Love Comes Prancing (Holliday Islands Resort Book 3) Page 10

  Tomorrow stage one of Prancer’s plans would begin, and only time would tell if it would meet with success, or leave him shattered for all the world to see.

  Chapter 27

  Ashley fidgeted with her new dress trying to pull the short length of red a little lower, but apparently, women her age were wearing shorter styles this year.

  The dress, a bright holiday red with a black, white and green slash from her left shoulder to her right hip, was lovely, but she just didn’t feel comfortable in it.

  What did a girlfriend wear to her boyfriend’s family Christmas party?

  Ashley smiled as she thought of Prancer, a warm giggle bubbling like a chocolate waterfall from her middle. Collin Prancer Holliday was her boyfriend.

  Rummaging in her closet she looked for something else to wear, but simply couldn’t decide what to do. At the Tree lighting ceremony, she had met Prancer’s family, but there had been a buffer of other guests there so that she only had to mingle briefly with his siblings.

  Over the past two weeks, she and Collin had spent as much time as possible together. They had participated in fun events, eaten together, and practiced for the big show finale that would happen two short days before Christmas.

  Ashley couldn’t believe how she and her billionaire boyfriend had meshed over each ride. It was as if they had found a way to communicate with each other that flowed into their mounts at the same time.

  Prancer’s bright smile as they finished their separate routines then crossed to the middle of the arena to swap horses, made her heart flutter, and she never felt so alive as when his fingers brushed her hand when they exchanged reins.

  Ashley groaned falling back on the bed and looking around her at the mess she had made even as her eyes fell on a pair of leg hugging black tights. Grabbing the simple piece of clothing she shimmied into them with a happy sigh of relief. Paired with her new black riding boots, the outfit would be perfect, and she wouldn’t need to worry about her dress being so short.

  Prancer had assured her that the family party was far more relaxed, and that more than likely his brothers would be up to their usual high-jinx and party games on Vixen Island.

  He had asked her to stay for the whole weekend with his family, but she didn’t feel that she could do that. She was already a nervous wreck. She was only a simple cowgirl after all. Just the same, Ashley tucked a few extra items into a bag, grabbed her make-up case and pinned her earrings on.

  It was time to face the music as her father used to say.

  Collin folded Ashley’s hand in his as he pushed open the door of his father’s mansion. He knew she was nervous about spending time with his family, but she had no reason to be. He loved her, and if she made him happy, he knew that everyone else would love her too.

  The noise from the spacious living area swept over them as he led his blonde beauty through the house made him smile, and he knew that his brothers were all trying to guess what was in their crazily wrapped gag gifts. It had become a tradition with all nine boys to give each other silly, extravagant gifts each year, and they all seemed to be trying to outdo the others.

  “Miss Bowlings,” Gordon Holliday stepped from the corner of the room, his dark eyes shining. “I’m glad you could join us and that you were able to stay on for the equestrian lessons and show.”

  “Thank you,” Ashley said as Collin’s arm wrapped around her.

  “I hope Prancer is making you feel at home,” the older Holliday grinned. “I believe you know Miss Reese, our guest,” he finished as Evelyn came over and shook Ashley’s hand.

  Ashley’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Prancer. “He seems to be doing his best,” she said a cheeky grin on her face. “Now that he’s learned some manners,” she finished with a laugh.

  “Prancer!” Collin’s brothers called. “Come on which gifts did you send,” they asked pointing at the array of large and small packages.

  “You’ll know when you open them,” Prancer said. “I think you all remember Ashley,” he added walking her toward the crowd and reintroducing everyone.

  This time, his dark eyes took in his brothers and their own dates and he couldn’t help but smile. It felt good to have someone at his side that cared for him the way he knew Ashley did. Perhaps she thought this was just a holiday fling, a winter’s tale to share with her friends someday, but he knew that it was something far more precious.

  The laughter, chatter, and fun only grew louder as gifts of giant gourmet chocolate bars, or big bags of reindeer chow. One of the best gifts though was when Blitzen handed out monogrammed tissue boxes to each brother telling them that it was for when their girlfriends broke up with them, and they would be crying themselves to sleep.

  “I think I found Prancer’s gift,” Rudy said with a deep chuckle as he opened a square box and pulled out a pair of hand-tooled, silver spurs. “What are these for big brother?” he asked. “You think I’m gonna mess up and saddle some old bear one day in the dark?”

  The brothers roared with laughter, and even Gordon chuckled watching his boys with delight.

  “No, that’s so if one of the unlucky women ever decide to marry you, they’ll be able to kick your sorry backside into line as Ashley has for me,” Collin said leaning over and placing a sweet kiss on Ashley’s cheek.

  “Well you were rather an ornery critter at first,” Ashley laughed, letting her Texas drawl steal the show as the brothers all opened their vastly different box of specially made spurs.

  Ashley’s eyes twinkled when the other women took the spurs and waving them threateningly before the brother they were with.

  “What do you think? Collin asked pulling Ashley down on the couch with him. “Do you think you can stay for the weekend? We all have our own rooms, and Dad won’t allow any inappropriateness that a Texas father might find offensive,” he finished with a grin.

  Ashley nodded. Her horses were safe in their fancy stalls. She had no appointments. Her lessons didn’t resume until Monday, and she was with the man she loved. As nervous as she had been before arriving at the mansion in the fancy limousine, she now felt relaxed and at ease as she looked forward to getting to know each brother and the beautiful women who had accompanied them to Vixen Island for what passed as a quiet weekend at home for the Holliday clan.

  The weekend ended in a flurry of hugs, and warm wishes. The men had all met for a brief meeting, going over the events each island had planned for the rest of the Christmas season while the girls sipped hot chocolate in the solarium and gazed at the stars.

  Ashley not only felt closer to Collin’s family but also as if she had made new friends with the eight young women who each seemed to be falling for their own very special reindeer.

  They had shared special secrets, talked about where they were from, and gushed about what they were enjoying about resort living.

  Overall the weekend was a hit, including the silly reindeer games, gag gifts, and lush meals they had shared. It was almost like being back home with her friends and family in Needful, a close-knit community, bound by heritage and faith.

  “You had a good time, didn’t you?” Collin asked as he helped her into the limo and headed back to the airstrip that would deliver them home.

  “I did,” Ashley admitted snuggling into his warmth and feeling the softness of his cashmere sweater. “I didn’t think I would ever feel comfortable with a family like yours, but you know underneath it all they’re just a loving family.”

  Collin smiled, leaning down to place a kiss on her lips even as his mind began to buzz with all the other activities they could attend as the weeks leading up to Christmas Day progressed. It was nice to be alone with her again, as they nestled in the car. As much as Prancer had enjoyed the intimate family affair, he was happy to have Ashley all to himself once more.

  “Are you ready to get back to work,” Ashley asked, twining her fingers into his where his hand rested over her shoulder.

  “I am as long as it’s working with you,” Collin agreed. “I
don’t think I’ve ridden so well since my championship.”

  Ashley grinned. “I had noticed a bright spring in your prancing steps,” she teased laughing out loud at his deep groan.

  Chapter 28

  It was almost time for the big event and Ashley felt her hands sweating. Two days before Christmas, and she had to show the entire resort that what she taught was true.

  She and Collin had worked for hours perfecting their finale, with horse, heart, and hope. Each time they rode together, she could see the joy on Collin’s face, and it made her love him even more.

  As happy as she was about the event, and the time she had with the young man called Prancer, her heart pinched with the knowledge that she would be leaving the day after Christmas. She had fallen in love with the reindeer boy, and though she believed it was better to have loved and lost, it still hurt.

  Closing her eyes, she said a quick prayer that the ride would be flawless and that Collin would be able to say goodbye with a happy heart.

  A man’s voice drifted over the loudspeaker and Ashley moved sweet Nutmeg into place next to Collin who rode his flashy bay, Christmas Kringle, with an easy hand.

  “You ready?” he asked reaching out a gloved hand to squeeze hers.

  “I’m ready,” she said soaking in the adoring look in his eyes, so she could remember it forever.

  The music started and Ashley smiled, her sad eyes making Collin frown as both horses moved smoothly out into the arena, beginning the intricate dance they had practiced every day for weeks.

  Collin remembered to smile as the spotlights swiveled toward him, and Christmas Kringle arched his neck further as he side passed over the ground.

  It was like floating in a snow globe as his horse pranced through the familiar steps and Collin let Kringle show off a tad.

  The crowd in the brightly lit bleachers were hushed and sighed as the two riders passed for the first time.

  Ashley’s little roan mare, all sugar and spice in color as well as attitude, cantered past on a smooth line, her loose reins testament to the training and trust the team shared.

  Collin reveled in the thought, though he was still troubled by Ashley’s sad eyes. Didn’t she know he loved her? Didn’t she see that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her?

  Over the past month, he had grown as a man, learning to trust the young woman, not only with his precious reputation as a champion dressage rider but with his heart. Ashley was his perfect counterpoint to his ambitious soul. She had brought the joy he had forgotten back into his heart.

  Collin’s smile brightened as he thought of the events he and Ashley had attended as the Christmas season swept the Holliday Islands Resort.

  Making his way to the far side of the ring, Collin turned Chris Kringel in a tight spin, pivoting on a perfectly placed back hoof, as he caught glimpses of Ashley doing the same.

  Coming to a stop, he positioned his horse and cantered to the center of the ring where he dismounted swapping horses with the woman he loved. As their finger’s brushed a tingle raced through him, and the tiny star that sat in his pocket seemed to tug at him impatiently. Mounting up with a smile, Prancer started the routine again and the little horse that had fought him so much on his first ride lined out, moving from step to step flawlessly as his heart swelled.

  The ending strains of the music were winding down, and the riders turned once more to face each other, squaring up on either end of the ring in preparation for their final ride.

  Ashley gazed along the ring to where Collin sat holding Nutmeg still with a gentle hand, and she couldn’t help but smile.

  He looked so perfect in his expensive coat, tight jodhpurs and polished boots, his long legs kicked out in her western saddle. Collin was the best looking man she had ever known, and she cherished the shared kisses and long hours of love he had given her.

  Pulling Kringle’s reins in slightly she settled deep in the saddle and started toward Collin, his big, bright bay horse prancing smoothly toward the center of the ring where they would turn, dismount and bow.

  Nutmeg moved smoothly toward the center of the ring, but Collin’s eyes and mind were fully on Ashley as she pranced toward him on his big horse.

  Her bright golden braid, twisted over one shoulder shimmered in the lights, and as the music filtered to an end, she pulled Kringle to a stop prepared to climb down and relinquish his reins to Prancer, but something wasn’t right. Collin had pushed Nutmeg into a parallel line with her mount and Ashley looked down confused as he reached into his pocket.

  “Well folks,” Prancer said through an unobtrusive headset under his velvet-covered cap. “That’s the end of the show, but hopefully not the end of my partnership with the lovely Ashley Bowlings,” he said making the crowd smile.

  “Miss Bowlings came here for a charity event nearly a month ago, and though we didn’t start on the same lead, we’ve since learned to keep step pretty well.” Collin’s words brought a giggle from the assembly and Ashley smiled still not sure what he was doing.

  Pressing his outside leg into Nutmeg's side he sidled his mount to mere inches from Kringle. “Miss Bowlings is a very special young woman,” he continued. “She’s smart, funny, beautiful, and determined. But I think here on Prancer Island, she’s met her match,” he teased making Ashley blush. “That’s why today, right here, after this perfect display of horsemanship, hard work, and partnership, I’m asking…” he paused dramatically his dark eyes meeting Ashley’s blue gaze. “I’m asking you to marry me, Ashley Bowlings,” he finished popping the top of the blue velvet box to reveal a dazzling diamond.

  Ashley gaped, and Kringle gave a little hop in place, not sure what was happening as she completely lost focus of where she was or what she was doing.

  The audience held their collective breath as they waited, gazing down at the couple on horseback below.

  Collin raised a dark brow as the silence stretched, and a cold sweat broke over him. Was she going to say no? Right here in front of the world would she reject him and shatter his heart.

  “I will,” Ashley finally responded her voice a breathy whisper that only Collin could hear.

  With a bright smile, Collin reached for her pulling her from her horse and into his arms for a deep life-changing kiss. She was his, and he never had to let her go, even as the crowd roared and both horses fell into step prancing across the ring toward the gate in anxious excitement.

  “I didn’t think you two would ever figure it out!” a cheerful voice called out across the ring as a little old lady dressed in red, jumped to her feet, punching the air with glee.

  Sometimes life brought the last thing you expected and love comes prancing into your heart setting you free.

  The End

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  Her Christmas Vixen

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  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for choosing to read my book. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. If you enjoyed the story, please feel free to leave a review wherever you purchased the book. Leaving a review will help me and prospective readers to know what you liked about this book. It is an opportunity for your voice to be heard, and for you to tell others why the story is worth a read.

  About the Author

  Danni Roan, a native of western Pennsylvania, spent her childhood roaming the lush green mountains on horseback. She has always loved westerns and specifically western romance and is thrilled to be part of this exciting genre. She has lived and worked overseas with her husband and tries to incorporate the unique quality of the people she has met throughout the years into her books.

  Danni currently lives in her thirty-six foot RV with her husband and is traveling the United States to see this beautiful country and experience its history first hand.

  Danni and her ‘every-day-hero’ have one son who is attending college and finding his own way as his crazy parents experience the author lif
e along with life on the road.

  As a Christian Danni, believes strongly that God brings new challenges, and blessings into one’s life to help them grow and she hopes that her words were both and encouragement and inspiration to you.