Cowgirl for Keeps
Lassoing the CowgirlRosamond Northam's plans of building a high school take an unexpected turn when her father informs her she'll be overseeing construction of a new hotel instead–with Englishman Garrick Wakefield. The newly arrived aristocrat seems to turn his nose up at all she loves about her Colorado hometown. The man is entirely insufferable…yet undoubtedly handsome.Garrick wants nothing more than to prove himself to his uncle, who has backed the building of this hotel. But he finds himself ever at odds with his pretty cowgirl partner over the plans. The American West is so different from his British home, but with Rosamond showing him the ropes, maybe he'll commit to Western life…and a Western lass.Four Stones Ranch: Love finds a home out West
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Lassoing the Cowgirl
Rosamond Northamâs plans of building a high school take an unexpected turn when her father informs her sheâll be overseeing construction of a new hotel insteadâwith Englishman Garrick Wakefield. The newly arrived aristocrat seems to turn his nose up at all she loves about her Colorado hometown. The man is entirely insufferableâ¦yet undoubtedly handsome.
Garrick wants nothing more than to prove himself to his uncle, who has backed the building of this hotel. But he finds himself ever at odds with his pretty cowgirl partner over the plans. The American West is so different from his British home, but with Rosamond showing him the ropes, maybe heâll commit to Western lifeâ¦and a Western lass.
Four Stones Ranch: Love finds a home out West
As Garrick walked toward her, that perfect smile on his handsome face, she couldnât be stern with him. Not with her heart fluttering like a baby bird trying to fly for the first time.
Garrick reached her in seconds. If she didnât know better, sheâd think he was one fine-looking cowboy. Fine-looking, yes. Cowboy, definitely no. During his short stay at Four Stones, heâd shown very little interest in ranch life.
âGood morning, Rosamond. Youâre the picture of beauty, as always.â
She smiled. âYouâre not so bad yourself, cowboy.â
He doffed that silly white Stetson sheâd forced him to accept and gave her a sweeping bow. âMy lady, at your service. Do you have steers to rope? Calves to brand? Cows to milk? I am yours to command.â
His offer, delivered in the English accent she was beginning to love, brought laughter from the children nearby. At a glance, she could see they were entirely too interested in her conversation with Garrick.
âNo branding today, but you can help me round up these mavericks so we can get their three-legged race started.â
âI can do that.â He studied the children almost like a schoolmaster, giving her heart another lurch. Where had that thought come from?
Florida author and college professor LOUISE M. GOUGE writes historical fiction for Mills & Boon Love Inspired Historical series. In addition to other awards, she has received the prestigious Inspirational Readersâ Choice and the Laurel Wreath Awards. When she isnât writing or teaching her classes, she and her husband, David, enjoy visiting historical sites and museums. Please visit her website at blog.louisemgouge.com.
Delight thyself also in the Lord,
and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
âPsalms 37:4
This book is dedicated to the intrepid pioneers who settled the San Luis Valley of Colorado in the mid- to late 1800s. They could not have found a more beautiful place to make their homes than in this vast 7500-foot-high valley situated between the majestic Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Mountain ranges. It has been many years since I lived in the San Luis Valley, so my thanks go to Pam Williams of Hooper, Colorado, for her extensive on-site research on my behalf. With their permission, I named two of my characters after her and her husband, Charlie. These dear old friends are every bit as kind and wise as their namesakes. I also want to thank my dear husband of fifty years, David Gouge, for his loving support as I pursue my dream of writing love stories to honor the Lord.
Contents
Denver, Colorado
May 1883
âI tell you, Percy, my uncleâs American enterprise will be a disaster. Look at these ragtag masses.â Garrick Wakefield waved a dismissive hand toward the crowds milling about the Denver train station. His gesture stirred up the stench of burning coal and unwashed bodies. âItâs far worse than I expected.â
Most travelers on the platform beneath them were clearly lower class. Unkempt children dashed about with no parental restraint. Cowboysâhe shuddered at the termâwore guns strapped to their dusty, wrinkled trousers. Beggars sat against the depotâs brick walls, their hands lifted in supplication to all passersby. In grating American accents, hawkers advertised their wares. How Garrick longed for a pastoral English countryside.
âTut, tut, old man. Itâs not so bad.â Percy, ever the optimist, could afford to overlook the chaos. A cousin from Garrickâs motherâs family, with an unentailed inheritance to spend as he wished, Percy didnât face a future dependent upon another manâs whimsy. âI find this country delightful.â
âIndeed? How so?â Garrick spied a mother on the lower platform struggling with tattered baggage and several children. Compassion welled up inside him. Where was the womanâs husband? If he could get through the tangled crowd, heâd offer to help. Why didnât one of those cowboys or another closer man lend a hand? Their neglect validated Garrickâs disdain for the lot of them. If she came closer, heâd step down and offer assistance.
