Cowboy Refuge by Janalyn Knight

Author:Janalyn Knight
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cowboys, Danger and protection, Ex-con, Single Mom, North Texas, Rancher, Horse Ranch
Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
Published: 2020-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The evening sky was aglow with the bright colors of the setting sun. Her pulse raced as she spied Ward under the trees.

Patting her chair, he beckoned her over. “Thanks for cleaning up. I have to admit I like the cooking much better.”

“Don’t we all.” She eyed him as she walked over and sat down. Everything about this cowboy sent thrills rippling through her body. He was made to turn her on. With a twist, she removed the cap off her long neck and inhaled both the yeasty scent of the beer and the sweet evening air. This time was so different from the heat of the day. A little breeze puffed across the yard, and water birds called down at the pond.

Ward clasped her hand, his fingers lacing between hers. His were large, strong, and masculine, and hers slender and sturdy. They were a good match. He gently squeezed her hand. She looked up, matching his gaze.

Lowering his head, he said, “I liked your prayer. You and Dusty are good at praying. I imagine God listens to you.”

There was something melancholy about his voice. “I believe He does. In fact, I count on it. He’s seen me through some tough times.”

The dark curls at the nape of Ward’s neck lifted in a passing breeze. Her gaze traveled over his shirt, picking out the muscles in his arms and the breadth of his chest. The energy that usually radiated from him was missing. Yeah, something was definitely going on.

Ward stared out over the pasture fence, rubbing his thumb across hers several times, sending chills up her arm. “I quit praying a long time ago.”

She gripped his hand. Oh, no. You poor man. “You had cause.” She couldn’t imagine surviving what this man had. Would she still have faith if the Lord had allowed Dusty to be taken from her?

In the silence that followed, he squeezed her hand so softly she almost missed it and sighed. “I’ve felt the loss from time to time. Of God.”

With her other hand, she cupped his fingers. “I imagine.” A stab of fear hit her. Could I face life without my God? It was a terrible thought. Poor man, he must feel so very alone.

He took a deep, slow breath and looked at her. “How’s our boy doing in there?”

“He was mighty torn between spending time with you and watching those cartoons. I’m sorry to say, you lost out.”

Ward barked a laugh. “The story of my life.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, right.” A man this handsome didn’t miss out on much.

He squeezed her fingers again.

The warmth of his hand was an anchor. No man had ever made her feel this way. His gentleness, his scent, and the rich, deep sound of his quiet voice calmed her.

“Tell me about your life. What’s it like to be Jayme Bonner? Oh, and skip the part about coming to work for me. I know that sucked.”

She rocked her head back and laughed. “You’re right. It did.” She told

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.