Big Sky Romance Collection

by Denise Hunter

  “What, Sierra?”

  “You make me feel too much.”

  At her words Dylan’s frustration began to drain. Fear was something he understood. Hadn’t his own fear consumed him? It had been a high wall around his heart, keeping out any hope of love.

  Until Annie.

  Luke was brushing Sierra’s tears away. “Have faith, sweetheart. We’ll take it slow. I won’t rush you.”

  Sierra gave a wry laugh. “I’m not fit to be your wife, Luke.”

  Dylan couldn’t hear his response. He looked out the front windshield. He was sure his brother was reminding her of his own unworthiness and God’s unmerited grace.

  Funny how Luke’s words about taking it slow echoed his own words to Annie the night before. He hoped Luke had better luck convincing Sierra of their future than Dylan had had with her sister.

  Annie’s words came back to him now, the ones that had haunted him all day. “It’s impossible between us.”

  Impossible.

  He’d turned those words every which way all day, but they hadn’t made sense. Now, though, something clicked into place.

  Impossible . . .

  Of course. She’d known about Ryder. She’d been keeping Sierra’s secret. Protecting her sister . . . it was what Annie did. His heart rate kicked up a notch. Could he be right? Was Sierra’s secret the only thing standing between him and Annie?

  His breath caught in his lungs. Please, God. Let it be true.

  Dylan glanced at the porch as Luke opened his arms. Sierra went into his embrace.

  God had somehow brought the two of them—the three of them—back together. Couldn’t He break down any remaining walls around Annie? Dylan was suddenly eager to leave. Eager to tell her he knew. That it was all going to work out somehow.

  Luke lowered his head for a kiss, and Dylan looked away. He wondered what would happen next. When they’d tell Ryder, and whether their relationship could survive the rocky start. One thing was sure, his brother seemed determined. And when Luke was determined, there was little he couldn’t accomplish.

  They went back in the house and returned several minutes later with Ryder and two small suitcases.

  Ryder hopped in the truck as Luke stored their bags in the back.

  “Scooch all the way over,” Sierra said, climbing in next, then buckling Ryder.

  “Hey, buddy,” Dylan said.

  Luke got in behind Sierra, a determined look on his face.

  “Where to?” Dylan asked.

  “Home, please.” Sierra sounded like she had the world’s worst cold. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face pale, but there was a brave smile playing on her lips that reminded him of Annie.

  Annie. She was worried sick.

  He frowned at Sierra. “Call your sister.”

  She gave a wobbly smile as she retrieved her phone and dialed.

  Dylan started the truck and pulled onto the street.

  “Hey, Annie . . . No, I’m fine . . . I know, I’m sorry.”

  Dylan relaxed just knowing Annie’s mind was put to rest. He couldn’t wait to get there. Couldn’t wait to get this straightened out. If he was right.

  Please, God. I love her so much.

  Sierra took Ryder’s hand. “Well . . . I’ll explain later . . . Okay.”

  Dylan held out his hand for the phone.

  “Hang on a sec,” Sierra said, then handed over the phone. “She’s at your place, with Braveheart,” she told Dylan.

  Dylan took the phone. “Stay put, Annie. I’m coming home.”

  Dear Troubled,

  Love is often fraught with obstacles. The question is, which ones are worth moving?

  36

  Annie had been so relieved to hear Sierra’s voice. To know they were okay. She’d sounded a little odd, but at least they were coming home.

  What she didn’t understand was why Dylan was with them. Miss Lucy had said he was taking Luke to the airport, which was why Annie had gone to his place on a Friday night.

  Annie halted Braveheart and praised him for a job well done. She patted the horse, her mind still on the phone call.

  Had Dylan run into Sierra after dropping Luke at the airport and convinced her to come home? Why had he told Annie to stay put? There’d been something in his voice, something she couldn’t get a handle on. It was almost like they had something to settle. But last night they’d said everything, hadn’t they?

  The memory of his kiss had haunted her into the early morning hours. The look on his face when she’d hurt him. Today her work hadn’t had her full attention. Instead, regret and longing filled her to overflowing.

  She’d had an ongoing conversation with God. Why was it, just when she’d found the love she’d been seeking all her life, he turned out to be the one man she couldn’t have?

  Annie scratched the horse’s withers, his favorite spot. How am I going to face him week after week, God? How am I going to run into him at the market, at the Chuckwagon, at church, feeling what I do and knowing I can’t have him? Why did You give me these feelings, Lord?

  Her eyes burned with the tears she hadn’t let herself shed. She blinked hard. She would not cry. He was on his way even now. He’d found Sierra somehow and was bringing her home. Annie would keep a safe distance, thank him politely, and leave.

  Then she would focus on changing her ways with Sierra. By letting her sister set her own course, staying out of her business. She would encourage, she would be supportive, but she would lock her lips unless Sierra asked for her opinion. And she would pray— yes, there’d be lots of that.

  Her love compelled her to do more, but she’d learn to let go. With God’s help, she would turn the reins over. How else would her baby sister learn to ride solo?

  Annie took Braveheart for another circle, praising him when he followed her guidance. Her goal had been to saddle up Braveheart and see how he responded. When she’d put the bareback saddle on him, he’d mouthed for the bit. The horse wanted to ride again. Dylan would be overjoyed. But for now, she’d been reining him from the ground.

  As nicely as the horse was responding, she was certain he’d let Dylan ride soon. Pleased with his progress, she led him back to the barn, removed his tack, and put him in his stall.

  She heard the truck coming down the drive before she saw it. Annie’s heart thumped like hooves over dry ground. She could handle this. At least Sierra and Ryder would be there to serve as buffers. The waning daylight would hopefully hide any traces of her earlier emotional struggle.

  She left the barn as Dylan cut the engine. The door opened. Dylan stepped out, his eyes trained on her.

  Annie’s gaze cut to the other side of the cab, but it was empty. “Where are they?”

  He closed the door, walked around the truck. “Took ’em home.”

  She swallowed hard. “Oh.”

  Dylan approached with that easy stride of his. Annie wrapped her arms around herself.

  “Luke was with them.”

  Annie’s mouth went slack. Luke? What was going on? “What do you mean? I thought he was on his way home.”

  Dylan stopped a few feet away. “Think he found himself a new home.”

  Dylan knew. She could see it in his eyes. The secret was out. Panic settled in. Everything inside quivered like the aftershocks of a great quake.

  “I think that boy’s in love with your sister.”

  Annie hoped it was true. But what if, after the shock wore off, after the novelty of being a father wore off, Luke left them both high and dry? What if he hurt Ryder the way their dad had hurt them?

  This was happening too fast. And Ryder was with them now. What did the child know? Surely they wouldn’t tell him tonight. They had to give him time to get to know Luke before springing the news on him. Surely they wouldn’t . . .

  She had to get over there, now. “I have to go.”

  Annie retrieved her keys, heading toward her truck.

  “No, Annie . . .”

  Slow down, Sierra, she’d say. Think it t
hrough. You have to handle this carefully.

  She reached for the truck door, her mind spinning.

  Stop, beloved. The whisper came quietly into her heart.

  She stopped cold. Her fist tightened on the keys.

  They need me, God. I have to help her, make sure she handles this right. It’s too important to mess up. How else will she have the wisdom to take things slow? She’s like a whirlwind, God, fast and impulsive. She’ll jump right in now that Luke knows, and not even consider the consequences. I know her, Lord. Who else knows her like me?

  I do.

  The words hit their mark. The air rushed from her lungs. Guilt pricked her heart. Of course God knew Sierra. Hadn’t He formed her?

  Had Annie really thought she knew Sierra better than God? Believed she could handle her sister better than the One who’d designed the universe, who’d set the stars in the sky?

  She let loose of the door handle. She was only kidding herself. She’d never been in control of Sierra, not really. Hadn’t the girl always done as she pleased?

  But God had made Sierra. Surely He could direct her. Annie had decided as much the night before, but here she was, trying to take the reins again. She closed her eyes, disappointed in herself. Clearly this was a one-day-at-a-time kind of thing.

  Okay, God, she’s Yours. For real this time. Please guide her. Help me to step back and get out of Your way.

  Annie turned, leaned on the truck door, and heaved a deep sigh. It was all in God’s hands. He would work it out.

  “Well done, big sister,” Dylan said.

  She hadn’t heard him approach. Hadn’t realized he’d been aware of her struggle. She didn’t like how he seemed to read her mind, or how close he’d come to stand, barely an arm’s length away.

  “It’s not easy,” she said.

  His eyes locked onto hers. “It never is.”

  She had a feeling they weren’t talking about Sierra anymore.

  “Guess I have a new nephew to spoil,” he said.

  He had a right to be angry with her and Sierra. But if he was, she couldn’t see it in his eyes. They roamed over her face like the gentlest caress. They pulled at her, threatened to draw her in.

  It sank in then, what it all meant. They were aunt and uncle to the same child.

  “They’ll be all right,” he said. “Luke will be there for Ryder.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Well, I know this.” He stepped forward until they were toe-totoe. His eyes were like a beacon of light. “I love his aunt.”

  Annie’s heart twisted at the welcome words. Even so, fear trickled in despite her decision to lay down her prejudice.

  “Dylan. . .”

  “What is it, Annie? What’s holding you back?”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m afraid.”

  Dylan put his hands on the truck beside her, leaned in.

  “I know about fear, Annie. So does your sister. Even Braveheart . . . you helped him find his way when he was terrified to take a step. He learned to trust you. You can learn to trust me too; I’m a loyal man. It takes a leap of faith to work past fear. I’m asking you to make that leap.”

  Her heart beat up into her throat. His musky scent filled her lungs, intoxicated her. Made her remember other times. His integrity at the cabin. On the porch, a baby in his arms. On the phone, helping a lovesick teenaged girl. He was a better man than she’d ever given him credit for.

  His thumb stroked her cheek, lit a fire of need inside her. The way he made her feel, this cowboy. The way he held her, safe and secure in his arms. She closed her eyes against the feeling, against the sight of him.

  As darkness closed in, she thought of Braveheart. Unsighted, dependent upon others for his every need. If it had been this hard for the horse to trust, she was amazed by his courage. Amazed by Dylan’s courage too, for taking a risk on her.

  “Open your eyes,” he whispered. “Tell me you love me.”

  She did as he said and fell into his gaze. Even as the fear swelled inside, she said the words. “I do. So much.”

  His eyes lit. A tiny smile formed as he threaded his fingers into her hair. “That’s all I need to know.”

  His lips fell onto hers, moving tenderly, sweeping away all her fears. She melted into his arms. His hands were magic, his body strong and solid. She wound her arms around his waist and hung on tight, feeling braver as joy flooded her soul. The scariest thing about a leap of faith was the first step.

  He broke the kiss, pulled her into his chest, and lifted her off her feet. “Ah, Annie. You make me a happy man.”

  She could hear the rush of his heart, a rhythmic beat she found comforting. So much had happened in the past twenty-four hours. So many obstacles overcome. Obstacles she’d believed were insurmountable.

  “I never would’ve believed,” she said. “I thought it was impossible.”

  “I have a Friend in high places,” he whispered into her hair. “Impossibilities are His specialty.”

  “I noticed,” she said as her feet hit the ground again.

  He was looking at her in that way she loved. That way that made her feel she was the only woman in the world.

  She thought of Sierra and Luke and Ryder. She hadn’t even thanked Dylan for bringing her sister home.

  Dylan pulled her closer.

  “Wait. You haven’t told me what happened. How you found Sierra, and how you found out about her and Luke and—”

  He put his fingers over her lips. “Later, woman,” he said, then covered her lips with his own.

  Reading Group Guide

  A Cowboy's Touch

  1. Though Abigail was raised in a family of faith, she gradually fell away from God as she grew into adulthood. What are some of the distractions and other reasons so many young adults wander spiritually at this time? A close walk with God is always important, but why might young adulthood be a particularly bad time for a spiritual leave of absence?

  2. Why do you think Abigail’s mom described her as restless? What connection did that have with her spiritual condition?

  3. How is our faith like Abigail’s floundering vegetable garden? In what ways can Christianity sometimes resemble plastic flowers stuck into the dirt?

  4. In Abigail’s profession, she’s referred to as “the Truthseeker.” How is that ironic in relation to her spiritual walk?

  5. Discuss (or think about) the meaning of John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’”

  6. Something Abigail experienced in childhood shaped who she became professionally. How did significant events in your childhood shape who you are?

  7. Deep down, Abigail was trying to right a wrong from her childhood by exposing truth through her column. The relief her articles brought was only temporary, however. Why is self-redemption a waste of time? Have you ever tried to “work off” feelings of guilt or remorse? What did you learn in the process?

  8. Abigail’s father was a spiritual role model for her. Who did God put in your life to help show you His love? Are you a spiritual role model for someone else?

  9. Wade dealt with guilt over his late wife’s suicide and worried about letting down people he loved. Have you ever worried you wouldn’t be enough for someone? How can trusting in God help you through this barrier?

  10. Despite Wade’s fears, he became the kind of hero Abigail could lean on. Discuss (or think about) a woman’s desire for independence versus her desire to have a real hero in her life. Are the two compatible?

  The Accidental Bride

  1. Shay was afraid to marry again after having her heart broken twice before. How does fear play into our ability to love fully?

  2. Because of Shay’s background, she tended to worry too much about others’ opinions. Galatians 1:10 says, “For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people?” What does that mean to you?

  3. How were Abigail’s blurry pictures a metaphor for Shay’s outlook?

 
4. Olivia picked up on Shay’s issue with pleasing others. Are there any issues that were handed down to you from your parents? What can you do to break the cycle?

  5. Travis made the selfish decision to leave Shay at the altar when he was a young adult. What price did he and others pay as a result? Discuss the ways in which poor choices can sometimes have far-reaching consequences. How can we best recover?

  6. How did Shay’s tendency to please others impact her decision-making? What events caused her to see her sin? What changes did she make as a result of this revelation?

  7. When Travis lost Shay, he realized he hadn’t sought God’s will during a critical point in his life. Instead, he’d relied on Miss Lucy’s prayers. Do you ever foist your spiritual responsibilities onto someone you feel has a closer walk with God?

  8. Miss Lucy supported Shay in prayer for years. Is there someone who lifts you up in prayer faithfully? Whom do you pray for?

  9. Were you more frustrated at Travis or Shay for the way each of them handled every new obstacle? His not telling her about the rodeo competition? Her not asking about the jewelry package? His not returning right after the competition? Her not telling him she was pregnant? Or do you think both were accountable for what kept them apart?

  10. Ranching is hard work, and money is often tight. Why do you think families continue this way of life?

  The Trouble with Cowboys

  1. Which character did you most relate to and why?

  2. Annie and Sierra shared the same childhood experiences, yet they viewed love differently. Why do you think that is? Have you experienced anything similar with your siblings?

  3. How did Dylan’s past experience with love affect his ability to love again?

  4. Sometimes Annie tried to manipulate Sierra into attending church. Why do you think such tactics are usually ineffective, despite the best of intentions?

  5. If you’ve read Pride and Prejudice, how is Annie similar to Elizabeth Bennet? How is she different?

  6. In what ways was Braveheart symbolic in the story?

  7. Annie’s childhood caused her to develop a prejudice toward cowboys. Have you ever clung to a false belief? How did you discover it was false, and what did you do to overcome it?