Rescued Hearts

Texas Heat - Book Six

AMELIA ROSE

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2015 by Amelia Rose

All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

To YOU, The reader.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for your emails.

Thank you for your reviews.

Thank you for reading and joining me on this road.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

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Chapter One

Andrew sat on top of the horse and stared straight into the horizon. He had a fortieth birthday coming up in a couple of months, and he felt as though life had slowly passed him by. He had spent most of his life on Circle O, which was the family ranch, and the latter part of his life had been spent managing the ranch and struggling to make it profitable in the economic downturn. Things were now looking up. His brother was back from Australia and was taking more of an interest in the running of the ranch. He had invited his cousin to help with modern ideas, and that had paid off in spades. Although the original arrangement was just for a few months, the man had found a woman and settled down and didn’t look to be going anywhere anytime soon. With those two around, Andrew was beginning to think that it was time for him to make some changes to his life. Except that all he knew how to do, all he’d ever done, was work on Circle O. He had no idea where he was going to begin. Once, a long time ago, he’d had his chance and he had blown it. He did not believe in second chances, not for him anyway.

The horse neighed and shifted impatiently and Andrew knew that the poor beast wanted more physical exertion than just standing in one spot. He pulled gently on the reins and allowed the horse to prance around a little before turning it in the direction of the ranch. Although he was still on Circle O land, he was far away from the stables and buildings that made up the powerhouse of the ranch and for the very first time in his life, he was not eager to be back. Still, Andrew took his duties seriously and so, with a sigh, he allowed the horse to make its way back.

When he got into the Circle O offices, Andrew heard familiar voices. He could not make out what they were saying though and as soon as he appeared, they fell silent. Eyeing the two men in the office suspiciously, he took off his Stetson and dropped it on the table he used for his paper work.

No point holding back, spit out what’s eating you up. he said grumpily without turning to look at the men. He sat down heavily on his chair and turned up his computer.

Who says there’s anything eating us up? one of the men asked.

Andrew turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow. It was his cousin, Caleb, who was just a few years younger than Andrew and yet he looked like he was still in his twenties. He sat with his feet on top of his table, which made Andrew frown, although he managed to refrain from saying a word about that. With a shrug, he turned back to his computer. Talk about it or don’t, it doesn’t matter leastways to me.

He felt them exchange looks.

We’re worried about you.

The matter of fact tone belonged to none other than his brother, Jordan. The relationship between Andrew and Jordan had been an uneasy one and it was only recently when Jordan got back from Australia that they finally began to get along. Jordan had been wild and impulsive, but Andrew admitted that he might have been a little heavy handed in relating with his brother.

You are impossible to live with. You are going to spend the rest of your life alone and die a miserable old man…

The voice sounded in his mind almost out of nowhere, but he knew where it came from. It was one he hadn’t heard in close to five years; he’d managed to drown the voice because he had felt like he was going to go mad if he hadn’t. Now it seemed to just jump out on him.

Impossible to live with…

Was he really that? Those words had haunted him for so long and he was just plain tired of it all.

Andrew, cat got your tongue?

The question drew him out of his reverie and he stared blankly at the two faces looking back at him. He could read concern and worry in them.

What’s the problem? he asked.

We’ve been speaking to you and you were just blank. Caleb replied.

So? Can’t a man reminisce? he asked roughly, embarrassed at being caught daydreaming of all things. He knew he had not really been daydreaming, but that was how it looked to the other two and he knew it was what they were going to report to their wives when they got home.

I’m fine. he said shortly. Then, seeing the concern in their eyes, he backed down. I’m just tired is all. he said in a calmer tone.

Might be you need a vacation. Jordan said quietly.

Might be. Andrew agreed and hoped they’d drop it.

He must have communicated his desire somehow because they changed the subject and discussed the fresh stock of grass-fed beef that was ready to ship out.

*****

You will turn in your papers first thing on Monday. I will not tolerate any lateness or tardiness. Good afternoon.

Emily Carter picked up her iPad and the other tools she’d used for her lecture and walked out of the class. She was done teaching for the day, but she still had more work to do.

Dr. Carter, may I have a minute?

She paused as the young woman stood in front of her. Looking at her so full of life and positively glowing with youth, Emily felt ancient. And to think, she was not even forty yet. She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose so that they sat more comfortably on her face.

How may I help you, Cassie?

I’m not sure I can meet the Monday deadline. Cassie said confidently.

Emily raised an eyebrow. Really. Might I ask why?

Oh, sure. My boyfriend is coming over from San Francisco this weekend and I haven’t seen him in an entire month! I really won’t have time for the paper.

Emily would have been astonished, except that she had heard it all in the years she’d been teaching. She nodded in understanding. That’s okay, Cassie. I’ll just deduct the marks for the paper, I’m sure you’ll make it up in your exams and besides, there’ll be tons of other papers…. She pretended to think for a moment. Oh, I forgot. This is the last paper of the semester and you’ve already missed a few.

The young woman’s face fell. She knew she could not afford to miss that deadline or she would fail the course. With a huge dramatic sigh, she said, Oh, whatever, I’ll do the darn paper.

Thank you.

Emily watched her flounce away and shook her head in amusement. Or what would have passed for amusement if she wasn’t so darn tired. She felt as though she was using her last mile of gas and was running short very quickly. The year had been tough and that was putting it mildly.

She lost her long-time fiancée, Tim, to stomach cancer. One day, he began having terrible stomach cramps, and when they got to the emergency room, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Six months later, he was gone. It was still like a dream to her. They had been together since their graduate days, seven years ago. They had meant to get married, but it just hadn’t happened. Planning the wedding was just too time consuming for her and she’d been short on time. Tim was