Wrangled Hearts

By T. D. Jones

Clara Rhodes has been the star of day time TV Sunset Rose for over fifteen years. She’s giving it all up to go home to Pickett, Texas to be with her dad who’s dying of cancer. As she’s losing one man she loves, her heart opens up to a new man she thought she could never love. Clara soon realizes home is where her heart is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melange Books, LLC
• Release date: Aug 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781612353487

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Wrangled Hearts

by

T. D. Jones

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Published by

Melange Books, LLC

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

www.melange-books.com

Wrangled Hearts, Copyright 2012 by T.D. Jones

ISBN: 978-1-61235-348-7 Ebook

Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States of America

Cover Art by Caroline Andrus

Wrangled Hearts

by T. D. Jones

Clara Rhodes has been the star of day time TV Sunset Rose for over fifteen years. She’s giving it all up to go home to Pickett, Texas to be with her dad who’s dying of cancer. As she’s losing one man she loves, her heart opens up to a new man she thought she could never love. Clara soon realizes home is where her heart is.

* * * *

Teresa Jones lives in West Texas and writes romance, humor and family drama. Her favorite part of the writing process is when her characters come alive and help her create the best story she can. Teresa loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at the following locations.

www.tdjones.weebly.com

www.writingonthego.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/TDJones5

Face book: TD Jones/Author

* * * *

This story is dedicated to Bobby Eugene McKinney

This one’s for you, Daddy

Cowboy Prayer

Thank you Father for choosing the cowboy life for me

Riding the range, mending fences and sleeping under the stars

Enjoying all your creations, Father how awesome you are.

Some folks spend their days chasing silver and gold, you see

And when they finally get it it's easily wasted away

Me, I chase horses and cows most all of the day.

When the night comes, I'm tired, sore and cold

I make myself a fire, eat my vittles, spread out my bedroll.

Then I play my harmonica, singing out loudly and bold,

Til my good friend, Pumpkin is sound asleep.

And as I sink into peaceful and irreversible sleep

Please, please do not for me weep,

I happily lived my life as a cowboy,

the life God chose for me.

Cowboy Prayer

- Author Unknown -

Chapter One

New York City

Clara Rhodes was shocked at how loud her laugh sounded. After being in the coffin for the last hour the scene was racking on her nerves. She was getting distracted and her laughing out loud was a sign of that.

Cut! Phil Baxter hollered from across the room.

Crap. Now you got me in trouble, Clara moaned. It was no fun being in trouble with Phil. Even though she knew he was very fond of her, he had no problem chewing her out like any of the other actors on the show.

You’re the one who let out that crazy, bellowing laugh of yours, Kevin said as he peered down at Clara.

She rose up and looked in the direction of the producer. Sorry Phil, it was Kevin’s fault. He was talking to me. Clara then popped back down in the coffin. Tears built up in the corner of her eyes. Her emotions were out of control.

Traitor, Kevin whispered.

Okay people, one more time. Phil’s voice carried throughout the large room.

After giving Kevin a wink, she closed her eyes. She was going to miss being on Sunset Rose, the most popular daytime soap opera. The past fifteen years had been the best time of her life. Playing Sara Mayfield was nothing but enjoyable. Going from New York back to the small town of Pickett, Texas was going to be different. It’d been a long time since she’d been home for any extended amount of time, at least not since she was seventeen. When her sister called and said their dad was sick, it was time to go back home. There was no way she could do her best professionally when Texas is where she needed to be. So with that decision made, she didn’t sign a renewing contract. Phil did everything he could to try to talk her out of it, but in the end he gave in and accepted the decision.

* * * *

Twenty minutes later the scene was finished and Clara was maneuvering her way out of the coffin.

What time’s the party? Kevin asked.

Rebecca said for everyone to meet upstairs at six.

I can’t believe you’re leaving us, who will be my rock?

She patted Kevin on the back. "You’ll be fine. Stay out of trouble. She liked Kevin from the first time she saw him. He was supposed to be an extra but was such a cut up and everyone loved having him around so they all begged for him to be offered a permanent role. A few months later he was written in as Sara’s long, lost brother. Clara loved doing scenes with him. He was always doing the unexpected, throwing a line in that was unrehearsed but somehow it worked in the scene.

I’ll try. Phil’s going to be so cranky without you. You’re his princess and everyone knows it.

Clara set her sights on the older gentleman standing across the room. It was because of Phil she had success in her career. He took a chance on her and molded her into a star. She let a loud sigh. I guess I better go pack up my stuff, come help me. She grabbed Kevin’s hand and took off toward her dressing room, or at least it was hers for a couple of more hours.

* * * *

Awhile later Clara was scanning the decorated room filled with all her friends and coworkers. This is a great party. Thanks for putting it together, Clara said as she stood beside Rebecca.

We can’t let you go back home without throwing you a New York bash.

Clara brought her gaze up to her friend. They had been roommates for a brief period when Rebecca arrived into town and was still getting her bearings. When the tall, skinny girl with a head full of red hair first came on the show, she couldn’t see being friends with her. Not only was the girl loud and demanding, but she was determined to get her way. As time went on, the facade faded and the real person shone through. I really appreciate the thought.

We made a team didn’t we?

Tears slid down her cheeks. I never thought I would be so emotional. She worked so hard to get this job and now she was letting it go. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t get another job, that wasn’t the worry. She was always getting offers that wanted her when and if her contract with the show ever ran out. Nope, being without a job wasn’t what she was scared of, her fear was going home. When she was home she couldn’t relax. It made her feel like she was that teenager again watching the local bus pull out of town and wished she was on it. She didn’t care where it was headed, as long as it was away from the one horse town her family called home. She loved her family dearly, but that love never seemed strong enough to hold down her desire to do bigger and better things.

Hey no tears or I’ll start too. I have a late night scene and already had my makeup done…see, now you got me crying, I have to run check my makeup. Clara felt Rebecca’s arms wrap around her and then she left. Knowing Rebecca didn’t like good-byes, Clara wasn’t surprised her friend would find an excuse to rush off.

Clara smiled when she saw Phil making his way toward her. He had an aura about him. He was a man with power and knew it. That thought took her back to when she was a hostess at a restaurant and trying to make it as an actress, like a million other people in New York. He strolled in all by himself and wanted a table in the corner. It had already been rumored that Phil Baxter, the big-time producer for Sunset Rose had made a reservation and was coming in. There was a cat fight going on between the waitresses over who would get to serve him. When he was leaving he stopped and made polite conversation and then handed her his card. He said the show was looking for a petite, blond-haired actress and if she was interested in doing a test shoot let him know. That test shoot progressed into a small part and then a few years later into a full time character known to all the fans as Sara Mayfield. Phil gave a small town girl a chance and she would always be grateful for that. He could have picked any girl in that restaurant but he picked her.

Hey gorgeous, why are you standing here all by yourself? Phil asked.

Just daydreaming, what are you doing? She slipped her arm through his as he stood beside her. At one time everyone thought she and Phil were a couple. But that kind of attraction never happened. The only love they shared was a love for acting. They could sit up all night discussing the pros and cons of being an actor, but never once did they ever discuss the pros and cons of being a couple.

Oh, I thought I’d come over and see if I could talk you out of leaving.

She peered down at the hardwood floor and shuffled her feet. You know I would if I could, but with my dad being sick I feel I need to go home. Slowly bringing her eyes back up to him, she gave him her full attention. I need to be home with family. She gazed at the man who was like a second father to her.

Will you promise to think about what I suggested? You wouldn’t have to come back to the city a lot. Phil ran his fingers through his short, gray hair.

I don’t know. I’m not really sold on the idea of coming back as a ghost. I think we should let Sara Mayfield die in peace. Clara kissed him on the cheek. Don’t make this any harder than it already is. When Phil first brought up the idea, she thought it might be good to still be part of the show but the more she thought about it, she wasn’t so sure. There were so many questions with no answers. What if her dad got sicker and she couldn’t make it back? What if the fans didn’t like it and the ratings went down, would that ruin her? Did she really want to be a part of the show anymore? Her mind was telling her no, but her heart was still lingering around trying to hang on to something familiar.

I think your fans will be heartbroken when they find out Sara...you’re gone. Think about it while you are down in no-man’s land, Phil said.

It’s only West Texas. Not the end of the earth, Phil. She prayed she was making the right decision.

I’m going to miss that crazy laugh of yours. You know you can call me for anything. Phil kissed her hand, released it and walked off.

Clara watched the older man walk away from her. She had no plans of staying away too long. As soon as her Dad showed signs of getting better she would return to New York. Nothing could make her want to stay in Texas.

Chapter Two

Four days later Clara was enjoying the amazing sunrise. She had never found anything prettier than a Texas sunrise. She was less than twenty miles from her hometown. She couldn’t believe a week ago she was standing in downtown New York and now she was in the middle of open space with nothing but the big blue sky. She glanced down to grab her sunglasses out of the console and focused back on the road. Holy shit! She quickly swerved the car. She stared out her rear view mirror and could see him getting control of the horse. She placed her hand on her chest trying to get her beating heart to calm down. Way to go, not even in town ten minutes and already running down a horse and his rider. She parked the car onto the side of the road and climbed out. Are you okay? She asked as he made his way toward her.

What the hell’s wrong with you? You nearly killed me and my horse!

I’m sorry, but you were in the road. There was no way this was her fault. She took some deep breaths trying to calm down the rhythm of her heart.

The stranger tilted his head and viewed Clara from under the cowboy hat. Are you kidding me? I was on the side and you missed me by an inch. He held up two fingers and made an inch in the air.

She watched as he swung a leg over the horse and dismounted. No, I’m sure you were in the road. She couldn’t help but stare at his long legs. He had to stand at least 6’5. He was the poster for what all cowboys should look like in Texas.

Don’t they teach you how to drive in that high society place you come from?

His demeanor was the only thing that didn’t fit into the perfect idea of a cowboy. Most cowboys went out of their way to try and win a woman over. This one seemed to be doing the opposite. Excuse me. You have no right to judge me. You have no idea where I’m from. Do you know who I am? Clara placed her hands on her hips. It was rare she went anywhere and not be recognized so this was a strange concept for her. It wasn’t that she wanted the attention and someone falling all over to touch her. But this guy acted like she was an ordinary person and didn’t even have a clue that she was plastered all over the TV daily and on some magazine usually somewhere. What did he live under? A rock?

He moved in closer, leaned in and said, "I know your type, spoiled with daddy’s money. Driving your fancy little sports car. Smelling all nice, your nails and hair probably done by some guy named Javier. You come here wanting to shop at our quaint little stores so you can run back and tell your socialite friends all about this little dent in the road you came across and had to stop and see how