by Caroline Lee
He set a tee and reached for his favorite golf ball, settling it slowly before he stepped back and took a few practice swings. His shoulder was loosening up nicely, and he envisioned the perfect shot he’d make, right over the first hill and between the two glades of pine trees at the far end of the hold. The flag beckoned to him, and he concentrated on the ball, certain it would hit the green.
He swung his club gently next to the ball and stepped back, ready to let her loose and send his ball toward its goal. He pulled back, his club high in the mountain air and welcomed the quiet as he swung at the ball with as much force as he could muster.
Just as his club met the ball, a thunderous roar jerked him out of focus, and he barely connected with the ball, sending it soaring into the pond to the left of the green. As it plunked into the water, he turned toward the sound, his brows furrowed. Helicopters weren’t that uncommon at River’s End Ranch, between Dani’s Search and Rescue Team and arrivals of wealthy guests who didn’t want to take the time to drive out from the nearest town, Riston.
The helipad wasn’t too far from the first tee, something Chad had spoken to Wade about. He’d said he’d think about moving it to someplace that didn’t demand as much quiet, but so far it hadn’t happened. This time of year, between summer and snowfall, was a little more quiet than usual and Chad was grateful—but now, he wondered who would be arriving. There hadn’t been any groups listed on the ledger.
As golf pro at River’s End Ranch, he was proud of what the Westons had built and were providing for lucky tourists, so whenever new guests arrived, he made a point of greeting them, whether or not they had come to the ranch to golf. He fancied himself a sort of ambassador when the Westons themselves were occupied, so he shoved his club back in his bag, strapped it back in the cart and headed over to the helipad to see if he could help.
The rotors slowed and Chad hung back a big, giving the new arrivals a chance to get their bearings and exit the helicopter. He pulled his golf cap on against the sun, and tried to peer in the window of the aircraft. He didn’t have to wait long, and the door swung open, the pilot exiting first before he extended his hand back toward the door.
All Chad noticed first was legs—long, beautiful ones—that peeked through the door. His breath hitched as he saw what they were attached to, a beautiful woman with long hair, the color reminding him of rich copper. Her skirt fell as she stepped out, covering her legs and almost reaching her red cowboy boots.
It was a fine time to be an ambassador for River’s End Ranch, Chad thought, and he thanked his lucky stars. He hopped out of the cart and strode over, his long legs covering the distance before anyone else had stepped out. He reached his hand out, her hand soft in his as she took it and smiled up at him with dazzling green eyes surrounded by dark lashes.
“Hello, ma’am. I’m Chad Stanton, golf pro here at River’s End Ranch.”
Time stopped as his eyes met hers, and it took a moment for him to understand what was happening. A deep, booming voice sounded from the helicopter—and a familiar one at that.
“Of course you are,” the voice said before a tall, slender man about Chad’s age slipped through the doorway. “That’s why we’re here.”
Chad’s dropped the woman’s hand, a smile spreading from ear to ear as he clasped his old friend from the golf tour in a bear hug. “Ryan? Ryan Jackson, what the heck are you doing here?”
The man swung his arm over the woman’s shoulder and she smiled up at him. Ryan had been his friend on the tour, and they’d shared many happy hours together playing golf and enjoying the sights of the tour towns afterward.
Momentary disappointment flitted through Chad as he realized that this beautiful woman was with his dear friend, and he raised his “bro” defenses. She was gorgeous, and Ryan was a lucky man, but the code said, “Hands off.”
He took a step back and smiled up at his friend. “Seriously, what brings you here?”
“Well, we’ve got a break in the tour and I wanted to spend some time with family. Maybe play a few rounds, relax a little bit. I’ve heard this course is one of the best in the United States.”
Chad felt his cheeks heat at the compliment. “You couldn’t have picked a better time. Things are winding down for the season, and we’re happy to have you. I even think the Copper Cottage is open.”
“Oh, it is,” the woman said as she fluttered her eyelashes at Ryan. “We checked.”
“Where are my manners?” Ryan said as he smiled at the woman. “Chad, I’d like you to meet Emma.”
Chad reached for her hand again, very glad to meet such a lovely girl but sorry he hadn’t found her first.
She took his hands once more and said, “It’s very nice to meet you. You’d think after all the time you two have spent together, he’d have introduced to his little sister by now.”
Find out just what Chad is planning on doing about Ryan’s little sister in
Cindy Caldwell’s Gallant Golfer (River’s End Ranch, Book Ten).
ACKNLOWEDGEMENTS
Back in May of 2016 I had the utter pleasure of meeting Kirsten Osbourne, Pamela Kelley, and Cindy Caldwell in Chicago during a conference. Soon after, they invited me to be part of this delightful world they were creating, and introduced me to the wonderful Amelia Adams. I was thrilled to join their team, and have had hours and hours of fun, playing via our imaginations at River’s End Ranch.
Thank you, ladies, for letting me be a part of the magic.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caroline Lee has been reading romance for so long that her fourth-grade teacher used to make her cover her books with paper jackets, but it wasn't until she (mostly) grew up that she realized she could write it too. So she did.
Caroline is living her own little Happily Ever After in NC with her husband, sons, and brand-new daughter, Princess Wiggles. And while she doesn't so much "suffer" from Pittakionophobia as think that all you people who enjoy touching Band-Aids and stickers are the real weirdos, she does adore rodents, and never met a wine she didn't like. Caroline was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006 and is really quite funny in person. Promise.
You can find her at www.CarolineLeeRomance.com.
