Western Christmas Proposals: Christmas Dance with the Rancher / Christmas in Salvation Falls / The Sheriff's Christmas Proposal
A RING, A KISS AND A CHRISTMAS WISHThree delicious seasonal storiesCHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER by Carla KellyStranded, Katie becomes chore-girl on Ned Avery’s ranch. He shows her unexpected kindness…and in exchange she teaches him how to dance!CHRISTMAS AT SALVATION FALLS by Kelly BoyceWilla Stanford moved to Salvation Falls to start afresh, but then the past—in the shape of her former sweetheart—arrives at her door.THE SHERIFF'S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL by Carol ArensWhen widower Roy Garner falls for lovely Belle Key he’s hoping for a very happy Christmas. Until he discovers Belle’s dark secret…
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A RING, A KISS AND A CHRISTMAS WISH
THREE DELICIOUS SEASONAL STORIES
CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER by Carla Kelly
Stranded, Katie becomes chore girl on Ned Avery’s ranch. He shows her unexpected kindness...and in exchange, she teaches him how to dance!
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS by Kelly Boyce
Willa Stanford moved to Salvation Falls to start afresh, but then the past—in the shape of her former sweetheart—arrives at her door.
THE SHERIFF’S CHRISTMAS PROPOSAL by Carol Arens
When widower Roy Garner falls for lovely Belle Key, he’s hoping for a very happy Christmas. Until he discovers Belle’s dark secret...
Praise for the authors of
Western Christmas Proposals
CARLA KELLY
“Kelly is a master at emotional, uplifting romances.”
—RT Book Reviews on The Wedding Ring Quest
KELLY BOYCE
“Boyce captures the spirit of the American West.”
—RT Book Reviews on Salvation in the Sheriff’s Kiss
CAROL ARENS
“Sensational… Western fans will enjoy Arens’ sense of humour, fast pace and continuous action.”
—RT Book Reviews on Wed to the Texas Outlaw
CARLA KELLY started writing Regency romances because of her interest in the Napoleonic Wars. She enjoys writing about warfare at sea and the ordinary people of the British Isles rather than lords and ladies. In her spare time she reads British crime fiction and history—particularly books about the US Indian Wars. Carla lives in Utah and is a former park ranger and double RITA® Award and Spur Award winner. She has five children and four grandchildren.
A life-long Nova Scotian, KELLY BOYCE lives near the Atlantic Ocean with her husband—who is likely wondering what he got himself into by marrying a writer—and a golden retriever who is convinced he is the king of the castle. A long-time history buff, Kelly loves writing in a variety of time periods, creating damaged characters and giving them a second chance at life and love.
CAROL ARENS delights in tossing fictional characters into hot water, watching them steam, and then giving them a happily-ever-after. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, beach camping or lounging about a mountain cabin. At home, she enjoys playing with her grandchildren and gardening. During rare spare moments you will find her snuggled up with a good book. Carol enjoys hearing from readers at [email protected] or on Facebook.
Table of Contents
CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH THE RANCHER by Carla Kelly
CHRISTMAS IN SALVATION FALLS by Kelly Boyce
Christmas Dance with the Rancher
Carla Kelly
To my Trask cousins, scattered around the US now, but who grew up in the ranching life near Worden, Montana. I recall some early Christmases in both Montana, and in Cody, Wyoming, where my father was raised. My cousins figured largely in those memories and remain important to me.
My years as a writer of Regency-era historical fiction were preceded by earlier times as a writer of Westerns. My first successes came writing about Native Americans, soldiers, stockmen, miners and mountain men and were somehow hardwired into my writer’s brain. They remain there even now, except for occasional excursions into writerly territory.
I sometimes have to plead for a chance to write about the American West, but it’s always worth it. I’ve known cowboys and Indians and miners, and I know them to be a fairly taciturn lot, not fans of flowery conversation or anything smacking of insincerity.
Nineteenth-century ranching was a hard life, and Christmas sometimes got short shrift. Ranchers and sheepherders probably understand better than most the kind of desperation that will force a young father and mother to gladly take whatever humble space was offered in a barn. They knew a lot about mangers and hay, and necessity.
I can almost guarantee other Christmas stories you read will be far more flowery and romantic than this one. What you’ll find in Christmas Dance with the Rancher is courage, doing what the day requires and deep emotion welling up from hearts that, although hardy, are tender.
The best of the holiday season from my part of the West, Idaho.
Carla Kelly
Contents
Chastened, subdued and unhappy, Ned Avery woke up to “Cheyenne! Cheyenne! Fifteen minutes” from the porter walking through the rail car and clanking his three chimes.
I’m not going home without a chore girl, Ned thought for the umpteenth time.
Why had he left Pete alone with Pa for his recent trip to Cheyenne? Ned had gone over with Pete his plain and simple orders of taking care of Pa for ten days while Ned and his hands pushed the herd through to Cheyenne and onto the railcars for Chicago. Over and over and each time Pete nodded in his kindly way. Bread and tinned meat and fruit were each carefully numbered and arranged on the kitchen table, and still Pete nodded.
