The Rancher's Lullaby
SERENADING HIS SON The Circle P has always been home to the Judds. That’s why Garrett Judd came back—to take over as temporary ranch manager and to shelter his infant son in the warmth and love of his sprawling family. Bluegrass singer Lisa Rose isn’t part of his long-term plans. But ever since she hit town, the single father has been fighting his attraction to the willowy blonde.Lisa gave up her life on the road to open a music store, but if business doesn't pick up she may not last. Watching the rugged widowed rancher serenade his baby boy plucks at her heartstrings, making her long for something she’ll never have. But as long as Garrett keeps one cowboy boot in the past, they don’t stand a chance of building a future together.Do they?
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SERENADING HIS SON
The Circle P has always been home to the Judds. Thatâs why Garrett Judd came backâto take over as temporary ranch manager and to shelter his infant son in the warmth and love of his sprawling family. Bluegrass singer Lisa Rose isnât part of his long-term plans. But ever since she hit town, the single father has been fighting his attraction to the willowy blonde.
Lisa gave up her life on the road to open a music store, but if business doesnât pick up she may not last. Watching the rugged widowed rancher serenade his baby boy plucks at her heartstrings, making her long for something sheâll never have. But as long as Garrett keeps one cowboy boot in the past, they donât stand a chance of building a future together. Do they?
âI donât know what Iâd ever do if I lost you.â
The moment the words spilled from Garrettâs lips, he knew. Knew their friendship had grown far beyond the bounds Lisa had set for them. He leaned down, searching her face. The flicker of awareness he saw in her dark eyes gave him just what he was looking for.
Heaven help him, he had to kiss her. He bent and put his heart into it. He wanted more, but refused to rush, refused to take more than she was willing to give. When she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, a groan rose in his chest. Her lips parted and he swept in, possessing her. Her unique floral scent filled his senses. He drank it in, unable to get enough of her. At last, he traced the outline of her jaw with one thumb.
He stared down into her dark eyes. A bemused look filled her face.
âNow, what?â he whispered.
Iâm thrilled we have the opportunity to return to the Circle P Ranch in The Rancherâs Lullaby, my fourth book in the Glades County Cowboys series.
Iâm glad, too, for the chance to share Garrett and Lisaâs story with you. Nearly a year has passed since Garrett lost his wife when his son was born. The grieving widower has returned home to the Circle P where, surrounded by family, Garrett longs to make a fresh start as a single dad, a condition he vows to maintain. Not even bluegrass sensation Lisa Rose can change his mind.
But when Okeechobeeâs newest resident plucks Garrettâs heartstrings as sweetly as she picks a banjo, will his love for her outweigh his fear that history will repeat itself? The Rancherâs Lullaby is a story of second chances and new beginnings for Garrett and Lisa, and I hope youâll enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Once again, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my cousin Paula Crews for sharing her love for a ranch where tall green grass stretches unbroken to the horizon and brilliant clouds of pink, purple and gold fill the morning and evening sky. Thanks, too, for the support of my Writers Camp pals Roxanne St. Claire, Kristen Painter and Lara Santiago. Their friendship has turned what could be a very lonely profession into one filled with camaraderie, encouragement and more than a few laughs.
Leigh Duncan
LEIGH DUNCAN, a bestselling author, writes books where home, family and community are key to the happy endings we all deserve. Married to the love of her life and mother of two wonderful young adults, Leigh lives on central Floridaâs east coast. When she isnât writing, Leigh loves curling up with a cup of coffee and a great book. She invites readers to follow @leighrduncan on Twitter, visit her Facebook page at LeighDuncanBooks or contact her through her website: leighduncan.com.
For Avery Blythe.
You light up the world.
Contents
Warm air swaddled Lisa Rose as she stepped from Pickinâ Strings onto the sidewalk. She dropped the heavy key ring into her purse. The unfamiliar weight tugged uncomfortably on her shoulder. At the corner of Park and Parrott, she squinted into a sun so bright it sapped her energy and was slowly washing the color out of her favorite denim skirt. She frowned as her heel sank into the black asphalt when she stepped off the curb. In the month since her arrival in Okeechobee, she hadnât gotten used to heat that turned pavement into a sticky mess by ten in the morning. She wasnât sure she ever would. Not that it mattered, she thought with a shrug that sent the beads and chains around her neck jingling. Her stay in south Florida was only temporary. By this time next year, sheâd have her act together again. Literally and figuratively. Till then, she supposed there were worse places to rebuild her shattered dreams than in a small town with a tree-lined square. Tugging her boot free, she kept moving forward.
On the other side of the main street, she straightened the pewter cuff at her wrist. She ran her free hand over the thick hair that, in a nod to Augustâs sweltering heat, she had braided before heading out this morning. She separated a bright yellow flyer from the stack in her shoulder bag.
