Brenda Minton - Jenna's Cowboy Hero

“We don’t talk to strangers,” they replied.

“Well, this stranger wants to let your parents know what mischief you were up to.”

A screen door slammed, reverberating through the quiet Oklahoma afternoon. Adam knew he was in big trouble. She stomped toward him, brown hair lifting in the breeze. Faded jeans and a T-shirt, her face devoid of makeup and he was suddenly sixteen again.

He let out a breath and remembered why he was here. And he remembered to be angry about his car and everything else that was out of his control.

“What’s going on here?” She came to a stop behind the boys.

“Your dog was in the road, and the boys were close to getting run over.”

“I’m really sorry about that.” She gathered her sons close, in a tight-knit huddle.

“It’s okay. I just wouldn’t want them to get hurt.”

“You’re right, of course. I’m Jenna Cameron.” She held out a small hand. “Welcome to Dawson.”

BRENDA MINTON

started creating stories to entertain herself during hour-long rides on the school bus. In high school she wrote romance novels to entertain her friends. The dream grew and so did her aspirations to become an author. She started with notebooks, handwritten manuscripts and characters that refused to go away until their stories were told. Eventually she put away the pen and paper and got down to business with the computer. The journey took a few years, with some encouragement and rejection along the way—as well as a lot of stubbornness on her part. In 2006, her dream to write for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired line came true.

Brenda lives in the rural Ozarks with her husband, three kids and an abundance of cats and dogs. She enjoys a chaotic life that she wouldn’t trade for anything—except, on occasion, a beach house in Texas. You can stop by and visit at her Web site, www.brendaminton.net.

In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

This book is dedicated to all of the people

who keep climbing mountains and to those

who want to climb mountains.

To my family for putting up with me.

To my friends who keep answering the phone.

(Haven’t you learned your lesson?)

To Janet and Melissa, for the continued support

and encouragement.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Questions for Discussion

“What do you mean, there’s no money in the account?” Adam Mackenzie shouted into his cell phone.

His manager, Will, sighed from five hundred miles away. “The money is gone, Adam. Fortunately, a lot of the work on the camp has already been done.”

Adam gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and went through the list of reasons why this wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to him. He had been through worse things.

The most important thing to remember: the camp wouldn’t be his problem for very long. But how could the money be gone? He’d given his cousin Billy more than enough to build the camp.

“What happened to the money?” Adam leaned and flicked his gaze to the left, looking for a road that he was starting to question the existence of. Not one Internet map had directions for Camp Hope on the outskirts of Dawson, Oklahoma, population fifty.

For the last few miles, since he’d left the main highway, he’d seen nothing but fields of grazing cattle, a few small oil wells, and a smattering of aging farmhouses.

Will cleared his throat, the way he did when he didn’t want to give the answer.

“What do you mean, what happened?” Will said, avoiding the answer. Adam came close to smiling, because he knew his agent that well, and he liked him that much.

“You know what I mean.” Adam slowed when something moved into the road a short distance ahead. “Where did my money go?”

“It looks like Billy took a few trips, bought a car for his girlfriend and lost a big chunk of cash in Vegas.” Will paused at the end of the list. “I really am sorry about this.”

“It was my money.” Adam wanted to yell but he didn’t—this time. It wouldn’t do any good to lose his temper. But it sure would have felt good.

He’d learned from experience that giving in to what feels good can get a person into a lot of trouble. He’d learned from the experience of losing contracts, being pushed off on other teams and having his face on tabloids. He’d learned that he didn’t have a lot of real friends.

“I know it was your money. And now it’s your camp,” Will said with conviction and probably a smile, judging by his tone.

“I get that. But no way is this my camp, or my problem. I’m trying to rebuild my reputation so that the Sports Network sees the new me, not the old me, when I interview for the sportscaster job. That’s my problem, Will. The last thing I need is the responsibility of a camp and a bunch of kids.”

“Sorry, Adam, the camp is now your problem.”

“Of course it is.”

Billy had lied. Like so many other people had lied. People liked to use him. Adam’s family used him. Women used him. Billy had used him.

He reminded himself of one important fact. Will, his manager for the last few years, had never used him. He had never lied.

“What am I going to do with this place?” Adam asked as he reached to flip the visor and block the setting Oklahoma sun.

Before Will could answer, something at the side of the road caught Adam’s attention. A dog. Don’t move, dog. Don’t make this day worse. Worse happened to be two kids holding the leash attached to the dog. Two small boys wearing shorts, and T-shirts. Adam honked the horn. The dog looked up, but continued to back into the road, away from the boys who stood in the ditch.

“This can’t be happening. Gotta go, Will.” He slammed on the brakes.

The car veered and Adam held tightly to the wheel, trying to see where the kids had disappeared to. The car spun and then jolted, slinging him to the side as it came to rest against a tree with a thud.

His brand-new car. The thought barely registered when he heard the whoosh of the air bags. Other words slipped through his mind. And he still didn’t know if he’d hit those kids or their dog.

His phone rang. He pushed at the air bag and freed himself from his seat belt. The phone rang again. Will’s ring tone. Adam lifted it to his ear as he leaned against the headrest, waiting for his heart to stop hammering against his chest.

“I’m fine, Will.”

“Do I need to call 911 for you?”

“Like I could give directions to this place. Talk about…”

“No such thing as Godforsaken, buddy.”

Adam groaned as he pushed past the pain in his shoulder. “Save the sermon for my funeral. I have to make sure these kids are okay.”

“Kids?”

“There were two kids out here. I swerved to keep from hitting them and their dog.”

He pushed at his driver’s side door. It wouldn’t open. Will was still on the other end, asking questions.

“I can’t get out of my car.”

“I can call for help.” Will sounded a little too amused. “Doesn’t that car have one of those fancy talking computers that asks if you need assistance?”

“I had it disconnected. I don’t need a bossy female asking me if I’m lost or need assistance. I’ll call you later.”