Rocky Mountain Hero
Page 20
“Looks like you’ve found your niche.” Gabe slid into place on the bench next to her. “Head babysitter, huh?”
“Kinda nice knowing I’m needed for something.”
“I need you for a lot more than something.”
He brushed a kiss over her lips. Melanie tasted strawberries, cream and adoration. A powerful combination by any standard. She nuzzled her nose into his neck. “I’m glad to hear it. I’ve grown kind of fond of you, too.”
Gabe set the cones down and shifted beside her. He drew her back against his chest, his strong, suntanned arms wrapped around her. Goose bumps rose as his chin brushed against her ear. She cuddled Adam closer and watched Jason push Wyatt Deacon in the old tree swing across the yard.
Life couldn’t get any better.
He tickled her ear with his lips. “Fond, huh? Would you say fond enough to marry me?”
She looked up at him and drank in his rugged profile, the familiar sparkle in his root-beer-colored eyes. “That fond, and so much more.”
She kissed him to show how far beyond fond her love went.
Life had just become the best.
Dear Reader,
Don’t you just love winning against all odds? I love happily-ever-after endings, which is the reason I write romance novels. When Gabe and Melanie first stormed my mind, I couldn’t imagine how a stressed-out single mother from the big city and an overworked rancher from a small mountain town could ever set aside their worries and responsibilities long enough to let that spark of attraction ignite a coal, much less fan a flame. Melanie and Gabe didn’t make time to search for soul mates for themselves. But God, who is faithful and just, brought them together at just the right time, just when they needed each other the most.
Isn’t God great that way? Everyone wants to feel loved, cherished and appreciated. Sometimes God says yes, sometimes no. More often than not, He says wait. I have the hardest time with that answer. Don’t we all? But if we’re faithful with the little things, God will gift us with the best ones. Isn’t that just too cool?
Thank you for choosing Rocky Mountain Hero, my debut novel. I hope you enjoyed Gabe, Melanie and Jason, and all the fine folks of Hawk Ridge. Remember, life’s too short to dwell on the bad. Trust in the Lord. He has everything well in hand.
I would love to hear from you! Please visit my website www.audraharders.com or e-mail me at audraharders@yahoo. com. Or you can write to me c/o Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.
Blessings to you!
Audra Harders
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
At the beginning of the book, Melanie is on her way to a job interview for a company she’s not familiar with, in a town she’s never visited. She wants to start her life anew. Do you ever feel like you want to leave the old behind and jump into something new? How do you feel about it?
Gabe takes his responsibility as manager of the family ranch to heart. He resents his brothers’ having moved on with their lives and feels left behind. Is he justified in his feelings? What could he do besides allow the irritation to fester?
Gabe owns a video game system and invites Jason to play a game. Melanie had intended this vacation teach Jason the appeal of nonelectronic entertainment by enjoying the mountains and outdoors. Did Melanie choose the right approach to distract Jason? How would you distract a child from obsessive activity?
When Gabe receives the repair bill for Melanie’s truck, he barters with her—he’ll pay for the repairs if she plans the auction barbecue. Melanie feels helpless, thinking she has no choice but to accept Gabe’s offer. Have you ever felt without choices in a serious situation? How did you handle it?
Melanie hadn’t entered a church in years, blaming hypocrisy in the church when her friends abandoned her upon the discovery of her pregnancy. Has there been a time in your life where you’ve felt all alone in the world? How did you respond?
Grace Davidson has faith in the Lord to restore her splintered family. What drove the family apart?
Melanie is afraid Jason will injure himself on the swing despite the reassurances of the local folks that the swing is safe. She had to try it for herself before she could trust. Can you think of a circumstance where you didn’t feel comfortable in a situation until you lived through it? How do you feel when people don’t trust your opinion?
When Martin suffers a heart attack, Gabe realizes the vulnerability of his father and develops concern over his own ability to run the ranch without his father’s ever-present advice. Do you fear the future? If you were in a similar situation and your mentor was leaving you, would you be confident in yourself to carry on? Why?
Jason is surrounded by love and acceptance from the Davidsons the moment they meet him. Melanie longs for that unconditional acceptance and love for her son. She secretly longs for it herself. Why would a person who desires love feel unworthy of being loved?
Grace Davidson loves to meddle in lives. She sees it as giving folks a helping hand. Gabe feels her involvement causes more harm than good. How do you feel about someone doing something for you without your permission because it’s the best thing for you?
Melanie maintained contact with her parents, but for eight years never revealed she’d kept her son because they hadn’t approved of her pregnancy. Do you think she should have mended fences long ago? How would you handle a situation like this?
Melanie falls in love with Gabe and senses he feels the same about her. Why would she want to leave the Circle D when everyone there and in the town of Hawk Ridge accepts and loves her? What would you do if you were in her situation?
What is Gabe’s attitude after Melanie leaves? What difference do you think Melanie made in his life?
What kind of an impact did Gabe have on Jason’s life? What did Gabe and Jason learn from each other?
Melanie and Jason live in Colorado Springs, a city with many economic and cultural opportunities. Yet Melanie wanted to raise Jason in a small rural town. Do you think she chose wisely?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7996-8
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HERO
Copyright © 2011 by Audra Harders
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.SteepleHill.com