Her Reluctant Rancher

by Anne Marie Novark

Overview

Living with his stern grandfather taught Trevor Callahan one important lesson: Caring makes a man weak. Now the old man is dead and Trev returns to Stone Creek for one reason and one reason only--to sell the Rocking C Ranch. Maybe then he can put his past behind him and move on.

Beth Evans once confused lust for love and vows never to let it happen again. The bookmobile driver is trying to raise funds to build a new library. The late Hank Callahan bequeathed a million dollars for the project, but he attached one stipulation: Do not let his grandson sell the ranch.

Excerpt:

He leaned across the desk. “You know, we haven’t discussed the kiss the other night.”

She scooted the chair back. “There’s nothing to discuss.”
He stood and slowly came around the desk, reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. “I want to kiss you again.”

“That’s probably not a good idea.” Oh, lord. She was playing with fire and if she wasn’t careful, she was going to get burned. Bad.

“Probably not. I know you said we’d never kiss again. But don’t you want to kiss me? Can’t you feel the pull between us?”

“Yes . . . No!” She jerked her hand free and started backing away.

He followed, closing in on her until she bumped against the library table. “Just one kiss, Beth. One kiss can’t hurt.”

Before she could react, before she could reply, Trevor wrapped his arms around her, covered her mouth with his and God help her, she was a goner.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940153704654
Publisher:	Anne Marie Novark
Publication date:	05/02/2011
Series:	Return to Stone Creek , #1
Sold by:	Smashwords
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	167,237
File size:	278 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Anne Marie is a Texas girl, born and raised. Romance is her passion. She loves to read and write about men and women falling in love, overcoming life’s obstacles, and living happily ever after. She writes spicy contemporary novels, usually involving a cowboy or two, as well as Regency historicals. Married to her high school sweetheart, Anne Marie and her husband spend their leisure time working (actually playing) in the yard and renovating their 1956 custom-built house on a one-acre lot in the middle of the city. They have two grown children, three white rabbits, two mischievous cats, and one sweet puppy dog.

Read an Excerpt

"So, you moved in?" He made it sound like she was going to use squatter's rights to take control of the Rocking C Ranch.

"Only temporarily," she said. "To help Bonita. Now that you're here, of course I'll leave." No way could she stay in the house with Trevor in residence. She felt dizzy just thinking about it. Her hormones had awakened from a long dormant sleep and Beth didn't trust the little suckers. Not one bit. They'd gotten her into trouble once and she didn't want that to happen again. When it came to men, Beth knew she was a walking disaster.

She picked up her sandwich and bit into it. What with talking so much, she'd neglected her food. And she was hungry. She and Mags had worked all morning sorting books.

Trevor poured more iced tea in his glass. Beth felt his eyes on her as she ate. Her stomach flip-flopped again. Oh no, she couldn't stay.

"You don't have to leave," he said, breaking the awkward silence.

Beth jerked her head up and stared at him. "Excuse me? Yes, I do. I'm leaving."

"No, you're not. There's no reason for you to go. I'll be in and out a lot while I'm in Stone Creek. You obviously have a big job to do with the books. We won't get in each other's way. And I'll make it worth your while."

Beth frowned. Surely the man didn't mean that like it sounded. "Make it worth my while?"

He shrugged. "Pay for your services."

"My services?" She knew she sounded like a parrot, but she couldn't help it. The man had her flustered.

"Cooking, cleaning, looking after the place. Like you're doing now. Only you'd get compensated."

"I don't want your money."

"What do you want?" he asked softly.