His Wild Bride: A Wild Irish/MacKay Destiny Crossover Novella

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

His Wild Bride

Copyright 2017 by L.J. Garland

ISBN: 978-1-68361-238-4

Cover art by L.J. Garland

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

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Dear Reader~

When I was invited to write for Mari Carr’s Wild Irish world, I couldn’t wait. My MacKay Destiny characters would fit this world perfectly! And so Dawson and Sophie came to life, destined to fall in love…but, as always, they would have to earn their happy ever after. 

I’d like to thank Mari Carr for inviting me to write for Wild Irish. I’m honored. I hope I did your wonderful world as well as Pat’s Irish Pub justice.

Thanks to Kate Richards for your expert knowledge, support, and friendship. And for all the other wonderful things you do. Hugs!

To my parents for believing in me. Thank you for standing behind me and loving me. I’m truly blessed!

To my family for…well, everything. To my boys for being understanding and giving Mom some quiet time. And to my amazing husband, Jeff. Without you, this whole writing thing would’ve never happened. You’re my rock, my soul mate, best friend, and the love of my life. Always and forever.

And to my readers for going on this journey with me. Thank you! I hope you get wrapped up with Sophie and Dawson’s adventure as much as I did.

I love to hear from my readers. You can write to me at LJGarland.author@gmail.com.

You can also find me here:

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L.J. Garland

♥ XOXO ♥

Blurb

Dawson MacKay plans to open a pub with his brother, but he has a lot to learn. Taking a job for three months at Pat’s Irish Pub seems like the perfect place to acquire the finer points of running a business. The first couple months pass without a hitch—the pay is good, the information invaluable, and women hit on him every night. However, nursing a broken heart, he doesn’t take a single woman up on her offer. Then an auburn-haired beauty falls into his arms, and his world is turned upside down.

For as long as she can remember, Sophie O’Neill has always wanted to be a reporter. Digging deep and finding the truth is her passion. But then her boss sends her on the most challenging assignment yet. Determined to finish the story, she jumps in feetfirst only to find herself at the center of a nightmare. She loves being a reporter…until the story is about her.

Thrown together, Sophie and Dawson are held hostage to the whims of destiny. And though neither believes in love at first sight, they find themselves falling hard and fast for one another. But time is running out. And the nightmare stalking Sophie is closer than either of them realizes.

Wild Irish Titles at Decadent Publishing

His Wild Bride

His Wild Colleen

Wild Winter

His Wild Bride

A Wild Irish/MacKay Destiny Crossover Novella

By

L.J. Garland

Chapter One

I’ve talked to convicted murderers, interviewed a contract killer, and even followed a SWAT team on a meth lab bust, but this latest assignment has to be the scariest yet. How the heck am I going to get through this one? I don’t know if I can do—

Snap, snap! Earth to Sophie. Her co-worker, Hugh Cavanaugh, snapped his fingers in front of her face again. You okay?

Uh-huh. Liar. You’re scared out of your wits. Just planning things out. She took a deep, fortifying gulp of her café mocha with double-shot espresso and extra whipped cream. The chocolate and smooth cream rolling across her tongue soothed her. The caffeine pumped up her resolve enough to follow through on the assignment Jackson Jacobi, her boss and the founder of tell-all website Deep Insights, had given her.

She set her drink on the table, a definite shake to her hand. Holy crud. Is that nerves? Am I nervous? No, no way. It’s just the caffeine. My fingers are trembling because I skipped breakfast this morning then dumped a boatload of coffee into an empty stomach and—

Nervous?

What? Pft. No. Sophie waved him off. Just a caffeine rush. Such a liar! You nervous?

Hugh leaned back in his chair, his dark-brown eyes assessing her. Cool as the other side of the pillow.

She arched an eyebrow. Really?

Yep. He drank his coffee, the corner of his mouth kicking up as he set the cup on the table. You, however, have been sitting here thirty minutes, nursing your café-whatever. You’re stalling.

Busted. Am not. She downed the rest of her coffee then shoved to her feet. Let’s do this.

He rose, too. Lead the way.

Sophie paused by the garbage can to dispose of her empty cup.

You know, Hugh said, I’m really impressed.

Oh?

When Jackson gave us this assignment, I told him no way in hell you’d follow through. That I’d probably have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you there. He dropped his cup into the receptacle as well. Jackson said you were a professional. That you’d never let him down and wouldn’t this time. Hugh pushed the door open and held it for her. And look at you now, tottering out of here on your own two ridiculously high heels.

She smiled. Happy to prove you wrong.

But her exit was blocked by two big guys in uniform entering.

Pardon us, one of them said. He gave her face a cursory glance and then his eyes narrowed. Well, check this out, Rob. If it isn’t Sophie O’Neill, walking around like she owns Baltimore.

Officers. She moved to brush past them and out of the coffee shop, but the boys in blue blocked her.

Anybody after you lately, Miss O’Neill? Officer Carson set his hands on his hips, his right one a little too close to his gun.

Yeah, our phones have been awful quiet lately, his partner added.

No. Apparently, the story she’d written about the Baltimore police had rubbed them the wrong way. Again, I apologize for the misunderstanding.

Officer Carson nodded, his jaw set hard. Yeah. So you said.

Hugh stepped forward, meeting the cop’s gaze. Unless you intend to arrest Miss O’Neill, I suggest you move out of the way, or I’ll be making a call to the mayor about police harassment. He waved his arm out to the side. And I have all these witnesses to corroborate my story.

Officer Carson’s gaze jerked to the café patrons. Well, I—

His partner elbowed him. Let ’em go. She’s already wasted enough of our time.

The officers stepped to the side. But as Sophie tried to slip past, Bob leaned toward her.

You better watch your back. Karma’s a bitch, he murmured And you can bet if you call us for help, it’ll be a long time coming.

Sophie shuddered then rushed outside into the glorious fall Baltimore sunshine. She hurried down the sidewalk, wanting to put distance between herself and those officers.

Hugh bumped her shoulder with his. Wow, you were like ice when you faced those two.

Yeah, well, comes with the territory, right? She shrugged her shoulders, trying to get rid of the nerves plaguing her. They’d creeped her out—especially Officer Bob. Something about him was just a little too intense.

Yep. He bumped her shoulder again. "They’re just pissed because you uncovered a serious problem with the department. And to hear Jackson tell it, your story got Deep Insights quite a few new advertisers."

I don’t know—

Sophie? A male voice called. Sophie O’Neill?

Jolting to a stop, she squinted at the guy heading toward her—definitely not in a police uniform, thank God. Tall, skinny, long blond hair tied back at his nape. He looked familiar, but she couldn’t remember…. Rick?

He stopped in front of her. Rex.

Right. She nodded. Rex.

The young guy grinned. I thought that was you. It’s good to see you.

You, too. How’s the…?

Animal shelter, he supplied.

Yes, the animal shelter. A breathy laugh of relief escaped her as she angled toward her co-worker. Look, Hugh, it’s Rex from the animal shelter.

I can see him, Sophie. I’m standing right next to you. He shoved out his hand. How’s it going, Rex?

Rex gave Hugh’s hand a one-pump shake. Good. Just surprised to run into the best reporter in all of Baltimore out on the sidewalk.

Her face heated. A few months ago, she’d done a nitty-gritty write-up on several shelters around town, but Rex had been the only one not to just show her where the animals were kept but also all the behind-the-scenes stuff. That night, she’d gone home and cried her eyes out. The next day, she got up and wrote a hard-hitting story and begged the citizens of Baltimore to help. I don’t know about the best reporter. She paused while Hugh suddenly had to clear his throat. So, how are things at work?

Way better since you did that piece on how a lot of shelters are forced to put animals down because of space and money. People have been pouring in to adopt. You really made a big difference. He grinned then gestured toward the café she and Hugh just exited. Can I buy you a coffee to say thanks?

Oh, well…. Here it is, the perfect excuse to put off your latest assignment. I’d really like—

Hugh cupped her elbow. She’d really like to, Rex. But we’re on the clock here.

Oh. His eyes widened. You’re working on a new story?

She removed her elbow from her co-worker’s grip. Yes.

Hugh leaned forward. And we really gotta go, man. Deadlines and all.

Well, yeah, of course. Rex’s head bobbed. Okay.

It was great seeing you again, she told him.

You, too.

They turned to head down the sidewalk again.

Maybe some other time, Rex called from behind them.

Without pausing or looking back, Hugh raised his hand in the air and gave a quick wave. Sure thing, buddy.

That was rude, she murmured to her co-worker.

He leaned his head toward hers. I’ve worked with you long enough to tell when you’re stalling.

She