)
Sugarcoated
Forking Around
Making Whoopie
Semi-Sweet On You
Oh, Fudge
Gimme S’more
And much more—
including my printable booklist— at
ErinNicholas.com
About Erin
Erin Nicholas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they’re shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).
* * *
Find her and all her books at
www.ErinNicholas.com
* * *
And find her on Facebook, Goodreads, BookBub, and Instagram!
Erin Nicholas, Head Over Hooves: Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild
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The past year with him in Autre had been amazing. He’d, of course, fit in perfectly with the animal park, and had taken on a lot of the daily animal care activities.
He’d moved into Rory’s apartment with her for the first few months, but they had decided they needed more space and were now living in a house not far from Tori and Josh.
Drew’s brother and cousin were doing great back home running the farm in Iowa without him and his mom had finally gotten over him moving so far away after Rory had visited Iowa and won her over. Then Linda had taken her first trip to Autre and met the Landrys for herself. Now she, and Drew’s father, were huge fans of everything having to do with Louisiana, the Landrys, and the bayou. They were on their way to Louisiana for the holiday, in fact. They’d be here tomorrow.
Rory rubbed her stomach where the butterflies were kicking up. She wanted this Christmas to be perfect. She loved the life they’d made together and something about bringing everyone they loved together for the anniversary of when everything had started seemed hugely monumental.
“So…”
She looked up at Drew. “So?”
He took a breath and met her eyes. “Your dad’s getting out the day after tomorrow.”
She processed that. Roger was getting out of jail on Christmas Eve.
Huh.
He’d messed up not long after starting the job at the casino. Of course. He’d been in prison for six months, so he must be getting out for good behavior. Which was hilarious.
“Well…how nice. The whole family can be together,” she said dryly.
Drew squeezed her. “He’s not coming down here for Christmas.”
“How do you know?”
“Ellie went and visited him.”
Her eyes went wide. “What?”
Drew nodded. “I actually ran into her in the parking lot.”
“What parking lot?”
“The prison parking lot.”
Rory pulled away so she could turn to look at him more fully. “You were going up to visit him?”
“Yep.” Drew frowned. “I had a few things I wanted to say and figured that was the best way to make sure I’d get to say them.”
She wasn’t sure what to do with that information. “That’s… a strange coincidence.”
“Apparently she’d seen him several times. And I think she knew I was headed up there that day and made a point of getting there first.”
Rory shook her head. She wondered if she’d ever get used to the way Ellie Landry was always three steps ahead of everyone else. “What did she say?”
“Neither of them would tell me exactly, but Roger is…different.”
“Different how?”
“He wants to come to dinner at Ellie’s. Not for Christmas. Nothing important like that. Just a regular dinner when everyone is around.”
Rory felt her mouth drop open. “Are you serious?”
“I am. And I think it’s a good idea. I want him to see the force you have behind you. The family you’re a part of. What he’s actually taking on if he decides to mess with you again.” He paused. “But it’s totally up to you.”
She chewed on her bottom lip and studied Drew’s face. “You think Ellie got to him? Like converted him or something?”
Drew shrugged. “If anyone could, it’d be her.”
Rory wondered if Ellie had threated Roger with becoming the main part of her famous, secret-recipe gumbo. But, she’d put time into going to see Roger. That had to mean something.
“I’m not afraid of him. Or intimidated by him anymore,” Rory said, reaching for Drew’s hand. “Being loved by you, and the Landrys, for this past year has taken that all away. He doesn’t have any power over me anymore. Just like you said.”
He frowned slightly, then understanding dawned. “You heard me say that?”
She nodded and stepped close. “It was the best thing I’d ever heard.”
He cupped her face. “I meant it.”
“And you were right.”
“I’m glad.”
“And now you’re being a good guy again,” she said, with a smile that came from the very depths of her heart. “You want to give Roger a chance to reconcile.”
He frowned. “I actually don’t. I want you to have a choice in what happens next with him out and on the prowl. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“No. I don’t. But I will. Because your good guy stuff has rubbed off.”
He leaned in with a little growl. “You’re poking at the good guy stuff because you know that makes me get the nipple clamps and chocolate sauce out to remind you I have another side.”
She grinned. “Yep.”
“Well, before I do that—” He shifted back and reached into his pocket. “I have one more really sweet, good guy thing to do. And I figured this barnyard, where it all started, was the perfect place for it.”
She frowned, but as soon as he dropped to his knee in front of her, her stomach swooped, her heart leapt, and her eyes filled with tears. She covered her mouth with her hands and started nodding.
He chuckled. “I haven’t even asked yet.”
“If you don’t ask me, I’m going to ask you,” she told him, dropping to the ground with him.
He popped the ring box open and the twinkle lights overhead made the diamond sparkle.
“Rory, would you—”
“Beeehhh!”
A goat ran past. Then another came skidding around the corner of the barn.
Through her happy tears, Rory started laughing.
“Yes.” She nodded her head, making the white pom pom on the end of her red Santa hat bob. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Drew slipped the ring on her finger and gathered her close, kissing her deeply.
When he lifted his head, he said, “You don’t even know what you’ve just agreed to do. I didn’t finish the question.”
“Well, I’m wearing a wedding dress to it, whatever it is, so I hope that’s okay.”
He laughed and cupped her face. “That’ll work.” Then he kissed her again as goats dressed as sheep ran in circles around them.
Christmas in Autre was most definitely merry and bright…and crazy and chaotic and unexpected and fun and full of love.
Like every other day of the year.
Thank you so much for reading Head Over Hooves! I hope you loved Drew and Rory’s holiday story down on the bayou!
There’s SO much more from the Landry family and Autre, Louisiana!
* * *
Next is Zander Landry’s story!
* * *
What happens when a hellraiser turned hot cop is stuck with a headstrong heiress he’s determined to protect...and resist?
A run-away bride, wearing a freakin’ tiara, and carrying a stolen lion cub, of all things. This was not how rowdy, bad-boy-turned-small-town-cop, Zander Landry expected his day to go.
He really didn’t expect his night to end with her sleeping in his bed after her near-kidnapping.
But his intense attraction to her and the feelings of protectiveness she stirs up? Oh, yeah, he knew those were coming.
She’s stunning, whip-smart, and trouble with a capital T.
Which means, he needs her to head right back the way she came. ASAP.
His town is exactly the way he wants it . . . crazy and trouble free.
Well, the crazy trouble he’s not related to anyway.
Stranded in a tiny town in her half-million-dollar wedding gown with no money and no place to go . . . today is going pretty much exactly the way Caroline Holland expected it to.
But the grumpy, tattooed, oh-my-god hot cop being the answer to all her problems isn’t at all what she expected.
Now that she’s turned all the criminal (and obnoxious) info about her exotic-animal-dealing ex-fiance over to Zander, she can kick back in a hammock with some sweet tea and relax.
Or not.
Turns out Caroline’s not the spoiled heiress Zander thinks she is. The gorgeous hellion wants in on the action and soon discovers just how dirty things can get in the bayou. And the bedroom.
More and more, Zander just wants her safe on the sidelines. But Caroline isn’t going anywhere until justice is done.
It’s a clash of wills that’s gonna get hotter than a crawfish boil in July. And the most fun the Landry family has had watching sparks fly since . . . well, the last book.
* * *
Check out Say It Like You Mane It now!
If you love Autre and the Landrys…
If you love the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild, you can’t miss the Boys of the Bayou series! All available now!
* * *
My Best Friend’s Mardi Gras Wedding (Josh & Tori)
Sweet Home Louisiana (Owen & Maddie)
Beauty and the Bayou (Sawyer & Juliet)
Crazy Rich Cajuns (Bennett & Kennedy)
Must Love Alligators (Chase & Bailey)
Four Weddings and a Swamp Boat Tour (Mitch & Paige)
And be sure to check out the series about Appleby, Iowa, Drew’s hometown!
* * *
The Hot Cakes Series
One small Iowa town.
Two rival baking companies.
A three-generation old family feud.
And six guys who are going to be heating up a lot more than the kitchen.
* * *
Sugar Rush (prequel)
Sugarcoated
Forking Around
Making Whoopie
Semi-Sweet On You
Oh, Fudge
Gimme S’more
And much more—
including my printable booklist— at
ErinNicholas.com
About Erin
Erin Nicholas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over forty sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they’re shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).
* * *
Find her and all her books at
www.ErinNicholas.com
* * *
And find her on Facebook, Goodreads, BookBub, and Instagram!
Erin Nicholas, Head Over Hooves: Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild
