Cheryl St.John - Colorado Courtship - Winter of Dreams / The Rancher's Sweetheart

Romance Blooms in the Midst of a Rocky Mountain Winter

Winter of Dreams by Cheryl St. John

If Violet Kristofferson had known that her new employer was the town undertaker, she might never have come to Carson Springs as his cook. Yet she needs a fresh start away from scandal. And Ben Charles’s unflinching faith could be her path to something truly precious—a new family.

The Rancher’s Sweetheart by Debra Ullrick

The cowboys on her uncle’s ranch show Sunny Weston no respect—except for foreman Jed Cooper. A riding and roping contest is Sunny’s chance to prove herself. But now that she’s falling for Jed, will she find courage to take the biggest risk of all, and trust her heart?

Praise for Cheryl St.John

“The characters are delightful and

inspire anticipation for the next story.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Wedding Journey

“This well-written, sweet love story

has lots of romance and adventure.”

—RT Book Reviews on “Mountain Rose”

in To Be a Mother

“St.John’s books are emotionally charged

and her characters are well rounded.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Preacher’s Wife

Praise for Debra Ullrick

“Ullrick skillfully uses her heroine’s dilemma to prove the power of moving on from the past

in this delightful story.”

—RT Book Reviews on Groom Wanted

“The hero’s journey from what he thinks he wants to God’s revelation of what he really wants and needs makes for a lovely story.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Unlikely Wife

“Ullrick pens a wonderful, sweet romance

with memorable characters.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Unexpected Bride

CHERYL ST.JOHN’s

love for reading started as a child. She wrote her own stories, designed covers and stapled them to form books. She credits many hours of creating scenarios for her paper dolls and Barbies as the start of her fascination with fictional characters. At one time Westerns were her preferred reading—until she happened upon LaVyrle Spencer’s Hummingbird in her local store. After that she couldn’t read enough romance, and the desire to create stories of hope and forgiveness was born.

Cheryl loves hearing from readers. Visit her website at www.cherylstjohn.netor email her at SaintJohn@aol.com.

DEBRA ULLRICK

is an award-winning author who is happily married to her husband of thirty-six years. For more than twenty-five years she and her husband and their only daughter lived and worked on cattle ranches in the Colorado mountains. The last ranch Debra lived on was also where a famous movie star and her screenwriter husband chose to purchase property. She now lives in the flatlands, where she’s dealing with cultural whiplash. Debra loves animals, classic cars, mud-bog racing and monster trucks. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drawing Western art, feeding wild birds and watching Jane Austen movies, COPS or Castle.

Debra loves hearing from her readers. You can contact her through her website, www.debraullrick.com.

Colorado Courtship

Cheryl St. John

Debra Ullrick

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Romance Blooms in the Midst of a Rocky Mountain Winter Winter of Dreams by Cheryl St. John If Violet Kristofferson had known that her new employer was the town undertaker, she might never have come to Carson Springs as his cook. Yet she needs a fresh start away from scandal. And Ben Charles’s unflinching faith could be her path to something truly precious—a new family. The Rancher’s Sweetheart by Debra Ullrick The cowboys on her uncle’s ranch show Sunny Weston no respect—except for foreman Jed Cooper. A riding and roping contest is Sunny’s chance to prove herself. But now that she’s falling for Jed, will she find courage to take the biggest risk of all, and trust her heart?

Praise Praise for Cheryl St.John “The characters are delightful and inspire anticipation for the next story.” —RT Book Reviews on The Wedding Journey “This well-written, sweet love story has lots of romance and adventure.” —RT Book Reviews on “Mountain Rose” in To Be a Mother “St.John’s books are emotionally charged and her characters are well rounded.” —RT Book Reviews on The Preacher’s Wife Praise for Debra Ullrick “Ullrick skillfully uses her heroine’s dilemma to prove the power of moving on from the past in this delightful story.” —RT Book Reviews on Groom Wanted “The hero’s journey from what he thinks he wants to God’s revelation of what he really wants and needs makes for a lovely story.” —RT Book Reviews on The Unlikely Wife “Ullrick pens a wonderful, sweet romance with memorable characters.” —RT Book Reviews on The Unexpected Bride

About the Author CHERYL ST.JOHN’s love for reading started as a child. She wrote her own stories, designed covers and stapled them to form books. She credits many hours of creating scenarios for her paper dolls and Barbies as the start of her fascination with fictional characters. At one time Westerns were her preferred reading—until she happened upon LaVyrle Spencer’s Hummingbird in her local store. After that she couldn’t read enough romance, and the desire to create stories of hope and forgiveness was born. Cheryl loves hearing from readers. Visit her website at www.cherylstjohn.net or email her at SaintJohn@aol.com . DEBRA ULLRICK is an award-winning author who is happily married to her husband of thirty-six years. For more than twenty-five years she and her husband and their only daughter lived and worked on cattle ranches in the Colorado mountains. The last ranch Debra lived on was also where a famous movie star and her screenwriter husband chose to purchase property. She now lives in the flatlands, where she’s dealing with cultural whiplash. Debra loves animals, classic cars, mud-bog racing and monster trucks. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drawing Western art, feeding wild birds and watching Jane Austen movies, COPS or Castle. Debra loves hearing from her readers. You can contact her through her website, www.debraullrick.com .

Title Page Colorado Courtship Cheryl St. John Debra Ullrick www.millsandboon.co.uk

Winter of Dreams Winter of Dreams Cheryl St. John

Dedication This story is dedicated to my beautiful grandmother, Sarah Mellissa St.John, who by example taught me to call on the name of Jesus in times of trouble, to love unconditionally, to laugh a lot, to cry a little and to always see the good in others.

Bible Verse O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 15:55–57

Contents Contents 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 Dear Reader Questions for Discussion

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

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

The Rancher's Sweetheart

Dedication

Bible Verse

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two