Since the death of her husband three years ago, young widow Sally Ryland has kept to herself and focused on her struggling business, Ryland Riding. Folks assume she’s still grieving, because Sally has never shared the truth about her abusive marriage, or the trust issues that rem.
Description:
Published: September 29th, 2015
“Fox knows how to strike just enough sway between sweet and bitter, homespun and steamy.” -Publishers Weekly
With its breathtaking terrain and welcoming people, the Western town of Caribou Crossing is the perfect place for a heart to heal, and for love to blossom once more…
Since the death of her husband three years ago, young widow Sally Ryland has kept to herself and focused on her struggling business, Ryland Riding. Folks assume she’s still grieving, because Sally has never shared the truth about her abusive marriage, or the trust issues that remain. But when a sexy rodeo rider from her past turns up for a visit, he’s a reminder of the feisty woman she once was—and maybe still could be…
Ben Traynor was always attracted to Sally, but he didn’t move fast enough. Now what Sally needs is patience and gentleness. With an injury keeping him from his next rodeo, Ben has the perfect excuse to stick around and help with her chores—and her healing. And as Sally finds the courage to face her demons and open her heart again, she’ll have to decide if what she has with Ben is more than safety, gratitude, and short-term passion, but a forever love…
EXCERPT
He
unhitched the trailer, then climbed into the old Dodge Ram. The truck was a
dually, the double set of rear tires giving it the extra strength he and Dusty
needed to haul the rig. He cranked the windows down to enjoy the fresh air, and
drove off, avoiding using his left hand unless absolutely necessary. On the way
from Williams Lake, he’d found the local country and western station, CXNG, on
the radio. Now he hummed along to some vintage Merle Haggard: “Workin’ Man
Blues.”
Damn pretty land around here, but
then horse country always was scenic, he reflected. The kind of scenic that not
only pleased his eyes, but sank deep into his soul. On either side of the
two-lane road, ranch land rolled away in gentle curves. On the right, low,
craggy hills formed a backdrop. Traffic was light on this Tuesday afternoon, no
one in a hurry. He slowed to pass a couple of riders on the gravel shoulder.
When they waved, he took his right hand off the wheel for a moment to return
the salutation.
He saw the turnoff to the main
highway, leading back the way he’d driven earlier. He passed by, staying on the
country road, and soon was greeted by a WELCOME TO CARIBOU CROSSING sign with a
stylized caribou illustration. A couple of minutes later, he was in the
outskirts of town.
Cruising down the main street, he
noted some nicely restored heritage buildings, fresh paint on most storefronts,
and flowers in planter boxes. A cute little town and yeah, it wasn’t much more
than fifteen minutes’ drive from Sally’s place. How odd that she never came
here.
Seeing a parking spot across from
the town square, he grabbed it.
He strolled a couple blocks. A
restored old hotel called the Wild Rose Inn had a fine-looking dining room and
Western-style bar; a coffee shop called Big & Small offered sandwiches,
wraps, and salads; a Japanese restaurant called Arigata looked interesting. He
wasn’t a sushi guy, but he liked teriyaki, tempura prawns, and a few other
Japanese dishes.
He settled on the Gold Pan, a diner
that was two thirds full. It had Formica tables and red leatherette booths, a
long counter and red-topped stools, even a jukebox. John Denver’s “Take Me
Home, Country Roads” wove beneath the sound of customers chatting. On the walls
hung black-and-white photos of gold miners, some looking haggard as all
get-out, others beaming and holding up sizable nuggets.
Feeling right at home, Ben took a
seat at the counter. The middle-aged, auburn-haired waitress gave him a
plasticized menu and a big smile, which he returned. The air smelled of frying
chicken and grilling beef, and everything on the menu sounded delicious.
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About the author:
Award-winning, international best-selling author Susan Fox (who also writes as Savanna Fox and Susan Lyons) is a Pacific Northwester with homes in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. She has degrees in law and psychology, and has had a variety of careers, including perennial student, computer consultant, and legal editor. Fiction writer is by far her favorite, giving her an outlet to demonstrate her belief in the power of love, friendship, and a sense of humor.
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