Come Tame Me
~ Gabe and Cassi ~
by
Tonya Kinzer
To celebrate the PRINT release of my new western, I thought I'd hold a contest for one lucky entrant to win a signed copy with a matching mouse pad! The Rafflecopter is at the bottom with several ways to earn more entries. I hope you have fun with it and good luck!
This weekend I'm also over at The Romance Studio's Thanksgiving Party where you can find more contests, new books and chat with the authors - click the link. Do leave comments on those you find interesting!
Another party is still going on over at The Romance Review site. They've got a grand prize of a $100 gift card plus many other prizes from the authors. Daily Q & As and a cover match are just a few of the happenings! Click the banner on the left to head over there!
Excerpt:
She so wanted to stay mad at him for what had happened with that woman…the
same one she’d seen in the brewery, but she couldn’t forget how tender
he could be when they were together. He’d loved her; she knew that…and
her gut told her to forget about the incident and move on.
“I’ve missed you.”
The sound of his deep voice melted her
resolve all too quickly. Gently biting her lower lip, she met his dark
eyes. He set his cup on the side table.
“You told me when you left to never try contacting you…ever!
That’s the hardest thing in my life I’ve ever had to do.” Gabe leaned
back in his chair and stretched his legs. “I’m sorry for the way things
got left between us. I know I screwed up. What’s done is done…but what
we had was good, Cass. I’ve held onto hope for ten years. I knew one day
you’d have to visit here.”
She had so many questions. “And where’s that
woman now?” Anger rose in her belly and she easily envisioned the
incident in her mind. She hadn’t meant to blurt out that question but
it’s the one that bothered her most even though she’d seen her kiss Buck Johnson.
Gabe tapped the arm of the log chair but
kept his gaze on her. “She stayed with your father for about five
years. When he fired Buck, she eventually moved in with him. He’s got a
place about ten miles away and he’s still pissed at your father. They’ve
had an ongoing feud between them ever since.”
Crossing her legs and swinging her foot,
Cassi wondered if he’d tell her the truth with her next question. “When
was the last time you saw her?” She hated being nosy but she had to know.
Without losing eye contact, Gabe leaned
forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “I’ve not been with her
since the night you and your mother walked into the bunkhouse. She and
your father had the relationship until she got bored with him…and moved
on.”
She watched Gabe closely for a sign of
lies but saw none. Gabe never flinched nor looked away. “I’m sorry I
told you to never contact me. I’ve tried to forget what we had. I made
myself believe you’d found a woman to make you happy…since I must not
have done that for you.” A tear slipped down her cheek and made her mad
that she’d let him see how much he affected her.
“My gawd, Cassi…I’ve thought of no one but you for ten years! Assuming you wanted nothing more to do with me, I didn’t try to find you.”
Through tear-filled eyes, Cassi admired
Gabe, wishing things didn’t have to be so difficult. This was really
more her fault for not reaching out. He’d changed for the better,
filling out his broad shoulders and his upper arms. Could she let him hold her without wondering if he wished she were someone else? Looking away, Cassi wiped her cheek.
This was too hard.
They would have to get past so many hurdles…but they did have time on their side.
Gabe stood and walked toward the steps. “If you decide to fire me as manager, I’ll understand.”
Cassi gasped and jumped up. “Gabe! That’s not what I want…”
He turned back and the hurt in his eyes stabbed her heart. “I don’t know what you want, Cass.”
(buy links and book trailer)
