Pamela Tracy - Arizona Homecoming

Building on Love

As a rancher’s daughter, Emily Hubrecht knows a person’s land means family and roots. And being half–Native American, the museum curator also has reasons for preserving the historic sites in Apache Creek, Arizona. So when luxury home builder Donovan Russell begins work at a special location, Emily tries to stop him. The handsome architect bulldozes by her on every occasion, his past keeping him from understanding why the land means so much to her. But when he starts working for Emily’s father and she unexpectedly falls for Donovan, she plans to show him the importance of tradition—and that together they can build a happily-ever-after.

Donovan was at the library festival?

He smiled at her, then surprised her by turning back to a little girl and reading the scavenger hunt items to her. “I closed the work site yesterday, and I don’t start working for your father until Monday—that is, if he agrees to the contract. I’ve got a free weekend.”

“I’m sorry…” She wasn’t sorry the job shut down, but she was sorry that it affected Donovan. If not for where he built and his not respecting why he shouldn’t build there, she could almost like him.

Almost.

“Once the mystery surrounding what was found at the site is solved, I’m heading out to Ancient Trails Road. I want to poke around a bit, outside of the property, see what I can find.”

“We didn’t find a single artifact,” Donovan reminded her.

“You wouldn’t know an arrowhead if it bit you,” she said.

Donovan laughed. “There were other biting things to worry about.”

She laughed, too, liking the way the sun made his brown hair a tad golden, the way his eyes crinkled.

She liked too much about him, she realized.

PAMELA TRACY is a USA TODAY bestselling author who lives with her husband (the inspiration for most of her heroes) and son (the interference for most of her writing time). Since 1999, she has published more than twenty-five books and sold more than a million copies. She’s a RITA® Award finalist and winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Award.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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“Let no debt remain outstanding,

except the continuing debt to love one another, for

he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”

—Romans 13:8

To every parent who looks out the door waiting for a child—be he ten, twenty, thirty or older—to waltz up the path and be welcomed.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Building on Love As a rancher’s daughter, Emily Hubrecht knows a person’s land means family and roots. And being half–Native American, the museum curator also has reasons for preserving the historic sites in Apache Creek, Arizona. So when luxury home builder Donovan Russell begins work at a special location, Emily tries to stop him. The handsome architect bulldozes by her on every occasion, his past keeping him from understanding why the land means so much to her. But when he starts working for Emily’s father and she unexpectedly falls for Donovan, she plans to show him the importance of tradition—and that together they can build a happily-ever-after.

Introduction Donovan was at the library festival? He smiled at her, then surprised her by turning back to a little girl and reading the scavenger hunt items to her. “I closed the work site yesterday, and I don’t start working for your father until Monday—that is, if he agrees to the contract. I’ve got a free weekend.” “I’m sorry…” She wasn’t sorry the job shut down, but she was sorry that it affected Donovan. If not for where he built and his not respecting why he shouldn’t build there, she could almost like him. Almost. “Once the mystery surrounding what was found at the site is solved, I’m heading out to Ancient Trails Road. I want to poke around a bit, outside of the property, see what I can find.” “We didn’t find a single artifact,” Donovan reminded her. “You wouldn’t know an arrowhead if it bit you,” she said. Donovan laughed. “There were other biting things to worry about.” She laughed, too, liking the way the sun made his brown hair a tad golden, the way his eyes crinkled. She liked too much about him, she realized.

About the Author PAMELA TRACY is a USA TODAY bestselling author who lives with her husband (the inspiration for most of her heroes) and son (the interference for most of her writing time). Since 1999, she has published more than twenty-five books and sold more than a million copies. She’s a RITA® Award finalist and winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Award.

Title Page Arizona Homecoming Pamela Tracy www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” —Romans 13:8

Dedication To every parent who looks out the door waiting for a child—be he ten, twenty, thirty or older—to waltz up the path and be welcomed.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Yellowish-brown shards rose to the surface at the edge of Donovan Russell’s shovel. They were a startling contrast to the hard mud-brown dirt he’d been digging in.

“Should have left well enough alone,” he muttered.

After a few run-ins with local special interests—okay, one rabble-rouser with amazing dark brown eyes, on a mission—the Baer custom-built house was finally back on schedule but a bit over budget. Not that money mattered. Just last night George Baer had called asking for a circular driveway along with one that led to the backyard and a three-car garage. As the site architect and builder, Donovan had merely said, Yes, sir, we can do that.

Looking at the marking paint that now highlighted where the circular drive might go, Donovan decided maybe he shouldn’t have gotten so annoyed at the one spot where the dirt curved upward and kept his imagined drive from being level.

Annoyed was one thing; acting on it another. A backhoe would have been easier to use on this alkaline clay-based dirt that threatened to bend his shovel. Yes, it was that hard.

“I overreacted,” Donovan muttered. Not that there was anyone to hear him. He was miles from the nearest neighbor and living alone in a camper.

Adding a circular driveway would not take that much time, and if he needed to start his next custom job a few weeks late, no one would protest. In his line of work, behind schedule was a way of life. One he personally didn’t appreciate.

Donovan hated when his schedule changed. Still, the change was on Baer’s dime, and Donovan’s goal was to please the customer. Someday, he wanted to please himself, build homes, tree houses, businesses that matched their environment, were one of a kind and affordable.