âCan you still hike that kind of terrain? And when was the last time you rode a horse?â
âNate McMann, I could outhike you any day of the week when we were in high school and you know it.â The gall of the man! âAnd though I might not be able to break wild horses like you I can still ride with the best of them.â She had no intention of telling him that she hadnât ridden a horse in nine years!
âI never said you couldnât ride or hike,â he said. His tone sent shivers through her. Confused her.
The man still got to her. There was absolutely no denying that. It was maddening and crazy. But, maybe this was what she needed. Maybe this was the thing that would clear the air once and for all.
Alaskan Bride Rush:
Women are flocking to the Land of the Midnight Sun with marriage on their minds
Yukon CowboyâDebra Clopton
October 2010
was a 2004 Golden Heart finalist in the inspirational category, a 2006 Inspirational Readersâ Choice Award winner, a 2007 Golden Quill award winner and a finalist for the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She praises the Lord each time someone votes for one of her books, and takes it as an affirmation that she is exactly where God wants her to be.
Debra is a hopeless romantic and loves to create stories with lively heroines and the strong heroes who fall in love with them. But most important, she loves showing her characters living their faith, seeking Godâs will in their lives one day at a time. Her goal is to give her readers an entertaining story that will make them smile, hopefully laugh and always feel Godâs goodness as they read her books. She has found the perfect home for her stories, writing for the Love Inspired line, and still has to pinch herself just to see if she really is awake and living her dream.
When she isnât writing, she enjoys taking road trips, reading and spending time with her two sons, Chase and Kris. She loves hearing from readers and can be reached through her Web site, www.debraclopton.com, or by mail at P.O. Box 1125, Madisonville, Texas 77864.
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
âNahum 1:7
This book is dedicated to Ms. Jo. You are truly an inspiration and a blessing to me and all those whose lives you touch.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Letter to Reader
Questions for Discussion
âYou want me to assist in a tour?â Bethany Marlow asked, in disbelief. Surely her friend and ex-boss was joking. âYouâre kidding, right?â
âNo kidding involved,â Amy James said, and though she was smiling, the petite, blonde owner of Alaskaâs Treasures tour company looked like she wasnât taking no for an answer. âIâm so glad youâve chosen to move back to Treasure Creek and open a wedding-planning business. It is going to be a wonderful addition to the town. I know Iâm springing this on you, and probably before youâve even unpacked your suitcase. Iâm desperate, though. This is a family tour that I feel needs a woman guide assisting the lead guide.â
Bethany couldnât believe her ears. Her plane had landed barely an hour agoâand yes, her bags were still packed. Sheâd been in such a hurry to get outside and not waste any of the precious Alaskan daylight that sheâd simply slid them inside her hotel room and hurried outside. Sheâd been stopped several times by acquaintances who were as excited to see her as she was them. Seeing her old friend Amy coming toward her lifted her spirits even higher. But help lead a tour? This was the last thing she had expected to hear from Amy. She hadnât led a tour in years. The idea was kind of tempting, however, opening her wedding-planning business had to come first.
âAmy,â she said, feeling bad, âIâd like to help, but I have to put finding a spot to open my store first.â
Amy smiled, her eyes twinkling. âGot that covered already. Thereâs a space that opened up around the corner from The General Store just off of Main Street. Itâs just the cutest, quaintest storefront, with personality plus. I can see your name on the window right now. The location is great. Not that it will matterâas soon as these women hear youâre in town, I have a feeling youâll be overrun with clients.â
âMy word, Amy, youâre like a steamroller!â Bethany laughedâmore from surprise than anything. âYouâve been thinking ahead on this curve ball youâve thrown me.â She sobered. âAnd all before Iâve even had time to tell you how sorry I was to hear about Ben. I am really so sorry.â Amyâs husband, Ben had died in a tragic accident just a few short months ago. His death left Amy to raise their two young sons on her own, plus running the tour company business, Alaskaâs Treasures, by herself. âYou have a lot sitting on your shoulders. How are you holding up?â