The Cowboy's Christmas Gift
A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR?Returning to Crooked Valley is more terrifying than the battlefield to ex-soldier Duke Duggan. Still, Duke has an important reason to be back–to take control of his late grandfather's ranch. But being thrown headfirst into his old life makes Duke feel like a fish out of water. That is, until he sees Carrie Coulter again. Twenty years may have passed but the chemistry between them is stronger than ever.When Duke threatens to sell the ranch, Carrie, the foreman, realizes she could lose her livelihood. But no decisions will be made until after the holidays. Until then, they have time to explore the feelings that draw them to each other. Together, can they come up with a way to keep the ranch…and the burning love between them?
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A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR?
Returning to Crooked Valley is more terrifying than the battlefield to ex-soldier Duke Duggan. Still, Duke has an important reason to be backâto take control of his late grandfatherâs ranch. But being thrown headfirst into his old life makes Duke feel like a fish out of water. That is, until he sees Carrie Coulter again. Twenty years may have passed but the chemistry between them is stronger than ever.
When Duke threatens to sell the ranch, Carrie, the foreman, realizes she could lose her livelihood. But no decisions will be made until after the holidays. Until then, they have time to explore the feelings that draw them to each other. Together, can they come up with a way to keep the ranchâ¦and the burning love between them?
The past twenty-four hours had felt very strange, and yet very right.
At times it had almost seemed as though they were a real couple, decorating their place for Christmas.
Except for the constant reminder that their relationship was transient. That she shouldnât get used to spending time with him when he could be gone again before she knew it.
Saying goodbye to Duke was going to be torture.
As the afternoon waned and the light dimmed slightly, Duke went inside and flicked the switch to the outdoor plug, making the lights come alive.
It was beautiful.
Duke came back outside and jogged down the steps, coming to stand beside her. âSo what do you think?â he asked. âWe did good, huh?â
Her breath made clouds in the air, and Duke tugged on her hand, pulling her closer.
He kissed her, slow and soft, making her melt against him. The man knew how to kissâsheâd give him that.
âWhew,â she said when the kiss broke off. âIâm not sure the funâs quite over, you keep kissing me like that.â
His eyes warmed. âIt doesnât have to be.â
Welcome to a brand-new trilogyâand just in time for the holidays!
In the Crooked Valley Ranch series, you meet the Duggan siblings: Duke, Lacey and Rylan. None of them are ranchers, so itâs a bit of a shock when they inherit the family spread from their grandfather. Each of them must take their place at the ranch or it goes up for sale.
Which doesnât really matter much to any of themâ¦in the beginning. In The Cowboyâs Christmas Gift, Duke Duggan returns to the ranch to figure out what to do next with his life. A career soldier, heâs at loose ends now that heâs lost his hearing in one ear. At first he just wants to get his bearings. Look at his options. It all sounds great until two things complicate his âno commitmentsâ plans. First of all, he kind of likes the ranch and the open spaces and freedom. And then thereâs Carrie Coulter, the cattle foreman. Smart, feisty and loyal, she keeps Duke on his toes. Dukeâs torn between his freedom, wanting to reunite his family for Christmas, and knowing that selling the ranch might have devastating consequences for those who count on it for their livelihoods. Thatâs a lot of responsibility for one guy to shoulder.
Good thing Duke loves a challenge.
I hope you have a wonderful family holiday and enjoy the warmth of the seasonâas well as a good book or two!
Best wishes,
Donna
A busy wife and mother of three (two daughters and the family dog), DONNA ALWARD believes hers is the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist. An avid reader since childhood, Donna has always made up her own stories. She completed her arts degree in English literature in 1994, but it wasnât until 2001 that she penned her first full-length novel and found herself hooked on writing romance. In 2006 she sold her first manuscript, and now writes warm, emotional stories for Harlequin.
In her new home office in Nova Scotia, Donna loves being back on the east coast of Canada after nearly twelve years in Alberta, where her career began, writing about cowboys and the West. Donnaâs debut romance, Hired by the Cowboy, was awarded a Booksellersâ Best Award in 2008 for Best Traditional Romance.
With the Atlantic Ocean only minutes from her doorstep, Donna has found a fresh take on life and promises even more great romances in the near future!
Donna loves to hear from readers. You can contact her through her website, www.donnaalward.com, or follow @DonnaAlward on Twitter.
To Kate Hardy, with many thanks for all the help and words of wisdom!
Contents
Duke Duggan turned the slightly battered half-ton up the dirt drive to Crooked Valley Ranch. Whorls of dust swirled behind him, clouding the frosty road as he made his way to the ranch house he remembered from childhood. It hadnât changed a bit. The white siding and dark green window trim was definitely dated, but the wraparound porch heâd always loved still skirted the house, making it welcoming and cozy-looking.
