April's Angel
Whispers in Wyoming
Danni Roan
Copyright © 2020 Danni Roan
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 9781234567890
ISBN-10: 1477123456
Cover design by: Erin Dameron-Hill
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309
Printed in the United States of America
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
2 Timothy 1:7
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Epigraph
Introduction
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Introduction
After nearly five years, Angie has her chance to return to the Broken J Dude Ranch where a summer holiday as a teen helped her determine where her life would go. Now halfway through her career track in college, she isn’t sure if she has made the right choice and fear threatens to keep her from moving forward. Struggling to find the strength to hold on she seeks refuge in one of her happiest memories. Jace Anton has been working Wyoming ranches since he was a boy, but as much as he enjoys the work, something always seems to be missing. He knows his heart is in the right place but are his feet. Committing his uncertain future to God, he takes a job at the bustling Broken J where everything will change.
Prologue
Chase Haven stepped out onto the front porch of his slate gray one-story home and snaked his hand around his wife’s trim waist, lifting his coffee mug with the other. The cool air of a crisp dawn shimmered in the morning light and the misty forms of horses in the pasture where his house sat shimmered in the predawn.
“You’re up early,” he mused, his bright eyes dancing as he pulled Philomena closer, forcing her to stand from where she had been leaning against the porch rail. Phil slipped her arm around his back and hooked her thumb in the loop of his faded jeans. Her steaming mug of black gold gripped in her left hand. They were quite a pair, Phil and Chase, and the onetime champion broncobuster knew it.
Philomena Allen had inherited the old rundown ranch some eight years ago, and he had met her soon after when her big lunk of a cousin, and his oldest friend, had offered Chase the opportunity of a lifetime as head wrangler to the Broken J Dude Ranch. The idea of a dude ranch hadn’t appealed to him, but the opportunity to bring his family’s herd of prime Quarter Horse stock together had.
“The children are still sleeping,” Phil said, “and I couldn’t resist the chance for a few moments of peace and quiet before the day got started. You know things are already hopping this spring even though summer is our busiest time. The weather this spring has been mild, and we’re booked solid. Now that we have the RV Park, which is full to capacity, we’re even busier. Then Red has a handful of his SOWER friends in helping with maintenance here at the ranch and for the charity organizations all over Wyoming. All told it’s stacking up to be a crazy day.”
Chase tugged Phil closer pulling her around, so he could see her face. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and he never got tired of looking at her. Her dark hair shimmered in the orange glow of the sunrise turning her auburn highlights to a fiery hue, her violet eyes sparkled up at him as her free hand brushed a strand of blonde hair from his forehead.
Phil tipped up on her toes kissing her husband lightly. She had never truly known love until she met Chase. The handsome, former bronco rider and rodeo hero had stepped into her life and brought with him a faith that had finally found its mark in her heart. “What would I do without you?” she asked.
“You’d muddle through,” Chase teased, a smile brightening his rugged face. “Of course with our tiny brood in there you’d probably need even more help than we have.” He winked pulling her tight against his chest and lowering his head for another kiss. When he could finally find it in him to let her go again, he turned them both toward the rising sun as they gazed across their home. He could hear the wranglers in the barn as the echo of feed buckets set the cadence for the day. The ranch was waking up and the day would begin.
After nearly eight years of living and working on the Broken J, Chase still loved the place. The history, heritage, and hope this ranch seemed to exude filled him with joy every day. He felt that he was part of something bigger than himself, something that had roots in the faith that had kept him whole over long years of restlessness and anger.
“Will Amber be here today to help with our munchkins?” he finally asked breaking the solace once more.
“Yes, she has been such a godsend to me since little Jonas was born. I had no idea that two children would be so much more work than one.” She chuckled, her eyes shining with love. “And now with Michelle expecting their third I just can’t keep up.”
“You work too hard,” Chase accused, not unkindly. “I love that about you, but it’s okay to take a break.”
“Maybe we’ll take a vacation this year,” Phil grinned. “We could take a cruise, and I could sit in a lounge chair while someone puts little umbrella drinks in my hand.” Phil’s
