The Rancher And The City Girl
From sworn enemies to soul mates? Wall Street hotshot Camille Parker is the last person rancher Jericho Jones expects to find on his doorstep. Ever since his late wife's best friend interfered in his marriage, she's persona non-grata in Jericho's book. But the situation is literally life-and-death for Camille and he opens his home to her.Camille has no choice but to seek help from her worst enemy. And as she lets her guard down in close quarters, unexpected feelings surge for him. But what will happen if Camille's life goes back to normal and the city girl no longer needs to shelter in the rugged rancher's arms?
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From sworn enemies to soul mates?
Wall Street hotshot Camille Parker is the last person rancher Jericho Jones expects to find on his doorstep. Ever since his late wifeâs best friend interfered in his marriage, sheâs persona non grata in Jerichoâs book. But the situation is literally life-and-death for this damsel in distress, and he opens his home to her. The problem is, he opens his heart, too.
Camille has no choice but to seek help from her worst enemy. And as she lets her guard down in close quarters, unexpected feelings surge for him. But what will happen if Camilleâs life goes back to normal and the city girl no longer needs to shelter in the reticent rancherâs arms?
He wanted Camille to have that dress.
The thought surprised him. Why did he care?
But heâd seen the pleasure in her eyes as sheâd looked at her reflection. The yearning. Her life was a wreck right now. She deserved something that would make her smile.
âIâll take it. Donât tell Camille. I want it to be a surprise,â he told the saleswoman, credit card in hand. After she rang it up and placed it in a bag, he went out and hid it behind the seat in his truck, smiling when he thought of how happy Camille would be with his gift.
When Jericho returned to the shop, he saw Camille and his jaw dropped. She looked like every manâs dream in a fitted blue-green top and a pair of matching shorts that hit her midthigh, showcasing her toned legs. Sheâd exchanged her pumps for green flat sandals. Even without a speck of makeup, she was drop-dead gorgeous. And she was more relaxed than sheâd been since she arrived.
His heart, which heâd believed had died a year ago, jumped as if being recharged like a dead battery.
âIâm ready.â
* * *
Sweet Briar Sweethearts: Thereâs something about Sweet Briar...
KATHY DOUGLASS came by her love of reading naturallyâboth of her parents were readers. She would finish one book and pick up another. Then she attended law school and traded romances for legal opinions.
After the birth of her two children, her love of reading turned into a love of writing. Kathy now spends her days writing the small-town contemporary novels she enjoys reading.
This book is dedicated with love to my husband
and sons. Thanks for filling my life with love and joy.
Contents
Go somewhere no one will look for you. The words of warning echoed through Camille Parkerâs head as she sped down the rapidly darkening country road. It curved suddenly, and she almost lost control of the car. Cursing under her breath, she eased up on the accelerator and jerked the wheel, steering back onto the asphalt. They wouldnât have to kill her if she did it herself.
Slowing, she began looking for a mailbox. She had to be close by now. Finally she spotted a driveway flanked by two large trees. She stopped next to the mailbox, hoping to find a name and not just the street number. Luckily, she made out âJericho and Jeanette Jonesâ in red letters on the metal box. Despite her anxiety, her heart squeezed at the sight of her former friendâs name. How she had missed Jeanette. She always would.
Camille knew no one had followed her from New York, yet she still checked her rearview mirror. Convinced that she was alone on the isolated lane, she turned into the long, winding crushed-rock driveway, driving as fast as she dared. She didnât want to lose control of the car again when she was this close to safety.
And what if Jericho didnât let her in? He hated her. And she hated him. Sheâd never used the term âsworn enemiesâ before, but it described their relationship more accurately than other words could.
Not only had he convinced Jeanette to break off her engagement to Camilleâs brother and marry him instead, heâd brought Jeanette out here to the middle of nowhere and let her die. Camilleâs eyes filled with tears as she recalled finding out about Jeanetteâs death in the obituary section of their high schoolâs alumni newsletter. Just one more reason to hate Jericho.
The two-story house appeared around a bend, and she slowed the car, stopping as close to the building as possible. She opened the door and heaved a heavy sigh. Her heart beat hard against the walls of her chest as doubt once more assaulted her.
What if he didnât take her in?
She shoved aside that worry and tried again to silence the fear that had gripped her since sheâd overheard her boss, Donald Wilcox, instructing someone to get rid of her and make it look like an accident. When sheâd reached out in a panic to Rafael Delgado, her contact with the FBI, she discovered he was comatose after being in a car accident. That was when sheâd run. At this point, she didnât know whom she could trust. Thatâs why she needed to disappear for a while.
