The oldest son of the Cauthen brood and the hardest of all the siblings. After two tours in Iraq, he returns to the 5 Oaks Ranch to take his place in the business. But he struggles with nightmares and the memories of everything he’s seen in the last seven years. Always the toughest of the siblings, he’s turned hard edged and even harder to get close to. When the new veterinarian comes in and starts to chisel her way through his stone façade Ridge tries to ignore the electricity that sparks between them. Find out what happens to the Oldest of the Cauthen siblings from the 5 Oaks Ranch.
Excerpt
As Ridge returned to the ranch he was tense. He’d enjoyed his lunch with his brothers but he had so much on his mind. The moment he stepped into the barn he knew this day would get worse. The new vet was standing in the middle of the stalls with Maggie. Why did this woman affect him so much?
Ridge walked with purpose toward his office at the back of the stables. He sat down and groaned, maybe if he got his mind on something else he could get her out of it. Reaching across his desk he grabbed the new supply catalog and searched for the feed buckets that needed to be replaced. Unfortunately as he scanned the pages her face kept slipping in.
During the time he was in Iraq he’d often dreamt of coming home and finding a good woman to marry. Then as time progressed and his depression grew he knew this wasn’t a possibility. Slamming the magazine down on the desk he stood up. What he needed was a good long ride along the fence line. He walked out of the office and ran full body into Mallory.
He stumbled back grumbling and apologizing. Of course she giggled and told him it was her fault. “I’m so sorry. I should watch where I’m going.”
“No it was my fault I wasn’t watching where I was going and evidently had too much on my mind.” He looked down into her mesmerizing eyes and was lost but for only a moment. Shaking his head vigorously, he turned toward the stalls.
She stood and watched him walk away. He was a complex man but an intriguing one. Deep down she knew he was struggling with his memories and trying to adjust to life after living in a war zone. Slowly she turned and headed for her truck. The funny thing was every time she thought of him her heart raced and she’d only met him just today.
Ridge saddled his horse and rode out of the stalls like the devil himself was after him. His father stood in the doorway of the house watching his son ride wildly across the field. He worried about the state of his mind and the depth of his depression. Then he noticed the new vet driving out. With a grin he turned and walked back in the house wondering if she was the reason for Ridges quick retreat.
Professional Reviews
5 Stars by Rabia Tanveer for Reader's Favorite
Ridge by Stephanie Hurt is a novel that will fill your heart. You will feel so much compassion and kindness for Ridge that you will tear up. Ridge is such a nice guy; he is kind and very sweet. This novel showed how pointless wars have destroyed the lives of many men and how they are suffering because they pledged to protect their country. When you sit down to read the novel, keep a tissue box nearby because you will need it. A really good novel.
4 star by Lynn F. : Is there a Dr in the house??
This is a love story that follows Ridge Cauthen. He is the eldest son of the Cauthen clan. Ridge fought in the war in Iraq. He is now back home and working on his family's ranch. He by chance meets the new Veterinarian, Mallory. Ridge is dealing with PTSD from his military service. PTSD that includes nightmares, flashbacks and mood swings. Not an ideal time to try and make someone fall in love with you. My favorite part of this story was the amount of love, patience and forgiveness Ridge is shown by his family and friends. I would hope all Veterans would receive the same treatment. I'm not going to tell you if Boy gets Girl you just have to read it for yourself :)
This is a sentimental and epic story about a young man, injured in the Viewnam War, who returns to Dallas, Texas, in 1964, and begins rebuilding his life. Set against the rock and roll era of the early 1960’s, when casual sex and recreational drugs w
