“Don’t worry, Jess,” Luis said in his kind way. “You’ll find someone.”
Big Man snorted.
Before she could backhand him, Luis gave her shoulder a pat. “My boys ain’t married yet,” he reminded her, as if she would ever be able to forget the Cortez brothers. Every woman’s fantasy.
Lance, the oldest, had followed in his father’s footsteps, though rumor had it this would be his last season on the circuit. He trained nonstop and had little time for anything else in his life, considering he left the ranch only about once a month. The thought of him married almost made her laugh. Over the years, he’d built quite the reputation with women, though she had no personal experience. Even with her father being one of his father’s best friends, Lance had said maybe five words to her in all the years she’d known him. He seemed to prefer a woman who’d let him off the hook easily, and God knew there were plenty of them following those cowboys around.
Then there was Levi. Oh, hallelujah, Levi. One of God’s greatest gifts to women. She’d had a fling with him the summer of their sophomore year, but after that he’d left home to train with some big-shot rodeo mentor and rarely came home.
There was a third Cortez brother, but Luis didn’t talk about him. Lucas, the middle child, had been sent to prison for arson when he was seventeen.
“Sure wish I’d see more of Levi,” Luis said wistfully. “He ain’t been home in a long time.”
Her eyebrows lifted with interest. “So, um…” She pretended to examine a broken nail to prove she didn’t care too much. “How is Levi, anyway?”
“That boy needs to get his head out of his ass. He’s reckless. He’s gonna get himself killed out there.”
Jessa doubted that. Levi Cortez was making a name for himself in the rodeo world.
“Lance, now, he’s the only one of my boys who’s got his head on straight,” Luis went on. “He always was a smart kid.”
From what she’d seen, the oldest Cortez brother had never been a kid, but she didn’t say so. After their mom ditched the family, Lance took over a more parental role. Not that she had any right to analyze him. “He’s handsome, too,” she offered, because every time she did happen to run into him, his luscious eyes had completely tied up her tongue. Yes, indeedy, Lance happened to be a looker. Though it was in a much different way than his cocky brother. “He looks the most like you,” she said with a wink.
Luis’s lips puckered in that crotchety, don’t-want-to-smile-but-can’t-help-it grin she loved to see. Her dad used to have one like that, too.
“Anyway…,” the man said, obviously trying to change the subject. “What’re we gonna do with Cam gone? I assume he didn’t leave any money behind for the shelter.”
“Not that I know of.” Apparently, he hadn’t left anything. Not even the toothbrush she’d kept at his house, Cam it.
“You got any other donors yet?”
“Not yet.” She’d been so preoccupied with the most recent love—infatuation—of her life that she hadn’t exactly made time to go trolling for other interested parties. Her dad had a big heart, but he’d always hated to ask for money, so when she’d come to take over, the list of benefactors had been…well…nonexistent. In one year, she’d already used most of what little money he’d left her to purchase supplies and complete the critical repairs. She could live off her savings for a couple more months, and at least keep up with the payroll, but after that things didn’t look too promising. She’d probably have to lay off her night shift guy.
With Cam’s generosity, she hadn’t been too worried. Until now, of course.
“Don’t you worry, Jess. Somethin’ll work out.” Luis’s confidence almost made her believe it. “You’re doin’ okay. You know that? Buzz would be proud.”
She smiled a little. Yes, her father definitely would’ve been proud to see his old place cleaned up. When she’d finished veterinary school and started on her MBA, he’d been so excited. He’d owned the rescue for thirty years but had never taken one business class. Which meant the place never made any money. He’d barely had enough to live on.
She had planned to change all of that. They’d planned it together. While she worked her way through business school, they’d talked on the phone twice a week, discussing how they could expand the place. Then, a month before she finished school, her father had a heart attack. He’d been out on a hike with Luis. Maybe that was why the man felt the need to take care of her, check in on her, help her fix things up around the house.
Familiar tears burned. She’d never blame Luis, though. That was exactly the way her dad would’ve chosen to go. Out on the side of a mountain, doing something he loved.
“We’ll find a way, Jess.” Pure determination turned the man’s face statuelike, making him look as pensive as his eldest son. “All we need is some inspiration.” Which he always insisted you couldn’t find while stuck indoors. “I’m headin’ up the mountain tomorrow. You wanna come?”
She brushed a grateful pat across the man’s gnarled hand. “I can’t, Luis. Thank you.”
As much as she’d like to spend the day on the mountain, drowning her sorrows about Cam and the rescue’s current financial situation in the fresh mountain air, she had things to do. This breakup had to be the dawn of a new era for her. She was tired of being passed over like yesterday’s pastries. To hell with relationships. With romance. She didn’t have time for it anyway. She had walls to paint and supplies to purchase and animals to rescue. Which meant she also had generous donors to find.
She shot a quick glance down at her attire. Might be a good idea to invest in herself first. Typically, she used her Visa only for emergencies, but this could be considered disaster prevention, right? She needed a new wardrobe. Something more professional. How could she schmooze potential stakeholders looking like she’d just come from a half-price sale at the New Life Secondhand Store?
“You sure you don’t want to come?” Luis prompted.
“I’d love to but I have to go shopping.” Right after their book club meeting, she’d enlist her friends to help her reinvent herself so she could reinvent her nonprofit.
By the time she was done, the Helping Paws Animal Rescue and Shelter would be everything her father dreamed it would be.
It would keep the memory of his love alive.
ACCLAIM FOR
SARA RICHARDSON
COMEBACK COWBOY
“Richardson’s empathy for her protagonists shines through every page of her second Rocky Mountain Riders novel, making their long-awaited reunion into a sweet tale that will easily win readers’ hearts.”
—RTBookReviews.com
HOMETOWN COWBOY
“Filled with humor, heart, and love, this page-turner is one wild ride.”
—Jennifer Ryan,
New York Times bestselling author
“An emotional ride with characters that come alive on every single page. Sara brings real feelings to every scene she writes.”
—Carolyn Brown,
New York Times bestselling author
“This will satisfy Richardson’s fans while welcoming new readers to a sweeping land of mountains, cowboys, and romance.”
—Publishers Weekly
MORE THAN A FEELING
“Ruby is the kind of heroine you can’t help but love and root for. Fans of Robyn Carr will undoubtedly enjoy the Heart of the Rockies series.”
―RT Book Reviews
SOMETHING LIKE LOVE
“The author’s compassion shines through her beautifully flawed and earnest characters and takes readers on an emotionally wrenching journey to the elusive goal of love.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Sizzles with sexual tension on every page. The ending was a perfect, lovely, and sigh-worthy happy-ever-after.”
—USA Today’s “Happily Ever After” blog
NO BETTER MAN
“Charming, witty, and fun. There’s no better read. I enjoyed every word!”
—Debbie Macomber,
#1 New York Times bestselling author
“Fresh, fun, well-written, a dazzling debut.”
—Lori Wilde,
New York Times bestselling author
“Richardson’s debut packs a powerful emotional punch. [Her] deft characterization creates a hero and heroine who will elicit laughs in some places and tears in others.”
―Publishers Weekly
Also by Sara Richardson
Heart of the Rockies series
No Better Man
Something Like Love
One Christmas Wish (short story)
More Than a Feeling
Rocky Mountain Wedding (short story)
Rocky Mountain Riders series
Hometown Cowboy
Comeback Cowboy
Acknowledgments
This is the best job in the world. I love what I do, but I could not do it without the many people who continue to work so hard behind the scenes to support me. First, to my editor, Alex Logan—my comma guru—thank you for your patience and incredible eye for details. You make me want to learn grammar so I can someday be as smart as you.
Elizabeth Turner, thank you for beautiful covers that help bring my stories to life. Thank you to the sales, marketing, and publicity teams who work so hard to place my books and get the word out. I appreciate everything you do.
I’m so grateful for Suzie Townsend and the team at New Leaf. Thank you for helping me navigate the business side of writing.
To my friend Kristen Wade, thank you for answering my questions and giving me insight into the EMT world. You’re amazing! Any inaccuracies or errors are all mine.
Writing can sometimes be a lonely endeavor, and I’m grateful for my friends and family who are so understanding and supportive (and who give me reasons to walk away from the computer). Melissa, Erica, Jenna, Gretchen, Kimberly, Elaine, Lori, Megan, Niki, Erin, Traci, Stacey—thank you for making sure I still have a life and for always celebrating with me.
Will, thank you for being a constant source of love, strength, and encouragement in the midst of all the ups and downs. AJ and Kaleb, you continue to amaze me every single day with your compassion and joy and energy. I love our life together.
Last, but definitely not least, thank you, dear readers, for the e-mails, comments, reviews, and shares. They mean everything to me.
About the Author
Sara Richardson grew up chasing adventure in Colorado’s rugged mountains. She’s climbed to the top of a fourteen-thousand-foot peak at midnight, swum through Class IV rapids, completed her wilderness first-aid certification, and spent seven days at a time tromping through the wilderness with a thirty-pound backpack strapped to her shoulders.
Eventually Sara did the responsible thing and got an education in writing and journalism. After a brief stint in the corporate writing world, she stopped ignoring the voices in her head and started writing fiction. Now she uses her experience as a mountain adventure guide to write stories that incorporate adventure with romance. Still indulging her adventurous spirit, Sara lives and plays in Colorado with her saint of a husband and two young sons.
Learn more at:
http://www.sararichardson.net/
@SaraR_Books
http://facebook.com/sararichardsonbooks
Thank you for buying this ebook, published by Hachette Digital.
To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.
Sign Up
Or visit us at hachettebookgroup.com/newsletters
Renegade Cowboy Page 29
