Page 2 of A Texas Hero

No thanks. I’m super busy with work and the upcoming holidays.

Then she did what she should have done weeks ago, before her father hired her a bodyguard. She blocked his number. Maybe that would work. Life was tough with a big heart, and some people tended to ramrod right over her. But the right man wouldn’t. She just had to find him. He’d be at least as tall as her, handsome and preferably Italian. She had a thing for Italians, especially those with sexy accents. Around here, all she ever heard was a slow Southern drawl. Incredibly sexy to many women, but mostly those who hadn’t grown up in Texas.

Moving to her back storage room in Glamtique, the boutique she’d owned for the past few years, Zoey grabbed a box from the top shelf. It was marked, like all the others, with yellow, red and orange hearts and leaves. At home, she’d already decorated, but some folks got a little funny about starting seasons too early. And she had to face the fact that not everyone was in love with love. She’d patiently waited until after September 1 to decorate the store, and the day had finally arrived.

The chime over her shop door rang and Zoey rushed to the front. Ever since wealthy ad executive Lauren Montez had started shopping there almost a year ago, her sales had gone up. Even Tippy, the town’s mayor, had been in last month for something to wear to the inaugural gala in November.

“Zoey, you here?”

The voice was that of her best friend, Twyla Cavell, who owned the bookstore, Once Upon a Bookshop. Years ago, Zoey’s friends were other runway models but she was proud to say that most of her friends now were fellow business owners in their small town. She and Twyla went way back. They’d met during Zoey’s first visit to Charming, when she’d stopped by the bookstore looking for the latest Harlequin romance novel. They’d bonded over books, and later, the quest for true love. Twyla was married to Noah now and had offered to help plan Zoey’s annual Sweetheart Day party this year. Well, actually, she had begged. Zoey was a bit worried that Twyla didn’t take this event as seriously as she did, because no one did. But it meant a lot to her to be able to help, so Zoey caved.

“I’ve got the invitations!” Twyla waved one in the air.

“You haven’t sent them yet?” Something had already gone wrong. “It’s September first!”

Twyla blinked. “This is just a formality. I sent a save-the-date out last month, remember?”

“Oh, right. Are they engraved?”

“From the same printer you use.” Twyla set them on the counter near the register. “What do you think?”

They were orange and yellow, decorated beautifully with gold foil edges. They were nice enough to be wedding invitations.

You are cordially invited to celebrate a night filled with love.

Saturday, September 14, 2026

Sweetheart Day

A Night of Romance

6pm–midnight

At the home of Zoey Lambert

RSVP

“Oh. They’re beautiful.” Zoey sighed.

“Yay!” Twyla jumped up and down.

Zoey had to smile at her friend’s enthusiasm. “I couldn’t have done any better myself.”

Christmas was Twyla’s favorite holiday, but she had come around to appreciating the fall. Zoey had convinced her the season just needed a little help. Now it wasn’t just about spiced pumpkin lattes and golden leaves, but also about love in its many forms.

Today, Twyla wore a gold-and-orange sweatshirt emblazoned with the punny saying, Fall I Want, and gold earrings in the shapes of leaves. She had officially come over to the autumn side. Zoey’s work was done.

“And don’t worry, I’m inviting a few singles, too.”

Zoey always did the same. No better place to meet “the one” than a Sweetheart Day celebration. It was the kind of story you could tell your grandchildren. Zoey wouldn’t be the only singleton. However, she wasn’t feeling particularly optimistic about meeting someone new. Charming was a relatively small bedroom community along the Gulf Coast, not far from Galveston, Texas. Zoey loved almost everything about the quaint town with its renovated lighthouse, boardwalk, jetties, bay and beaches. She didn’t love that all the best men her age were already taken.

“Love your dress,” Twyla said, admiring the sleek gold-and-brown dress Zoey was wearing. “It must be rough to be so gorgeous you have to beat men off with a stick.”

When Zoey made a face, Twyla backpedaled.

“Oh, no. He’s not still bothering you, is he?”

“Nothing I can’t handle. Unfortunately, my father doesn’t believe me. He hired a bodyguard to watch me.”