Heâll sing a new tune this Christmas!
Divorced and raising two boys on her own is a far cry from the big family Marcella Grayson always imagined. Then she meets tall, dark and delicious Denver Yatesâand the attraction is overwhelming! Still, Marcella is cautious. It takes a lot of man to date a single mom, let alone build a relationship...or a family.
After losing his wife and unborn child, Denver has sworn off the family lifeâespecially kids. Yet lovely Marcella and her boys find a way into this cowboyâs heart. But when their passion lights up the plus sign on the test stick, Denver is stunned. Is this a snare set by Marcella? Or is it the Christmas wish theyâve been too afraid to make?
She glanced over at him and wondered what he was possibly thinking about her, wanting from her.
Had that kiss implied he wanted to deepen their relationship? The mere idea of that rattled her as much as the kiss. âI donât know about you, Denver, but Iâm not really in the mood for a movie.â
Braking at a stop sign, he glanced over at her. âIâm not, either. So what would you like to do? The night is still early.â
âItâs rainy and cold. Why donât we just go to my place? Iâll make us some hot chocolate and we can watch TVâor something.â
âAre you sure? If thereâs something else youâd rather do, just tell me. I donât want this to be a bum date for you.â
âJust spending time with you will be special.â
An odd expression flickered across his face, and for a moment she thought he was going to insist they do anything besides what she was suggesting.
But then he shrugged one shoulder and turned the truck in the general direction of her house.
Marcella settled back in the seat and wondered if sheâd just invited herself a heartbreak, or finally found the courage to open the door to the rest of her life.
* * *
MEN OF THE WEST:
Whether ranchers or lawmen, these heartbreakers know how to ride, shootâand drive a woman crazy...
Chapter One
âMom, somebody has come to our rescue!â
âAinât so, Harry! Itâs a Halloween goblin come to steal our candy!â
Ignoring the shouts of her two sons sitting in the backseat of the car, Marcella Grayson glanced up from the black dashboard to the flash of headlights in the rearview mirror.
When her car had suddenly died, sheâd attempted to steer it to the side of the rural graveled road. Instead, the vehicle had rolled to a complete stop before she could manage to make that happen. Now the rear end of the car was partially blocking the path of the driver behind her.
Marcella pulled on a lightweight jacket and reached for the door latch. âStay buckled up, boys. Do not get out of the car for any reason. Understand?â
Harry, the older of the two brothers by a mere eight months, questioned, âWhere are you going, Mom?â
âWeâre blocking the road,â she said. âI need to explain to the driver behind us.â
âTell âem to call the police!â Peter exclaimed. âWe need help!â
âDummy! We donât need the police,â Harry chided his brother. âWe need a tow truck!â
Marcella didnât waste time telling the boys to quit arguing. Instead, she exited the car and immediately found herself blinded by the orb of a flashlight.
Shielding her eyes with a hand, she peered toward the end of the vehicle, but all she could discern in the darkness was a pair of long, muscular legs encased in dusty denim and an equally dirty pair of cowboy boots.
âHaving trouble?â
As the boots started toward her, she tried to recognize the male voice, but failed. She was acquainted with several men who lived or worked here on the Silver Horn Ranch. Unfortunately, this wasnât one of them.
âMy car suddenly lost power and quit. Now it refuses to start. And Iâm afraid Iâve blocked the road.â
He lowered the circle of light and Marcellaâs gaze traveled up the long legs, across a wide, deep chest, then finally to a set of chiseled features shaded by the low brim of a black cowboy hat. Tall and thirtyish, he was the epitome of a strong, weathered rancher.