Big Sky Romance Collection

by Denise Hunter

  8. Miss Lucy confronted Annie about her prejudice toward cowboys. What does the Bible say about confronting each other? Do you think Miss Lucy handled it well? Should she have confronted Annie sooner?

  9. Sierra accused Annie of judging her early in the story. Where is the line between judging and confronting in love?

  10. Annie struggled to let go of Sierra and let her sister lead her own life. What do you need to let go of? What are some steps you can take to leave it in God’s hands?

  Acknowledgments

  A Cowboy's Touch

  I’m so grateful for the many people who helped shape this book in one way or another. A Cowboy’s Touch wouldn’t exist without the Thomas Nelson fiction team. I’m deeply grateful for the entire team, led by Publisher Allen Arnold: Amanda Bostic, Jennifer Deshler, Natalie Hanemann, Chris Long, Andrea Lucado, Ami McConnell, Heather McCulloch, Becky Monds, Ashley Schneider, Katie Bond, and Kristen Vasgaard.

  Good editors are worth their weight in gold, and I’m so grateful for both of mine. Natalie Hanemann provided an objective eye and wise insight that helped me take this story to a higher level. LB Norton followed behind us and polished up the manuscript, making for a more enjoyable read.

  My first reader and brainstorming partner, author Colleen Coble. Love you, friend!

  My agent, Karen Solem, who handles all the left-brained matters so I can focus on the right-brained stuff.

  To Billy and Marci Whitehurst, who opened their Montana home and ranch for a city girl and her husband. Thanks for taking the time to show me the cowboy way of life. Thank you also for reading the advanced copy of A Cowboy’s Touch to check for errors. Any mistakes that made it into print are all mine.

  A research trip to Montana wouldn’t have been possible without my sister-in-law Gina Sinclair, brother-in-law Mark Sinclair, and niece Mindy Sinclair. Thanks so much for coming to take over our daily lives for a few days so Kevin and I could gallivant all over Big Sky Country. We’re so grateful to call you family.

  Thank you to author Lenora Worth, who shared her expertise in the world of magazine publishing. Thanks for all your help, friend!

  To my family, Kevin, Justin, Chad, and Trevor. I love each one of you so much!

  Lastly, thank you, friend, for coming along on this journey to Moose Creek, Montana. I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many readers like you through my Facebook group. Visit my website for the link, www.DeniseHunterBooks.com, or just drop me a note at Denise@DeniseHunterBooks.com. I’d love to hear from you!

  The Accidental Bride

  I’m so grateful for the many people who helped shape this story. The Accidental Bride wouldn’t exist without the Thomas Nelson fiction team. I’m so grateful for the entire team, led by Publisher Allen Arnold: Amanda Bostic, Eric Mullett, Natalie Hanemann, Dean Arvidson, Jodi Hughes, Ami McConnell, Heather McCulloch, Becky Monds, Ashley Schneider, Katie Bond, and Kristen Vasgaard.

  Thanks especially to my editor, Natalie Hanemann, who helped shape this story, notified me of gaping holes, and otherwise helped me fashion this into a more enjoyable read. I’m forever grateful to the talented LB Norton, who fine-tuned this manuscript, finessed my prose, and saved me from more than one embarrassing mistake!

  Authors Colleen Coble and Diann Hunt are my brainstorming partners. Thank you, friends! And thank you, Colleen, for always being my first reader.

  I’m grateful to my agent, Karen Solem, who handles all the left-brained matters so I can focus on the right-brained stuff.

  To Billy and Marci Whitehurst, who opened their Montana home and ranch for a city girl and her husband. Thanks for taking the time to show me the cowboy way of life.

  A research trip to Montana would’ve been impossible without my sister-in-law Gina Sinclair, brother-in-law Mark Sinclair, and niece Mindy Sinclair. Thanks so much for coming to take over our daily lives for a few days so Kevin and I could gallivant all over Big Sky Country. We’re so grateful to call you family.

  Thanks to my Facebook friends at Denise Hunter Readers Circle who helped me name the town of Moose Creek and the series itself. Thanks for all your input!

  To my family, Kevin, Justin, Chad, and Trevor. I love each one of you so much!

  Lastly, thank you, friend, for letting me share this story with you. I’ve enjoyed getting to know so many readers like you through my Facebook group. Visit my website at www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or just drop me a note at Denise@DeniseHunterBooks.com. I’d love to hear from you!

  The Trouble with Cowboys

  Writing a book is a team effort, and I’m so grateful for the entire team at Thomas Nelson Fiction, led by Publisher Allen Arnold: Katie Bond, Amanda Bostic, Ruthie Dean, Natalie Hanemann, Jodi Hughes, Ami McConnell, Becky Monds, Eric Mullet, Ashley Schneider, and Kristen Vasgaard.

  Thanks especially to my editor, Natalie Hanemann, who helped shape this story, notified me of gaping holes, and otherwise helped me fashion this into a more enjoyable read. I’m forever grateful to the talented LB Norton, whose eye for detail has saved me from countless mistakes!

  Author Colleen Coble is my first reader. Thank you, friend! She, along with friends and authors Diann Hunt and Kristin Billerbeck, is a great help at the brainstorming stage of every story. Love you, girls!

  I’m grateful to my agent, Karen Solem, who handles all the left-brained matters so I can focus on the right-brained stuff.

  To Billy and Marci Whitehurst, who opened their Montana home and ranch for a city girl and her husband. Thanks for taking the time to show me the cowboy way of life.

  A research trip to Montana would’ve been impossible without my sister-in-law Gina Sinclair, brother-in-law Mark Sinclair, and niece Mindy Sinclair. Thanks so much for coming to take over our daily lives for a few days so Kevin and I could gallivant all over Big Sky Country. We’re so grateful to call you family.

  Thanks to my Facebook friends at Denise Hunter Readers Circle who helped me title this book, name the town of Moose Creek, and name the series itself. Thanks for all your input!

  To my family, Kevin, Justin, Chad, and Trevor. I love each one of you so much! Thanks for putting up with me!

  Lastly, thank you, friend, for letting me share this story with you. I wouldn’t be doing this without you! I’ve enjoyed connecting with readers like you through my Facebook group. Visit my website at www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or just drop me a note at Denise@DeniseHunterBooks.com. I’d love to hear from you!

  Letters from the Author

  A Cowboy's Touch

  Dear friend,

  I hope you enjoyed your trip to Moose Creek, Montana, with Abigail, Wade, and Maddy. There’s truly something special about the Big Sky State and the people who inhabit that part of the country.

  A Cowboy’s Touch is a story about a Truthseeker who winds up discovering the real Truth. She’s a woman who has lost her way somewhere along the journey. I hope you’re holding fast to the Truth in your life. But if you, like Abigail, have wandered a bit further than you ever intended, I hope you know it’s never too late to return. Jesus is always there, waiting to love you back into his arms.

  Whether you’re struggling to find your way back or enjoying a close walk with Christ, I hope you’ll make time to attend a Woman of Faith conference soon. These events can refresh your spirit and bless you in ways you cannot imagine. I know they have blessed me tremendously.

  In His grace,

  Denise

  The Accidental Bride

  Dear friend,

  I hope you enjoyed the special love story of Travis and Shay. These characters wormed their way into my heart and became like close friends.

  When I decided this story would have an accidental wedding, I had no idea what a challenge I’d set out on. Turns out, it’s not so easy to become accidently married!

  To pull off such a feat, I had to bend the rules a little—we like to call that “artistic license.” While artistic licenses are valid indefinitely, Wyoming wedding licenses are not, nor are they mailed to the newlyweds aft
er the ceremony. So rest assured, an accidental marriage is not likely to happen to you or anyone you know!

  I hope you enjoyed the story, despite these two improvisations, and I hope that walking in Shay’s shoes (boots!) somehow drew you into a closer walk with God. Thank you for joining me on the journey to Moose Creek, Montana. I value each one of you more than you can know!

  In His grace,

  Denise

  The Trouble with Cowboys

  I knew from the moment Dylan galloped onto the page in A Cowboy’s Touch that he had a story to tell. I only had to find the right woman for him. Then Annie appeared on the page, and I knew Dylan had met his match.

  Annie’s struggle to let go of Sierra was very real to me. As I was writing the story, I was getting ready to let my first chick out of the nest. Working through this issue with Annie helped me to leave our oldest son in God’s hands as he went off to college. I hope walking with Annie on her spiritual journey helped you along on yours too.

  I can hardly believe the Big Sky series is over; it went so fast! I hope your visit to Moose Creek was as enjoyable as mine. Thank you for coming along and for making the ride worthwhile. I value each of you so much!

  In His grace,

  Denise

  Also by Denise Hunter

  Novellas included in

  Smitten

  Secretly Smitten

  Smitten Book Club

  THE CHAPEL SPRINGS ROMANCE SERIES

  Barefoot Summer

  Dancing With Fireflies

  The Wishing Season (Available Winter 2014)

  THE BIG SKY ROMANCE SERIES

  A Cowboy’s Touch

  The Accidental Bride

  The Trouble with Cowboys

  NANTUCKET LOVE STORIES

  Driftwood Lane

  Seaside Letters

  The Convenient Groom

  Surrender Bay

  Sweetwater Gap

  About the Author

  DENISE HUNTER IS THE BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF MANY NOVELS, including The Trouble with Cowboys and Barefoot Summer. She lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons.

  Visit Denise Hunter’s website at denisehunterbooks.com Twitter: @DeniseAHunter Facebook: authordenisehunter

  An Excerpt from Dancing with Fireflies

  PROLGUE

  JADE MCKINLEY LOWERED THE STOVE TO MEDIUM AND returned the chicken breasts to the pan. What had she gotten herself into? She should’ve agreed to meet him at a restaurant instead of in the tiny apartment she shared with her friend. But it had seemed easier, meeting on her own turf with Izzy in the next room watching the Jane Austen marathon on PBS.

  “There’s a bottle of merlot in the cupboard,” Izzy called. “You can serve it if you want.”

  The phone rang. “Can you get that?” Jade opened the cabinet and reached for the wine. She hoped it was okay. She never drank, didn’t really like the taste.

  Izzy entered the kitchen a few minutes later, wincing. “Uh, Jade?”

  “He’s not coming, is he? That’s okay. Seriously, I was having second thoughts anyway.” And thirds and fourths. “I didn’t even want this date, remember?”

  “Chill, girl. That was work calling. They need me on the late shift. Someone’s sick.”

  “Oh.”

  “I really need the hours.”

  Jade bit her lip. Nick had been coming to the diner for months. He’d sat in her station every time, and after weeks of his persistence, she’d relented to one date.

  “Seriously, girl,” Izzy said gently. “You gotta get back on the horse. Aaron’s been gone a long time. Give the guy a chance.”

  A knock sounded at the front door.

  “Gotta get dressed.” Izzy rushed from the room before Jade could protest.

  She checked the table as she passed, then opened the door to Nick, remembering why she’d finally given in. Puppy dog eyes and an easy smile.

  “Hey,” he said. “You look nice. Like a beautiful gypsy.”

  She pinched her skirt and dipped in a curtsy. “Thank you. I guess you’ve never seen me outside the diner? Come on in.”

  He brushed past her, and his strong cologne filled her nostrils, making her want to sneeze. He wore a button-down and dark jeans. Jade’s eyes fell to his shoes just as she caught a whiff of shoe polish. Izzy always said to check out a guy’s shoes. Nick’s were a brown casual leather shoe. Not that it mattered. One date and she was done.

  “Smells good,” he said.

  “I hope you like chicken Marsala. Make yourself at home. I’ll get the wine.”

  In the kitchen she rooted through the drawer for the corkscrew. She was struggling to open the bottle when Izzy entered in her uniform, grabbing her purse off the counter.

  “Here, let me.” Izzy removed the cork with ease. “Here you go. Have a nice dinner.”

  “Wait.”

  Izzy turned.

  Jade lowered her voice. “Do you have to go? Could you hang around for an hour or two?”

  Izzy grimaced. “I already told them I was coming. Listen, he’s a nice guy. He’s been coming into the diner for months, right? Not like he’s a stranger.”

  “That’s true.”

  “It’s going to be fine. Mrs. Barlowe’s right next door, and Lord knows she’d come barreling in at the first peep.”

  Jade was just being paranoid. “Okay, you’re right.”

  After Izzy left, Jade took the wine to the table.

  Nick rose from his seat as she neared. “I’ll pour.”

  “Perfect.”

  Twenty minutes later they were halfway through the chicken and still engaged in awkward small talk. Jade finished her last sip of wine, telling him about her family back in Chapel Springs, about her passion for guitar. The wine seemed to have loosened her tongue.

  He was a good listener, and he looked attractive with candlelight flickering in his dark eyes.

  “I made dessert,” she said later when conversation petered out. “You like cheesecake?”

  “It’s actually my favorite.”

  It was possibly his longest sentence so far. She grabbed the cake from the fridge. When she returned, she saw he’d filled her glass again.

  She did most of the talking over dessert too. She’d used her sister PJ’s recipe, and it was divine, topped with a medley of blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries in a tangy sauce.

  She was talking too much, and by the time they’d finished dessert, the room had started spinning a little. Sweat had broken out on the back of her neck. The wine. She shouldn’t have had the second glass.

  “Is it hot in here?” she tried to say, but her words didn’t come out right. She should open the windows and let in the spring air.

  The table in front of her tilted, and her date seemed to sway the other direction. She blinked hard, trying to clear her vision.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Fine.” But her words didn’t sound fine. They sounded muffled and distant, like she was inside a tunnel.

  “Why don’t we sit on the couch?” he said.

  She needed a little help getting there. Her knees wobbled, and her feet didn’t go where she put them. “I think I had too much wine.” She teetered at his side.

  “Wanna watch a movie?” he asked.

  She sank onto the threadbare sofa and was relieved at the thought of not having to carry the conversation. She actually wished he’d leave but didn’t want to be rude.

  “Sure. You pick. They’re in the cabinet.” She didn’t think she could make it over there by herself.

  He chose one of Izzy’s action flicks. He started the movie, but Jade couldn’t follow the plot. Halfway through, her eyes grew heavy. So tired. Did alcohol make you tired? She’d never drunk enough to know. Maybe the room would stop spinning if she just closed her eyes a minute.

  “Jade?”

  A voice was talking from someplace far away.

  “Hmm?” she said. And then darkness closed in and everything went quiet.

/>   A twisting in Jade’s stomach pulled her from sleep. She drew her knees to her stomach, shivering. She reached for her blanket, but there was nothing to grab. She was on top of the covers. Still in her clothes.

  She closed her eyes against the glaring sunlight, trying to remember the night before. Dinner with the guy from the diner. She didn’t remember coming to bed, didn’t remember saying good-bye. They’d eaten, she’d felt weird. They’d watched a movie.

  What else?

  Nothing.

  She rolled over, her body aching, and pulled her skirt over her legs. Her eyes fell on a scrap of silky lavender at the foot of her bed.

  A memory flashed in her mind. Darkness and weight. The overwhelming smell of cologne. The steady creaking of the bed.

  She sat upright, her head spinning. Her eyes darted around the shoebox-sized room, the walls feeling tight. Her heart thumped heavily. She gasped for breath.

  No. Please no.

  What happened? The memories were a blur, separated by gaping black holes.

  Her stomach spasmed, threatening release. She raced for the bathroom and retched until her stomach felt twisted inside out. A cool sweat broke out on her forehead. Her throat felt raw. Her eyes burned.

  She eased down onto the tile floor, resting her head against the wall. The ache inside spread, consuming her. She trembled with the knowledge of what had taken place.

  “Jade?” A tap sounded on the door. “You okay?”

  Her eye sockets burned. She opened her mouth, but nothing passed her chapped lips. How could this have happened?

  “Jade?” The knob twisted, and Izzy slipped inside. “You sick?”

  Jade pulled her knees to her chest, willing the room to stop spinning. Willing it to be yesterday. Before she’d said yes. Before he’d—

  “Honey, what’s wrong?”

  The tears welled over. Stupid. How could she have been so stupid? This wasn’t Chapel Springs, it was Chicago. She knew better. And now she’d been—