The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2)

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “No, kids, don’t do that,” she called out.

  Mason gave her another squeeze. “I’m sure whoever is buried there would love to know young children are playing on their grave.”

  “I guess,” Tricia said.

  “You’re a terrific mother,” Mason said, “just in case you were wondering.”

  “I think it comes with the territory. The wondering and second-guessing.” Tricia thought of comments her mother had made. How being a mother was like trying to fix a car while you’re driving it. It was always damage control and required a juggling act that would challenge even the most agile circus performer.

  “I try my best,” Tricia said, smiling up at him. “But I have to tell you I’m thankful that I have you to help me do this. I’m so glad we have each other.”

  “No happier than I am,” Mason said. “Now let’s get those kids before they knock over a gravestone. I don’t want any ghosts haunting us.”

  “I didn’t think you believed in ghosts,” Tricia teased him.

  “I don’t. Just making a joke.” He looked at Tricia. “But I do believe in angels,” he said with a smirk.

  Tricia groaned at his cheesy remark.

  “I’m glad we didn’t start our relationship off with that,” she said with a wry smile.

  “No, actually, we started it off with you accepting a ride from a stranger.”

  “A stranger no more, though maybe just a little strange.”

  Mason held his hand to his chest as if protecting himself from her comment. “That’s almost as bad as mine.”

  “Maybe. But I think you can handle it.”

  “I’m sure I’ll try,” he said, pulling her close and giving her a soft, warm kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, joy and wonder coursing through her. This man. With her.

  But she didn’t have time to wonder much longer, because the kids hurtled themselves at them. “Hug us, hug us,” they yelled.

  Mason picked up Hope and Tricia grabbed Cash by the hand.

  Then, together they took their little family back to the truck and back home.

  I hope you enjoyed watching Tricia and Mason come to a good place in their lives. Elliot, her brother, is still dealing with his own struggles. Here’s a sneak peek of his story in Taming the Cowboy.

  Chapter One

  “Race you to your ranch,” Trent called out, flashing Elliot a grin, his horse prancing in a circle, obviously as eager to go as his owner was.

  Elliot shook his head, holding his horse back, thinking of the terrain they had to cross yet to get home. “Kane would shoot me if I showed up with a broken leg a couple of weeks before his wedding.”

  “Some saddle bronc rider you are, Elliot,” Trent laughed, pulling his hat tighter down on his head as in preparation for the race he hoped to run. “Afraid of a bit of buck brush and a wooden bridge?”

  Elliot held his friend’s challenging look, still holding his horse back. Two-Bits was picking up on Trent’s eagerness to get going and he was getting harder to hold in.

  The sun was shining and a light summer breeze whispered through the trees edging the river below them. A perfect day for a ride which was why he was out here. When Elliot woke up this morning, Kane, his father, Tricia and the kids were gone. Kane left a note telling him that they hoped to be back by noon and if he was up before that, could he at least clean up behind himself. They were expecting company later on today.

  The note put Elliot’s hackles up. Though Kane said frequently that their relationship was okay, that he had forgiven him for keeping himself apart from the family so long, he clearly didn’t think his little brother was very responsible. So Elliot skipped breakfast thereby skipping making a mess, got his horse saddled and headed to Trent’s place to go riding. Trent had a couple of days off and was happy to head out with him.

  They were on their way back and had taken a shortcut which led to the ranch.

  Only they had to cross the river and now Trent wanted to race.

  “I’m not afraid, just trying to be responsible.” Elliot put heavy emphasis on the last word, struggling with the feeling that his brother and father still didn’t seem to think he was.

  Responsible that was.

  Trouble was, more often than not he tended to agree with him.

  “And as a cop, I’m surprised you’re not more responsible yourself.”

  “I’m on my time off,” Trent returned with a grin. “I get to be reckless. When I’m back in uniform I’ll be all citizen of the year. So you can stay behind and be all responsible or you can show me if you still got it, Meacher.”

  Before Elliot could correct him, tell him he didn’t go by that last name, Trent turned his prancing horse around, gave it a nudge in the ribs and with a spray of dirt, he was off. Elliot held his horse back a moment, watching his friend’s back, then gave into the challenge and let his own horse go.

  The wind flying past his face, the thundering hooves all combined to create an exhilaration he hadn’t felt in some time. A freedom he had missed. Trent rounded a corner but Elliot pulled his horse back and made a split second decision to take a short cut. Plunging through the brush, he avoided slapping willow bushes, his horse gamely charging ahead. Down the river bank and into the river, water spraying up behind his horse’s hooves. Elliot glanced sidelong to see where Trent was, then heard an ear piercing scream.

  He yanked his attention back to the water in time to see a woman closer to the opposite bank perched precariously on a rock a third of the way into the river. He caught a glimpse of dark blonde hair pulled up into a tight bun, brown eyes wide with shock, a suit jacket and a narrow skirt and bare feet.

  And he was a headed right for her

  Elliot pulled hard on the reins, hoping Two-Bits wouldnt’ slip on the rocks and, even more, hoping they wouldn’t ram into the woman who was now splashing through the water, trying to get to the bank, tottering, trying to catch her balance.

  Two-Bits pulled back, ears up, eyes wide and slammed to a halt, his feet scrabbling on the rocks of the river, trying to find his footing. Elliot held his seat against the sudden stop, giving his horse enough leeway to get his feet under him and still hold him back.

  And then the woman, still trying to get away, took a wrong step and fell into the river, face first.

  Elliot got his horse calmed and quickly jumped off, splashing through the water to get to her. She was pushing herself to her hands and knees in the shallow water as he approached, water streaming down her face. She tried to get to her feet, but the slippery rocks prevented her getting a decent foothold.

  “Sorry about that,” he said, holding his hand out to her as she struggled to her feet. “I didn’t see you.”

  She glared at him, ignoring his outstretched hand. “You weren’t even on the trail. What were you doing coming crashing into here?”

  “I was taking a short-cut,” he said with a shrug and a grin. Up close she was even prettier than his initial glimpse of her had shown him, even soaking wet, water dripping down her face and making her mascara run. Her green eyes were fringed by thick, spiky lashes and he caught a faint sprinkling of freckles over her nose and cheeks. The suit jacket and skirt set off her trim figure.

  “You didn’t need to come charging in here,” she snapped.

  For a moment Elliott was tempted to tell her that he had more right to go charging on his horse wherever he pleased than she did to get upset about said charging. Besides, how did she expect to maintain her balance in bare feet on wet rocks?

  Then her eyes widened and she spun around, her head shifting from side to side. “Where is it?” she called out, panicked.

  “Where’s what?”

  “My camera.” She flailed around in the water now on her hands and knees her arm splashing in the water. “I lost my camera.”

  Elliot flashed on a vague memory of her crouched down holding something in her hand before she made a dash for the river bank.

  He looked with her and then he saw it. A larg
e black, wavering blob, laying on the rocks of the river. He bent over and fished it out just as she grabbed it from him.

  “I hope it’s okay,” was all he could say.

  She turned it over and over in her hand, the distress on her face clearly showing him it wasn’t.

  “All my pictures,” she wailed, brushing ineffectually at the water dripping off the camera. “Ruined. No thanks to you,” she said, still inspecting her camera, frowning now.

  “Look, I was just out for a ride. You were wading through a creek on someone else’s property,” he couldn’t resist adding. In spite of the humor of the situation her anger created a responding anger in him. She really had no right to accuse him of ruining her camera.

  She shot him a glare. “The fence was down. I didn’t think any livestock were here.”

  There weren’t but she was still trespassing. Not that he was pushing that point. He really didn’t care. Technically it was his brother and father’s land. He was just visiting and following through on a promise to help his brother with his wedding while he waited out an injury.

  And once his arm healed up a bit more he’d be gone again. The rodeo was calling and this year was going to be his year.

  But for now he was faced with a sopping wet woman and in spite of her anger, Zach, his foster father, had taught him to always be polite and considerate, even to trespassers wearing clothes more suited to Corporate Calgary than Rural Rockyview.

  “Do you need a ride to town or wherever you are staying?” he asked.

  She looked up at him then, and shook her head. Then her gaze darted past him. And once again she was scrambling awkwardly backwards, eyes wide, mouth open as if to scream again.

  What was wrong with her now?

  “Your horse. Get him away.” The way she was struggling to maintain her footing while moving away from him would have been comical if not for the terror in her voice.

  He frowned, glancing back at Two-Bits who had finally joined them, nudging Elliot with his head, looking for attention.

  Elliot caught the dangling reins and looked back at the woman who was now at the river bank, grabbing at roots with one hand, her camera dangling from her other hand. She clawed her way up the bank, falling a couple of times, her narrow skirt hindering her, then shot another panicked glance over her shoulder.

  “Stay away,” she called out. “Just stay away.”

  Elliot could only stare at her, unable to process the idea that anyone could possibly be afraid of Two Bits.

  “He’s okay. He won’t do…anything,” was all he could say.

  “Just stay away,” she called out finally making it to the top of the bank. “You’ve done enough for one day.”

  As far as Elliot was concerned he hadn’t really done anything more than go for a ride on his own land.

  “But you’re all wet. Let me help you out.”

  “I’m not made of salt. I’ll survive.”

  “What’s your name? Where are you staying?”

  “None of your business,” she called back.

  “I could pay for the camera,” he said.

  But all he got in return was a dismissive wave of her hand over her shoulder as she stumbled into the tangle of willows and brush on the edge of the river.

  If you’re interested, you can get Taming the Cowboy by clicking on the link below

  PRE-ORDER TAMING THE COWBOY

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  Family Ties

  Introducing a new series called Family Ties.

  Four siblings trying to finding their way back to family and faith

  A COWBOY’S REUNION

  He’s still reeling from the breakup. She’s ashamed of what she did. Can a chance reunion mend the fence, or are some hearts forever broken? If you like second chance stories, buried passions, and big country settings, then you’ll love this emotional novel. Tap the link to start the adventure.

  PURCHASE HERE

  THE COWBOY’S FAMILY

  She's desperate. He's loyal. Will a dark lie hold them back from finding love on the ranch? If you like determined heroines, charming cowboys, and family dramas, then you’ll love this heartfelt novel. Click on the link below to find out more.

  PURCHASE HERE

  TAMING THE COWBOY

  A saddle bronc trying to prove himself worthy to a father who never loved him. A wedding planner whose ex-fiancee was too busy chasing his own dreams to think of hers. Two people, completely wrong for each other who yet need each other in ways they never realized. Can they let go of their own plans to find a way to heal together?

  PURCHASE HERE

  THE COWBOY’S HOMECOMING

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  Sweet Hearts of Sweet Creek

  This is new series of mine that is out now. Tap the title to find out more.

  #1 HOMECOMING

  Will past bitterness blind her to future love?

  #2 - HER HEARTS PROMISE

  When the man she once loved reveals a hidden truth about the past, Nadine has to choose between justice and love.

  #3 - CLOSE TO HIS HEART

  Can love triumph over tragedy?

  #4 - DIVIDED HEARTS

  To embrace a second chance at love, they'll need to discover the truths of the past and the possibilities of the future…

  #5 - A HERO AT HEART

  If you like rekindled chemistry, family drama, and small, beautiful towns, then you’ll love this story of heart and heroism.

  #6 - A MOTHER’S HEART

  If you like matchmaking daughters, heartfelt stories of mending broken homes, and fixer-upper romance, then this story of second chances is just right for you.

  In this series you’ll get to know the residents of this town set in the Kootenay mountains and surrounded by ranch land and populated with interesting characters.

  Nadine Laidlaw, a newspaper reporter, who can’t seem to get rid of her meddling, matchmaking Grandmother and Clint Fletcher, her new boss, who is a reminder of all she wants to forget.

  Tess Kruger whose pain has sent her back to her hometown of Sweet Creek trying to find redemption. When her ex-fiancee, Jace Scholte shows up and she’s forced to work with him on a fundraiser she struggles with her old feelings for him and the secret she can never tell him.

  Cory Luciuk is working her way through life, waitressing at the Riverside Cafe. And then the man who broke her heart and tainted her past shows up again.

  Kelsey Swain, a widow with a small boy has seen her share of sorrow when her husband died. She now runs the Riverside Cafe, struggling to get it off the ground. Then his ex-partner comes back to Sweet Creek and with him a reminder of what she lost.

  The series is complete and ready to be binge read at your leisure!!!

  The Holmes Crossing Series

  The Only Best Place is the first book in the Holmes Crossing Series. Click on the title of each book to purchase.

  #1 THE ONLY BEST PLACE

  One mistake jeopardized their relationship. Will surrendering her dreams to save their marriage destroy her?

  #2 ALL IN ONE PLACE

  She has sass, spunk and a haunting secret.

  #3 THIS PLACE

  Her secret could destroy their second chance at love

  #4 A SILENCE IN THE HEART

  Can a little boy, an injured kitten and a concerned vet with his own past pain, break down the walls of Tracy’s heart?

  #5 ANY MAN OF MINE

  Living with three brothers has made Danielle tired of guys and cowboys. She wants a man. But is she making the right choice?

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

/>   Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Epilogue

  Reader Group

  Family Ties

  Sweet Hearts of Sweet Creek

  The Holmes Crossing Series