Jill Kemerer - Reunited With The Bull Rider

Goodbye rodeo, hello hometown

But is thisWyoming Cowboy ready to face his past?

Amy Deerson wanted to mentor a child. Her plan did not include former bull rider Nash Bolton—the little girl’s brother and guardian. It’s been a decade since Nash left town without a word, breaking Amy’s young heart. Now they must put their painful past aside to help fragile, traumatized Ruby. If only getting over their first love were that simple.

JILL KEMERER writes novels with love, humor and faith. Besides spoiling her mini dachshund and keeping up with her busy kids, Jill reads stacks of books, lives for her morning coffee and gushes over fluffy animals. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, or contact her at PO Box 2802, Whitehouse, OH 43571.

Also By Jill Kemerer

Love Inspired

Wyoming Cowboys

The Rancher’s Mistletoe Bride

Reunited with the Bull Rider

Small-Town Bachelor

Unexpected Family

Her Small-Town Romance

Yuletide Redemption

Hometown Hero’s Redemption

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Reunited with the Bull Rider

Jill Kemerer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08429-1

REUNITED WITH THE BULL RIDER

© 2018 Ripple Effect Press, LLC

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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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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“You were my best friend.”

Amy’s eyes welled with tears. “I loved you. Cherished you. Thought nothing but the best of you. And then you were gone. You cut me out of your life, and mine became very empty.”

Nash shifted in his seat, his face grave.

She shook away the threatening tears, swallowed the lump in her throat. “I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

He stood, pacing, his movements agitated and robotic. “I hate myself for that.”

“I hated you, too.” She rose also, rubbing her arms, and gazed at the barn in the distance. Maybe she shouldn’t have told him. “I’m not trying to punish you. I just… Well, I needed you to know.”

He came up next to her. She dared not move or she’d fall apart. His shoulder was less than an inch from hers.

She squeezed her eyes shut. Don’t remember. Forget it. Forget it all.

She spun away from him.

“It’s your fault, you know. The life I wanted? Gone. You shattered my dreams, Nash Bolton. You shattered them.”

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

—Isaiah 6:8

Dear Reader,

Do you ever feel torn between gratitude for the blessings in your life and envy of others who have things you still want? I struggle with this. I can wake up in the morning, praising God for my family, my health and the opportunity to write for a living. Two hours later I’m jealous and grumbling at a Facebook post someone shared. Like Amy at the Easter egg hunt, though, I keep turning back to focus on God’s providence. I try my best to keep a “Send me” spirit to do His will. I fail sometimes, but thankfully, we don’t have to be perfect!

My prayer is for you to walk daily with the Lord and to embrace obedience even when it feels impossible. He loves to bless His children. You never know—He might bless you beyond your wildest dreams!

I love to hear from readers, so please email me at jill@jillkemerer.com or write to PO Box 2802, Whitehouse, Ohio 43571. Bless you!

Jill Kemerer

To my sister, Sarah. You’ll always be my hero! And to my brother-in-law, Rich, and my nieces, Eva, Cecilia and Calista. You make life fun!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Bible Verse

Dear Reader

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

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

Chapter One

Tonight was no ordinary night, not for Amy Deerson, at least. She was about to meet the little girl she’d been asked to mentor. When the pastor called yesterday, she’d jumped at the opportunity to spend a few afternoons each week with a neglected child. At four years old, the girl was too young for the church-sponsored mentor program, and the pastor had suggested a private arrangement due to the circumstances. But first, Amy needed to meet the girl’s father. He had the ultimate say in whether she spent time with his daughter or not.

Taking a deep breath, Amy got out of the car and approached the church’s entrance. It was still chilly for late March in Sweet Dreams, Wyoming, but it wouldn’t be long before wildflowers bloomed. Just thinking about flowers, crafts, tea parties and other things small girls enjoyed put a bounce in her step. Don’t get ahead of yourself. This was the initial meeting. Until the dad agreed, it was not a done deal.

She’d prayed for so long to make a difference in a kid’s life, and God had answered.