Brenda Minton - A Reunion For The Rancher

The Cowboy’s Second Chance

As president of the Lone Star Cowboy League, rancher Carson Thorn is committed to serving his community of Little Horn. But when high school sweetheart Ruby Donovan returns, his steadfast pledge is tested. Ruby left town twelve years ago—stealing money from his father and breaking Carson’s heart in her wake. Now she’s asking for his trust—just as her brother becomes Carson’s prime suspect in the rash of recent ranch thefts. Carson is torn. His town is depending on him for justice, but one look in Ruby’s eyes has him questioning everything he thought he knew—about truth, about love and about the wisdom of second chances…

“Carson, this isn’t going to happen.”

“A ride isn’t going to happen? Or dinner?”

“No, this,” she said, pointing from him to herself and back to him. “We are not going to happen.”

“Right, of course we aren’t.” He walked around her horse and was suddenly at her side. “I’m asking you to go for a ride. An hour or two of relaxation, not worrying about all the stuff piling up on us. I could use that break.”

She closed her eyes and prayed for strength. “Carson.”

When she opened her eyes he was still in front of her, his smile a little bit sweet and a little bit rakish. “Yes?”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Simple. We have unfinished business, Ruby. You left and I’ve spent a lot of years wondering why.”

“Because I wasn’t good for you,” she whispered. “We were young and making decisions that would have…”

“Changed everything?” he asked. “Because I’ve thought about that a lot over the years. My life would have been different if you’d been in it.”

“Mine, too,” she admitted.

* * *

Lone Star Cowboy League:

Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas

A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton, October 2015

A Doctor for the Nanny by Leigh Bale, November 2015

A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, December 2015

A Family for the Soldier by Carolyne Aarsen, January 2016

A Daddy for Her Triplets by Deb Kastner, February 2016

A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley, March 2016

BRENDA MINTON lives in the Ozarks with her husband, children, cats, dogs and strays. She is a pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, coffee addict and sleep-deprived. Not in that order. Her dream to be an author for Mills & Boon started somewhere in the pages of a romance novel about a young American woman stranded in a Spanish castle. Her dreams came true, and twenty-plus books later, she is an author hoping to inspire young girls to dream.

A Reunion for the Rancher

Brenda Minton

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

—Jeremiah 29:11

To my kids

To Josh and Brooke,

for the love you share now and the love that will continue to grow between you. I love you both.

Luke, I love you and I’m dedicating a book to you.

Hanna, you are beautiful and talented and I love you.

Special thanks and acknowledgment to Brenda Minton for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League miniseries.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The Cowboy’s Second Chance As president of the Lone Star Cowboy League, rancher Carson Thorn is committed to serving his community of Little Horn. But when high school sweetheart Ruby Donovan returns, his steadfast pledge is tested. Ruby left town twelve years ago—stealing money from his father and breaking Carson’s heart in her wake. Now she’s asking for his trust—just as her brother becomes Carson’s prime suspect in the rash of recent ranch thefts. Carson is torn. His town is depending on him for justice, but one look in Ruby’s eyes has him questioning everything he thought he knew—about truth, about love and about the wisdom of second chances…

Introduction “Carson, this isn’t going to happen.” “A ride isn’t going to happen? Or dinner?” “No, this,” she said, pointing from him to herself and back to him. “We are not going to happen.” “Right, of course we aren’t.” He walked around her horse and was suddenly at her side. “I’m asking you to go for a ride. An hour or two of relaxation, not worrying about all the stuff piling up on us. I could use that break.” She closed her eyes and prayed for strength. “Carson.” When she opened her eyes he was still in front of her, his smile a little bit sweet and a little bit rakish. “Yes?” “Why are you doing this?” “Simple. We have unfinished business, Ruby. You left and I’ve spent a lot of years wondering why.” “Because I wasn’t good for you,” she whispered. “We were young and making decisions that would have…” “Changed everything?” he asked. “Because I’ve thought about that a lot over the years. My life would have been different if you’d been in it.” “Mine, too,” she admitted. * * * Lone Star Cowboy League: Bighearted ranchers in small-town Texas A Reunion for the Rancher by Brenda Minton, October 2015 A Doctor for the Nanny by Leigh Bale, November 2015 A Ranger for the Holidays by Allie Pleiter, December 2015 A Family for the Soldier by Carolyne Aarsen, January 2016 A Daddy for Her Triplets by Deb Kastner, February 2016 A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley, March 2016

About the Author BRENDA MINTON lives in the Ozarks with her husband, children, cats, dogs and strays. She is a pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, coffee addict and sleep-deprived. Not in that order. Her dream to be an author for Mills & Boon started somewhere in the pages of a romance novel about a young American woman stranded in a Spanish castle. Her dreams came true, and twenty-plus books later, she is an author hoping to inspire young girls to dream.

Title Page A Reunion for the Rancher Brenda Minton www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. —Jeremiah 29:11

Dedication To my kids To Josh and Brooke, for the love you share now and the love that will continue to grow between you. I love you both. Luke, I love you and I’m dedicating a book to you. Hanna, you are beautiful and talented and I love you.

Acknowledgment Special thanks and acknowledgment to Brenda Minton for her contribution to the Lone Star Cowboy League miniseries.

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

Carson Thorn parked his truck in front of the rock-sided building that housed offices of the Little Horn, Texas, chapter of the Lone Star Cowboy League. As distracted as he was, he couldn’t help but think about the history of the century-old group. It had started as a service organization, serving communities and ranchers across the state. Today it felt more like the last line of defense for ranchers who were being hit hard by thieves. The cattle rustling had started a month ago and showed no signs of letting up.