The Cattleman Meets His Match. Sherri Shackelford
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GALAHAD IN A STETSON
Cowboy John Elder needs a replacement crew of cattle hands to drive his longhorns to Kansas—he just never figured they’d be wearing petticoats. Traveling with Moira O’Mara and the orphan girls in her care is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Yet despite Moira’s declaration of independence, the feisty beauty evokes John’s every masculine instinct to protect, defend…marry?
Moira is grateful for John’s help when he rescues her—and she can’t deny that his calm, in-control manner proves comforting. But she is determined not to let anything get in the way of her plans to search for her long-lost brother at journey’s end. However, can John show her a new future—one perfect for them to share?
“You don’t have to be strong for everyone. You don’t even have to be strong for yourself all the time,” John said. “We’re a crew together, we help each other. Support each other.”
“And what happens when we reach Cimarron Springs?” Moira asked.
“What do you mean?”
“What happens when I become dependent on you and then you’re not there anymore?”
“Well, it’ll be different, that’s for sure. Town life is a quite a bit different from trail life.”
“It’s not only that.” She’d promised herself she’d remain aloft from the girls. The more time they spent together, the more difficult keeping her promise became. “Once we’re back in town, everyone will go their separate ways.”
“You can write letters.”
“That’ll never happen. Out of sight is out of mind for people. Once this is over, we’ll never even think of each other again.”
“Do you really think that?”
“Don’t you?” She avoided his dark gaze. Lately she worried she’d miss the cowboy most of all.
SHERRI SHACKELFORD
A wife and mother of three, Sherri Shackelford says her hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast paced, with plenty of heart and soul. She enjoys hearing from readers at [email protected], or visit her website at www.sherrishackelford.com.
The Cattleman Meets His Match
Sherri Shackelford
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
—Luke 14:28
To Kristie Ryan, for knowing me better than anyone and liking me anyway.
To my mom, Bonnie, because I didn’t acknowledge her in my last dedication. And she mentioned the oversight—a couple of times. Love you, Mom!
Contents
Fool’s End, Indian Territory
September 1881
If John Elder hadn’t been so furious with his mutinous crew of cattle hands, he might have noticed the woman dangling above his head sooner.
Except nothing had gone right since his arrival in the bustling cow town of Fool’s End. Night had long since fallen by the time he’d discovered his four missing cowhands. Drunk. In a brothel. He’d fired them on the spot.
As John had circled behind the row of connected buildings, mud from a chilly autumn rain sucked at his boots and slowed his pace. Walking the alley at night wasn’t the wisest choice, but he