The Rancher's Wife

COME HOME, COWGIRL

Logan Slade is bringing his wife home for the holidays—but can he convince her to stay for good? Despite a four-year separation and a devastating loss, the Georgia rancher refuses to give up on their marriage…even if he has been served divorce papers.

Amy misses Raintree Ranch and her beloved horses almost as much as she misses the man who was her best friend before he was anything else. But she’s no longer a wild rebel determined to get her man at any cost. To win her back, the honor-bound cowboy will have to let go of the past and open his heart to a real future.

“I made you promises and I intend to keep them.”

“That’s my Logan,” Amy whispered. “Always doing the right thing. The honorable thing. That’s how you got into this mess to begin with.” She leaned in, her chest brushing his. “We both have a chance to get out of this. To get our lives back. All you have to do is sign.”

He caught her wrists and pressed kisses to her palms. “I vowed to take care of you and love you every day of my life.”

She stilled, her expression lifting. “And do you? Love me?”

“You were the best damn friend I’d ever had. I’ve always cared for you.”

“That’s not what I’m asking.” She stepped closer, the heat in her eyes burning into him. “You said you swore to love me. What does that mean to you?”

“It means you have my loyalty. My fidelity and protection. And my support.”

Her face fell. The spark in her eyes faded. “Those are all very important things,” she said. “But what about your heart?”

Dear Reader,

I met a boy in college. A brawny, flirtatious one with a wide smile. He wore designer jeans, an expensive watch and spent way too much time on his hair. He enjoyed starting an argument and making me blush. He did everything he could to get me to look up from my books and give him attitude.

I thought he was ridiculous and told him so. I even rambled off a list of everything I disliked about him.

He just laughed and said, “Keep going.”

That’s how it started. But not how it ended. Jason became the best friend I’d ever had. He knew my shyness was debilitating. He coaxed me out of it. He persuaded me to join his kickboxing class, showed me how to hustle at pool and talked me into one more dance after closing time. The music would stop, the lights would go out and he’d just whisper, “Keep going.”

Jason was a fearless boy. He would’ve grown into an extraordinary man. Only, he never had the chance.

In The Rancher’s Wife, Logan Slade loses someone very important to him. His heart becomes hard, fills with regret and he finds it difficult to move on. It takes someone special to help him love again. To teach him to keep going.

Thank you for reading Logan’s story.

April

The Rancher’s Wife

April Arrington

www.millsandboon.co.uk

APRIL ARRINGTON grew up in a small Southern town and developed a love for movies and books at an early age. Emotionally moving stories have always held a special place in her heart. During the day, she enjoys sharing classic literature and popular fiction with students. At night, she spends her time writing stories of her own. April enjoys collecting pottery and soaking up the Georgia sun on her front porch. You can follow her on Twitter, @april_arrington.

Dedicated to Jason.

“Keep going.”

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Almost. Two syllables with so much promise and no damn reward. The most disappointing word in existence.

Logan Slade stifled a grimace and spun the ring on his left hand with his thumb. The silver band glinted with each twist. He eyed the nervous movement, willing it to stop. It was an absentminded habit. One he’d almost managed to quit.

His mouth twisted. Almost...

“We’ll almost have snow,” the white-haired man at his side chided again. “Yes, siree. Just needs to be a few degrees colder. They’re predicting sleet tonight instead. Strange, huh? November ice in Georgia? Guess the angels left the fridge open.” He laughed.

A shaft of frozen air abraded Logan’s forearms and he clutched the door of Hartford Insurance Agency’s lobby against the whipping wind. Crumpled leaves swept across the walkway outside in a violent flurry. Logan began to regret his impulse to jump up and assist the elderly man out. The chill pierced his skin but he kept his grip, willing the man to shrug into his coat a little faster.

“My Pearl loved the snow,” the man mumbled. His jubilant expression melted away. “We almost had some here last Christmas.” Gnarled fingers struggled to fasten the top button at his neck.

“Here. Let me.” Logan tucked his heel against the door and gingerly threaded the button through its hole.

“Almost...” the man whispered, his gray eyes lifting.

Logan stilled. It was impossible to count the regrets haunting the depths of his gaze. They pooled in the corners of his eyes, seeping into the crow’s-feet and coating his white lashes.