“The horse I drew was a bad spinner,” Tanner said. “Should have known when he looked back at me with those beady brown eyes. I thought I had him from the mark out but then he set me up. When he rolled back, everything went south. Landed on the saddle and fought for a while. Worst of it all, I was riding slack. Wasn’t even a performance.” Tanner caught himself mid-explanation, aware that he was talking too much. It was a problem he had when he was nervous. He shut his mouth, then caught Keira’s puzzled look.
“You hurt your shoulder?” she asked.
Tanner hadn’t even realized he’d rolled his injured shoulder till she pointed it out. “It’s nothing.” It was more than nothing, but he didn’t want her sympathy.
If she cared enough to give it.
Keira gave him a curt nod as she continued her inspection.
Tanner cleared his throat, wishing he felt less self-conscious in Keira’s presence. He’d struggled for the past six years to forget her. To forget how she had chosen to walk away from him without a word, without a response to his request to reconcile their broken engagement. An engagement she had called off. It had been a long, hard-won victory over his emotions and his past, and even despite losing Roger, he felt as if he had come to a better place in his life. A place where he could look ahead instead of always thinking about the “could-have-beens.”
Coming back here was a test for him. Keira’s continued hold on his heart had been preventing him from building new relationships.
He had hoped that by seeing Keira again he might finally be able to put her place in his life in perspective. Maybe even rid himself of her ever-present shadow.
Trouble was, now that he saw her again, he wasn’t sure if that was even possible.
Other Series
I have many other books for you to enjoy. Check them out here.
COWBOYS OF ASPEN VALLEY
#1 Western Hearts - December 1, 2021
#2 Western Wishes - January 12, 2022
#3 Western Romance - March 2, 2022
#4 Western Kisses - April 20, 2022
#5 Western Vows - June 8, 2022
#6 Western Blessings - July 20, 2022
ASPEN VALLEY HOMECOMING
#1 The Way Back Home
#2 The Way Back to Faith
#3 The Way Back to Hope
#4 The Way Back to Love
LOVE IN MILLARS CROSSING
#1 A Family’s Christmas
#2 A Family’s Blessing
#3 A Family’s Hope
#4 A Family’s Promise
MILLARS CROSSING ROMANCE
#1 COUNTRY ROMANCE
#2 COUNTRY COURTSHIP
#3 COUNTRY PROPOSAL
#4 COUNTRY WEDDING
FAMILY BONDS
#1 SEEKING HOME
A rancher who suffered a tragic loss. A single mother on the edge. Can these two find the courage to face a romantic new beginning?
#2 CHOOSING HOME
If you like emergency room drama, second chances, and quaint small-town settings, then you’ll adore this romance.
#3 COMING HOME
He thought she chose a hotel over him. She thought he loved money more than her. Years later, can they fill the emptiness in their hearts?
#4 FINDING HOME
She’s hiding a terrible truth. He’s trying to overcome his scandalous history. Together, forgiveness might give them a second chance.
FAMILY TIES
Four siblings trying to finding their way back to family and faith
A COWBOY’S REUNION
He’s still reeling from the breakup. She’s ashamed of what she did. Can a chance reunion mend the fence, or are some hearts forever broken? If you like second chance stories, buried passions, and big country settings, then you’ll love this emotional novel.
“I enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down and had to finish it. If the rest of this series is this great, I look forward to reading more books by Carolyne Aarsen.” Karen Semones - Amazon Review
THE COWBOY’S FAMILY
She's desperate. He's loyal. Will a dark lie hold them back from finding love on the ranch? If you like determined heroines, charming cowboys, and family dramas, then you’ll love this heartfelt novel.
“What a wonderful series! The first book is Cowboy's Reunion. Tricia's story begins in that book. Emotional stories with wonderful characters. Looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.” Jutzie - Amazon reviewer
TAMING THE COWBOY
A saddle bronc trying to prove himself worthy to a father who never loved him. A wedding planner whose ex-fiancee was too busy chasing his own dreams to think of hers. Two people, completely wrong for each other who yet need each other in ways they never realized. Can they let go of their own plans to find a way to heal together?
“This is the third book in the series and I have loved them all. . . . can't wait to see what happens with the last sibling.” - Amazon reviewer
THE COWBOY’S RETURN
The final book in the Family Ties Series:
He enlisted in the military, leaving his one true love behind.
She gave herself to a lesser man and paid a terrible price.
In their hometown of Rockyview, they can choose to come together or say a final goodbye...
'This author did an amazing job of turning heartache into happiness with realism and inspirational feeling.” Marlene - Amazon Reviewer
SWEETHEARTS OF SWEET CREEK
Come back to faith and love
#1 HOMECOMING
Be swept away by this sweet romance of a woman's search for belonging and second chances and the rugged rancher who helps her heal.
#2 - HER HEARTS PROMISE
When the man she once loved reveals a hidden truth about the past, Nadine has to choose between justice and love.
#3 - CLOSE TO HIS HEART
Can love triumph over tragedy?
#4 - DIVIDED HEARTS
To embrace a second chance at love, they'll need to discover the truths of the past and the possibilities of the future…
#5 - A HERO AT HEART
If you like rekindled chemistry, family drama, and small, beautiful towns, then you’ll love this story of heart and heroism.
#6 - A MOTHER’S HEART
If you like matchmaking daughters, heartfelt stories of mending broken homes, and fixer-upper romance, then this story of second chances is just right for you.
HOLMES CROSSING SERIES
The Only Best Place is the first book in the Holmes Crossing Series.
#1 THE ONLY BEST PLACE
One mistake jeopardized their relationship. Will surrendering her dreams to save their marriage destroy her?
#2 ALL IN ONE PLACE
She has sass, spunk and a haunting secret.
#3 THIS PLACE
Her secret could destroy their second chance at love
#4 A SILENCE IN THE HEART
Can a little boy, an injured kitten and a concerned vet with his own past pain, break down the walls of Tracy’s heart?
#5 ANY MAN OF MINE
Living with three brothers has made Danielle tired of guys and cowboys. She wants a man. But is she making the right choice?
#6 A PLACE IN HER HEART
Her new boss shattered her dreams and now she has to work with him. But his vision for the magazine she loves puts them at odds. Can they find a way to work together or will his past bitterness blind him to future love.
Reader Group
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Contents
Reader Group
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Other Series
Reader Group
Western Hearts: A sweet, cowboy romance (Cowboys of Aspen Valley Book 1) Page 21