The Lonesome Rancher (The Quilt Shop in Kerry Springs, 2, Band 4261) - Softcover

Thayer, Patricia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0373177518 ISBN 13: 9780373177516

Verlag: Harlequin Romance, 2011

Inhaltsangabe

The most guarded heart in Texas

Sloan Merrick may be from Kerry Springs' most famous family, but he's happiest alone on his ranch. After his ex's betrayal, he's determined not to fall again—but the intriguing Jade Hamilton is hard to resist!

Jade is in Kerry Springs to find out the truth about her past, not to fall in love! Yet she's increasingly drawn to Sloan, and starts to feel that she belongs in Kerry Springs—and in his arms. But in her past lurks a secret that could break Sloan's heart…

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Patricia Thayer was born in Muncie, Indiana, the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University before heading to California. A longtime member of RWA, Patricia has authored fifty books. She's been nominated for the Prestige RITA award and winner of the RT Reviewer’s Choice award. She loves traveling with her husband, Steve, calling it research. When she wants some time with her guy, they escape to their mountain cabin and sit on the deck and let the world race by.

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Jade Hamilton was totally lost, in more ways than she could count.

She pulled to the curb and parked her compact car on Main Street in Kerry Springs, Texas. The traffic was nearly nonexistent. Well, what did she expect? The population was under twenty thousand. Talk about your small town. Of course she knew that when she'd done her research on the area.

She blew out a breath. This was one of those crossroad moments…her friend, fellow nurse, Carrie Bradley, had always talked about. Either she needed to get directions to the job interview, or forget this crazy idea and turn around and head back to Dallas.

Then she'd never learn the truth. She had to know the truth.

Sadness crept over her, thinking about the past few months. Jade hated the resentment she felt for the woman who'd raised her, yet they'd kept so many secrets. Now Renee Hamilton was gone and she couldn't tell Jade anything. Anything about the information Jade had found in the safe-deposit box that would change her life forever.

It was time she find out the entire truth. For her own satisfaction she needed answers. First, she had to find River's End Ranch.

With renewed determination, she climbed out of the car and looked along the street to see a hardware store, a drugstore and ice cream store. Then a storefront with a display of handmade quilts caught her eye. The name Blind Stitch Quilt Shop was embossed across the glass window. She smiled, remembering her childhood and the hours she'd spent learning how to stitch with her mother.

Jade walked to the entrance, opened the door as a bell rang overhead. inside the cool air mingled with the chatter of several women gathered around a cutting table. The salesclerk seemed to be busy so, having plenty of time before her appointment, Jade took the opportunity to look around the quaint shop. Several beautiful quilts adorned the high walls, underneath were stacks of pattern books and displays of scissors, needles and other notices. She strolled through the bolts of colorful fabric into a connecting room where another group of ladies were gathered around a table. She was surprised to see there was a man who was the center of attention.

Jade enjoyed a leisurely gaze over the handsome guy. He held his Stetson in his hand so she could see his inky-black hair and dark, deep-set eyes. She recognized more than a hint of Hispanic heritage in his strong jawline.

He was dressed in a starched cream-colored Western shirt, and new-looking pair of jeans, but he had on boots that were well-worn. She glanced down at his hands, and could see blunt-cut nails, also the callused fingers. He was definitely a working cowboy. in a quilt shop?

"He's pretty easy on the eyes, huh?"

Jade swung around and found a pretty blonde about her age, smiling at her.

"I'm sorry," Jade admitted. "It's rude to stare."

"It's hard not to," the woman said. "There are some good-looking men around Kerry Springs. I can say that since I've recently married the most handsome one, Evan Rafferty. Hi, I'm Jenny Rafferty."

"Jade Hamilton," she said, smiling.

"Welcome, Jade, to the Blind Stitch. What can I do for you? Sign you up for my quilting class, or…" She grinned, and then said, "Maybe introduce you to that good-looking cowboy."

Jade shook her head. She couldn't get distracted from her goal. "oh, no. I'm sorry, but I only came in to get directions."

"So are you looking for a place to live?"

Jade found herself relaxing a little. "A job first."

Jenny laughed. "That's always a good idea. Where are you headed? I'm fairly new to the community, but I can give pretty good directions."

"I'm looking for louisa Merrick at the River's End Ranch."

The store clerk raised an eyebrow. "Really? louisa is one of our best patrons.until recently."

"So you know where the ranch is?"

"Yes, I do." She nodded to the cowboy. "But I think he can do a better job of giving directions. That's louisa's son, Sloan Merrick."

Jade saw the man had started for the door carrying one of the sample books. "okay, thank you, Jenny," she called as she hurried across the room, hoping she could follow him out to the ranch.

He'd just gotten out the door when she called to him. "Excuse me, Mr. Merrick."

The man was at his truck. He turned around and was even more handsome close up, and much bigger.

He frowned as he gave her the once-over, causing a funny reaction in her stomach.

He straightened. "What do you want?"

"Huh, well…" She was suddenly nervous. "Jenny Rafferty told me that you're Sloan Merrick. I was wondering if I could get directions to the River's End." She forced a smile. "I have an appointment with Louisa Merrick."

He continued to stare, but his eyes narrowed sharply. "The only directions you'll get from me are to tell you how to leave town."

She blinked. "I beg your pardon."

He stepped closer. "How much plainer do you need it, lady? Stay the hell away from Merrick land, you aren't welcome."

An hour later, Jade had found her way out to the ranch. She was still fighting the urge to turn and run as she looked past the high wrought-iron gate toward the huge white house perched on the hill.

Her gaze moved to the miles of split-rail fencing enclosing the many acres of green pastures where Hereford steers grazed on the large southern Texas cattle ranch. She looked up at the archway overhead that read River's End, owned by the Merrick Family, est. 1904.

She blew out a breath to slow her heart rate. It didn't help. Go back to Dallas and forget she'd ever heard the name Merrick. At least one Merrick doesn't want you here.

There was still time to change her mind, to forget this crazy idea. Then she'd never learn the truth about herself.

She pushed the button on the intercom. "Merrick residence," a woman with a heavy accent answered.

Jade swallowed the dryness in her throat. "Hello, I'm Jade Hamilton. I have an appointment with Mrs. Merrick." Her heart pounded hard in her chest. Was she finally going to meet the senator?

"I'll open the gate for you. Drive to the main house."

Jade climbed back into her car and the gate swung open as Sloan Merrick's threat echoed in her head.

"Stay the hell away from Merrick land. You aren't welcome." Maybe she would be, or maybe she wouldn't be, but this was her chance to find out the truth.

She drove through the gate and tried to enjoy the quarter mile trip as she continued along the road and passed several structures, including a large barn and a corral with a number of horses. There were ranch hands busy with chores. A few of them looked at her, but no one stopped her so she kept on going.

The house was more impressive the closer she got. The brick and white clapboard, three-story structure with a big wraparound porch was loaded down with huge pots of flowers adding a rainbow of color. She pulled into the circular driveway.

Grabbing her purse and briefcase she headed up the slate tile walkway to the steps and a massive oak door with a cut-glass window. The name Merrick was etched into the center.

Each breath Jade drew was more labored. She'd waited months to come here, to meet the one man linked to the secret of her past. She couldn't lose her nerve.

Sloan Merrick studied his mother seated on the sofa in the sunroom. Even being in her favorite place in the house, she didn't look happy. She'd turned fifty-eight on her last birthday, but the past few months had taken a toll on her. Since her stroke Louisa Merrick hadn't cared much about her appearance. Her hair hadn't been cut or styled,...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Harlequin Romance
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2011
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0373177518
• ISBN 13: 9780373177516
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 192
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Product Safety Manager; enquiries@harpercollins.ie; ; HarperCollins, Macken House, 39/40 Mayor Street Upper; Dublin 1; D01 C9W8; Irland