Protected by a Hero
Page 158
Elaine squeezed his hand as if reading his thoughts. “It’s enough that he’s here. Save your talk for tomorrow.”
His throat squeezed tight, stealing his words. She was right. Colton had come home, and that was what mattered.
Weston leaned in, swirling a glass of bourbon. “Have you given anymore thought to Resolution Ranch?”
Brodie perked up. “What’s this?”
“Nothing.” Travis waved him off. “Just a harebrained idea of Weston’s to get the ranch running again and turn it into a place to help veterans land on their feet.” Right now, he wanted to celebrate with Elaine. Everything else could wait.
“Using animal husbandry, like what Hope does, and working with a counselor I know,” answered Weston.
Hope leaned in. “You know, I’ve been thinking along those same lines. Using what I’ve been teaching you with others. Would you be interested in collaborating?”
“Heck yes,” Weston said enthusiastically.
“Not so fast, Tex.” Travis turned to Hope. “There are a lot of logistics to overcome. We don’t have space yet, so we’d have to spend time building a complex of bunkhouses, not to mention acquiring livestock, and figuring out an income stream or three to keep the ranch in the black.”
“Maybe you could start a non-profit?” suggested Hope’s husband, Ben. He was usually pretty quiet, but rumor had it he was the reason Sinclaire & Sons ranch did so well.
“I hadn’t thought of that,” considered Weston, eyes lighting.
Travis shook his head. This was spinning out of control, just like running for sheriff. “We still need more capital than my nest egg will afford.”
Emma Sinclaire’s head popped up. “I’d be happy to volunteer my time working on your PR and helping connect you with sponsors. I could even organize a big fundraiser.”
Brodie Sinclaire chimed in. “Take her up on that, Kincaid. Emma works for one of the biggest marketing and PR agencies in Kansas City.”
“I know I’ll get razzed to death for even thinking of helping a Navy boy,” added Cassie. “But you should talk to Sterling Walker. Sterling was good at everything in high school, and his parents mentioned the other day he might be coming home. I’m sure he’d be an asset to the ranch. And I’ll vouch for Dr. Munger. He’s been very helpful to me too.”
It was a nice idea, Resolution Ranch. But he couldn’t see it getting off the ground without a significant influx of capital. Together, he and Elaine could handle a small operation if they hired seasonal help from town. Anything bigger would have to wait.
“I’d be willing to invest a portion of my earnings,” Colton offered quietly.
Travis’s stomach dropped as he locked gazes with his brother. “No way. I can’t let you do that.” All eyes swung from Colton to him, then back to Colton. He coughed, trying to clear away the shock that stopped up his voice. “I appreciate the offer. But you only just got home. I don’t even know how long you’re staying.”
“Silent partner only. I’m not ready to settle down yet,” Colton countered firmly, mouth thinning into a determined line.
Travis recognized the set of his brother’s mouth. The ‘once Colton decides on something don’t even think about stopping him’ expression. Some things never changed. But if Colton was serious… maybe the ranch could become a reality.
Elaine squeezed his hand again, and placed a kiss on his jaw. “You know I can help with managing the books, among other things.”
Anticipation thrummed through his veins as he surveyed the excited faces around the table. The kind of energy he’d only ever felt before big missions. “Are you sure?” He turned to his wife, amazed at her enthusiasm. “It would be asking a lot. Seven days a week. Fourteen-hour days. No time off. Always something that needs fixing.”
“I already work like that now. I’d much rather do it with you.”
His heart swelled to bursting as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. His strong, beautiful wife. He’d never tire of calling her that.
Elaine gestured down the table. “And we wouldn’t be alone. We’d have a family with us.”
The nodding faces of the Sinclaires, Hansens, and Graces overwhelmed him. She was right. Together they could bring Resolution Ranch to life. Together they could overcome any obstacle.
Weston lifted his glass. “To Elaine and Travis, may your love infuse this ranch with new life, and bring second chances to those who need it most.”
Travis bent to take her upturned mouth. “I’ll seal that deal with a kiss.”
THE BEGINNING OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER
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Want more?
A HERO’S HEART – Sterling Walker & Emma Sinclaire (On Sale Now)
A HERO’S HAVEN – Cash Aiken & Kaycee Starr (On Sale Now)
A HERO’S HOME – Jason Case & Millie Prescott (Coming 2018)
A HERO’S HOPE – Braden McCall & Luci Cruz (Coming 2018)
A HERO’S HEART (On Sale Now!)
The town superstar has just met his match
When retired Army Captain and Prairie’s favorite son, Sterling Walker, returns home to join Restoration Ranch, he finds himself face to face with his biggest rival – Emma Sinclaire, the sole daughter of Prairie’s oldest family – all grown up, gorgeous, and glaring daggers at him.
Will it be winner take all in this battle of hearts?
A rising star at Kansas City’s internationally acclaimed Royal Fountain Media, Emma agrees to personally oversee the marketing and fundraising campaign for Resolution Ranch. But she never expected to come face to face with her high school nemesis, Sterling Walker, let alone have to work closely with him. As they face off across the boardroom, she can’t deny her attraction to the smart, sexy, soldier who engages her in battle at every turn.
When a moment of carelessness threatens to shut down the fundraiser before it starts, Sterling will put everything on the line to protect Emma’s reputation. Will it be enough to win Emma’s heart for good? Or will the fallout be the ruin of Resolution Ranch?
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: THE COWBOYS OF THE FLINT HILLS SERIES
PRAIRIE PASSION – Brodie Sinclaire & Jamey O’Neill (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE DESIRE – Ben Sinclaire & Hope Hansen (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE STORM – Axel Hansen & Haley Cooper (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE FIRE – Parker Hansen & Cassidy Grace (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE DEVIL – Colton Kincaid & Lydia Grace (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE FEVER – Gunnar Hansen & Suzannah Winslow (coming in 2018)
PRAIRIE BLISS – Jarrod O’Neill & Lexi Grace
PRAIRIE REDEMPTION – Cody Hansen & Carolina Grace
COMING IN APRIL 2018 – PRAIRIE DEVIL
He’s the Devil she shouldn’t want
Thrown out of the house when he was seventeen, bad boy Colton Kincaid left Prairie in the rear-view mirror and never looked back. Determined to make something of himself, he scrapped his way to superstardom at the top of the rodeo circuit, leaving behind a string of broken hearts. He’s perfectly happy with his no-strings-attached life until a chance encounter with hometown good girl Lydia Grace leaves him questioning everything and wanting a shot at redemption.
She’s the Angel he can never have
All Lydia Grace needs is one break. After having her concepts stolen by a famous shoe designer, she returns home to Prairie to start a boot company on her own. But when her break comes in the all too sexy form of Colton Kincaid, she wonders if she’s gotten more than she’s bargained for.
They say be careful what you wish for
To get her boot company off the ground, Lydia makes Colton an offer too good to refuse, but he ups the ante. Will the bargain she strikes bring her everything she’s dreamed of and more, or did she just make a deal with the devil?
Help a Hero – Read a Cowboy
KISS ME COWBOY – A Box Set for
Veterans
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Acknowledgements
This book series would not have been conceived but for an article I read over a year ago about the groundbreaking work of Heroes & Horses. My heartfelt thanks to this organization for their tireless support of veterans. Especially to Mackenzie Fink for the many conversations about military life and H&H.
To my mentor Kimberley Troutte, I am grateful to you every day.
To Genevieve Turner, Kait Nolan (aka blurb doctor) & Kara, for both your feedback, sense of dramatic arc, and for wine and chocolate.
To Amanda Kelsey, whose visual talent has brought my heroes to life on the covers. Seeing these heroes puts a smile on my face.
To Mr. Cowboy, for your smiling face, words of encouragement, wine at the end of the day and coffee in bed. I love you.
Lastly, to my readers in the Prairie Posse. You are an incredible group of women and I’m grateful to spend time with you almost every day. I’m especially grateful for the days when you send virtual supplies of chocolate, wine, and hawt cowboys :D