Wrangler had brought Becca and Jamie to the ranch the weekend after Jamie’s rescue. His parents knew about their grandson, but had yet to meet him. The introductions had been emotional and tear-filled, without any recriminations from Stuart or Belinda.
“Jamie loves it here. And he loves his grandparents.” Becca leaned into Wrangler, trying to ignore the pang of regret. “I should’ve called them ten years ago. I’m so sorry I didn’t.”
Cupping her cheek with one hand, he swept a kiss over her lips. “Remember our promise?”
“Yes. No more looking back, only forward.”
“And?”
She grinned at the smirk on his face. “We’re in this for the long run.”
“That’s right. When you’re ready, sweetheart, I want us to marry.”
“I know, Quinn. It’s just—”
He silenced her with a finger over her lips. “There’s no rush. You’ve already made significant changes. Let go of your apartment, moved into my house and my bed…”
Shoving at his chest, she laughed. “All were horrible sacrifices.”
“All right, you two.” Ghost stopped next to them. “We need Wrangler with the children, and Dani says Belinda wants Cara’s and Becca’s help in the kitchen.” He looked toward the corral where Jamie and several other children groomed horses. “He’s doing great. Takes after me when it comes to horses.”
Before Wrangler could counter, Rock and Tessa drove up with their son, Travis, and a woman he didn’t recognize. “Who’s with them, Ghost?”
“A friend of Cara’s from San Diego. Tessa also knows her from professional conferences. I heard she’s a pediatrician. Tessa didn’t have a need for another doctor, but mentioned an opening at one of the larger practices in Liberty Lake. Cara called her. Dani said she’s been out a couple times to speak with the doctors in the practice, confirming she’ll have staff privileges at the hospital. Dani heard she accepted the position here and has given notice in San Diego.”
“That’s great news,” Becca said. “Cara mentioned her, but I haven’t met her.”
“I’d better see if they need help.” Ghost left them, walking to the truck. “Glad you guys could make it.” He took Travis in his arms. “Hey, buddy. You’re getting way too big.”
Giggling, he pointed toward the barn. “Horses!”
Handing Travis to his father, Ghost turned toward the corrals. “Full house today. Some of the kids are already asking for you, Rock.”
“Guess I’d better get working. See you ladies in a bit.” Setting Travis down, he and Ghost headed toward the barn.
Tessa took her son’s hand and looked at the woman. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to the others before they get too busy. Most of them will be riding out with the kids in about half an hour.”
She walked to a group of men watching the children finishing grooming. “Hey, guys. Come over. I want to introduce you to a friend.” As they gathered around, she waved at a man on the other side of the corral. “Tracker. Over here.
“This is Dr. Juliana Stanifer. She’s a friend of Cara and me, and has accepted a position with a clinic in Liberty Lake. Julia is a pediatrician.”
Tessa went around the group, making introductions. As she finished, Tracker jogged up. Removing his Stetson, he lifted his gaze to meet the woman’s. They both froze, her face going pale.
“Tracker, this is—”
Tracker cut her off. “Hello, Julia. It’s been a long time.”
Swallowing the rising bile, she took a step away, turning toward Tessa. “I’m sorry, but I shouldn’t be here.”
Brows furrowing, Tessa looked between her and Tracker. “I don’t understand. Do you two know each other?”
Taking a small step closer, Tracker stopped a few feet away. “We used to, but it’s been a long time.”
“Not long enough. If you’ll excuse me, I need to call a taxi.” Reaching into a pocket, she pulled out her phone.
“Don’t go, Julia. I’ll be leaving with a group of children in a few minutes. When we return, I’ll head home. There’s no reason to leave because of me.”
Staring at him for several long moments, Julia slid the phone back into her pocket, pinning him with an unyielding glare. “Let me be real clear on this. I have no desire to see, talk to, or be within miles of you, Nate.”
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he glanced away for an instant before meeting her gaze. What he saw triggered a swift stab of pain, as if he’d been impaled with a sword. Where he once saw love, now there was only disgust and hate. He didn’t blame her.
“All right, Julia.” Without another word, he turned, walking away from the only woman he would ever love.
Thank you for taking the time to read Untamed. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.
Watch for book four in the Eternal Brethren series, Devoted.
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About the Author
Shirleen Davies writes romance. She is the best-selling author of books in the romantic suspense, military romance, historical western romance, and contemporary western romance genres. Shirleen grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. Her passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.
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Books by Shirleen Davies
Romantic Suspense
Eternal Brethren, Military Romantic Suspense
Steadfast, Book One
Shattered, Book Two
Haunted, Book Three
Untamed, Book Four
Devoted, Book Five, Coming Next in the Series!
Peregrine Bay, Romantic Suspense
Reclaiming Love, Book One
Our Kind of Love, Book Two
Edge of Love, Book Three, Coming Next in the Series!
Contemporary Romance
MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary
Second Summer, Book One
Hard Landing, Book Two
One More Day, Book Three
All Your Nights, Book Four
Always Love You, Book Five
Hearts Don’t Lie, Book Six
No Getting Over You, Book Seven
‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Book Eight
Foolish Heart, Book Nine
Macklin’s of Burnt River
Thorn’s Journey
Del’s Choice
Boone’s Surrender
MacLarens of Fire Mountain
Tougher than the Rest, Book One
Faster than the Rest, Book Two
Harder than the Rest, Book Three
Stronger than the Rest, Book Four
Deadlier than the Rest, Book Five
Wilder than the Rest, Book Six
Redemption Mountain
Redemption’s Edge, Book One
Wildfire Creek, Book Two
Sunrise Ridge, Book Three
Dixie Moon, Book Four
Survivor Pass, Book Five
Promise Trail,
Book Six
Deep River, Book Seven
Courage Canyon, Book Eight
Forsaken Falls, Book Nine
Solitude Gorge, Book Ten
Rogue Rapids, Book Eleven
Angel Peak, Book Twelve
Restless Wind, Book Thirteen
Storm Summit, Book Fourteen, Coming Next in the Series!
MacLarens of Boundary Mountain
Colin’s Quest, Book One,
Brodie’s Gamble, Book Two
Quinn’s Honor, Book Three
Sam’s Legacy, Book Four
Heather’s Choice, Book Five
Nate’s Destiny, Book Six
Blaine’s Wager, Book Seven
Fletcher’s Pride, Book Eight
Bay’s Desire, Book Nine
Cam’s Hope, Coming Next in the Series!
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Copyright © 2019 by Shirleen Davies
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
For permission requests, contact the publisher.
PO Box 12618
Prescott, AZ 86304
Untamed is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is wholly coincidental.
Table of 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
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Epilogue
About the Author
Books by Shirleen Davies