Karen Smith - The Maverick's Snowbound Christmas

COZYING UP WITH THE COWBOY

RUST CREEK RAMBLINGS

Ah, wintertime in Rust Creek Falls! It’s the perfect time of year to snuggle up by the fireplace and indulge in some juicy gossip. Speaking of snuggling, did you hear that Eli Dalton and Hadley Strickland were forced to spend the night together in an abandoned barn during our recent snowstorm?

While it may have been a horse in distress that brought the lovely veterinarian out to the Circle D, we’re betting handsome, steady Eli will draw her back. We believe the rancher could melt fair Hadley’s frozen heart—if she can find the courage to reveal her past. So hang the holly, dear readers, and remember that this is the season for miracles. Could a holiday proposal soon be in the works?

Lying on the blanket beside Eli, Hadley didn’t sleep.

She was aware of his breathing, his every movement. She tossed and turned, careful not to let her hand brush Eli’s, not to let her arm nudge his. She stayed on her side and her side only. But in spite of the blankets and the sleeping bag, the floor was hard. In spite of the heater in the room, the air was chilled. To her dismay, she began to shiver.

Eli must have heard her teeth chattering because he turned around to face her. “Are you cold?”

“Yes. And I’m thinking about tomorrow, and the mom out there and the foal, and the other horses.”

“World peace, and if your family’s worrying?”

“My mind doesn’t want to turn off.”

“I think it would if you got warm. Come here.”

She could tell he’d held out his arm to her.

“Come on,” he coaxed. “Combined body heat will warm you up.”

She didn’t know if she was being stupid to try it. But she was cold. And if she was going to get any sleep tonight, she had to warm up. She moved into the crook of Eli’s arm, and he wrapped it around her.

“Better?”

Oh, yes, it was better. Too much better.

* * *

Montana Mavericks:The Great Family Roundup—Real cowboys and real love in Rust Creek Falls!

The Maverick’s Snowbound Christmas

Karen Rose Smith

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling author KAREN ROSE SMITH’s eighty-seventh novel was released in 2015. Her passion is caring for her four rescued cats, and her hobbies are gardening, cooking and photography. An only child, Karen delved into books at an early age. Even though she escaped into story worlds, she had many cousins around her on weekends. Families are a strong theme in her novels. Find out more about Karen at www.karenrosesmith.com.

To my veterinarians,

Doctors Brian and Jessica,

who treat my cats with expertise and caring.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text COZYING UP WITH THE COWBOY RUST CREEK RAMBLINGS Ah, wintertime in Rust Creek Falls! It’s the perfect time of year to snuggle up by the fireplace and indulge in some juicy gossip. Speaking of snuggling, did you hear that Eli Dalton and Hadley Strickland were forced to spend the night together in an abandoned barn during our recent snowstorm? While it may have been a horse in distress that brought the lovely veterinarian out to the Circle D, we’re betting handsome, steady Eli will draw her back. We believe the rancher could melt fair Hadley’s frozen heart—if she can find the courage to reveal her past. So hang the holly, dear readers, and remember that this is the season for miracles. Could a holiday proposal soon be in the works?

Introduction Lying on the blanket beside Eli, Hadley didn’t sleep. She was aware of his breathing, his every movement. She tossed and turned, careful not to let her hand brush Eli’s, not to let her arm nudge his. She stayed on her side and her side only. But in spite of the blankets and the sleeping bag, the floor was hard. In spite of the heater in the room, the air was chilled. To her dismay, she began to shiver. Eli must have heard her teeth chattering because he turned around to face her. “Are you cold?” “Yes. And I’m thinking about tomorrow, and the mom out there and the foal, and the other horses.” “World peace, and if your family’s worrying?” “My mind doesn’t want to turn off.” “I think it would if you got warm. Come here.” She could tell he’d held out his arm to her. “Come on,” he coaxed. “Combined body heat will warm you up.” She didn’t know if she was being stupid to try it. But she was cold. And if she was going to get any sleep tonight, she had to warm up. She moved into the crook of Eli’s arm, and he wrapped it around her. “Better?” Oh, yes, it was better. Too much better. * * * Montana Mavericks: The Great Family Roundup—Real cowboys and real love in Rust Creek Falls!

Title Page The Maverick’s Snowbound Christmas Karen Rose Smith www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling author KAREN ROSE SMITH’s eighty-seventh novel was released in 2015. Her passion is caring for her four rescued cats, and her hobbies are gardening, cooking and photography. An only child, Karen delved into books at an early age. Even though she escaped into story worlds, she had many cousins around her on weekends. Families are a strong theme in her novels. Find out more about Karen at www.karenrosesmith.com .

Dedication To my veterinarians, Doctors Brian and Jessica, who treat my cats with expertise and caring.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Eli Dalton ran his hand over his pregnant mare’s side. He breathed in the scents of leather, straw, old wood and the dampness from snow that had begun to fall. Worry niggled in his gut. He’d been around horses all his life, and something just didn’t seem right with Amber’s labor. She’d been a wild mustang, and he’d gentled her himself. He couldn’t let something go wrong. He couldn’t lose her foal.

Leaving her for a few moments to get some perspective, he went to the barn door and peered out. Two or three inches of snow had already fallen. Any other time, somebody else would be around to give him an opinion. Of course, this weekend of all weekends, everyone was gone from the ranch. His parents had left for Missoula for an equipment auction, and Derek, the only sibling who was still living at home, had gone with them, as had his uncle and cousins. One of his sisters, Kristen, might have been some help, but she’d flown to LA with her husband to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with him. Eli’s gaze ran over the miles of fencing on the Circle D. Ranching and caring for horses had been embedded deeply in his soul from before he could remember.

He heard a noise coming from Amber’s stall. She was down. He rushed to her and ran his hand over her belly...looked into her eyes. She whinnied at him, and he knew there was only one thing to do. Call the veterinarian.

* * *

“Don’t you know your biological clock is ticking?”

Hadley Strickland pushed her wavy dark brown hair away from her face and glanced around the kitchen at the dishes being prepared for the Strickland clan, wondering how to exit this conversation. Her sister Tessa, who lived in LA, had a vacation home on Falls Mountain and was here for Thanksgiving, didn’t hesitate to probe, question or bully. Ever since she’d found her “happily-ever-after,” she was worse. Hadley was just glad her sister Claire wasn’t in the kitchen right now to weigh in on this conversation as well.