His Country Girl

by Jillian Hart

  “Owen?” His voice reverberated down the main aisle, carried on the bitter wind. The warmth of the snug stable embraced him with the comforting scents of hay, alfalfa and horse, but nothing could drive away the fierce, intense need to find the boy, to protect him, to make sure he was safe. It was a need unlike any he’d ever felt before, one that had no measure and no end.

  Horses started, coming up to their gates to whinny greetings or requests for attention. He marched passed them, eating up the distance to Jack’s end stall. “Owen, are you here?”

  No answer. The animals were calm, not agitated by anything different in the building. He kept running, but inside his hopes slumped. The boy wasn’t here.

  A white-faced Hereford poked her velvety nose over her stall and mooed. Wanting attention, no doubt. Buttercup’s ears were up and her chocolate eyes bright as a puppy’s as she did a little dance against her gate. The cow mooed again with clear excitement and glanced down the long stretch of stalls. She mooed a third time.

  Buttercup liked children. Tucker kept running, not daring to hope but his hope rose anyway. Jack’s stall was ajar, and Tucker skidded to a stop. Tears burned behind his eyes at the sight of a little, tousle-haired boy curled up in the clean straw, a riding blanket from the tack room draped over him.

  “Tucker?” Owen sat up, teeth chattering. His rodeo T-shirt, the one Tucker had given him that day in the hospital, was wet through. He frowned, puzzled. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

  “Sure I am.” He pushed aside the gate and strolled into the stall. “If you need me, then I’m here.”

  “You gotta ride Slayer in the rodeo.” Owen rubbed his eyes, smearing a single tear. “You gotta go back.”

  “It’s just one ride and it’s not nearly as important as you and your mom.” He knelt down to get a better look at the boy. Pale, trembling, a bit blue around the lips. “You must be pretty cold from walking all this way in the snow.”

  “A little.” Owen’s chin went up, a determined little man.

  “Your mom’s pretty worried.” Tucker unzipped his coat. “She didn’t know what happened to you.”

  “I left.” Misery twisted his button face. “I love my mom.”

  “I know.” He tugged away the damp blanket, wet from the boy’s clothes. He took one look at the jeans and sneakers. Sure enough, the boy was soaked clear through. “I love your mom, too.”

  “She works two jobs so I can have food and the mortgage payment. That’s really hard.”

  Someone had apparently listened in on an adult conversation. Tucker knew about that, since he’d done the same thing at that age. He gathered the boy into his arms and held him against his chest, offering his body heat. “I don’t think your mom minds. She loves you, Owen. That’s what love is. You put those you love first, ahead of yourself.”

  “That’s why I’m gonna live in Jack’s stall.” Owen’s arms wrapped around Tucker’s neck and held tight.

  Nothing in the world had ever felt as sweet. Tucker held on hard, too, letting the deep feelings of affection and fatherly devotion take root in his soul. He loved this boy like his own son. “That’s a good plan. It’s comfortable here and warm enough for a horse, but not for a little boy.”

  “I know.” His teeth chattered loudly, the boy a dear weight in Tucker’s arms. Owen sniffled. “But I’m not in the way.”

  “In whose way?” He couldn’t imagine where the child had gotten that idea. Sierra’s commitment to her son knew no bounds.

  “That’s why Daddy left. It was my fault.” Owen shuddered, muffling a sob. “I heard Mom. Now she can’t have a heart because of me. But I fixed it. I’m not in the way. Not anymore. You can marry my mom now.”

  An arrow straight to his chest. He wrapped his arms tighter around the child, knowing well the pain of being abandoned and the damage it did. You learned to keep a safe distance between yourself and others, keep it light and on the surface, to let nothing and no one in so deep that they would tear out a piece of you when they left. Because when someone you loved decided to stop loving you, it was hard to believe anyone else could truly love you enough to stay.

  Tucker leaned his jaw against the crown of the boy’s head, seeing the purpose of his life and the fork in the road. He loved Sierra. He’d always loved her but he had to make her believe it. His commitment deepened. Time to put both feet in. He would dust off the heart she’d broken, stand up and show her and Owen what a man staying looked like.

  He maneuvered his cell out of his coat pocket. “Let’s give your mom a call, okay?”

  “Okay,” Owen sniffled, as he burrowed harder against Tucker’s chest and held on tight.

  The night’s bitter cold had crept into her bones and lingered. Sierra shivered, buttoned her hand-knit cardigan and thanked the emergency room doctor in the neighboring town of Sunshine. Now that the ordeal was over and Owen had been declared fine by the emergency room doctor, she felt the weight of her exhaustion. What she had to do was to get Owen home, a nice hot meal in them both and then straight to bed. She might be able to grab a few hours of sleep and start her shift a little late at the diner.

  Owen, tired too, rubbed his eyes as he tripped down the wide, sterile hallway. “Mom, where’s Tucker?”

  “Waiting for us.” Her stomach fluttered with anticipation. She was eager to be with the man who had found her child, the man who had moved mountains when Owen needed him—when she’d needed him. When her phone had rung in the middle of the Parnells’ snowy cow pasture and Tucker’s rich baritone had filled her ear, she’d cried with relief. Her son was safe and Tucker had found him. Tucker. She thanked God for him.

  “Tucker!” Owen ripped away from her, his sneakers slapping against the tile floor, and ran straight to Tucker. The big man wrapped the boy against his chest, affection plain on his rugged face. As he stood with her son in his sheltering arms, she lost the last battle to keep her heart safe.

  “How are you doing, buddy?” Tucker’s voice boomed across the waiting room, nearly drowned out by the sound of the legion of family hopping to their feet and charging across the nearly empty waiting room.

  “Hand over that boy and let me get a look at him.” Her dad fought to look relaxed and easygoing, but the strain and remnants of terror remained in his gray eyes. The fright faded away a bit more as he took Owen from Tucker.

  Relief filled the room as the extended family circled the boy. Sierra recognized her sister-in-law Terri and her husband, Tom Gold, her in-laws Betty and Chip Baker and their son Boze, along with her five siblings and their families. Her mom crowded into the center to kiss Owen’s cheek. Sierra’s eyes blurred at the sight of the Grangers—including Mrs. Gunderson and Scotty, the ranch foreman—all stepping close to exchange words with Owen.

  “Looks like there is going to be a happy ending.” Tucker circled around the edge of the crowd and into sight, a man tall and dependable enough to fulfill her every dream. Dreams she’d lost surged to life, buoyant with hope. She was out of excuses, she was out of reasons why she couldn’t risk her heart. He towered over her, a man great in her estimation, her one true love.

  “A happy ending?” she quipped. She straightened her shoulders. She would not be afraid this time. She would take the risk and believe. “Maybe for Owen and me, but what about you? Your return to bull riding isn’t off to a good start.”

  “Bull riding isn’t my life. It never has been. You are.” His dreamy blue eyes brightened with infinite tenderness. When he laid the palm of his hand against her cheek, she felt the strength of his love without end and his boundless devotion. He’d never been more serious before. “Don’t make me go back to the rodeo. Marry me.”

  “Marry you?” Everything within her stilled. She should be terrified. She should be gathering up at least one hundred reasons why that would be an outrageous mistake, why she should stay safe, stay alone and not take a risk. Not a single reason flitted into her dazed mind. There was only the truth. She loved this man and his easy humor and kindn
ess and commitment to her son. She realized Tucker had been showing her his heart all along. It was time to show him hers. “Yes, I would love to marry you.”

  “That’s a relief. I was sure you were going to shoot me down again.”

  “It was tempting, but I missed you. Just a tiny bit.”

  “Only a tiny bit?”

  “Fine, maybe it’s slightly more than tiny.” Her gray eyes lightened, a sure sign of happiness. She leaned into his touch, captivating. “Massively. Colossally. Infinitely.”

  “Without end. That’s how I felt missing you.” He moved in, sure of his course. Sure of this road he’d chosen. His real life was here on a ranch with his family, in the countryside he’d grown up in and with the people who’d made him the man he was. His future was with Sierra, providing for her, protecting her, doing his best to make her the happiest woman on this earth. He’d found his heart, and it was her. “Your love is all I need for the rest of my life. I love you, Sierra.”

  “I love you.” Tenderness polished her, making her lovelier than ever. No doubt shadowed her eyes, no fear, no sorrow. She laid her hand lightly on his chest, directly above his heart. “I love you so very much.”

  “I’m so glad to hear that.” Honesty rang in his words. “I promise you this. I’ll do my utmost never to let you down.”

  “I believe that. I believe in you.” The wounds of her past were gone. Tucker had healed them. Tucker and his unyielding love, his stalwart commitment and the strength of his kindness. “I am going to love you forever.”

  “That’s all? Not forever and a day?” A twinkle of humor hooked the corners of his hard-cut mouth. “Because that’s how long I will love you.”

  She could not ask for more. She had true love. It was easy to see her future with Tucker, living next door to the Granger ranch. There would be horses to ride, muttons for Owen to bust and a lifetime of happiness because of the heart she felt beating next to her own. Because of the man who leaned in and kissed her with exquisite tenderness.

  The moment froze, time slowed to a halt and the world disappeared. There was only their kiss. Flawless. Pure. Gently felt all the way to the soul. When Tucker lifted his lips from hers, the connection of their hearts remained. Yes, their future together was going to be a good one and she was grateful to the Lord for such a rare and precious blessing.

  Outside the windows, night shadows faded. The sun chose that moment to dawn, gilding the world with a heavenly golden light. As Sierra tucked her hand in Tucker’s much larger one and welcomed her son into her arms, she was sure the shadows in her life were behind her. It was the start of a glorious new day.

  Dear Reader,

  Welcome back to Wild Horse, Wyoming. I hope you have enjoyed the continuing stories of THE GRANGER FAMILY RANCH as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them. This time carefree, always-on-the-go cowboy Tucker Granger takes center stage. He’s home recovering from a serious fall off a bareback bronc and becomes an ill boy’s charity wish. Visiting little Owen Baker and his mom, Sierra, touches Tucker, and he can no longer say he’s the same man. His fall and the near death experience that went with it have changed him. Sierra has been abandoned by her former husband, a man who was carefree and easygoing, too. What are the chances that God can lead the two of them down the road to happily-ever-after?

  In these pages, I hope you find familiar faces in the returning characters that people the town of Wild Horse, Wyoming, and that you enjoy your glimpse into the ranching life and the wonder and rewards to be found there. I hope you fall in love along with Frank and Cady and are reminded that it is never too late for second chances. Most of all, I hope this story touches your heart, where it has touched me.

  Thank you for choosing His Country Girl.

  As always, wishing you the best of God’s blessing,

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  What are Sierra’s initial opinions of Tucker Granger? What does this say about her character? About her fears?

  What is Tucker’s reaction when he first sees Sierra in the hospital waiting room? How does he describe her? What does this tell you about his character? How do you know he’s a good man?

  Were you surprised when Tucker comes to stay with Sierra during Owen’s surgery? Why do you think he does this? How does this change Sierra’s opinion of him?

  How did Tucker’s accident affect him? What did he learn?

  Family, friends and the town speculate about Sierra and Tucker’s relationship. What part do they play in the budding romance? How does this affect Sierra? Tucker?

  Sierra feels she cannot risk her son’s heart. But what are her fears for herself?

  Tucker is afraid he’s falling in love with Sierra, but what does he do with that fear? How does he face it? What does that say about him?

  What moral values do you think are important in this book?

  Little Owen wants to be a professional rodeo rider so his real father will want to come see him. What impact does Owen’s desire have on the story? On the romance? What does Owen learn?

  What do you think are the central themes in this book? How do they develop? What meanings do you find in them?

  In the beginning of the story, Sierra wrestles with the aftermath of her former husband’s abandonment. She is afraid to trust in love again. How does she overcome this? What does Tucker actively do through the course of the book to gain her trust?

  How does God guide both Sierra and Tucker? How is this evident? What do they learn about their faith?

  What role do the animals play in the story?

  Cady Winslow believes romance has passed her by, although she is secretly in love with Frank. What meanings do you find in her story? Have you ever had a second chance in your life? How have you handled it?

  What does Sierra learn about true love?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-7991-3

  HIS COUNTRY GIRL

  Copyright © 2011 by Jill Strickler

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

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  *The McKaslin Clan

  **The Granger Family Ranch

  †Buttons & Bobbins