Good Morning!!
I woke up early (like I do every morning, please I’m over 40) and checked my email for the one that confirms FaHE went live. And there it was. A broad grin took over my face. The 6th and final book of my Finding Happiness in Harmony series went live without a hitch. Preorders were sent and the paperback released as scheduled. Gosh, I love when things go as planned! Here are a couple of my favorite things about FaHE:
Jarrod is the sweetest but oh so sexiest small town sheriff you’ll ever meet
Tarah is an independent single mom making her way in her new town
Bam, these two can’t stay away from each other
The best friends and sister love is real
I can’t stand Jarrod’s brother, Bubba. He’s such an a$$, Haha
Like the rest of my series, you can read Finding a Happy Ending for fr33 in KU. The first scene is below to wet your whistle. You don’t need to read them in order to love them. Have a great day, readers! Xoxo, Stacey
Scene 1
Jarrod Weston’s eyes were glued to her every movement. The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree she stood next to made her short brown curls shine and long earrings sparkle. Tarah Sloan was a gorgeous sight he couldn’t take his eyes off of. He was breathless as she held him captive, fantasies of the single mom running rampant in his mind. The two kisses they’d shared that one night over the summer played on repeat often. Her lips were soft and plump, making her mouth perfect to lick and bury his tongue in. It was months later, and he could still taste her.
His eyes moved lower, past her delicate shoulders to trace her curvy body. The stretchy fabric of her silver metallic dress for New Year’s Eve hugged every luscious peak and valley of her short stature. It stopped mid-thigh, allowing him to appreciate the creamy skin of her legs. Realizing he’d been staring too long he quickly averted his eyes and busied his restless hands and mind by taking the last swig of water from the bottle he gripped.
No beer or mixed drinks for him tonight. He put his responsibility for the town first and foremost every day of the year as the sheriff. Plus, he had put himself on call for the holiday, giving his two deputies the night off with their families to celebrate. Jarrod tossed the empty bottle in the trash as he strode into the kitchen, away from the irresistible beauty in the living room of their friends’ house.
Rachael and Todd Sherman had opened their home to family and friends that night, so all could enjoy the holiday and watch the ball drop on TV together. Todd had been a transplant to the small town of Harmony earlier that fall, having moved from the nearby city of Galorston to be with his fiancé, Rachael. Jarrod had known Rachael since they were kids. Currently, she was chatting away with Tarah, leaving Todd in the kitchen alone.
“Howdy,” Jarrod greeted him, helping himself to a small plate to stack with snacks.
Todd looked over his shoulder from the temporary mixed drink station at the kitchen counter. He tipped his chin up, offering a beverage. “Want anything?”
“Naw. Thanks though. How’s the move to Harmony working out?”
Todd turned, his full glass topped with a lime and bubbles fizzing to the top. “It’s perfect. With the exception of my commute four days a week to Galorston, I couldn’t ask for better.” His eyes darted toward the tree where Rachael stood with Tarah and their girlfriends. Laughs rolled out, broad smiles shaped their faces, and hands waved with animation as the group spoke. Todd’s eyes sparkled as he followed Rachael’s movements.
Jarrod took advantage of the moment to appreciate Tarah’s profile once again. Her curls bounced as she tossed her head with a laugh. He admired how easy she smiled and enjoyed life. He was quiet in social situations, typically enjoying himself from the periphery. He didn’t like to be in the center of it all. He was a natural observer—listening to all discussions, his eyes casing the place. It was more than his training from the police academy; it was his way.
Dragging his eyes from the beautiful dynamo, he focused on Todd. “Good for you.”
Todd cleared his throat and shifted his feet to lean a hip against the counter. “Best move I ever made.”
“Nice.” Jarrod stuffed a pig in a blanket in his mouth while he searched for something more to say. Holding small talk conversations was a challenge for him. He was direct and spoke with a point in mind. But that wasn’t how holiday parties were. Small talk was expected: ask about the family and how life was going. Luckily, he didn’t have to think hard for too long, Tarah’s seven year old son, Byron, barreled into the kitchen with two more kids hot on his heels.
“Howdy, sheriff!” Byron skidded to stop in front of him. “I saw you speeding through town yesterday with the lights on your car flashing. What happened?” The question poured out of his mouth and his hands flew around his head, reminding Jarrod of Tarah’s mannerisms.
Jarrod smirked at the boy's nosiness and energy. He used to follow the Harmony town sheriff himself when he was a boy on his bike to see what was going on. He differed from Byron as a boy of few words but shared the same enthusiasm for the town police force. “Someone blew a stop sign.”
Byron ran his hands through his short brown hair leaving it disheveled. “Can’t let that happen in this town. Could’ve hit someone walking across the street.”
“Exactly. We have laws for a reason…”
Byron finished Jarrod’s thought, “To keep people safe.” Byron reached for a cracker and stuffed it in his mouth. With crumbs flying, he continued, “That’s what my mom tells me. Laws are to keep people safe, and it would be wrong to break ’em.”
Jarrod chuckled at the boy talking with food in his mouth. He didn’t think Tarah would be too happy about that part. But his excitement was contagious. “Moms are always right.”
Byron rolled his eyes and reached for another cracker. “Especially mine.”
Tarah cleared her throat from the kitchen entrance. “Thank you, I think,” she carefully worded, her voice calm and direct. However, her bright eyes gave away her amusement.
Byron’s head snapped to his mom, crumbs stuck to his parted lips and his hand halted midway to his mouth with the buttery cracker in hand. Busted.
She reached for a napkin and handed it to Byron to wipe his face. Knowing the drill, he rubbed it over his mouth.
Tarah leaned over to collect the spewed crumbs from the floor, offering a view down her dress. Jarrod diverted his eyes after a second of appreciation and reached for a water bottle from the counter. The last thing he wanted was to also be busted for doing something he shouldn’t do. This was a family-friendly party with kids everywhere.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off her for long. They found their way back, following her movements. Taking Byron’s dirty napkin, she tossed it and brushed her hands over the trash can. “Let’s head in here. The countdown should be starting soon.” Tarah glanced over her shoulder at Jarrod, as she herded the kids into the living room as a seasoned mom could do.
The sparkle in her eyes left him staring at her like a deer in headlights.
Todd clapped Jarrod on the shoulder. “Let’s check it out.” The smirk on Todd’s face told Jarrod he wasn’t concealing his attraction to Tarah well.
Jarrod pushed off the counter to join the party. Tarah resumed her position by the tree, talking to Rachael and their friend Cami.
Seth, Cami’s fiancé, joined Jarrod by the couch. “What’s new? All quiet in town tonight?”
Nodding confirmation, Jarrod answered, “All’s quiet. I’m heading out as soon as the ball drops to patrol the streets.”
“To make sure there’s no troublemakers out,” Seth assumed.
“Or adults who had too much to drink trying to drive.” Jarrod needed the streets of Harmony to be safe for people to walk home from friends’ houses, no matter how late it was.
Cami joined Seth, wrapping her arm around his middle. “It’s almost time.”
Jarrod cast a glance at the TV, using his peripheral vision to determine if Tarah was still by the tree. Rachael swayed past him to join Todd, leaving Tarah alone. Her eyes homed in on Byron then swept toward the TV. Jarrod inhaled deeply to steady himself for the effect Tarah had on him.
He stepped around the group, their focus on the scene of Times Square in New York City on the TV screen. He leaned close to Tarah, her floral scent heightening his senses. He whispered for just her ears. “You look beautiful tonight.” It had been months of compliments and patiently flirting with her, waiting until she was ready to date. Her divorce had been final for almost two years, but she wanted the time to be right for Byron to adjust to the change of another man in her life and eventually in his. She was adamant that they were a package deal—and Jarrod wouldn’t want it any other way. He had the highest respect for single moms—he had been raised by one after all.
“Thank you.” She smoldered at his words. Her eyes met his then drifted to his open shirt collar. Her perfect lips were slightly parted when she returned her gaze to his face.
He was transfixed by the confirmation that they shared a mutual attraction. The man of few words was living up to his reputation.
“You also look very nice.” Her words danced on a released breath.
He was flattered that he could make her breathing irregular without a touch. He wondered what he could do if given the time to really touch her, not just a few kisses like all those months ago. But to weave his fingers into her curls, then run them down her bare spine to cup her round ass and bring her hips flush against his.
The loud conversations of the party were replaced with synchronized voices calling out. The countdown was on. “Ten, nine, eight…” Jarrod was lost in the brown eyes of the liveliest woman he’d ever met.
Her throat moved as she swallowed, her mouth now forming words. “Seven, six, five…” Tarah’s delicate voice carried the countdown for them both.
No other words were exchanged or needed to know what the countdown meant for them. It wasn’t the celebration of a new year between two friends, but the promise of a third kiss between two very interested people. A kiss, Jarrod had every plan of delivering. He’d waited long enough. Five months of only memories and desire for more made him forget there was anyone else in the room.
She counted down for them, “Four, three, two, one…”
Jarrod placed a hand on her low back and gently brought her close so her breasts brushed his chest. Her eyelids slipped closed, and her chin lifted, ready for him.
He pressed his lips to hers with slight pressure, keeping it gentle. Although he was dying to deliver the kind of kiss that would have had them twisting their heads, followed by gasps for air. He pulled back before it went that route and turned primal.
Her taste on his lips, revved him. His heart pounded, and his stomach coiled. Jarrod let his hand fall from her back, sweeping over her lush hip.
Her eyes flickered open and refocused on his. The kiss they’d just shared was innocent enough to anyone at the party but the stare and thoughts running through Jarrod’s brain were anything but PG rated.
“Happy New Year,” she whispered, her breath warm on his face.
He wished her the same, keeping his face and body within her personal space. He wasn’t ready to distance himself. “Happy New Year, Tarah. I hope it’s gonna be a great one.”
Her lips shaped into a full grin. “It will be if you ask me to dinner.”
A bolt shot through his gut. She’s ready. “I’ll call you.” The words were out of his mouth without hesitation. The hell with a cool, smooth answer. He was happy to make it clear that he wanted to be with her.
His mind raced. He already had plans to place that call tomorrow. Patiently waiting was no longer required. He could take her to dinner, lose himself in her amber eyes and hold her hand across the table.
“Sounds good, Jarrod,” her voice low and sultry, a second bolt shot through him.
“Mom!” Byron’s call broke through their haze and into the air they shared.
Jarrod unwillingly stepped back. Byron jumped toward them. “It’s a new year. I’m going to make a resolution to play more.”
Tarah took his outstretched hands. “I think you’re missing the point of a New Year’s resolution. They’re made to improve something about yourself. You already play lots and do it well.” Her sarcasm made Jarrod want to smile. He turned his head to hide it.
“Hmm.” Byron slipped his hands from Tarah’s and tapped a finger on his chin. His head tilted as he paused to think then turned to Jarrod. “What ’bout you, sheriff? What’s your New Year’s resolution?”
Jarrod had no idea what to tell him. He rarely practiced the tradition since he tried to make improvements year ’round.
Without enough time for Jarrod to formulate an answer, Byron proclaimed, “I know.” His voice was loud as his face lit up. “You should laugh more.”
The kid was on to something. Jarrod was the most serious of all his family and friends, often the butt of their jokes for his quiet, pensive nature. His brothers ribbed him the hardest. Being serious served him well as a man with a shield, but he could stand to lighten up a little in social situations. Being around Tarah the past few months made him want to laugh more. “Okay, I’ll laugh more, if…”
Byron studied him. It took a minute to catch on to Jarrod offering him a deal. He glanced up at his mom, searching her face. “Mommy, what can I do better?”
“I’d love it if I didn’t have to remind you to do your chores,” she suggested, her eyes bright on Byron.
He looked up to Jarrod. “Okay, if you laugh more, I’ll do my chores without my mom reminding me so much.”
Jarrod stuck out his hand, happy with the pact. “I reckon we have a deal.”
“Deal.” Byron took his hand and shook it with every bit of his seven-year-old self.
~~~~~
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