“Go on, now.” Pete looked like the cat who’d swallowed the canary.
“Kenny—” Taryn started as she glanced around at the obvious audience.
“Taryn.” He turned toward her. “I’ve loved you since last Christmas, when you became the best present I’d ever gotten. Will you do me one better this year by agreein’ to be my wife?” He dropped to one knee, but with his height, he barely had to look up into her face.
A single tear slithered down her right cheek. She nodded.
“Make her say yes!” someone called.
“Taryn?” Kenny grinned at her. “You better say yes for the people.”
“Yes.”
He swooped her into his arms and kissed her. “Best Christmas ever,” he whispered as he set her down and rested his forehead against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Kenny.”
“Let’s eat,” Frank said, and the chaos Kenny was used to—the business and liveliness of the ranch he loved—ensued. He felt like the luckiest man in the world, and he closed his eyes and sent a prayer of thanksgiving toward heaven to be here, in Three Rivers, on the ranch, with the people he loved most.
Especially Taryn, he thought just before opening his eyes to the spread of what was sure to be the most delicious Christmas feast he’d ever eaten.
Read on for a sneak peek at The First Lady of Three Rivers Ranch, a bonus novel in the Three Rivers Ranch Romance series, coming on December 5, 2016!
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Other Books in the Three Rivers Ranch Romance series by Liz Isaacson
Second Chance Ranch: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance (Book 1): After his deployment, injured and discharged Major Squire Ackerman returns to Three Rivers Ranch, wanting to forgive Kelly for ignoring him a decade ago. He’d like to provide the stable life she needs, but with old wounds opening and a ranch on the brink of financial collapse, it will take patience and faith to make their second chance possible.
Read now!
Third Time's the Charm: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance (Book 2): First Lieutenant Peter Marshall has a truckload of debt and no way to provide for a family, but Chelsea helps him see past all the obstacles, all the scars. With so many unknowns, can Pete and Chelsea develop the love, acceptance, and faith needed to find their happily ever after?
Read now!
Fourth and Long: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance (Book 3): Commander Brett Murphy goes to Three Rivers Ranch to find some rest and relaxation with his Army buddies. Having his ex-wife show up with a seven-year-old she claims is his son is anything but the R&R he craves. Kate needs to make amends, and Brett needs to find forgiveness, but are they too late to find their happily ever after?
Read now!
Fifth Generation Cowboy: A Three RIvers Ranch Romance (Book 4): Tom Lovell has watched his friends find their true happiness on Three Rivers Ranch, but everywhere he looks, he only sees friends. Rose Reyes has been bringing her daughter out to the ranch for equine therapy for months, but it doesn't seem to be working. Her challenges with Mari are just as frustrating as ever. Could Tom be exactly what Rose needs? Can he remove his friendship blinders and find love with someone who's been right in front of him all this time?
Read now!
Sixth Street Love Affair: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance Novella (Volume 5): After losing his wife a few years back, Garth Ahlstrom thinks he's ready for a second chance at love. But Juliette Thompson has a secret that could destroy their budding relationship. Can they find the strength, patience, and faith to make things work?
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Read now!
The Seventh Sergeant: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance (Book 6): Life has finally started to settle down for Sergeant Reese Sanders after his devastating injury overseas. Discharged from the Army and now with a good job at Courage Reins, he’s finally found happiness—until a horrific fall puts him right back where he was years ago: Injured and depressed. Carly Watters, Reese's new veteran care coordinator, dislikes small towns almost as much as she loathes cowboys. But she finds herself faced with both when she gets assigned to Reese's case. Do they have the humility and faith to make their relationship more than professional?
Read now!
Eight Second Ride: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance (Book 7): Ethan Greene loves his work at Three Rivers Ranch, but he can't seem to find the right woman to settle down with. When sassy yet vulnerable Brynn Bowman shows up at the ranch to recruit him back to the rodeo circuit, he takes a different approach with the barrel racing champion. His patience and newfound faith pay off when a friendship--and more--starts with Brynn. But she wants out of the rodeo circuit right when Ethan wants to rejoin. Can they find the path God wants them to take and still stay together?
Read now!
Christmas in Three Rivers: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance Novella Collection (Volume 8): Isn't Christmas the best time to fall in love? The cowboys of Three Rivers Ranch think so. Join four of them as they journey toward their path to happily ever after in four, all-new novellas in the Amazon #1 Bestselling Three Rivers Ranch Romance series.
THE NINTH INNING: The Christmas season has never felt like such a burden to boutique owner Andrea Larsen. But with Mama gone and the holidays upon her, Andy finds herself wishing she hadn't been so quick to judge her former boyfriend, cowboy Lawrence Collins. Well, Lawrence hasn't forgotten about Andy either, and he devises a plan to get her out to the ranch so they can reconnect. Do they have the faith and humility to patch things up and start a new relationship?
TEN DAYS IN TOWN: Sandy Keller is tired of the dating scene in Three Rivers. Though she owns the pancake house, she's looking for a fresh start, which means an escape from the town where she grew up. When her older brother's best friend, Tad Jorgensen, comes to town for the holidays, it is a balm to his weary soul. A helicopter tour guide who experienced a near-death experience, he's looking to start over too--but in Three Rivers. Can Sandy and Tad navigate their troubles to find the path God wants them to take--and discover true love--in only ten days?
ELEVEN YEAR REUNION: Pastry chef extraordinaire, Grace Lewis has moved to Three Rivers to help Heidi Ackerman open a bakery in Three Rivers. Grace relishes the idea of starting over in a town where no one knows about her failed cupcakery. She doesn't expect to run into her old high school boyfriend, Jonathan Carver. A carpenter working at Three Rivers Ranch, Jon's in town against his will. But with Grace now on the scene, Jon's thinking life in Three Rivers is suddenly looking up. But with her focus on baking and his disdain for small towns, can they make their eleven year reunion stick?
THE TWELFTH TOWN: Newscaster Taryn Tucker has had enough of life on-screen. She's bounced from town to town before arriving in Three Rivers, completely alone and completely anonymous--just the way she now likes it. She takes a job cleaning at Three Rivers Ranch, hoping for a chance to figure out who she is and where God wants her. When she meets happy-go-lucky cowhand Kenny Stockton, she doesn't expect sparks to fly. Kenny's always been "the best friend" for his female friends, but the pull between him and Taryn can't be denied. Will they have the courage and faith necessary to make their opposite worlds mesh?
Read now!
The First Lady of Three Rivers Ranch: A Three Rivers Ranch Romance (Book 9): Heidi Duffin has been dreaming about opening her own bakery since she was thirteen years old. She scrimped and saved for years to afford baking and pastry school in San Francisco. And now she only has one year left before she's a certified pastry chef. Frank Ackerman's father has recently retired, and he's taken over the largest cattle ranch in the Texas Panhan
dle. A horseman through and through, he's also nearing thirty-one and looking for someone to bring love and joy to a homestead that's been dominated by men for a decade. But when he convinces Heidi to come clean the cowboy cabins, she changes all that. But the siren's call of a bakery is still loud in Heidi's ears, even if she's also seeing a future with Frank. Can she rely on her faith in ways she's never had to before or will their relationship end when summer does?
This bonus novel is coming on December 5!
Pre-order today and get the book right on release day!
Read on for a sneak peek at the first chapter of The First Lady of Three Rivers Ranch!
The possibilities had never been so wide open for Heidi Duffin. Though she needed a job—and quickly—she had four applications out, only one year remaining until she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Baking and Pastry Arts, and a whole summer to enjoy herself.
“Why are we driving out here again?” Heidi peered into the nothingness surrounding her as her younger sister aimed their truck west down the middle of the two-lane highway.
“It’s the first dance of summer in Three Rivers,” Maggie said. “And Chase will be there.”
Heidi frowned, her mind whirring to try to remember who Chase was. She couldn’t. “And he’s…?”
“He’s the boy I met a couple of weeks ago in Daddy’s store.” Maggie glanced at Heidi, her fingers flexing on the steering wheel. “The cowboy?”
Realization lit up Heidi’s mind at the same time her frown deepened. “Oh, yes. The cowboy.”
“You don’t have to say it like that.” Maggie made her chuckle sound light, but Heidi knew annoyance sat just below the surface. “We aren’t all big city girls.” Maggie lifted her chin and pressed a bit harder on the accelerator. “I like cowboys.”
“And apparently driving an hour for a dance.” Heidi brushed something invisible from her skirt. “He must be somethin’ special.”
Maggie giggled, and Heidi was reminded of the three-year difference in their ages. “He is. You met anyone in San Francisco?”
Heidi had been grilled by her mother, and her grandmother, and then each of her mother’s three sisters. As if she needed to find a handsome chef before she finished her own journey through culinary school. As if that was the only way to have value as a woman, even though it was nineteen-eighty-six and lots of women were joining the workforce these days.
And there had been Westin….
She shook her head, dislodging the dark eyes that always seemed so angry, and said, “No, I’m too busy baking to be dating.”
“Oh, come on, Heidi. Surely you don’t bake all day and all night.”
She sighed. “No, but some days it feels like it.” And she wouldn’t have it any other way, despite the aching back and sore feet. Heidi was destined to have her own bakery someday, and she would. She absolutely would. She’d thought of little else for the past two years as she went to school in San Francisco, little else for the four years it had taken her to work and save for culinary school, little else since she was thirteen years old.
“So tell me about Chase,” she said to get the questions away from her.
“He’s a wrangler at the Three Rivers Ranch, and he is soo cute,” Maggie singsonged. Heidi smiled at the exuberance of her sister. Of the three she had, Maggie was Heidi’s favorite. The next youngest, Bridgette, had just graduated from high school and had started cosmetology school a week ago.
The baby of the family, Kayla, still had a couple years of high school left. Heidi loved all her sisters, but she and Maggie had been through the most together, caused the most trouble, and though they were practically opposites, Heidi got along great with her. Plus, Maggie had always helped out the most when their mom had to teach piano lessons late.
The two girls had put dinner on the table every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, and sometimes more if Momma went to help Daddy at the store. He owned and operated a farming supply store, which made it possible for Maggie to meet boys like Chase.
If their Daddy knew that, though…he might close his doors. Heidi let the smile she felt show on her face. She loved her parents, and they’d worked hard to provide a good life for her and her sisters. Though she’d saved and scrimped, her parents had helped pay for pastry school. And heaven knew that wasn’t cheap.
Thank you, she sent heavenward, the way she had everyday for the past two years. Gratitude filled her as signs of a town finally came into view.
“Oh, thank goodness,” she said, picking at her pink mini-skirt again. “I though we’d never get here.”
“It’s not that far,” Maggie said as she slowed and entered the town of Three Rivers. “The dance is in the park.” She leaned forward as if the giant windshield didn’t provide an adequate view of her destination.
She turned here and there, and the streets became choked with cars and trucks. “Is the whole town coming to this dance?” Heidi peered out her window.
“Probably,” Maggie said. “Chase said it was a big deal—the first dance of the summer, Heidi!”
“Yeah, first dance.”
“Chase said the only event that’s bigger is the Fourth of July celebration. Rodeos, picnics, parades. He says he’s gonna come pick me up for that.”
“Great,” Heidi deadpanned. “You already got the weekend off?”
“No,” Maggie said airily. “But Bridgette will cover for me if I need her to.”
“Bridgette just started school,” Heidi reminded her. “She hasn’t been home before ten o’clock in the past week.”
Something akin to panic raced across Maggie’s face. “Kayla, then.”
“You haven’t told Daddy about Chase, have you?”
Maggie pulled behind another truck, the park nowhere in sight. “We’ll have to walk.”
“Maggie,” Heidi warned.
“No,” she said. “Okay? No, I haven’t told Momma or Daddy about Chase.”
“Where do they think we are?”
“Oh, I told them we were comin’ out the dance here in Three Rivers.” She slid Heidi a mischievous grin that usually led to them being up a creek without a paddle. Literally, that had happened once after a cocked eyebrow like the one Maggie wore now. “I just didn’t say why.”
Heidi didn’t want to grin at her sister, but she did, feeling younger than she had in a long time. “Okay, well, I can’t wait to meet Chase.”
Terror tamped out the excitement in Maggie’s face. “Surely you’ll find someone to dance with.”
Heidi stared at her sister. “What do you mean? I came with you.”
“I don’t want you to meet Chase,” Maggie blurted. “He’ll like you more than me.”
Heidi blinked, blinked. “What?”
Maggie’s eyes rounded and she fiddled her fingers around each other. “You’re prettier than me. And the boys always like you more.”
Heidi burst into laughter, her sister’s worry ridiculous. “That only happened once, and only because Elliot was a senior and was embarrassed to admit he liked a freshman.”
It was Maggie’s turn to blink and say, “What?”
“Yeah, that’s what he told me at prom. That he really wanted to ask you, but you were too young.” Heidi tossed a dry look to Maggie. “It wasn’t my best date.” She climbed out of the truck and took a deep breath of the fresh air. She’d give Three Rivers a nod for that. “So don’t worry, Mags. I won’t steal Chase from you.”
They walked the two blocks to the park, where the country music could be heard after the first block. Maggie swept the crowd, looking for the one face she knew, while Heidi hung behind her. She didn’t know anyone here, and she didn’t really care to.
“Maggie!” a man called, and both Heidi and Maggie swung in the direction it came from. A blond cowboy pushed through the crowd and swept a giggling Maggie off her feet. His blue eyes sparkled with laughter and he slung his arm around her shoulders as they faced Heidi.
“Chase, this is my sister,” Maggie said, an edge of anxiet
y riding in her eyes. “Heidi.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Heidi.” Chase grinned and extended his hand toward Heidi. She shook it, and shuffled her feet as he turned back to Maggie and started talking.
“I’ll see you later, okay?”
Heidi yanked her gaze back to Maggie. “Later?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna go dance with Chase.” She squealed and spun, leaving Heidi alone in this completely foreign place. Though, for a small town, this dance was impressive. She wandered along the edges of the dance floor until she ran into the refreshment table.
“Love your skirt,” a girl said, a genuine smile on her face.
“Thanks,” Heidi said as she plucked a cup of red punch off the table.
“Where’d you get it?”
“San Francisco.” Heidi took a sip of punch, wishing her voice didn’t carry a note of pride. She wasn’t better than this girl, despite her fashionable mini-skirt and oversized top with a teal stripe along the neckline.
“Do you live there?” the girl asked. “Oh, I’m Farrah.”
“Nice to meet you.” Heidi smiled at her. “No, I don’t live there. I’m going to school there.”
Farrah got a faraway look on her face. “I wish I could go to school.”
A pang of sadness hit Heidi, along with a wave of gratitude and the memories of her own longing to attend school. She’d worked for her father for four long years, living at home and spending nothing, until she could pay for the first year of culinary school.
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