Book 11: The Mountain Monroes
Healing the Rancher
Some scars are skin-deep…Others run deeper.
Widowed rancher and gruff single dad Finn McAfee hides behind his scars. That is, until city gal Kendall Monroe arrives, determined to learn everything about ranching. But while Kendall definitely doesn’t fit in, her infectious energy seems to touch the lives of everyone she meets—including Finn and his little girl. Now everything Finn cherishes could be unraveled by the one thing he thought he’d lost forever: love.
Tropes: cowboy romance, single dad romance, fish out of water romance, beauty & the beast, clean romance
Excerpt:
A man and a woman entered, having arrived in that newer truck. Instinctively, Finn turned his face away as they passed, lowering the left brim of his cowboy hat to cover his scars.
“How can you have blown your savings?” the tall cowboy grumbled, scowling at the woman as he stood in front of a display of wine. “You’re my sister.”
Sister? That was surprising. The woman was dressed for the city—fancy high-heeled, half boots, jeans that clung to every outline of her body, a flowery, flouncy blouse and dangly earrings. Her thick, long black hair was straight, and fell smoothly over her shoulders. She was a rare bird up here, a looker, and if it hadn’t been for Lizzie and his scars, Finn might have looked his fill.
Mack rang up Finn’s purchases while he sent covert glances toward the other customers.
“Money management is my thing, Kendall,” the tall cowboy continued with obvious disdain. “I could have helped you months ago. You’ll be broke by years’ end. ‘Broke, broke, broke,’ as little Adam would say.”
“‘Broke, broke, broke,’” the woman named Kendall said, mimicking the man as she propped a hand on her hip. “I didn’t plan on being laid off, totaling my car, or spending a fortune repeatedly visiting my family in Second Chance this year.” She shook herself a little, like a duck shedding excess water. And suddenly, she didn’t look nearly as annoyed. “Stop worrying. I’ve got this. I have prospects.”
“You have one prospect and it’s a long shot.” Still scowling, the cowboy glanced down at his sister’s feet and her black, shiny half boots, the ones no self-respecting rancher would wear to work in. “You shouldn’t gamble with the roof over your head. At the very least, you could have cut back on your clothing budget.”
“Leave it, Holden. If I wanted a lecture, I’d go see Dad.” Kendall’s gray-eyed gaze bounced from her brother to the front door. “I’m worried about Shane. He looked awful in the hospital. And the doctor said he needed surgery to stop the internal bleeding.”
Holden. Shane. Names started to click. These were Monroes. The Monroes had inherited the town of Second Chance last winter, and although they’d gotten a rocky start in town, they were now making good things happen. New jobs were opening up—new businesses, too. Things in the sleepy town were changing as they headed into another winter.
Now if only some cowboys in need of work would move to town…
Mack recited the total of Finn’s purchases. He pulled out his wallet, noticing Lizzie’s attention shift to the Monroe woman and stay there. Finn could relate. Even now, his eyes kept moving in her direction.
“Two black eyes. A punctured lung. Internal bleeding.” Kendall hugged herself. “He could have died.”
“It could be worse,” Holden said quietly. “Shane was lucky you were talking to him when he ran off the road and crashed. After you called me, Bernadette and I found him quickly. Since she's a doctor she quickly had him airlifted to Boise.” The tall cowboy turned his attention to the wine selection, rubbing a hand over his chest as if the episode had been upsetting. “But now Franny and everyone at the Bucking Bull are going to be focused on his recuperation. You’d just be in the way over there.”
This time, it was Kendall who frowned. “I spent summers on our Texas ranch, same as you, Holden. I can help Franny feed and water stock, muck out stalls, even saddle a horse.”
Even saddle a horse.
She sounded like a greenhorn. Finn almost laughed.
“All I need,” Kendall continued, “is to brush up on my ranching skills and lingo so Old Man Connelly approves me to promote his ranch on social media. I’ll give it a few days and then ask if Franny could use my help at the Bucking Bull.”
“Finn is looking for a ranch hand.” Mackenzie slid Finn’s purchases across the counter, nodding at him. “He’s got a big spread, a large herd of cattle and he’s always in need of help. I bet you could work something out.”
The two Monroes turned to stare at Finn. He knew what they’d see right off—the stained blue jeans, his dusty brown cowboy hat and scuffed cowboy boots. The things that said he was no hobby rancher. What they couldn’t see, because his face was averted and whiskers partially covered his jawline, were his scars. He didn’t want to show them, didn’t want to see their reaction or hear their hastily made excuses about how his ranch—his knowledge—wasn’t right for Kendall.
Grrr.
He was simultaneously angry at the world and sickened with himself for this weakness. He was a former marine, a ranch owner and a dad. He should hold his head high and set a good example for Lizzie.
Self-chastised, Finn faced the pair head-on, letting them see his left cheek and his scars. “Sorry, but I’m not running a dude ranch.”
Kendall didn’t flinch. Her gaze didn’t fall from his. Her expression didn’t turn pitying. Nor did she gasp in horrified surprise. She was a class act. But on the other hand, she didn’t admit she was far from qualified to be his ranch hand. She. Just. Stared.
“Finn put up a flyer.” Mack ripped down the flyer and held it toward the Monroes. “Advertising for help. Ranching is hard up here. Hands are hard to come by.”
“That’s enough, Mack,” Finn said as kindly as he was able to.
She paid him no mind. “But it’s harder when you’re a single dad.”
Finn handed Lizzie her puff and took the bottle of bubble bath. “I need capable ranch hands, not…” He left the sentence incomplete, having been raised not to disrespect others, especially women.
“But she’s broke, Daddy.” Lizzie swung her puff by its string. “That’s what the cowboy said. And we take in broken things.”
Finn smiled at the Monroes, but when he spoke it was only for his daughter. “Look at the nice lady, honey. She’s not broken.”
I am.
The Story Behind the Story
All through the series, Kendall has been referred to as one of the fashionable Monroes. I thought it would be fun to put her in a position where - this woman who hates dirt and bugs - has to work on a ranch to get the client she wants. I know. I’m a bit evil.
And speaking of evil…A few fans of Shane’s (hero book 4), let me know that they didn’t like the way Shane was turning out in books 8-9. This is why the poor guy had to be in a car crash in this book and rethink his priorities.
Cookies: This book teases the book that comes after it. Yes, all you Bo Monroe Lovers! I saved the hunkiest Monroe for last.
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