Myra Johnson - Hill Country Reunion

His Texas Sweetheart

Veterinarian Tripp Willoughby returns to his hometown of Juniper Bluff knowing he has no right to ask for forgiveness. He thought keeping his Crohn’s disease a secret was the right thing to do—but he ended up breaking his college girlfriend’s heart. Now Diana Matthews has a new life running a café and working with animals. Reluctantly, she accepts his help with her pet therapy program. And as the furry animals bring them together, Tripp remembers how things used to be with Diana—and is convinced he must find a way to reveal the truth and win her back.

Award-winning author MYRA JOHNSON writes emotionally gripping stories about love, life and faith. She is a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart® Award. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband have two married daughters and seven grandchildren. Although Myra is a native Texan, she and her husband now reside in North Carolina, sharing their home with two pampered rescue dogs.

Also by Myra Johnson

Rancher for the Holidays

Her Hill Country Cowboy

Hill Country Reunion

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Hill Country Reunion

Myra Johnson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08030-9

HILL COUNTRY REUNION

© 2018 Myra Johnson

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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“If I could undo the past, make up for how I hurt you—”

“Don’t say it, Tripp. We’re not going there tonight. And never again, okay?” It was the only way Diana could bear being this close to him. “That was then, this is now and all that matters is the people we are today.”

In the depths of those intense blue eyes, Diana saw something that rocked her to her core. “If you believe that,” he began hesitantly, “then do you think we could start over?”

Her heart stammered. “Start over?”

With a tender smile, Tripp took her hand. “Please. Give me a chance to get it right this time.”

“You’ve got to know how scary this is for me. My heart won’t survive getting broken again.”

A long, slow sigh escaped Tripp’s lips. “As far as it’s in my power, I promise that won’t happen.”

His choice of words struck a subtle warning note in Diana’s brain, but she was too caught up in the moment to care.

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoyed this visit to Juniper Bluff in the Texas Hill Country as much as I did. Not long after Diana Matthews first appeared as a supporting character in Her Hill Country Cowboy, I knew I needed to write her story. A hardworking small-town business owner, still single after all these years? Must have been some heartbreak in her past. That gave me the idea for a reunion story, and into my plot walked Tripp Willoughby.

After Tripp ended their college romance, Diana spent years struggling with doubts, confusion and resentment. Can you relate to her fears of opening her heart again? Can you identify with Tripp’s fears about the future, his need to spare the woman he loves from the possibly life-altering complications of his health condition?

Fear is a powerful motivator, but often the things we’re most afraid of are only vague uncertainties, events that may never come to pass. If we truly trust God, though, those fears don’t have to rule our lives. Scripture tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18a). So if fear is holding you back from something potentially good in your life, try courageously stepping out in the full assurance of God’s perfect love. Even if things don’t turn out as hoped, it doesn’t mean God has abandoned you. We can’t see the bigger picture, but God can. Just keep trusting and praying for His purposes to unfold in your life.

Thank you for joining me for Tripp and Diana’s story. I love to hear from readers, so please contact me through my website, www.MyraJohnson.com, or write to me c/o Love Inspired Books, Harlequin Enterprises, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

With blessings and gratitude,

Myra

My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

—2 Corinthians 12:9

Remembering all the special pets whose unconditional love has made a difference in my life, and dedicated to the caring veterinarians who have helped to keep our pets healthy.

With thanks once again to my dear friend and Love Inspired Historical author Janet Dean for her insightful advice during the early planning stages of this story. You never fail to get me thinking in new directions!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

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

Epilogue

Extract

Chapter One

Saturday mornings at Diana’s Donuts typically brought brisk business, but today had gotten just plain ridiculous. Must be the hint of fall in the late-September air, because Diana Matthews couldn’t brew coffee fast enough, and the steady flow of customers had all but cleaned out the bakery case.