Dear Reader,
My parents nurtured and encouraged my love of writing and reading, so itâs no surprise to me that I grew up to become an author. But what would have happened if they had not? Iâve always wondered how I would have coped, and in Eliâs story, I had a chance to explore some possible alternatives.
A gifted artist like his mother, Eli Coulter had to deal with his widowed fatherâs attempts to ban art from Eliâs life. Despite the overwhelming obstacles, Eli succeeded by limiting his deeper emotional connections and focusing fiercely on his work. But when his father dies and Eli is called home to the Montana ranch where he grew up, he meets a beautiful reporter named Amanda Blake. It isnât long before he realizes happiness requires more than fulfilling workâhe needs Amanda.
I hope you enjoy Eli and Amandaâs story and that youâll return with me soon to the Triple C Ranch for Brodie Coulterâs story.
Best,
Lois
Mid-July
San Luis, Spain
The hot Spanish sunshine poured over the little town square of San Luis. Eli Coulter left the relative comfort of a shaded seat, weaving his way around diners breakfasting at other umbrella-topped tables clustered outside the café doorway. His mind reeled as he processed the information an American investigator had relayed only moments earlier.
Zach and Cade are back on the Triple C. Does that mean something happened to Dad? Even if Joseph was dead, Eli couldnât help but wonder why his brothers were at the ranch. There was no possibility their father had left them anything in his will.
Joseph Coulter hated all four of his sons with equal animosity.
Eli strode swiftly up the cobblestone street to the sprawling stucco home of his host, reclusive sculptor Lucan Montoya. For the past year, the elderly Spaniard had been Eliâs mentor. The apprenticeship had proven invaluable; only two weeks remained of their time together and Eli was reluctant to see it end.
Heâd considered staying on in San Luis once his apprenticeship had ended. But if his brothers needed him, that changed everything.
Given the remoteness of the small Spanish village and its lack of cell phone service, it took nearly an hour to reach his brother Zach.
âWhat?â
Eli grinned at Zachâs impatient demand. âThe least you could do is say âhello, how are you?ââ he commented mildly.
âEli?â Zachâs deep voice held surprise and relief. âDamn, itâs about time you called. Where are you?â
âIâm in Spain,â Eli told him. âIâve been here for months. Iâve been meaning to check in but my cell phone doesnât get service here. A detective showed up today and told me I needed to call you.â
âWeâve been looking for you, Eli.â Zachâs voice turned grim. âThe old man died.â
Eli hadnât seen his father in thirteen years but hearing Zach confirm what heâd suspected had the power to stun him. Shock held him silent.
âDad left the Triple C and nearly everything else he owned to the four of us,â Zach went on.
âThatâs impossible,â Eli said flatly, finding his voice. âHe hated our guts. Why would he leave us the ranch?â
âApparently he sobered up and had a change of heart after we left,â Zach told him.
âIâll be damned.â Eli didnât know what to make of the news. âI never thought heâd stop drinkingâor stop hating us.â
âMe either,â Zach admitted.
âSo.â Eli tried to focus on the here and now, and not on the memories pushing to get out of the box heâd locked them in years ago. âWhen did he die?â
âLast December. It took the attorney several months to find Cade, and then he found me through my office. Cadeâs running the ranch and Iâve almost got the Lodge ready to open again. Dad left the Triple C to all four of us but he left specific pieces to each of us. He left you Momâs studio, Eli.â
Again, Eli was stunned into silence. Melanie Coulter had been a sculptor on the brink of becoming world-famous when a tragic accident while swimming with her four sons in the creek near her studio had taken her life. The day of her funeral, Joseph Coulter had sealed her studio and forbidden his sons to enter.