The Unintended Groom & the Bride Wore Spurs by Debra Ullrick

Author:Debra Ullrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-03-12T18:36:05+00:00

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Matt eased back on the reins, slowing the horses to pass through the Lazy P gate. At his side, Hannah soaked up the terrain. Barely nineteen, yet certain she had her future mapped out. The set of her shoulders, her ramrod back, the tilt of her jaw, all pointed to one determined woman.

He swallowed hard. One determined, beautiful woman.

The skinny tomboy in baggy clothes, who sometimes could outride, outshoot and outrope Zack, had grown up. He forced his eyes away from the pretty woman at his side and onto the Parrish house up ahead.

The past year, he’d fallen into the habit of spending evenings here with Martin, discussing politics or cattle business over a game of checkers. With Hannah away, this ranch had become his refuge, his second home. Here he could unwind, away from haunting memories of Amy in his parents’ house, away from the watchful eyes of his loved ones, away from his father’s tight control.

As he’d gotten close to Martin, he hadn’t seen the signs of his friend’s waning health, but when he grew weak, pale, Matt could no longer deny Martin was sick—too sick to run the ranch. Without shirking his responsibilities at the Circle W, Matt had overseen operations of the Lazy P. The additional work pushed him to his limits, but nothing compared to the agony of watching a friend’s body deteriorate.

Like a crouching lion, a sense of helplessness, sorrow and anger had sprung up inside him, awakening feelings he’d had when he lost Amy. Feelings he’d tried to bury with endless work, collapsing into bed at night, too drained to feel anything.

He’d seen the flash of fear in Hannah’s eyes as he’d spoken of Martin’s health. Unless God wrought a miracle for Martin, she’d have her heart broken.

This spitfire in a skirt, about as competent as a man with his hands tied behind his back, could no more handle this ranch than a cowpoke could handle city life. No matter what she said, she’d need to sell the land. Go back to Charleston where she fit, where she could find herself a husband.

The thought of the anguish awaiting her stung the backs of his eyes. He blinked, clearing the mist, and strengthened his resolve to stay clear of entanglements. He’d do all he could for Martin. But, the debutante’s future wasn’t his problem. He’d hold himself apart, keep that armor in place. The only way he could be of use to anyone.

He halted the horses in front of the Parrish house, a low-slung solid structure with an inviting shady porch sheltering a cluster of twig furniture. A quiet spot where a man could catch a sunset. Catch his breath. Catch a moment with God.

He climbed down and headed toward Hannah. Before he reached her, she’d grabbed a fistful of skirts, jumped down and dashed up the steps. No doubt impatient to see her father.

The door swung open. Rosa, the Parrish housekeeper, stepped out, plump arms thrown as wide as the welcoming smile on her face.

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