Table of Contents
Horse Mountain Heat
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Riding in the New Year
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Real Cowboys Love Cats
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Epilogue
Chapter One
* * * * *
Hiding out in the one-bedroom, mountain cottage she had rented to avoid Christmas, Scarlett bawled like a baby with her face buried in the queen-sized bed’s pillow. She was mourning the loss of her thee-year relationship with Robert, the man she had believed was the love of her life until she caught him screwing a trashy bimbo a few weeks ago. Rolling over to stare at the ceiling she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She hated that skinny bitch. She hated Robert too but most of all she hated herself for not seeing him for who he really was sooner.
After sliding to the edge of the bed and jumping to her feet, she scurried into the den, snatching up the shoebox full of photos and mementos she’d brought for the sole purpose of destroying them. The fire she had lit when she first arrived late last night was still going strong and was ready to release her from Robert’s hold.
“Damn you, Robert!”
Scarlett grabbed the first picture, taking a quick peek at the snapshot she had asked a stranger take of her and Robert as they’d stood in front of the polar bear exhibit at the zoo—one of their earliest dates. She started to throw the picture into the flames but then snatched back her hand and looked at the image again. Damn, I look good in this one. My hair is perfect. After ripping Robert’s image out of the photo, she tossed him right into the fire and then grabbed a movie ticket stub from their very first date. Bye! She flung it into the fire without a second thought, grabbed another picture—Robert and his fishing buddies showing off their catches. See ya! Toss, toss, toss, tear in half and toss, she desperately purged all the humiliation plaguing her ego but had little relief for the hurt in her heart.
Shaking, she threw the whole box into the fireplace without looking at anything else. Good riddance, you lying, cheating douchebag. No… Asshole was more appropriate after what he had done.Her cheeks burned with rage and embarrassment. She couldn’t even spend the Christmas holidays with her family because everyone knew she was supposed to get an engagement ring this year. Every cousin, every aunt, every uncle and well, pretty much everyone she was friends with on Facebook were expecting to see a happy couple and a ring, either in the flesh or in posted pictures. Worst of all, she had brought this embarrassment on herself. When Robert told her he would get her an engagement ring if she lost twenty pounds by Thanksgiving she should have punched him in his own imperfect gut. Unfortunately, she had been so caught up in his blue eyes and dimples she’d actually believed him when he swore he only cared about her health.
Dressed only in a t-shirt and her underpants, she plopped down on the couch, pulling a blanket over her bare legs as she sat, tearfully staring into the flames while the bittersweet memories of three wasted years turned to ash. I let him treat me that way—as if he was too good for me. Sniffling, she reached over to grab some tissues from the box on the end table and wiped her nose. Why? Why did I drop from a size 16 to a 14 and broadcast every step of the way just for the dubious honor of marrying an admittedly good-looking, complete asshole? I was just fine how I was but I was so focused on grabbing the brass ring, I hadn’t even noticed. Damn him!
Standing up, she let the blanket fall to the floor and headed toward the bathroom. After turning on the shower, she stripped and pulled her long, blonde hair into a ponytail. Time to clean up my act. As the warm water sprayed across her chest and torso, she cupped her hands and splashed her face before letting out a wistful sigh. Making use of some soap and a bath brush, she washed up in a jiff and was soon pulling on her most comfy jeans, a hot-pink t-shirt and a light-pink hoodie. She headed out the front door. It was cold and crisp outside but not freezing. Maybe a little porch time in the brisk air would clear her head.
Bristling as the chill hit, she zipped up her jacket and walked over to the side with the best view. Snow on the mountains—how long had it been since she had played in the snow? The sugary white powder was plenty high enough for a little silly fun. She was probably dressed too lightly for this time of year but it wasn’t as if she was going to be outside very long. She hopped down the short row of porch steps, her boots hitting the ground, crunching the snow beneath her soles. When she’d first arrived it had been too dark outside for her to take notice of the picturesque holiday atmosphere surrounding the small cabin. She took a few more steps forward, enjoying the satisfying sound each time her foot set down on a fresh patch of the previously unmarred whiteness blanketing the yard. Vaguely, she heard the sound of an axe hitting wood but otherwise there was a serene stillness all around her.
Turning to face the cabin, for the first time she looked at it with eyes unencumbered by tears. Small but quaint, the little love nest appeared more suited to honeymooners than a Debbie Downer like her, and at Christmas no less… Someone, probably the owner, had wrapped the porch railing in festive, winter-green garland and vibrant red ribbon. A matching wreath decorated the door. She had never met the sweet woman who’d rented her
