A Rancher's Christmas Gift (Reader Dedications)

Evelyn McCarthy did not expect a call from ranch owner Brant Kaspen after nearly a decade, the same man she loved who had stood her up back in high school. He chose the family ranch over her and hadn’t spoken to her since that lonely prom night. But now, he needs her help. After a decade away from home, traveling abroad to bring books to underprivileged children and to help them learn to read and write, Evelyn’s extension program has run out of funds. During a pit stop in Ireland to visit her sister on her way back to the states, Evelyn gets a message from long-silent Brant. Now in charge of the Bramblin’ Family Ranch and a fatherly figure to his young nephew, Brant needs the help of someone he can trust. His nephew is struggling in school, and everyone else has given up on him. Evelyn can’t turn down the chance to help a child in need and meet up with a few old friends, so she returns to her rustic hometown for a temporary stay at Brant’s family ranch in Colorado. But her boss at the city learning center wants to know when she’ll be back. And her boyfriend, Josiah, is eager to see her again. The moment she leaves, Brant’s nephew seems to forget all of his lessons and slips back into his silent, shy self, leading Evelyn to make repeat visits to the ranch. It isn’t easy to be around Brant, the one who stole and broke her heart as a teen. An autumn frost hits the ranch hard, making each trip more dangerous the closer they get to Christmas. When Eve finds herself stuck at the ranch, secrets come out from her family, Josiah, and Brant that will change her future forever. Will she spend a Christmas with Brant and his nephew on the ranch and be able to confront the truth about why Brant stood her up? Or will Evelyn find herself running as far as she can in the opposite direction? A clean and wholesome small-town, western, holiday romance. Read more