A Rancher of Her Own

A REASON TO STAY

Ranch manager Pete Brannigan has no interest in playing tour guide to a city slicker like Jane Garland. But spending a few days with the headstrong photographer is a small price to pay for everything her grandfather has given the single dad. Though Pete’s drawn to Jane’s sharp wit and striking beauty, he won’t hurt his young children by falling for another woman who puts her career before family.

Jane’s seen the world through her camera...and used it to shield her emotions. With Pete, she can finally let her guard down. If only he could do the same. Despite their powerful bond, Pete still can’t trust Jane with his kids or his heart. But if he keeps pushing her away, he may ruin any chance their relationship has to develop.

“Hoping to catch more compliments?” Pete laughed softly.

Jane walked toward him just as calmly as she had walked away a couple hours ago. Both times, though, her heart beat erratically. This time, her pulse raced, too.

“Maybe. Have I brought the right bait?”

“Maybe. Let’s try it and see.” He ran his hand up her arm, then to her shoulder. With one finger, he stroked the skin left exposed at the neckline of her dress, setting off ripples of pleasure everywhere he touched. “Smooth,” he murmured.

He palmed the side of her neck, his long fingers tunneling into her hair. “Soft,” he said.

“Is this Twenty Compliments now, instead of Twenty Questions?”

“Maybe.”

He brushed his thumb across her lips. “Sweet,” he said as he smiled.

Sliding his hands down to the small of her back, he pulled her toward him. “Sexy,” he whispered.

“Is that another compliment for me,” she murmured, “or a commentary on your technique?”

He tilted her chin up. Smiling, he shrugged.

“I’ll let you be the judge of that.”

Dear Reader,

I’ve been a hopeless romantic since grade school. From the first time I accompanied Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson on a mysterious case to my first sighting of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara dancing around each other, I’ve wanted the hero and heroine of every story I read to end up together.

There’s nothing like seeing a hero and heroine find their certain someone. And, of course, there’s nothing better than watching that couple deal with their conflicts to reach their happy-ever-after. Usually, they manage to work things out on their own. But sometimes—whether they realize it or not—they need a little help.

In the small town of Cowboy Creek, New Mexico, that assistance comes from the local hotel owner, a meddling grandpa who wants to see all his granddaughters married and settled down. When Jed Garland turns his attentions to his loner ranch manager and his most stubborn granddaughter, he finds himself in for a real challenge!

I hope you enjoy your visit to Cowboy Creek. As always, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me through my website, barbarawhitedaille.com, or mailing address, PO Box 504 Gilbert, AZ 85299. You can also find me on Facebook, facebook.com/barbarawhitedaille, and Twitter @BarbaraWDaille.

All my best to you.

Until we meet again,

Barbara White Daille

A Rancher

of Her Own

Barbara White Daille

BARBARA WHITE DAILLE lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest, where they don’t mind the lizards in their front yard but could do without the scorpions in the bathroom.

A writer from the age of nine and a novelist since eighth grade, Barbara is now an award-winning author with a number of novels to her credit.

When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling magic in books—and she’s been hooked ever since. She hopes you will enjoy reading her books and will find your own magic in them!

She’d also love to have you drop by and visit with her at her website, barbarawhitedaille.com.

To all the hopeless romantics in the world: thanks for allowing me into the club.

And as always, to Rich.

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Prologue

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

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

“About time we had a wedding around here, Paz.” Jedediah Garland, proprietor of the Hitching Post Hotel on Garland Ranch, sat back in his chair in the establishment’s large kitchen and smiled.

The hotel cook and Jed’s longtime friend stood beside a counter with a slew of baking utensils spread out in front of her. “Do you think the banquet hall will be ready in time?”

“If the bride has her say about it, it will.” That bride was the granddaughter he and Paz had in common, who was set to get married in the hall before the month ended. She was also in charge of the renovations going on all around the hotel.

He sipped from his coffee mug and thumbed through a selection of before-and-during photos of the reception hall. His wife had always been in charge of the weddings held at the Hitching Post, a part of the business he’d let slide for far too long. “My Mary must be looking down and smiling at us all.”