What can I say, my heroes have always been cowboys. From the time I first watched the older-timers–Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and the Lone Ranger–with my dad on Saturday afternoons, I had a fascination with the guys wearing those hats. And they had horses, too, which made them even more appealing. No surprise then that I should choose to write about them. Chance’s Return was first published some years ago, but this is newly revised and updated and is my fourth book published by The Wild Rose Press. It releases on April 16. Here is the blurb and an excerpt from my own cowboy romance.
Blurb: Widowed single mom Casey Girard hopes time in Wyoming will help her recover from a tragic loss. Working as a cook at the North Star ranch for the summer offers an opportunity to start life over near the beautiful Grand Teton Mountains.
Ex-rodeo champ and prodigal son of the North Star, Chance McCord returns to face a family still divided by their own painful past. To overcome the estrangement, he needs to find a way to face his own haunting memories.
Chance and Casey meet, and the attraction is undeniable and blooms like the blue lupine in the valley. But can they learn to put their pasts to rest and trust one another so love can grow?
An excerpt:
Jamie leaned forward and pointed out the truck window. “Hey, Mom, look! A rainbow! Isn’t it neat? Can we stop and watch it?”
Casey followed the direction of his hand. An arc of iridescent hues curved over the valley. She found a small roadside area where they could watch the colors shimmering in the sky. Pale-melon, bright-turquoise, and goldenrod-yellow all merged in one stunning display that rivaled even the mountain wildflowers. For a long moment, the colors glowed intense and radiant, then slowly faded away into the purple banks of receding clouds. Neither Casey nor Jamie spoke until the special moment passed and the rainbow disappeared. This far-flung country could stir her in so many ways.
“Is it true, Mom?” Jamie asked.
“Is what true?” Casey still stared at the sky.
“Is there really a treasure at the end of the rainbow? And do all your dreams come true there?”
Her heart full of love, Casey gazed at her son. A light of hope shone in his eyes—Matt’s eyes. If only she could protect Jamie from further pain in his life. He’d already experienced too much for a child of seven, and she feared making promises. But didn’t all children need some magic in their lives? She had to let him believe in the promise of the rainbow’s end. “I’m sure there is a treasure, Jamie. I like to think heaven is at the end of the rainbow.”
Jamie studied her intently. “Is Dad there?”
A lump rose unbidden in Casey’s throat. She hadn’t cried for Matt in a long time, but Jamie’s pain could still make her tears flow. “Yes,” she whispered. “He is.”
Jamie settled back in the seat, acting content with this answer.
Casey pulled onto the highway again.
Jamie’s eyelids drooped, and he fought off a yawn.
“It’s still a way to the ranch,” she said. “Why don’t you take a little nap, honey? You were up awfully early this morning.”
Too sleepy to argue, Jamie took off his hat and inched closer to the man beside him. “Can I lay my head on you?” He yawned widely.
Chance had not spoken the whole time they’d watched the rainbow.
For a moment, Casey thought he might ignore Jamie’s request, but he curved his arm around the boy’s small shoulders.
“Sure, partner,” he said in a low voice.
The boy promptly nestled his head against Chance’s side. In the next minute, Jamie fell asleep.
Only the hum of the engine and the soft swishing sound of the tires on the still-wet pavement broke the silence in the truck cab. Casey didn’t try to make conversation but drove along, wondering if a man like Chance McCord could ever believe in rainbows and promises. She bumped onto the dirt two-track that led to the North Star and rattled across the first cattle grate.
“You can let me off here.”
Casey jumped and glanced at him, puzzled. “But it’s still two miles to the house. It might rain again.”
“I’ve walked farther and in worse weather. The day I left the ranch, I walked down this drive. I know how long it is.”
What had made Chance leave? Why had he stayed away so long? The questions spun in her mind and remained, even after he slipped away from Jamie and climbed out of the truck.
Before closing the door, he bent down and peered across the seat at Casey. “Thanks for the lift. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to anyone.”
She nodded.
When he’d gathered his gear from the back, he stepped away from the truck and gave the tailgate a smack.
Casey drove on but couldn’t help glancing in the rearview mirror. The saddle and duffel bag still sat on the side of the road, and Chance stood beside them. Would he even show up at the North Star? Or would the wanderlust that had once led him from this valley take him away again?
~*~*~*~
Having traveled to the Grand Tetons a number of times, I can say for sure it’s a truly wild and beautiful country. No better place to set a romance! Chance’s Return is the first book in the North Star Legacy series. Tetons by Morning is the sequel and will release at a later date, followed by Fire in the Heart. The North Star Legacy books tell the story of the McCord family and the woman who changes their lives. And of course, they feature plenty of swoon-worthy cowboys.
Chance’s Return is up for pre-order here:
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/2s4ccue
Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/5x5sba3t
Bio: Lucy Naylor Kubash has been writing for most of her life. She began her career writing short romance stories for Woman’s World magazine and now writes contemporary romance for The Wild Rose Press. Lucy has penned a column, The Pet Corner, for nearly 25 years, that advocates for homeless pets and animal rescue. She lives in Michigan with her husband of 53 years where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children, an assortment of pets, and traveling whenever possible.
You can read more about Lucy and other books she's written at www.lucynaylorkubash.com
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Love the excerpt!
Sounds intriguing! Best wishes for CHANCE'S RETURN!
I visited the Grand Tetons once when I was a teen but will never forget the beauty! Very best wishes Lucy!
Beautiful cover! Great Excerpt.
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT
This romance is very intriguing. I love it when the past is in the way of the romance. And my heroes have always been cowboys, too!!!! Enjoyed the post.