Rebecca Winters: Cowboy Doctor

A COWBOY WHO HEALS

Veterinarian Roce Clayton is starting to wonder if the woman of his dreams doesn’t actually exist. So he’s focusing on another dream—opening his own veterinary clinic on his family’s land beneath Montana’s Sapphire Mountains. When he’s called to a nearby ranch to treat an injured horse, Roce is greeted by the most gorgeous woman he’s ever seen. Maybe dreams do come true.

Tracey Marcroft hopes that a summer working with horses will help her forget losing her fiancé. Instead, she’s confronted with a hostile ranch hand who’s trying to scare her off...and who is definitely hiding something. But with Roce at her side, Tracey is discovering that this handsome cowboy doctor won’t just protect her...he might just heal her broken heart.

“I can’t do a job if I’m being sabotaged...”

“Do you feel he is trying to get you to quit?”

Tracey swallowed the rest of her coffee. “I honestly don’t know, Roce, but my instincts are telling me yes.”

“Mine are saying the same thing. He needs watching, Tracey. Be careful.”

“I will. Tomorrow I’ll just play ‘I Spy’ games with the children on whatever trail we take. There’ll be nothing for him to criticize.”

“He’s picked the wrong woman to drive away. You’re a warrior.”

Their eyes held. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Wish I could ride with you. I already know the prize I want,” he said with a half smile that sent a thrill racing through her body.

So do I.

Funny how a simple dinner had suddenly made her so breathless.

Cowboy Doctor

Rebecca Winters

www.millsandboon.co.uk

REBECCA WINTERS, whose family of four children has now swelled to include five beautiful grandchildren, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the land of the Rocky Mountains. Living near canyons and high alpine meadows full of wildflowers, she never runs out of places to explore. They, plus her favorite holiday spots in Europe, often end up as backgrounds for her romance novels, because writing is her passion, along with her family and church.

Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to email her, please visit her website, www.cleanromances.com.

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To James Alfred “Alf” Wight, better known by the pen name James Herriot. He was a British veterinary surgeon and writer who used his many years of experience to write a series of books, each consisting of stories about animals and their owners. He’s best known for his semiautobiographical works beginning with All Creatures Great and Small . In 1972 a British television series was adapted from the books, also titled All Creatures Great and Small . Thanks to him, I was given hours and hours of sheer pleasure and developed an even greater appreciation of all God’s creatures.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A COWBOY WHO HEALS Veterinarian Roce Clayton is starting to wonder if the woman of his dreams doesn’t actually exist. So he’s focusing on another dream—opening his own veterinary clinic on his family’s land beneath Montana’s Sapphire Mountains. When he’s called to a nearby ranch to treat an injured horse, Roce is greeted by the most gorgeous woman he’s ever seen. Maybe dreams do come true. Tracey Marcroft hopes that a summer working with horses will help her forget losing her fiancé. Instead, she’s confronted with a hostile ranch hand who’s trying to scare her off...and who is definitely hiding something. But with Roce at her side, Tracey is discovering that this handsome cowboy doctor won’t just protect her...he might just heal her broken heart.

Introduction “I can’t do a job if I’m being sabotaged...” “Do you feel he is trying to get you to quit?” Tracey swallowed the rest of her coffee. “I honestly don’t know, Roce, but my instincts are telling me yes.” “Mine are saying the same thing. He needs watching, Tracey. Be careful.” “I will. Tomorrow I’ll just play ‘I Spy’ games with the children on whatever trail we take. There’ll be nothing for him to criticize.” “He’s picked the wrong woman to drive away. You’re a warrior.” Their eyes held. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” “Wish I could ride with you. I already know the prize I want,” he said with a half smile that sent a thrill racing through her body. So do I. Funny how a simple dinner had suddenly made her so breathless.

Title Page Cowboy Doctor Rebecca Winters www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author REBECCA WINTERS , whose family of four children has now swelled to include five beautiful grandchildren, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the land of the Rocky Mountains. Living near canyons and high alpine meadows full of wildflowers, she never runs out of places to explore. They, plus her favorite holiday spots in Europe, often end up as backgrounds for her romance novels, because writing is her passion, along with her family and church. Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to email her, please visit her website, www.cleanromances.com .

Dedication To James Alfred “Alf” Wight, better known by the pen name James Herriot. He was a British veterinary surgeon and writer who used his many years of experience to write a series of books, each consisting of stories about animals and their owners. He’s best known for his semiautobiographical works beginning with All Creatures Great and Small . In 1972 a British television series was adapted from the books, also titled All Creatures Great and Small . Thanks to him, I was given hours and hours of sheer pleasure and developed an even greater appreciation of all God’s creatures.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Last on the program is Dr. Rocelin Clayton, who worked closely with Hannah for the last three years, right up to her death.”

Pastor McKinney nodded to Roce, who walked to the lectern.

The Presbyterian church on Spruce Street was filled to overflowing. People from all over had come to pay their respects to the eighty-three-year-old veterinarian who’d practiced here in Missoula, Montana, for over fifty years.

Roce stood before the audience, some of whom he’d helped after Hannah had taken him into her practice. This was a sad day for him. The only other time he’d ever spoken at a funeral was at his father’s, almost two years ago. He was forced to clear his throat several times before speaking.

“A paragon has left us, and no one is more bereaved than I am. Dr. Hannah Larabee, owner of the Larabee Veterinarian Hospital, was not only a legend in these parts, she was the best boss a man could have hoped to work for right out of veterinary school.

“I didn’t get the opportunity to meet her beloved Tom, her veterinarian husband who started the hospital with her. He died two years before I was hired. Hannah’s sudden fatal heart attack is proof that she gave her all to the animals big and small that God put on this earth for our comfort and enjoyment.