by R. C. Ryan
“Efan and me know. We’re going to the barn.”
Griff turned to look at his younger son. “Why would you think that?”
“’Cause mom said we’re going to Uncle Whit’s and Aunt Cara’s favorite place. And Uncle Ash said that would be the hayloft.”
With a roar of laughter, Griff and Juliet caught their boys’ hands and led the way toward the waiting wagon.
Ash and Brenna followed, with Willow and Brady moving along beside Mad and Myrna.
As soon as they were gone, Whit turned and raced up the stairs. Without knocking, he opened the door to find Cara staring out the window. The sight of her in a white sundress, her long blond hair cascading down her back in a riot of soft tangles, had his heart nearly bursting out of his chest with emotion.
“Thinking of running back to New York?”
She turned, her eyes bright with tears.
Seeing them, he hurried across the room to gather her close. “Don’t be sad.”
She wiped at her eyes. “I’m not sad. These are happy tears.”
He felt a wild rush of relief.
She caught his hand and led him to the window, where in the distance, they could make out the foundation that had already been set in place for the ranch house they were planning. It would guarantee them a bit of privacy but keep them close enough that they could always be near the family they both loved.
“Every time I look at what we’re building together, I feel so lucky. All my life I’ve been so alone, and feeling like I would never belong anywhere. And now…” She turned to him and felt the tears threaten again. “Now I have you and all your wonderful family. So many people to love, and who love me.”
“Don’t you ever forget how much you’re loved.”
When Whit bent to brush his mouth over hers, she felt the quick sexual tug deep inside.
“Come on, woman.” In his best imitation of an old Western codger, he caught her hand and led her to the stairs. “It’s time we got ourselves hitched.”
In the kitchen, he paused to offer her a lovely nosegay of wildflowers he’d picked. “Every bride should have flowers.”
She buried her face in them, fighting more tears.
“No more crying, woman.” He led her outside toward the small fancy horse and carriage awaiting them.
With a flick of the reins, they headed across the meadow, up a hill and down the other side, where everyone was waiting.
As they walked toward the creek, they passed Willow and Brady standing close together, smiling into one another’s eyes like lovers.
Griff and Juliet hugged them both, and Whit winked at their two little boys before whispering, “Sorry this isn’t the hayloft. But this is probably better for all these people, don’t you think?”
Casey nodded in agreement, feeling very important.
As Whit and Cara passed Ash and Brenna, Ash gave them a thumbs-up.
And then they were at the banks of Copper Creek, standing beside a tall, marble cross the family had commissioned to honor Bear.
Reverend Hamilton, who had officiated at the weddings of Willow and Bear, Ash and Brenna, and Griff and Juliet, and at the funeral of Bear MacKenzie just a year ago, beamed his approval as they spoke their vows.
It occurred to Cara that, for a girl who’d only dreamed of success, she had found it, not in the way she’d expected, but rather in the simplest of all things. Roots. Family. Tradition.
“You may kiss your bride.”
At the minister’s words, Whit turned and gathered Cara close, to the applause of everyone.
“Welcome to my world, Goldilocks.” Against her mouth he whispered, “As soon as the celebration winds up, you and I are heading to a very special honeymoon.”
“Did you already send up the supplies?”
He thought about the wagonload of goodies already in place at the newly renovated range shack, including a generator so they could take warm showers. “And for the next week, it’ll be just you and me. And the only chore will be opening a bottle of champagne or a longneck and grilling an occasional steak.”
“Think anybody will find us?”
“If they even come close, they’ll face the end of my rifle. It’s just you and me and the wildlife, Goldilocks. Just the way it all started.”
And then they were surrounded by well-wishers, hugging and kissing and shaking hands.
Cara looked over to see Whit exchanging high fives with his brothers.
Not just his brothers. Her brothers, too.
From this day on, she would never again be alone.
Ever since she was a little girl, she’d nurtured a very special dream. Soon, children the world over would be reading her stories, watching them in movies, and even playing with her characters and wearing clothes bearing their likeness. It was much more than she’d ever hoped for. And yet, of all her fantasies, this one had always seemed the most unreachable. Maybe that was why she’d refused to let herself believe.
Until now.
Family. Friends. And one very special man to love her just for herself, with all her flaws, all her fears, all her weaknesses. Somehow, with Whit MacKenzie beside her, she truly believed she could do anything she wanted.
Dreams really did come true.
Also by R. C. Ryan
Montana Legacy
Montana Destiny
Montana Glory
Quinn
Josh
Jake
The Maverick of Copper Creek
The Rebel of Copper Creek
Raves for R. C. Ryan’s Novels
THE REBEL OF COPPER CREEK
“Second in the Copper Creek Cowboys series, this book is a winner. Ryan writes with a realism that brings readers deep into the world she’s created. The characters all have an authenticity that touches the heart.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE MAVERICK OF COPPER CREEK
“Ryan’s storytelling is tinged with warmth and down-to-earth grit. Her authentic, distinctive characters will get to the heart of any reader. With a sweet plot infused with family love, a fiery romance, and a bit of mystery, Ryan does not disappoint.”
—RT Book Reviews
JAKE
“A must-read…cozy enough to make you want to venture into the wild west and find yourself a cowboy…And if you haven’t read a western romance before, R. C. Ryan is where you should start.”
—ReviewsbyMolly.com
“Wonderful characters who quickly find a way into your heart…a glorious picture of the west from one of my favorite authors.”
—FreshFiction.com
“A heartwarming tale about love, loss, and forgiveness…The characters seemed to spring to life from between the pages.”
—SeducedbyaBook.com
JOSH
“There’s plenty of hot cowboys, action, and romance in this heady mix of a series that will leave you breathless.”
—Parkersburg News and Sentinel (WV)
“A powerfully emotional tale that will connect with readers…Love a feel-good cowboy romance with a touch of suspense? Then pick up Josh.”
—RomRevToday.com
“This story is action-packed and fast-moving…A good solid story with fantastic characters and an interesting story line.”
—NightOwlReviews.com
QUINN
“Ryan takes readers to Big Sky country in a big way with her vivid visual dialogue as she gives us a touching love story with a mystery subplot. The characters, some good and one evil, will stay with you long after the book is closed.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Quinn is a satisfying read. R. C. Ryan is an accomplished and experienced storyteller. And if you enjoy contemporary cowboys in a similar vein to Linda Lael Miller, you’ll enjoy this.”
—GoodReads.com
“Engaging…Ryan paints a picturesque image of the rugged landscape and the boisterous, loving, close-knit Conway family.”
—Publishers Weekly
MONTANA GLORY
“These not-to-be-missed books are guaranteed to warm your heart!”
—FreshFiction.com
“Wonderful romantic suspense tale starring a courageous heroine who is a lioness protecting her cub and a reluctant knight in shining armor…a terrific taut thriller.”
—GenreGoRoundReviews.blogspot.com
MONTANA DESTINY
“5 stars!…The author, R. C. Ryan, delivers an ongoing, tantalizing mystery suspense with heartwarming romance. Sinfully yummy!”
—HuntressReviews.com
“Ryan’s amazing genius at creating characters with heartfelt emotions, wit, and passion is awe-inspiring. I can’t wait until Montana Glory comes out…so that I can revisit the McCord family!”
—TheRomanceReadersConnection.com
MONTANA LEGACY
A Cosmopolitan “Red Hot Read”
“A captivating start to a new series.”
—BookPage
“Heart-melting sensuality…this engaging story skillfully refreshes a classic trilogy pattern and sets the stage for the stories to come.”
—Library Journal
R. C. Ryan presents a thrilling
new series featuring the Malloy family.
Please see the next page
for a special preview.
In the hills above the Malloy ranch, Matt unsaddled his horse and filled the troughs with feed and water before stepping out of the lean-to behind the range shack that served as a storage shed and stall.
He’d had a great time riding across snow-covered pastures, drinking in the sights and sounds that nourished his soul. He’d charted the path of a pair of eagles soaring on currents of air and had paused to watch a pure white mustang stallion leading his herd toward a box canyon that offered shelter and food. He intended to relate the location to Maggie, since she’d been hunting that stallion for a year or more.
Hearing the sound of an engine, Matt ran a hand through his beard and rounded the cabin in time to see Burke just stepping down from the driver’s side.
The old man was grinning like a fool as he circled the truck and opened the passenger door.
Matt stopped in midstride at the sight that greeted him.
The passenger was tall, blond, and gorgeous. She was wearing a charcoal suit jacket over a skinny little skirt that barely skimmed her thighs. When she stepped into the snow, her high-heeled shoes sank ankle-deep, causing her to hiss out a breath before she gamely forged ahead, extending her hand.
“Matthew Malloy? Vanessa Kettering.” Her smile may have been forced, but the handshake was firm.
“Vanessa.” Matt’s hand closed around hers while he looked beyond her to where old Burke was clearly enjoying his little joke as he retrieved a laptop case. “Do you prefer Vanessa or Miss Kettering?”
“My friends call me Nessa.”
“Okay.” He glanced down. “Sorry about the snow. This is springtime in Montana.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t something you could control.” She managed a smile as she removed her sunglasses and looked around. “Though, if I’d known our meeting would be in the hills, I’d have dressed more appropriately.”
“I’m sorry about that as well. I agreed at the last minute to stand in for my grandmother.” Matt led the way to the door and held it while she entered.
He shot the old cowboy a killing look before following her inside.
Burke set the leather bag on the table before walking to the door. “I’ll just get those supplies you asked for, boss, and I’ll be on my way up to the herd.”
“Make yourself comfortable, Vanessa.” Matt turned to Burke. “I’ll give you a hand with those supplies.”
He trailed Burke out to the truck.
“Very funny. You could have called and told me to expect a woman.”
“Yeah. I could have.” Burke chuckled. “I even packed some of your grandpa’s whiskey, just in case she drinks like all the other Eastern lawyers.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, old man?”
Burke chuckled. “More than I should. I wish you could’ve seen your face. It was priceless.”
Matt burst into laughter. “Okay. You got me. But you have to know I’ll find a way to get even with you for this.”
“Oh, don’t I know it.” The old cowboy was whistling as he hauled a box of supplies to the cabin. He was still whistling as he walked back to the truck and drove away.
Matt glanced at the young woman, who bent to remove first one shoe, then the other, all the while wiping away the snow with a tissue. As she did, Matt found himself admiring her backside in the trim skirt that fit her like a second skin.
When she turned and caught him staring, he tried to cover himself by indicating a rocker in front of the fireplace. “Why don’t you sit here and I’ll crank up the heat?”
While Vanessa settled into the rocker, he added a fresh log and kindling to the embers and soon had a fire blazing.
She gave a sigh of appreciation. “Oh, that feels good.” She glanced around the tiny cabin. “Is there someplace I can freshen up?”
“Bathroom’s over there.” Matt pointed and she slipped into her shoes before crossing the room.
Minutes later she emerged and took her time looking around the room. “This is a lot more comfortable than it looks from the outside. When we first got here, I really thought Burke was having fun with me. Especially since he was grinning from ear to ear.”
“Yeah. That’s Burke.” Matt clenched his jaw, wishing he could have a do-over for the day. If he’d known he would be stuck entertaining some prissy female lawyer, he’d have sent her packing without the benefit of a meeting. “That old cowboy’s always the joker.”
Matt nodded toward the kitchen counter, where he’d unpacked the supplies he’d requested. “Would you like to warm up with coffee, beer, wine, or whiskey?”
She laughed. “I think I’d better keep a clear head while we have our discussion. I’ll settle for coffee.”
Matt filled a coffeemaker with water and freshly ground coffee. Soon the little cabin was perfumed with the fragrance.
After pouring two cups, he turned. Vanessa had already laid out several documents on either side of the wooden table in the center of the room and had her laptop humming.
“Efficient. I like that.” He set a steaming cup in front of her and rounded to the other side. “The sooner we talk, the sooner you can get back to civilization.”
She nodded. “My thoughts exactly. Especially since the company jet will be returning from Helena to fly me back to Chicago as soon as I’m ready.”
“Your wild-animal federation can afford its own jet?”
“Not the federation. But one of the members of the board, Clayton Anderson, made his company jet available, since he was heading on to Helena for business. He’ll be back to pick me up in a couple of hours.”
“All right, then.” Eager to finish the meeting and get rid of this intrusion on his privacy, Matt took a seat and picked up the first page of the mound of documents. “Let’s get to it. My grandmother said you want the Malloy take on the number of wild animals being removed from the government’s endangered species list.”
“Exactly. The Malloy ranch is successful enough to pack some clout with the officials who set the rules. We’re hoping the Malloy name will make a difference.”
Matt compressed his lips and decided to keep his thoughts to himself until he’d had more time to see just where this was leading—both with the animals and with this gorgeous woman.
After his father’s death, Ash MacKenzie returns home only to settle his family affairs. But a chance encounter with the beautiful woman who was his first love gives him a reason to stay…
Please see the next page
for an excerpt from
The Maverick of Copper Creek
to see where the
Copper Creek Cowboys series began…
Chapter One
Hawk’s Wing, Wyoming
Present
Day
’Morning, Ash.” The fresh-faced banker looked like a high school junior, with wire-rimmed glasses and short-cropped hair. He offered a handshake before indicating the chair across from his desk.
“Jason.” Ash shook the young banker’s hand and sat, setting his wide-brimmed hat on the chair beside him.
Ash MacKenzie had thought about dressing up for this meeting but decided against it, settling instead for a quick shower and shave. He’d been up before dawn and had already completed a couple of hours of ranch chores. Right now he just wanted to get this nasty business behind him before returning home to face the rest of the day in one round after another of back-breaking work. Work that would all be in vain if he couldn’t persuade the bank to increase his loan so he could pay off his debtors, who were snapping at his heels.
“What can I do for you this morning, Ash?”
“I’m here to talk about extending my loan.”
The banker’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Extending the length of the payback?”
Ash gave a quick shake of his head. “I’d like to borrow more money and have it added to the back end of my original loan.”
“You already owe fifty thousand. Why would you want more?”
Ash dug out the documents and passed them across the desk. “My taxes are due, and I just put a new roof on the barn. There was a leak in the irrigation system, flooding the south pasture, and the company that installed it for the prior owner refused to admit that they were at fault. The lowest bid I could get for the repair came to more than thirty thousand.”
The young banker blew out a breath. “Wow, Ash. Looks like you got yourself a whole ton of troubles.”
Ash had learned at his father’s knee to never show fear. His tone was rock-steady. “I can handle them, Jason. I just need a quick infusion of cash, and a little time, and I’ll be operating on all cylinders again.”