Hi, readers – I’m looking forward to chatting with you! I’m also sending out a big thank you to Kate for inviting me back here to share an excerpt from my latest release.
The Hitching Post Hotel series debuted in April with The Cowboy’s Little Surprise, and book 2, A Rancher of Her Own, has just been released. From the cover of A Rancher of Her Own:
A REASON TO STAY
Ranch manager Pete Brannigan has no interest in playing tour guide to a city slicker like Jane Garland. But spending a few days with the headstrong photographer is a small price to pay for everything her grandfather has given the single dad. Though Pete’s drawn to Jane’s sharp wit and striking beauty, he won’t hurt his young children by falling for another woman who puts her career before family.
Jane’s seen the world through her camera…and used it to shield her emotions. With Pete, she can finally let her guard down. If only he could do the same. Despite their powerful bond, Pete still can’t trust Jane with his kids or his heart. But if he keeps pushing her away, he may ruin any chance their relationship has to develop.
~~
Pete and Jane have locked horns ever since her teenager days, when “older man” Pete worked on her grandfather Jed’s ranch. Now, shortly after their first face-to-face meeting in several years, Jed has them working on a project together. This hasn’t improved their relationship…yet they’re finding the reluctant partnership has certain benefits!
“You know, if you’d really rather not do this,” she said mildly, “you could send someone else to take your place.”
No, he couldn’t, thanks to Jed.
Dang. He owed the boss so much, yet here he was having inappropriate thoughts about the man’s granddaughter.
He turned and looked up at her on the stepladder. “Just watching out for your safety.”
“Thanks, but that’s not necessary. I’ve been in much riskier places than on a ladder in a hotel room.”
“Name two.”
“At the scene of a government overthrow. And undercover in a drug lord’s headquarters.”
She’d made the statements so matter-of-factly, he couldn’t question the truth of them. Her blank expression told him not to pursue this part of their conversation.
He’d heard Jed complain often enough about his granddaughter’s job as a photojournalist. Till now, he’d had no idea of the level of danger involved. He suspected Jed didn’t, either.
“And you’ve gone from that to this?”
She laughed, low and husky, setting off that rattling sensation inside him again. “When Grandpa speaks, I listen.”
He thought of what she had said about her father, another topic she didn’t seem inclined to discuss. “And when your dad speaks, you pay attention, too?”
“Something like that.”
She swung her leg over the top of the ladder and clambered down the steps, one hand held in front of her to protect the camera on its strap. “I think we’re done here.”
He glanced at the tub. “That’s a waste of hot water. And not to mention all the fun we’d miss out on with the bubbles.”
“Is it your turn to make me an offer?”
“Something like that.” He hadn’t deliberately echoed her words, but they were out before he could stop himself.
“You’re right. Why waste all those bubbles? Why don’t you feel free to jump in—” she raised the camera “—and give me a big smile.”
He stepped forward, reaching out to cover the lens. It put him close enough to see the pure silver-gray of her eyes surrounded by lashes as dark as her hair. “I’ll pass on that offer, too.”
“Why? Are you camera-shy?”
The real answer would take too long and tell her much more than he wanted her to know. “Let’s make things perfectly clear, the way you like ’em.” He tugged gently on her silver chain and watched her eyes darken. “Honey, I’m not shy about anything.”
Find A Rancher of Her Own:
Author Bio
Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.
When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling magic in books—and she’s been hooked ever since. She hopes you will enjoy reading her books and will find your own magic in them!
Barbara’s new series, The Hitching Post Hotel, features a matchmaking grandpa determined to see his three granddaughters wed. The series began in April 2015 with The Cowboy’s Little Surprise and continues with A Rancher of Her Own in July and The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal in December.
She loves to chat with readers, and you can find her online at the following locations:
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Newsletter ~ Blog ~ Amazon ~ Harlequin ~ Goodreads
Social
I love your books… they always leave me with a smile! 🙂
Kate – thanks again for inviting me back here. Love to visit and chat!
Colleen – you don’t know how much I appreciate that.
I love a book that leaves me smiling and sometimes even a little teary-eyed, and that’s what I hope my books do, too – so thanks a bunch for the wonderful compliment!