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  A Country Girl’s Heart

  Kat Jackson is successful despite her estrangement from her parents and the loss of her wife. She’s resigned to live alone while struggling to maintain her dream ranch. When she falls for weekend cowgirl DJ Callahan, she soon fears all she knows to be true may be a cruel façade developed for her own protection.

  DJ Callahan is a corporate lawyer who lives in the moment, never limiting herself to any one relationship. When DJ arrives at the Jumpin’ J Ranch, she has no plans to become involved with Kat, let alone open the door to her own past, which bubbles just below the surface, threatening to destroy her entire existence as a “big city lawyer.”

  Having everything she could ever want in life, twice, is something Kat never expected. When she gets a second chance at love, following her heart will prove the hardest decision of all.

  A Country Girl’s Heart

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  A Country Girl’s Heart

  © 2018 By Dena Blake. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13:978-1-63555-135-8

  This Electronic Book is published by

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: March 2018

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editor: Shelley Thrasher

  Production Design: Stacia Seaman

  Cover Design by Jeanine Henning

  By the Author

  Where the Light Glows

  Unchained Memories

  A Country Girl’s Heart

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to Len Barot and Sandy Lowe for yet again giving me the opportunity to share my characters with the world. It’s still surreal to see them in print. This book is near and dear to my heart, and without my editor extraordinaire, Shelley Thrasher, it wouldn’t be the best that it can be. Shelley makes me a better writer. I’m also genuinely grateful for the BSB family; they have welcomed me completely, and the friendships I’ve made are truly wonderful.

  Thanks to my big brother, Paul, for teaching me everything I needed to know about horses and rodeo. Thanks to Robyn for reading everything I write and giving me good, tangible feedback. To Kate for your direct, honest opinions and unwavering support, particularly when I’m deep into a book and don’t come up for air. To my kids for supporting me in life as well as in my writing. And always to my family for being the most awesome support system a girl could ever want.

  To all you readers out there, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  For my cousin Dave, who had the most generous heart I’ve ever known. I miss you every day.

  Chapter One

  “I told you before, Ms. Whatever-your-name-is. I don’t want anything to do with her.” Kat slammed the phone into the cradle and whirled around to the kitchen counter. She snatched her leather work gloves from the table, threw open the screen door, and stepped out onto the porch.

  Kat had tried to ignore it, but she couldn’t miss the headline plastered across every newspaper in town: Montco Oil CEO Dies in Fatal Car Crash. Just two months before, the horrific collision between her parents’ Mercedes and a semi truck had taken her father’s life and left her mother critically injured with a broken pelvis.

  Squaring his jaw, Virgil scratched at the day-old, gray-spotted beard emerging from his chin. “She’s your mother, Kat. Why don’t cha just see what she wants?” he said calmly from the rocking chair positioned in the corner of the old, rickety wrap-around porch.

  “I know what she wants.” Kat held her tongue. Her father-in-law obviously meant well, but he had no idea what a huge concession communicating with her mother would be. It would split open a wound she thought she’d forgotten long ago. From the twisting in her gut, she now realized it hadn’t quite healed. “She wants me in Austin to take care of her.” Kat blew the fundamental statement out with a slow, heavy breath. What came without a doubt for most children would not come so easily for Kathryn Jackson. She remembered clearly how that was her mother’s own doing.

  She grabbed hold of the porch railing, tightening her fingers around it as she stared out onto the dream ranch she’d put so many years into creating. Sucking in a deep breath, she inhaled the marvelously pungent scent of horses and freshly cut hay.

  Virgil’s foot teetered back and forth on the edge of the floor railing, prompting the chair to rock slowly. “Your mother needs you, Kat.”

  “She needs me?” She squealed, vulnerability slipping out involuntarily. “Where was the mighty Elizabeth Belmont when I needed her?” Roughly smoothing her hair, she fastened it with a plain black hair band. “If she thinks I’m giving up everything I’ve worked so hard for to take care of her, she has another think comin’.”

  Kat yanked her gloves on and headed down the steps and across the grounds to the horse stable. She didn’t want anything to do with her mother now. The only thing she’d ever wanted from her was love, and Elizabeth had never been able to give that freely.

  “Will I see ya for lunch?” Virgil shouted, still settled comfortably in the rocker.

  “Not till about one. I’m gonna take Minow out and check the trails for divots.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “I don’t want any injured horses this week.” Besides that, she needed some space this morning. The constant battle between her conscience and her free will was about to do her in. After all, Elizabeth was her mother, but after what had happened between them, Kat couldn’t bring herself to see her, no matter what the circumstances. She needed to settle the problem in her mind, and the best place to be when she needed to think was out on the range.

  She went inside the stable, took a bridle out of the cabinet, and continued into the first stall. “Hey, baby.” She stroked the horse gently. “You want to take me for a ride today?”

  The beautiful black Arabian clicked her hooves slightly in response to Kat’s voice, and she slid the bit into the horse’s mouth.

  “Okay, come on.” She led Minow out of the stall and across the breezeway to the tack room, where her custom-made saddle hung on a separate wall from the rest. Kat lifted the fifty-pound seat of leather from its peg, slung it across the horse, and cinched it tight. Minow held perfectly still while Kat mounted her and then trotted out by the corral when she nudged her sides with her heels.

  Giving Virgil a quick wave, Kat took the first trail leading up the hill into the towering cottonwood trees. She weaved the horse through the massive shadowy patch of trees and emerged on the other side into the wildflower field, dotted with bluebonnets and paintbrush. She looked up into the sky and let the sun warm her face. Closing her eyes, she sucked in a much-needed breath of fresh country air. This was definitely the best way to clear her head. Riding had always been Kat’s release. Even when she was away at college and it seemed like she couldn’t manage the never-ending studying and constant pressure, all she had to do was close her eyes and she was out on the range again. The smell of wildflowers, the touch of early morning moisture in the air, and the endless sight of the vast, rolling countryside had always made her happy.
/>   She stopped at a small stream about two miles out on the lower valley trail, slid off Minow, and propped herself up against a large walnut tree. Sleep hadn’t come easy these past few weeks, but here in her sanctuary, she could relax. She stared into the distance until her vision clouded and her lids dropped over her eyes.

  Then she was there, Arizona Jackson, the only thing Kat loved more than God’s green earth. The woman who’d swept her off her feet almost ten years ago. The very same woman that her parents had forbidden her to marry.

  “Arizona,” she mumbled, letting out a ragged breath. “What should I do now?” Her voice deflated, confusion filling her head. “I know I shouldn’t be bitter, but I just can’t help it.”

  Without saying a word, Arizona put her mouth on Kat’s and their tongues mingled softly. Kat shuddered as Arizona unbuttoned her blouse and let her fingers tickle across her chest. After pushing the shirt from Kat’s shoulders, Arizona quickly replaced her hands with her lips, slowly roaming across the hollow of Kat’s neck to the soft skin of her breast. She let out a soft shudder, captivated by the touch of the woman she loved so much. Arizona’s mouth lingered, touching, teasing her wildly. Sensations rocketed through Kat, commanding her to react and quiver uncontrollably as she always had with Arizona.

  The tremors subsided, and Kat heard the rapid rhythm of Arizona’s heartbeat pounding in her head. She opened her eyes as it faded with the dream. Arizona was gone again.

  The sound of a galloping horse in the distance had replaced the comforting sound. Kat dropped her head forward, and tears streamed down her cheeks. Swiping the sleeve of her denim shirt across her face, she shrugged off the remnants of the dream and hauled herself to her feet. She stood waiting for her neighbor with her arms crossed across her chest as the pounding hooves of the horse came closer.

  Victoria Maxwell was the kind of neighbor you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. A far cry from the kind of ranch owners Kat had encountered over the years, she didn’t seem like the kind of woman who would be interested in owning a ranch, much less smart enough to run one. For almost seven years, the woman had given Kat nothing but grief.

  “I thought I told you to stay off my land, Victoria,” Kat shouted to the tall, surly woman on the approaching horse.

  “Oh, come on, Kat.” She slung her leg easily around the rear of the horse and dismounted. “I thought we were friends.” Her voice took on its usual irritating drawl.

  “With friends like you, a woman doesn’t need many enemies,” Kat said, firming her stance as Victoria strode toward her.

  “You know I could be a lot nicer if you’d just let me.” Victoria backed her up against the tree.

  “Not in this lifetime,” she said, tilting her head upward as Victoria’s six-foot frame towered over her. The blackness filling her eyes dampened the clean, engaging features of her long, narrow face as she moved closer and forced her mouth onto Kat’s.

  “Get away from me.” Kat’s voice was muffled as Victoria’s hard mouth covered hers. She struggled against the powerful arms keeping her pinned to the tree and then decided to take another route to force her away.

  A groan of pain gurgled from Victoria’s throat, and she flew back, wiping the blood from her lip. “You bit me.” She raised a hand to slap her, and Kat stood perfectly still, narrowing her eyes and silently daring her.

  Victoria clenched her fingers into a tight fist and lowered her hand. “No.” Her thin lips flattened into a smile. “You’re not going to force me to damage that pretty face.” She ran her finger the length of Kat’s jawline. “You’ll come ’round eventually.” She let out a laugh and climbed on her horse. “And then you’ll be beggin’ for a lot more than a kiss.” She twisted her lips into a smile and rode off slowly.

  “Stay off my land.” Kat didn’t move until Victoria was out of sight. Then she dropped to her knees and spewed what little she’d eaten for breakfast into the weeds. Just the smell of the woman turned her stomach. The thought of Victoria touching her again made her skin crawl.

  Things had just started to improve financially at the Jumpin’ J when Arizona died four years ago. Although Kat hadn’t asked her, Victoria had stepped in to help with the day-to-day operation of the ranch whenever needed, making herself available to Kat under the guise of friendship. Easing herself into Kat’s life through her grief, the woman also offered some much-needed comfort in her time of loss. Kat didn’t know exactly how it happened, but out of gratitude more than anything else, she made the mistake of allowing Victoria into her bed. That was a lesson in trust Kat would never forget.

  She leaned against the tree and remembered how Victoria had inserted herself into the business at the ranch and tried to take control—a testimonial to Victoria’s loathsome character. She’d taken advantage of Kat at her lowest point. Thankfully, she hadn’t given her any financial control, or Kat would’ve found herself out on the street. She didn’t know how she could’ve been so blind to Victoria’s motives. It was clear now that all she wanted was her land.

  Kat hauled herself to her feet and shouted into the sky, “Why can’t they all just leave me alone?” Her voice echoed through the valley as she climbed onto her horse.

  Kat looked up. If only Arizona were here now. She would know exactly what to do. She’d always been able to see through the anger and lead Kat in the right direction. She mounted Minow, kicked her heels into her sides, and the horse trotted up the hill.

  After she inspected the trails without finding any major divots or obstructions, Kat made it back to the house just before two o’clock. She headed up the steps and saw the salad and large glass of iced tea Virgil had left waiting for her on the table. Entering the kitchen, she smelled the sweet aroma of freshly baked biscuits.

  She slid into the old padded metal chair and scooted closer to the matching Formica table she’d bought many years ago at the antique mall in town. It didn’t look like an antique, but it certainly was aged enough. After she and Arizona had bought the ranch, Kat had furnished the house piece by piece as they could afford it. Like the rest of the furniture she’d picked out, the dining set had its own unique style.

  Virgil appeared from the doorway to the living room. “Get your head cleared?”

  “For today.” She glanced up and noticed his chin was clean shaven now, and he’d combed and waxed the ends of his handlebar mustache in his usual fashion.

  He ducked through the doorway, crossed the small kitchen, and tugged open the oven door. Reaching in bare-handed, he cursed as he plucked the biscuits from the baking sheet and tossed them into a basket one by one. Then he slammed the oven door closed before dropping the basket onto the table.

  Kat’s mood perked up a bit at his twisted expression. “I have hot pads in the drawer, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know,” he mumbled, rubbing the callused tips of his fingers together.

  Kat smiled. The man had his own way of doing things and was too old and set in his ways to change now.

  “How ’bout I make you a little chicken fry to go with that rabbit food?” He jerked open the refrigerator door and took out a package of cubed steak.

  “This is fine, thanks.” She doused the salad with vinaigrette dressing before taking a biscuit from the basket and setting it on the edge of her plate.

  He tossed the package of meat on the shelf inside the refrigerator and let the door close. “You need to put a little meat on those bones if you’re gonna keep working so hard,” he said as he flopped into the chair across from her.

  “There’s plenty of meat on me to survive, Virgil.” She stuffed a fork full of lettuce into her mouth.

  “A hundred and twenty pounds of pure strength, right?” Virgil chuckled, raking his fingers through his thick silver hair. “Arizona always said you could take her down in a minute.”

  “I think she liked it that way.” She smiled lightly before pressing the napkin to her lips.

  “I bet she did.” The edges of Virgil’s mouth tipped up slyly, forcing his hazel
eyes to squint in the midst of his tan, weathered face.

  Kat moved a wedge of tomato to the side of her plate, and her smile faded as her morning visitor entered her mind. “I ran into Victoria by the river.”

  “Pushing the boundaries again, huh?” Virgil asked, his furrowed brow reflecting his concern.

  “She tried.” Kat didn’t go into the particulars, knowing Virgil might set out to take care of her himself. Acting as both her protector and mentor after Arizona died, her father-in-law had been her savior at the ranch. The squirrelly old varmint had warded off many a hostile cowpoke. Without him, Kat wasn’t sure she would’ve been able to keep the ranch running this long.

  He hopped up from his chair, sending it clanging against the counter. “Why don’t you let me have some of the guys rough her up?”

  “Because she’s a woman, Virgil. We don’t rough up women. Besides, you know that won’t solve anything. She’ll just come back at us with her guys.” Kat set her fork on her plate and reached for her glass. “I really need to find out how she came by that land in the first place.”

  “We’ve been through this before, Kat. The records in town say it’s been in her family since before you were born.”

  “Something’s just not right about those records, Virgil.” She took a sip of sweet tea. “My grandfather owned all this land. Including the portion Victoria claims is hers.”

  Virgil turned the knob on the window air conditioner and then slapped it when it didn’t fire. “Damn things never work when you need ’em.” He untied the bright-red bandanna from his neck, wet it in the sink, and replaced it before picking the chair up and sliding into it. “You could always ask your mother.”