FALLING HEAD OVER BOOTS!
Farrier Delta Grace has a strict rule about not getting involved with clients. Rugged ranch owner Garrett Slade is exactly why. The attraction between them is instant. Heâs also her biggest client and the epitome of complicated. A widowed father of two, heâs moved back to Saddle Ridge, Montana, for a fresh start.
Despite her better judgment, Delta canât stay away from Garrett or his kids. And itâs not long before her heart melts completely, along with her rules. However, when life deals Delta a devastating blow, she needs to distance herself from Garrettâtheir family has already experienced too much heartache. All is not lost, though, because with Valentineâs Day around the corner, love may actually conquer all!
âDo you want to get married?â Kacey asked.
âUh.â Her eyes widened. âIâm not dating anyone, so I canât get married.â
Good save, Delta. He picked up his mug of coffee and took a sip.
âI thought you were dating Daddy.â
Garrett began to choke.
âAre you all right?â Delta smacked him on the back.
He continued to cough for another minute before waggling his finger at Kacey. âDelta and I are just friends.â
âBut you bought her that gift.â
âThat wasnât a gift,â Delta corrected. âThe shoeing stall is for work.â
âAnd you were hugging before.â
Garrett didnât blame his daughter for being confused. Between dinner at Harlanâs and everything else sheâd witnessed, even he had a bit of trouble distinguishing what was and wasnât where Delta was concerned.
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the third book in my Saddle Ridge, Montana, series. Youâre about to read a story Iâve wanted to write for a couple years. While I originally had envisioned it in my Welcome to Ramblewood series, it was a much better fit for Garrett Slade and Delta Grace...two characters who continually nagged me until I told their stories.
Sometimes our lives change in the blink of an eye and we do our best just to survive. Other times those changes drive us toward something we never imagined weâd have. Garrett and Delta have already dealt with some major devastation and are still struggling to come to terms with their losses. While their fresh starts are already under way when they first meet, their worlds will once again shatter before they can find happiness. Saddle Ridge, Montana, has never seen a love tested more fiercely. Cupid definitely has his work cut out for him in this holiday tale of hope and family.
I hope you enjoy reading this Valentineâs romance. Feel free to stop in and visit me at amandarenee.com. Iâd love to hear from you.
Happy reading!
Amanda Renee
AMANDA RENEE was raised in the Northeast and now wriggles her toes in the warm coastal Carolina sands. Her career began when she was discovered through Harlequinâs So You Think You Can Write contest. When not creating stories about love and laughter, she enjoys the company of her schnoodleâDuffyâcamping, playing guitar and piano, photography and anything involving animals. You can visit her at www.amandarenee.com.
For my superagent,
Pamela Harty of The Knight Agency.
Thank you for your unwavering faith,
support and guidance.
Chapter One
âI know women love shoes, but isnât this taking it a little too far?â
Delta lowered a freshly shod horseâs hoof to the ground and straightened to acknowledge the lame wisecrack. She half expected to find a cocksure ranch hand looking to score. Instead, a rugged cowboy with deep maple-brown eyes and hair to match rested casually against the work truck sheâd parked in the Silver Bells Ranchâs wide stable entrance.
âGarrett Slade.â He took a step toward her and extended his hand. âIâm the ranchâs new partner. My brother Dylan has told me youâre the best farrier in the state. Itâs a pleasure to meet you.â
âDelta Grace.â His muscular fingers encircled her palm, sending a tingle down to the tips of her toes. âDylanâs much too kind, but I appreciate it just the same. And the pleasure is all mine,â she drawled. Delta inwardly cringed at the unfamiliar licentious tone she had never heard come out of her mouth. He was the most attractive man sheâd laid eyes on since heaven knew when, and she found it most unsettling.
She stepped around Garrett and gave the draft horseâs bristly muzzle a rub. The animal inquisitively nudged the pocket of her pink-and-black plaid flannel shirt until she unbuttoned it and rewarded him with the baby carrots she had tucked away earlier. She returned to her truck and packed up her tools before removing her heavyweight apron chaps under the heat of Garrettâs gaze. âIâm finished here for the day, but Iâll need to return tomorrow for Lightning Bug, the quarter horse with navicular disease. I need to be here when Dr. Presley radiographs the hoof so we can discuss further shoeing modifications. Heâs improved significantly since the early fall when Jax first noticed it.â