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Category:
Western
Publisher: Secret Cravings
ISBN-10: B00O5B3RYG
Pages: 155
Copyright: oct 1, 2014
Price: $4.99 (eBook)
Shattered, Spring Reed finally escapes her abusive past by accepting a job on a Montana ranch.
Colt O’Malley’s life takes a tragic turn leaving him devastated.
Can these two deeply scarred hearts heal enough for love?
The last thing cowboy Colt O’Malley needs is another busybody intent on curing him of his grief.
Deeply bitter, Colt finds it almost impossible honoring his brother’s last act of kindness.
Spring Reed grew up in the foster care system and when she finally ages out, she relies on her protector and friend, Billy Jack to help them make a life together. To her horror, Billy becomes an abusive bully.
Her rescuer arrives in the form of a coffee drinking, hard studying, college student, Caleb O’Malley. With a promise of a new job, he buys her a bus ticket from Texas to his family ranch in Montana with the plan to meet her there in a week. Unfortunately, no one met her.
When Old Ed tries to drop Spring off at the O’Malley ranch, Colt tells him to take her back. One glance at the pain in her eyes and he couldn’t send her away. She reminds her of the abused horses he rescues and he had to try to honor Caleb’s wish.
Can two people with scarred souls learn to love again or will bitterness and doubt drive them apart?
Excerpt
His brown eyes were filled with grief. The heavy shadows under his eyes indicated a lack of sleep, and his shoulders slumped in defeat as though he was about to fall over.
Wrapping her arms around her middle, she stared at him. He was a big man, tall with wide shoulders. Somehow, he looked shrunken. “I’ll stay and make sure you eat. I’m assuming the job is still open.”
Colt took off his tan Stetson and slapped it against his thigh. His dark hair hung past his collar, and it looked soft blowing in the cold wind. “Look, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about. There is no job. I don’t know what Caleb told you, if he really invited you here at all. It’s not his style to bring girls home.”
Spring’s heart was in a vice that kept tightening. “He offered me a job keeping the books for you.”
“Ed, take her back.” The bitterness in his tone was loud and clear.
“No can do. This little gal was promised a job, and I think you should honor that promise.”
“Then leave, I’ll take her back myself.”
“Fine.” Old Ed turned and walked to his truck. When he got the door, he turned toward Colt. “You know I don’t go around handing out advice, but if I was judging by the way you look, I’d say she needs to stay.”
Colt's eyes raked her over, making her nervous. Finally, he sighed. “Let’s go inside, and get you something warm to wear before I take you back.”
Numb inside and out, she followed him. The house looked much bigger than she’d pictured. The exterior was wood, covered in peeling paint, but the front porch looked ample. It was hard to judge, however, with all the blowing snow.
Walking inside, she shivered. It was spring break, and she thought it might be chilly still, but she didn’t have the money to buy a heavier coat or boots. She felt stupid arriving in her windbreaker and sneakers. The snow must be due to melt soon. Warmth was in full bloom in Texas already. Sure, there was a bit of snow remaining at home, but this whole area was still a blanket of cold, white snow.
The front part of the house had an open floor plan, the kitchen and great room were connected, and a roaring fire in the massive stone fireplace welcomed her.
“Have a seat, I’ll make coffee.”
Spring nodded and cleared a place on the cluttered, threadbare couch. Caleb hadn’t exaggerated when he’d told her that they were barely keeping their heads above water. She didn’t mind poor. It was what she’d known all her life.
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