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EXCERPT:
He led her to the area behind the chutes and dropped his gear bag and saddle in the dirt. She breathed in the earthy scent of bull hides and dung. Robert patted a few of his buddies on the shoulders, and they laughed and compared the horses they’d drawn. Her chin tucked, Rita recoiled at the cowboys ogling her.
One came over and introduced himself as Payton Sundown. He wore a black cowboy hat, a turquoise Western shirt, and spurs.
“You’re here with Bobby, huh?”
“Um—” She hadn’t considered how they’d explain their relationship.
“Hey buddy, leave my girl alone.” Robert draped an arm around her and didn’t waver when she stiffened. He rubbed her arm and kissed the side of her face.
What on earth? Words clogging her throat, shock froze her ability to shove him away.
“This is Rita.” Robert glanced at her, a bigger-than-life grin on his face, and she gave him a slight shake of her head.
“Nice to meet you.” Payton tipped his hat. “Looks like you’ve stepped up your game, bro.” His gaze locked on the side of her face.
She turned away.
When Payton strode toward the chutes, Robert released his grip on her. “Sorry. I don’t want anyone messing with you. If they think you’re mine, they’ll leave you alone.”
“Think I’m yours?” Was his claim supposed to put her at ease? She wrapped her hands around her tummy and squeezed.
“You know, my plus-one.”
She took a step to escape the panic galloping through her bones and stumbled. Robert caught her and gathered her into his arms.
“I’m only trying to protect you.” His minty breath brushed against her lips.
Nodding, her fingers curled around his arms. She righted herself and stepped back. “I’m fine.” But when she reached for his unshaven face, she pulled one hand back, shoved them both in her pockets, and looked away.
Author Bio:
Carmen Peone is an award-winning author who has lived in Northeast Washington and on the Colville Confederated Indian Reservation since 1988. She had worked with a Tribal Elder, Marguerite Ensminger, for three years learning the Arrow Lakes Language and various cultural traditions. She owns and trains her horses and competes in local Extreme Challenge and Mountain Trail competitions. With a degree in psychology, the thought of writing never entered her mind, until she married her husband and they moved to the reservation after college. With the love of history and western-woman lifestyle, she brings stories of hope, family, relationships, and faith to her novels.
These books were a labor of love, especially the second edition of the True to Heart Trilogy.
Thank you to my cover model, Shayna Palmanteer of the Colville Confederated Tribes, for your willingness to be a part of this adventure. Visit my website for information on the workbooks that go along with my young adult books at https://carmenpeone.com/books/.
http://carmenpeone.com
Healing, Hope, Horses
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