Author Susan Fox begins an exciting new series with this heartwarming introduction to the rugged Western town of Caribou Crossing - where a starry-eyed young couple sow the seeds of the life they’ve always wanted.… Wade Bly is certain of his destiny: He’ll marry his high school sweetheart, Miriam, work at his father’s ranch, and eventually inherit the place and make it his own. And of course, they’ll have a few kids once they’ve had time to enjoy married life and save some money. But when an unexpected pregnancy speeds up their plans, Wade can only hope he’s up for the challenge.… Miriam always knew she and Wade would be happy together. He’s a good provider and a doting father to their spirited daughter, Jess. And when the lights go out, he’s the passionate cowboy of her wildest dreams. But when a string of disappointments leaves them both feeling doubtful about their future, they’ll have to rediscover themselves and their love - to see that the life they fear is over is really just beginning….
Release date:
July 1, 2013
Publisher:
Audible Studios
Print pages:
160
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Miriam Bly lay in darkness, her eyelids heavy, shuttering her from the world. Dimly, she was aware of an ache in her belly, another in her heart, but the sensations were dull, muffled. A cocoon wrapped her, protecting her from . . . From what?
This wasn’t normal not-quite-awake-yet sleep. She felt almost like she’d been drugged. What could have . . . But the thought faded before she could follow it through.
She wanted to open her eyes.
No, maybe she didn’t. Instinct told her there was something she didn’t want to face.
A male voice prodded the border of her safe cocoon. “Honey, I’m here.”
Wade. It was Wade.
A sense of peace filled her. She was with Wade, safe and loved.
“I’m with you, Miriam,” he said softly. “Now and forever.”
She smiled. No need to open her eyes, because his beloved face was crystal clear in her mind’s eye.
Wade Bly walked down the hospital corridor, running a hand over his stubbly jaw, and swallowed a yawn. The wall clock said five past ten. Outside the window, blustery snow whirled down from a slate-gray sky. February at its nastiest.
He’d had only a couple hours’ sleep during the last thirty. Though he was used to staying up all night when there was a problem with the livestock, this was a whole different thing. He had never, in his entire twenty-seven years, felt so exhausted, drained, and downright shitty. His eyes ached from holding back tears, and his throat burned with unuttered curses and screams.
He fed change into the coffee machine and bought two cups, then returned to Miriam’s room.
His mother-in-law glanced up from where she sat by the bed, holding Miriam’s left hand.
“Any sign of her waking up?” he asked, handing her one of the cardboard coffee containers.
Rose shook her head. Bleak light from the window fell across her face. A high school teacher, she was usually cheerful and energetic, but on this dismal morning she looked as bad as he felt. “Just as you left, her eyelids rippled, but she didn’t open her eyes. She’s smiled a couple of times.” Rose stared at him somberly through swollen, bloodshot eyes.
He bit his lip. Once Miriam woke, she wouldn’t be smiling. He sank down in the chair on the other side of the bed, took a sip of coffee, grimaced, and put the cup down. Threading his fingers through Miriam’s, he thought how small and lifeless her hand felt.
Her hands were usually in action, tending their daughter, holding a horse’s reins, baking cake, squeezing his butt, stroking him with lazy sensuality.
Rose’s voice broke into his thoughts. “You found someone to feed the cattle and horses?”
“Yeah. Ted Williamson’s going to go over.”
“Did you call your parents?”
“No. I’ll wait until Miriam wakes up.” He wished his mom was here now, though. He could use one of her hugs. The phone just wasn’t the same.
Thinking of his mom’s health, his parents’ move, all the changes over the past months, he asked quietly, “Do you think it was too much for Miriam? Us moving to the ranch and all?” He’d vowed to protect his wife, and he’d failed.
“She’s not like your mother, Wade.” Her voice was even. “She’s strong, she’s always been healthy.”
His mother was strong-minded and loving, but physically frail. Back in the fall she’d had a really bad spell and the doctor said the climate was too harsh for her. That’s when his folks decided to retire early and move to Phoenix.
“You and Miriam always knew Bly Ranch would be yours,” his mother-in-law went on. “It just happened a lot sooner than you expected.” She stifled a yawn and rested her head against the back of her chair.
“A hell of a lot sooner.” His pa wasn’t even sixty yet, and Wade had figured that it’d be another twenty, thirty years before he and Miriam would take over Bly Ranch—and that they’d inherit it, clear title.
“It was the only thing that worked for everyone.”
“Yeah.” His parents had had to finance their move and buy a home down south, not to mention anticipate their living expenses for the rest of their lives, so they couldn’t afford to just give the ranch to Wade and Miriam. They’d given them half, though. Using the down payment he and Miriam had been saving for a house in town, the two of them had obtained a mortgage. A hellacious mortgage that’d have them pinching pennies for years to come.
Rose’s voice broke into his musings. “Last time I spoke to your mom, she said she was feeling so much better.”
“I know. It’s great.”
“She said they’re both learning golf.” She closed her eyes and this time a yawn did escape.
Wade yawned, too, trying to fight against his exhaustion so he’d be awake when Miriam opened her eyes. “So I heard.” He couldn’t picture his hardworking rancher pa on a golf course. But his father would do anything to look after his mom. That was what husbands did for the women they loved. Wade reached for the foul coffee, took another sip. It did nothing to combat his weariness or his sense of guilt.
In a drowsy voice, Rose said, “Miriam loves the ranch.”
“I know.” He’d close his eyes and rest them for just a second.
“She was so excited about moving out there last December.”
“She was.” He smiled as a memory came into his mind.
Sounds penetrated the woolly borders of Miriam’s safe cocoon. Jarring noises. Loud voices, the clatter of something metal, feet thudding down the hall. Noises that made her anxious. Something was wrong, very wrong.
No, she didn’t want to face it. Couldn’t deal with it.
Running feet.
That so. . .
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