Broken Shadows (Shadows Landing #5) - Kathleen Brooks Page 0,99
dance-off with Porter and his twin, Parker, and several A-list celebrities.
“So, what exactly is your involvement with Sebastian Abel?” Uncle Miles asked Ryker. Ryker tossed back his drink and motioned for the bartender to pour him another. Skye had just leap-frogged her way up to his favorite cousin-in-law by stocking his obscenely expensive but favorite cognac for the reception.
“Why does it matter?” Ryker asked instead of answering. Most of the time he could get away with it, but not with his family from Keeneston.
“The arrogant jerk was involved with my daughter-in-law at one point,” Uncle Pierce, the nicest and only non-military uncle said. Sebastian had dated Abby? That was news to Ryker.
“Dad, he wasn’t a jerk to Abby and we’re actually friends now.” Pierce’s son, Dylan, said as if he’d said it a million times before. Although Ryker would need to learn more about Sebastian and Abby. Ryker looked for any weakness a business adversary had and he would exploit it mercilessly.
“Whatever. He’s cold and arrogant. I don’t like him,” Uncle Pierce said.
Uncle Cole agreed, but then everyone turned to stare at Uncle Miles as if he fit that bill too.
“I’m not cold anymore. Morgan changed that,” Miles said, a bit defensively.
“And what happened to Mason’s bodyguard who went after Aunt Morgan?” Dylan asked his uncle.
Miles took a deep sip of bourbon before answering. “Old habits and all. He showed up when and where he needed to with no visible bruising.”
Ryker felt his lips twitch. He liked his family from Kentucky. They were entertaining and they teased each other the way he and his Shadows Landing cousins did.
Wade walked over with his happy-go-lucky smile and slapped Ryker on the shoulder. “Cuz, Great Aunt Marcy has it in her head it’s time for you to settle down. I’d start running now. She looks old and frail, but she’ll take you down with that cane without missing a beat.”
Ryker looked over to where Marcy was now holding court with Ellery, Miss Winnie, Miss Ruby, and Savannah. They all stared at him. Ellery looked as if she were envious of his drink. Savannah looked as if she were trying not to laugh, but the other three . . . well they were trouble and he knew better than to walk into trouble. Ryker turned around and slipped into the shadows.
Trent spun his wife under the soft glow of the lights they’d hung across the backyard. He’d never been happier as he was in that moment. He had his bride in his arms, and all his friends and family were celebrating with him.
“How does it feel to be out of the spotlight?” he asked Skye.
“I’ve never been happier. The bright lights hid the best parts of the world in shadows. Now I’m free to experience it all—the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, the friendship of Shadows Landing, and the love of my life. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
Trent bent down and kissed his bride in the middle of the dance floor. People cheered around them. Gator danced by with Gina Toussaint on his arm. Blaze was leading Miss Winnie out onto the dance floor as they joked about what the media would make of their dance. Patrick had Miss Ruby on his arm and was already challenging Blaze and Miss Winnie to a dance-off. Blythe and her girlfriend, Veronica, danced by next, followed by Olivia and Henry Rooney and all their friends and family.
Trent took a deep breath and it was like the air filled him with warmth as his heart expanded. People were people. They wanted to be treated nicely and loved. It was the same if you were a gator-removal expert, a Hollywood action hero, a dark, mysterious businessman, an attorney with a weakness for bad pick-up lines, a sheriff, or a furniture maker.
“What do you think of doing this every year or two?” Trent asked, looking around.
“What? Getting married?” Skye asked as she looked around. As she did, her smiled widened. “Oh, this.”
“All our friends and family in one place and having fun.”
“I love that idea. It’s almost magical here out of the glare of the spotlight where we can all be who we are.”
“No matter what, you’ll always be in the center of my spotlight. I love you, Skye.”
“I love you more than words can ever describe. Now let’s go show your cousins Porter and Parker how to really dance to those 90s boy bands.”
Trent loved the way Skye laughed as she spun around and then held out her hand for him. He tossed his tuxedo jacket onto the back of a chair, rolled up his sleeves, took hold of his wife’s hand, and jumped into his future with Skye by his side.
THE END
Bluegrass Series
Bluegrass State of Mind
Risky Shot
Dead Heat
Bluegrass Brothers
Bluegrass Undercover
Rising Storm
Secret Santa: A Bluegrass Series Novella
Acquiring Trouble
Relentless Pursuit
Secrets Collide
Final Vow
Bluegrass Singles
All Hung Up
Bluegrass Dawn
The Perfect Gift
The Keeneston Roses
Forever Bluegrass Series
Forever Entangled
Forever Hidden
Forever Betrayed
Forever Driven
Forever Secret
Forever Surprised
Forever Concealed
Forever Devoted
Forever Hunted
Forever Guarded
Forever Notorious
Forever Ventured
Forever Freed
Forever Saved
Forever Bold (coming Jan/Feb 2021)
Shadows Landing Series
Saving Shadows
Sunken Shadows
Lasting Shadows
Fierce Shadows
Broken Shadows
Framed Shadows (coming Apr/May 2021)
Women of Power Series
Chosen for Power
Built for Power
Fashioned for Power
Destined for Power
Web of Lies Series
Whispered Lies
Rogue Lies
Shattered Lies
Moonshine Hollow Series
Moonshine & Murder
Moonshine & Malice
Moonshine & Mayhem
Moonshine & Mischief
About the Author
Kathleen Brooks is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleen’s stories are romantic suspense featuring strong female heroines, humor, and happily-ever-afters. Her Bluegrass Series and follow-up Bluegrass Brothers Series feature small town charm with quirky characters that have captured the hearts of readers around the world.
Kathleen is an animal lover who supports rescue organizations and other non-profit organizations such as Friends and Vets Helping Pets whose goals are to protect and save our four-legged family members.
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