Michelle Major - A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch

To be desired by a man like Logan, someone strong and powerful and…six years younger than her…

She pulled away suddenly and grabbed hold of the counter for support. What had she been thinking? Logan had agreed to help her with the renovation; he’d let her dump her family problems on him like a real friend. But it couldn’t be more than that. They both knew it. She couldn’t bear to take this any further and have him disappointed. Somehow she knew being rejected by Logan would be a million times worse than her own husband’s betrayal.

“I’m—” she began.

“Don’t apologize,” he said, his breathing as uneven as hers.

“I took advantage of you,” she countered.

He let out a harsh bark of laughter. “I kissed you, Olivia.”

“Because you felt sorry for me.”

“Because I wanted to kiss you.” He pushed a hand through his blond hair, tousling it in a way that made her want to brush it back into place. Because at her core, Olivia liked things in their place, even if that place kept her lonely and afraid. She didn’t think she had the guts to live life any other way.

A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch

Michelle Major

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MICHELLE MAJORgrew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.

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To my daughter, Jessie, who makes me smile every day. I love you to the moon and back a gazillion times and can’t wait to watch you make all your dreams come true.

Contents

Cover

Introduction To be desired by a man like Logan, someone strong and powerful and…six years younger than her… She pulled away suddenly and grabbed hold of the counter for support. What had she been thinking? Logan had agreed to help her with the renovation; he’d let her dump her family problems on him like a real friend. But it couldn’t be more than that. They both knew it. She couldn’t bear to take this any further and have him disappointed. Somehow she knew being rejected by Logan would be a million times worse than her own husband’s betrayal. “I’m—” she began. “Don’t apologize,” he said, his breathing as uneven as hers. “I took advantage of you,” she countered. He let out a harsh bark of laughter. “I kissed you, Olivia.” “Because you felt sorry for me.” “Because I wanted to kiss you.” He pushed a hand through his blond hair, tousling it in a way that made her want to brush it back into place. Because at her core, Olivia liked things in their place, even if that place kept her lonely and afraid. She didn’t think she had the guts to live life any other way.

Title Page A Second Chance at Crimson Ranch Michelle Major www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author MICHELLE MAJOR grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com .

Dedication To my daughter, Jessie, who makes me smile every day. I love you to the moon and back a gazillion times and can’t wait to watch you make all your dreams come true.

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

Chapter Sixteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Olivia Wilder loved weddings, even if she no longer believed in marriage. At least not for herself.

She wasn’t one to let her personal prejudice ruin someone else’s happiness. Especially someone who deserved it as much as her friend Sara Wellens—Sara Travers as of two hours ago.

But the champagne Olivia had drained during the toast was doing funny things to her brain. Her hand fluttered in front of her face as she blinked back tears.

“Tears of joy,” she assured Sara, who looked at her with a mix of understanding and sympathy that made Olivia want to cry harder. “I’m thrilled for you and Josh.”

“I know, sweetie.” Sara gave her a gentle hug. They’d become close friends during the past six months. “And you’re better off without that slimeball husband anyway.”

Olivia nodded. “You’re one of the lucky ones. Josh is a great guy. He loves you to the ends of the earth.” She hiccupped. “Nothing like Craig.”

“Craig was a loser.” Olivia couldn’t help but smile at Sara’s blunt description.

“And a cheater.” Olivia looked over Sara’s shoulder to where their friend Natalie Holt sat perched at the edge of the couch in the ladies’ lounge. The three of them had escaped into the private room for a few minutes to help Sara get ready to leave for her honeymoon. “He’s going to be sorry he didn’t do right by you. You were the best thing that ever happened to him.”

Natalie was another friend Olivia had met in Crimson, Colorado, the town her soon-to-be ex-husband had become mayor of right after they’d married. That had been almost two years ago. From the start, Olivia had loved the small mountain town, felt at home there in a way she never had growing up in Saint Louis or at college on the East Coast. Craig had said it was only the first stop on his political career, although she would have been happy living in Crimson forever.

Now she knew she’d never get that chance.

“We shouldn’t be wallowing in my sad story.” Olivia made her voice light as she drew away from Sara. “This day is about you and that hot new husband of yours.”

A dreamy smile lit up Sara’s face. “He’s pretty cute, huh?”

Natalie laughed. “Puppies and rainbows are cute. Josh Travers is one hundred proof stud. Even I’d brave the flight to Hawaii just to watch him on the beach for a week.”

Olivia smiled, knowing Natalie was petrified of airplanes. “Are you ready to go? Bags all packed?” Olivia asked. Sara and Josh were driving to Denver after the reception and flying out in the morning.

Sara pointed to a mini suitcase in the corner. “I’ve got everything I need.”

Olivia felt her eyes widen. “That’s all you’re taking for a week away?”

Craig had insisted on a fancy cruise for their honeymoon, and she’d had to bring two huge suitcases to accommodate all the clothes she’d needed for dinners, parties and the like.

“Sara won’t need more than a bikini,” Natalie said with a knowing smile. “And Josh will probably have her out of that most of the time anyway.”