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Ellie and the Lawman
Leaving behind her big city life, Ellie Buckton can’t wait to return to Blue Thorn Ranch—the place she’s always considered home, and the perfect place to mend her wounded heart. But she’s unprepared for the instant sparks she feels with the town’s new lawman, Nash Larson. Strong and steady Nash doesn’t want any attachments in his temporary posting. Not with the troubled teens he and Ellie are drafted to work with. And especially not with Ellie or the undeniable feelings she inspires within him. Nash likes to play by the book. But law and order can’t always rule when love is concerned…
“Are you sure you need to say no? Maybe you’re just scared to say yes.
Gran always says scared isn’t a good enough reason to say no to something that might be good.”
“Then your grandmother is a stronger person than I am.”
What Nash did, helping those kids in LA, must have taken so much courage and compassion. It couldn’t all be gone just because one kid betrayed him. Then again, wasn’t she hiding out here in Martins Gap because of betrayal, too? “What if what you really need is to prove to yourself you still can see the good in kids like that? What’s the worst that could happen?”
He shook his head and gave a dark, low laugh. “I could get shot again. And this time the kid may not miss.”
“Cowboys and Indians,” she said, remembering his earlier comment that now had such a different edge to it.
“Cops and robbers,” he said, his features showing a hint of humor.
“Cars and knitting. It’s an idea so crazy it just might work.”
“It probably won’t work,” Nash said. “But maybe I ought to try anyway.”
ALLIE PLEITER, an award-winning author and RITA® Award finalist, writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion for knitting shows up in many of her books and all over her life. Entirely too fond of French macarons and lemon meringue pie, Allie spends her days writing books and avoiding housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and lives near Chicago, Illinois.
Coming Home to Texas
Allie Pleiter
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
—Isaiah 61:1–3
For Amanda
For all she is becoming
Special thanks again to Beverly Brown
and Donnis Baggett, the owners of the
Lucky B Bison Ranch in Bryan, Texas, who
continue to support me with information,
hospitality and friendship. Thanks also
to Ron and Theresa Miskin at the
Buffalo Wool Company for explaining to me
all about bison fiber.
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