Copyright © 2020 Jaci Burton, Inc. Cover images © Michele Paccione (couple), VectorShow (cake), Fresh_Studio (horseshoes) and Napoleonka (confetti), all @ Shutterstock Author photograph © Steve Ervin The right of Jaci Burton to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Published by arrangement with Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, A division of Penguin Random House LLC. First published in the United States in 2020 First published in this Ebook edition in 2020 by HEADLINE ETERNAL An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library eISBN 978 1 4722 7083 2 HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP An Hachette UK Company Carmelite House 50 Victoria Embankment London EC4Y 0DZ www.headlineeternal.com www.headline.co.uk www.hachette.co.uk Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page About the Author Praise for Jaci Burton Also by Jaci Burton About the Book Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty-One Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Thirty-Three Chapter Thirty-Four Chapter Thirty-Five Acknowledgments Have you followed Jaci Burton’s Play-By-Play? Visit a special town called Hope Find out more about Headline Eternal About the Author Jaci Burton is a New York Times bestselling author who lives in Oklahoma with her husband and dogs. She has three grown children, who are all scattered around the country having lives of their own. A lover of sports, Jaci can often tell what season it is by what sport is being played. She watches entirely too much television, including an unhealthy amount of reality TV. When she isn’t on deadline, Jaci can be found at her local casino, trying to become a millionaire (so far, no luck). She’s a total romantic and loves a story with a happily ever after, which you’ll find in all her books. Find the latest news on Jaci’s books at www.jaciburton.com, and connect with her online at www.facebook.com/AuthorJaciBurton or via Twitter @jaciburton. Praise for Jaci Burton: ‘Jaci Burton’s books are always sexy, romantic and charming! A hot hero, a lovable heroine and an adorable dog – prepare to fall in love with Jaci Burton’s amazing new small-town romance series’ Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author ‘Full of heat and heart’ Maya Banks, New York Times bestselling author ‘One to pick up and savor’ Publishers Weekly ‘A heartwarming second-love contemporary romance enhanced by engaging characters and Jaci Burton’s signature dry wit’ USA Today ‘Captures everything I love about a small-town romance’ Fresh Fiction ‘The perfect combination of heat and romance’ Heroes and Heartbreakers ‘An extraordinary novel – a definite home run!’ Joyfully Reviewed ‘Lively and funny . . . intense and loving’ The Road to Romance ‘The characters are incredible. They are human and complex and real and perfect’ Night Owl Reviews By Jaci Burton Boots and Bouquets Series The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission (e-novella) The Best Man Plan Brotherhood by Fire Series Hot to the Touch Ignite on Contact Hope Series Hope Smoulders (e-novella) Hope Flames Hope Ignites Hope Burns Love After All Make Me Stay Don’t Let Go Love Me Again One Perfect Kiss Play-by-Play Series The Perfect Play Changing The Game Taking A Shot Playing To Win Thrown By A Curve One Sweet Ride Holiday Games (e-novella) Melting The Ice Straddling The Line Holiday On Ice (e-novella) Quarterback Draw All Wound Up Hot Holiday Nights (e-novella) Unexpected Rush Rules Of Contact The Final Score Shot On Gold About the Book Three days before Erin Bellini’s wedding, her fiancé breaks up with her . . . in an email. Hurt and embarrassed, she turns to veterinarian Jason Callum, who’s both the best man and the hottest guy she knows. But Jason wants a lot more than just a one-night stand with the woman he’s cared about for years. He’s intent on taking things slow, determined to show Erin what real love can look like. Suddenly Erin finds herself with feelings she never planned on having again – she just isn’t sure she can trust her instincts. After all, she made a terrible choice with her ex-fiancé. But Jason intends to convince her that he’s the best man for her, and that what they have together is a true love that will last forever . . . This one’s for my sister. Because sisters are secret-keepers, shoulders to cry on and sometimes pains in your butt, but they always have your back. They are your forever lifeline in a crisis. Thanks, Sissy, for everything. CHAPTER one ERIN BELLINI SHOUTED out from her office at Red Moss Vineyards. “Mom. Have you talked to the caterers?” Her mother didn’t respond right away. It was her most annoying quality. While she waited, Erin jotted down several things she needed to remind her bridesmaids about. Her two sisters were onsite so she had them covered, but she made a note in her planner for the rest of the bridesmaids. Erin’s mother, Maureen, made an appearance in Erin’s office. “You don’t need to yell at me, Erin. You could have just sent me a text. And yes, caterers are confirmed. Which I already told you this morning.” “Right. You did. For some reason I hadn’t checked it off the list. Sorry.” She typed an X in the spreadsheet on her laptop as well as marking it off on the page in her planner. She looked up at her mother. “And my dress is back from alterations, right?” “It’s in your closet.” Her mom made that face, the one where her lips went straight and her eyes narrowed and you knew you were being scrutinized. “You’re not getting nervous, are you?” Erin smiled and took in a deep breath to center herself. “I never get nervous. Because I have everything organized. In my planner. In my spreadsheet. In the notes on my phone.” Her mother smiled. “Right. Yes, well, that’s you, honey. I’m going out
