“I don’t know,” Jane half whispered, doing her best to keep the conversation between the two of them. “I guess I have writer’s block or something.”
“Well you need to get over it.” Caroline paused when a server approached.
“One bottle of Chateau Margaux Pavillon Rogue.” The man made a grand presentation out of opening the bottle and pouring a taste into the wineglass before handing it to Caroline.
Her agent sniffed at the rim of the glass, her nose wrinkled, and then she swirled the glass before taking a microscopic sip. “I hate it.” Caroline handed the glass back to the server. “Bring me the Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon instead. And bring us a free cheese plate for waiting so long,” she called to his retreating back.
Normally the rude tone would’ve made Jane cringe but given what she’d been through in the last hour she was all out of cringes.
“The only thing they liked in the whole book was your hero,” Caroline said getting back to business. “Keep him and scrap everything else.”
“The hero? Are you sure?” The hero was actually the one thing she wouldn’t mind completely scrapping.
“What’s not to love?” Caroline demanded. “The hero is every woman’s dream—rugged, sexy, confident.”
Or a total showoff. Jane would never admit it in a million years, but she’d based the hero on Toby Garrett. And it was true, he was every woman’s fantasy. She’d gone to high school with the cowboy, and he wasn’t only charming and good looking. He was also crazy smart, a straight A student, and a star athlete. Oh, and he also happened to be the one who’d tempted her to let her guard down that night.
She hadn’t intended to write a hero based on Toby, but between the looming deadline and the writer’s block, she’d suddenly found herself looking up old yearbook photos of him and Googling his stats out on the rodeo circuit. She’d rather not explore why.
Not that she had to worry about anyone finding out. Her writing career was a secret—protected by a pseudonym. Not even her mom or her best friend Beth knew about it.
When she’d first started writing, it had simply been a way for her to escape, to take the edge off the hours she spent by herself after she’d finished college and grad school and no longer had a rigorous schedule to keep her so busy. She’d filled her world with friends…only they weren’t real.
On a whim, she’d submitted the manuscript to a contest and she’d ended up with a publishing contract. She signed it on one condition—she would never have to reveal her true identity. Knowing no one else would ever learn she was the one behind those words had given her a courage she’d never had. It ensured no one would ever see more of her than she wanted them to.
“The hero stays.” Caroline’s glare dared Jane to argue. “You have six weeks to turn in a new book or I’m afraid they won’t offer you another contract.”
Jane choked on a sip of water. “Six weeks?” There was no way. She hadn’t been able to write a solid story in six months, let alone six weeks. “I’m leaving to spend three weeks at my mom’s ranch in Colorado. My best friend is getting married. We’re going to be so busy with all the events—”
Caroline’s smile looked more terrifying than friendly. “Well it sounds like that might be the perfect opportunity for you to find some inspiration.”
Acknowledgments
This is a story that has long been hidden in my heart, and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me bring it out into the world.
To Megan Records, my editor on this project, thank you for your skilled eyes and your invaluable feedback. Your attention to detail made this story what it is.
To Erin Romero, my amazing sister and best friend, thank you for letting me drag you away from everything for our sisters retreat, and then for working the whole time we were away! There is no one else I would want as my very first reader on a manuscript, and I am so grateful for your help in getting this project ready for publication.
To my sweet mama, Emy Lou Remley, thank you for reading an advance copy of this story, and for your skilled proofreading abilities. Having your fingerprints on this project means so much to me.
To Toni Linenberger, thank you reading and loving this story! You are a true champion of the romance genre and I value your insight more than I can say.
To Will, AJ, and Kaleb, thank you for always having my back, for reminding me what is truly important, and for showing me the truth about love every single day.
I am beyond blessed to have so many wonderful friends, family members, and readers who inspire me with their world-changing love. Writing stories of hope would not be possible without you.
About the Author
National bestselling author Sara Richardson writes uplifting stories about love, friendship, and family. Her books have received numerous award nominations and critical acclaim, with Publishers Weekly recognizing her stories as “emotionally rich, charmingly funny, and sensitive.”
Completing a master’s degree in journalism inspired Sara to become a storyteller, and she wrote her first novel soon after. When not writing, Sara can be found teaching Pilates or hiking the trails near her house. A lifelong Colorado girl, Sara lives and plays near the mountains with her husband, two sons, two fur babies, and a tortoise named Leo.
Also by Sara Richardson
HEART OF THE ROCKIES
No Better Man
Something Like Love
One Christmas Wish (ebook novella)
More Than a Feeling
Rocky Mountain Wedding (ebook novella)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RIDERS
Hometown Cowboy
Comeback Cowboy
Renegade Cowboy
Rocky Mountain Cowboy (ebook novella)
True-Blue Cowboy
Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas (ebook novella)
Colorado Cowboy
A Cowboy for Christmas
This Place Called Home: Includes Bonus Story! (Forget-Me-Not Ranch) Page 26