The Cowgirl's Secret (The Diamondback Ranch Series #) (27 page)
Read The Cowgirl's Secret (The Diamondback Ranch Series #) Online
Authors: Anne Marie Novark
"Everyone ready?" Kelsey called out to the crowd. She took an oversized pair of scissors that she'd ordered online for all the ribbon-cutting ceremonies. The kid did know how to do it up right.
She was just about to hand the scissors to Tori when she dropped them.
"Oh, crap!"
Pete Lafferty stepped forward, picked them up and handed them to Kelsey. She blushed as she took the scissors from the young man. "Thanks, Pete."
"No problem, kiddo." He winked at her before resuming his place near Tyler and Caitlyn.
Sam lifted a brow.
Interesting.
He glanced Austin's way and the man was positively scowling. Nope, he sure didn't envy Austin McCade right now.
Kelsey cleared her throat. "It's with great honor and privilege that I hand these scissors to you, Dr. Tori McCade-Garza, so you can cut the ribbons and officially open the Diamondback Ranch Annex of the Salt Fork Animal Clinic."
Tori took the scissors amid a round of applause. "Thank you, Kelsey. Before I cut the ribbon, I'd like to take this opportunity to say a few words. As most of you know, I took over Doc Pritchard's veterinary practice right out of vet school. And I'll confess, I could barely keep my head afloat. The clinic over in Stone Creek had closed and with the influx of new people in the area, I had all I could do to keep up.
"At first, I didn't want to ask for help. But it wasn't long before I discovered that I couldn't handle the double workload. No one could have handled it alone. With Sam's encouragement, plus a few others telling me the same thing, I called in reinforcements.
"I want to thank Dr. Shelly Martin and Dr. Steve Malek for taking over the clinic in Stone Creek. And I want to thank Dr. Annie Struthers for agreeing to be my partner here in Salt Fork. With four vets in residence, the workload will be shared and we can all have a life outside the clinic."
Tori turned to Sam and little Mary. "I especially want to thank my husband for all his patience, support and encouragement. He's stood by me through thick and thin. He's my best friend and the love of my life."
"What about me, Mommy?" Mary asked, indignation evident in her little voice. "I thought I was your bestest friend."
Tori leaned over and kissed her daughter's cheek, then Sam's. "You and your daddy are both my besties."
Mary nodded. "Okay, then."
Sam caught the amusement in Tori's blue eyes . . . and something else. That mischievous sparkle that usually preceded one of her zingeroos.
Huh-oh
.
Tori turned back to the audience. "And since all of you are gathered here today, I'd like y'all to be the first to know. Sam and I are going to have another baby."
Sam nearly dropped little Mary. "
What?
"
"Merciful heavens," Ruth McCade said, dabbing her eyes with the ever-present tissue. "Another grandbaby. We have
so
much to be thankful for."
The crowd erupted in applause, along with loud whistles and whoops and hollers.
Sam leaned over and kissed Tori. "A baby? You're sure?"
She nodded. "I only found out this morning. I hope you don't mind the public announcement."
He kissed her again. "No, it seems fitting somehow."
Mary clapped her pudgy little hands. "Hurray! We're going to have a baby!"
Kelsey stepped between them all. "Congratulations to you both. Now cut the ribbon, will you?"
Tori wiped the tears of joy from her eyes, trying to get hold of her emotions. She held the scissors poised above the ribbon and looked out at the crowd. "Without further ado, I hereby dedicate this veterinary clinic to the people and animals of Salt Fork, Texas!"
Sam's chest tightened and his heart hammered loudly when Tori cut the ribbon. After all these years, the woman was still driving him crazy. But he had to admit; he wouldn't have it any other way.
THE END
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THE MEN OF THE DIAMONDBACK RANCH
(Tori's four older brothers)
by Anne Marie Novark
The McCades. Four brothers whose love for the land is engrained in their souls. Four rugged Texans who live and breathe for the women in their lives. Four heroes who will steal your heart.
Book One: The Doctor Wears A Stetson
Jessie Kincaid was fifteen and innocent when Cameron asked her to the prom. She lost her heart that night, but his plans didn't change. He left their small town to pursue his dreams.
Seventeen years later, a trip home leads Cameron McCade back to Salt Fork, Texas, and the newly widowed Jessie Devine. Since his return, the fire between them burns as hot as ever. Can they take up where they left off? Can Jessie risk her heart again?
Book Two: The Cowboy's Surrender
Copper River Oil Company is drilling for oil on the Diamondback Ranch. Dallas McCade can't do a thing to stop them, because he doesn't own the mineral rights. To add insult to injury, they've sent a woman to oversee the operation. Dallas has good reason to distrust women. As soon as he sets eyes on Gillian Bankston, he loses his temper . . . and his control. That makes him spitting mad and frustrated as hell.
Gillian has never met a man quite like Dallas. He's rough around the edges, but his kisses are hot enough to ignite a West Texas wildfire. Gillian's been burned before and wants nothing to do with love . . . or lust. Battle lines are drawn and it's war between the sexes. Will they surrender to the powerful attraction neither can deny? Who will be the first to wave the white flag?
Book Three: A Match Made In Texas
When Austin McCade’s wife dies, a vital part of him dies, too. The sexy single dad devotes himself to his motherless daughter and his work on the Diamondback Ranch. For twelve years, he ignores life and women . . . until a new pretty schoolteacher moves to town.
From the moment Theresa Rogers arrives in Salt Fork, Texas, people warn her about the lonely widower. He’s a hopeless case, a lost cause. But Theresa sees beneath the crusty exterior of the man to the deep emotions and his enduring loyalty. Can she pierce the impenetrable wall surrounding his broken heart? Will she be able to vanquish the ghost who keeps him from loving again?
Book Four: Lone Star Heartbreaker
Tyler McCade is the youngest McCade brother in Salt Fork, Texas, and the biggest heartbreaker of them all. Or he was--until a plane crash wrecks his body and sends his crop-dusting company into a tailspin. Needing time to heal and form a new business plan, he retreats to the Diamondback Ranch, where he spends too much time alone and tormented over the possibility that the accident might have been his fault.
Caitlyn Ross lives to fly planes. Accepting the job as pilot for Lone Star Wings seems like a dream come true. But when she packs up everything she owns and finds herself working for the brooding Tyler McCade, her defenses go on high alert. The sexual tension sizzles, but does she have what it takes to help him heal? And is she even brave enough to try?
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In the mood for an uber alpha male in the making?
REDWOOD FALLS #1
Josh Turner wants Hannah more than life itself. She's perfect and new . . . but she's a McIntyre. She's from the richest family in the county, and he's a Turner, from the wrong side of the proverbial tracks. And to make matters worse, there's no love lost between their families.
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Return to Stone Creek Series
Book One: Her Reluctant Rancher
Living with his stern grandfather taught Trevor Callahan one important lesson: Caring makes a man weak. Now the old man is dead and Trev returns to Stone Creek for one reason and one reason only--to sell the Rocking C Ranch. Maybe then he can put his past behind him and move on.
Beth Evans once confused lust for love and vows never to let it happen again. The bookmobile driver is trying to raise funds to build a new library. The late Hank Callahan bequeathed a million dollars for the project, but he attached one stipulation: Do not let his grandson sell the ranch.
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Return to Stone Creek Series
Former
bad boy Mitch Defalco roars into Stone Creek, Texas, on the back of a Harley with his newly discovered daughter riding behind him. Single mom Sarah Cooper cannot believe he's moved in next door. She had a secret crush on him years ago when he dated her older sister back in high school.
As Mitch tackles the responsibilities of fatherhood, Sarah admires the way he's turned his life around. She asks him to help her with a personal problem: Her fear of men. Mitch knows he's bad news for sexy Sarah, but how can he refuse her dangerous request, when she's determined to move forward with or without his help?
***
A Regency Romance Novel
For years, Damien Avenall loved Alexandra Turlington like a little sister; or so he thought until she grew into a lovely and desirab
le young lady. In a moment of madness, he kisses her and everything changes between them.
Alex often wonders why the dangerous viscount betrayed their special friendship. His kiss awakened her to passion, but she knows better than to give her heart to a libertine. Or does she?
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HAPPY READING!!!