Cool Water (The Westerners, Book 4)

By Jeanne Harrell

Yosemite trail rider Natalie Coleman takes a group out one day and a bear comes out of the woods heading right for them. Natalie must try to save her group as well as a lone rider who comes out of the woods unaware of the danger facing him. Wes Evans was out to study owls that day but instead is bucked off his horse and knocked unconscious before he barely knows what is happening. Natalie takes him to the clinic in Yosemite Village where the doctor tells her he has amnesia and she has to care for him because he can't do anymore for Wes. In the days to follow, ordinary turns magical as Natalie and Wes weave a spell around each other. With fishing in the stream behind her cabin, cooking together and discovering common ground, two lonely people become a little less lonely. The world seems brighter and maybe a future is even possible. Enter parents, job complications and a conniving former lover to insert turmoil into their charming world. Wes become alarmed at what will happen when the amnesia finally lifts and he has to face the life he left behind. Will that life include Natalie?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jeanne Harrell
• Release date: May 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311025654

Jeanne Harrell

Jeanne Harrell is an author who lives and writes romantic stories occurring in the Wild West. Her sweet and relatively innocent Western books include the Rancher series, The Westerners Series and Avila Beach Winery Series. Cowboys, Indians, stagecoaches and John Ford movies captured her interest long ago and held it. She lives in Nevada and captures many beautiful Western scenes with photos, found on her website. What she loves best is to tangle two strong characters, emboil them in conflict and let them hash it out. P.S. Jeanne also writes mysteries as SJ Slagle and children's books as Sinda Cheri Floyd.

Book preview

Natalie

My mother always said that I was usually in the wrong place at the right time. Now generally that didn’t make too much sense to me because I really didn’t understand what she meant. All I’ve ever done is live around Yosemite, ride horses and try to be the best person I can be. And things that have happened to me like… dodging that bolt of lightning in a sudden storm, or dropping a hymnal in church and having the cute guy next to me pick it up… or maybe getting close enough to the altar right before the floor collapsed below my feet. Well, would they classify? I never was much sure.

But when I saw that bear, it hit me smack between the eyes what my mom meant by wrong place, right time. But I’ll get back to that.

Wes

None of it made any sense. At that time, the world made no sense to me. Divorced, adrift, jobless and hairless all added up to my pointless existence. My father told me to buck up. Shovel through the shit that had landed in my lap and be a man! My friends all felt sorry for me – too much happening and all at once.

But that’s the way life is sometimes, or so the professor down the hall told me. Just because I’d been bucked off didn’t mean I shouldn’t get right back on that horse again. It was an insane metaphor for a biology professor to use, but it turned out to be prophetic. Who knew?

* * *

CHAPTER 1

That day started out like any other. Natalie woke up, stretched and immediately smelled the freshly brewed coffee. That signaled her sister had arrived and made the coffee, because she didn’t like how Natalie made it.

Yawning, she smiled and grabbed a pair of sweats to pull on. There was a chill in the air this morning and she knew winter was coming. Being in the mountains also guaranteed a light skiff soon, if not a few inches of snow. Glancing in the bathroom mirror only netted her a look at bleary blue eyes. She shook her head to clear the cobwebs causing dark brown hair to scatter all over her face and shoulders.

Walking into the kitchen, she took down a mug and filled it with the excellent smelling brew. Long bangs hung in her face and pushing them back, she finally saw the figure sitting at the table. Natalie knew what was coming. Neat and tidy, perfectly coiffed with sunny hair gathered back behind her ears, her sister sat there with a smug look on her face.

You should have come to the saloon last night. You would have had a blast!

Nice try, Jenna, but you know I’m not much for drinking with strange men. That’s where you’re heading with this conversation, isn’t it?

There were three guys for every girl! I danced all night!

And when was the last time you saw me dance? I don’t like dancing.

Sis, why the hell not? To curl up against a solid chest once in a while won’t take away from your rep as Mountain Girl Supreme.

Maybe I’d like to meet a Mountain Guy Supreme then. She took a sip.

And working in Yosemite National Park doesn’t afford you any glimpses of him? We meet rugged men all the time. Who are you waiting for? Jeremiah Johnson?

I’m waiting for no man, Jenna. I like my life as it is, thank you. Why muss it up with some guy?

Jenna sighed deeply and shrugged. You’re impossible.

…But you’re not giving up, are you?

Nope.

Natalie chuckled out loud and walked over to get down a bowl and box of cereal. Have you eaten?

No, not yet.

Well, have some cereal with me and then let’s get cracking.

Cracking?

…Yes. I’ve got an early group signed up for trail ride. Some family out at the Park for a reunion, I think. Pretty good-sized group. She opened the refrigerator and took out the milk. Pouring it on her cereal, she glanced back at her sister.

You busy this morning?

No. Dad actually gave me the morning off after my night of debauchery, I believe he called it.

I’m surprised he didn’t put your nose further into the grindstone and have you shoeing horses the live long day.

Dad just likes me best. Jenna smirked which brought a full-blown laugh from her sister that blew a mouthful of Cheerios all over the table.

Nice try, sis, Natalie got a sponge from the sink and wiped up the soggy cereal. You’ve been pulling that one since we were children. Dad loves us equally.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah.

Well… Who got the new set of tools for Christmas?

Natalie chuckled again. You’re a farrier, for Pete’s sake. You need tools. And I got a saddle. Since I’m employed by a recreational company that gives trail rides in the Park, that makes sense too.

Her sister shrugged and got down a bowl for her cereal.

Hurry up -- let’s get going. I’ve got a busy day and I’m enlisting your assistance.

All right, fine. But I’m keeping my eye out for a guy for you. You really need the help. You can’t let one misstep throw you off your game forever.

Natalie gave her a wide-eyed stare. I can’t believe you mentioned that… that incident. I thought we’d agreed.

Sorry, sorry. I forgot.

Let’s get busy.

* * *

CHAPTER 2

That day started out like none other. Wes woke, stretched and felt alone immediately. He didn’t need to touch the cold place beside him or even look over to realize that his wife really had left him. She’d actually been gone for months now but he remembered the smell of her hair shampoo or any slight movement she made, her gentle snores. It had all become so bitter at the end, but he remembered the sweet beginning. The middle was a bit of a blur though. Everything had begun so fast and ended just as quickly. He sighed, stretched again and rose to greet the day.

In the bathroom, he glanced at the haggard man in the mirror, splashed cold water on his face and ran a hand through messy, dark hair. The man who looked back seemed older, but felt no wiser. The slight bags under his gray eyes indicated a lack of sleep and stress. He shrugged, showered and slipped on his well-worn jeans. Walking into the kitchen, he opened a canister for the coffee to get a pot going. The day would look better after that first cup, or so he hoped.

By the time he’d downed that cup, Wes remembered the conversation yesterday he had had with his dean. Students were just leaving his classroom when the dean entered looking very serious. Wes had looked up from his podium to watch the heavyset man in a dark blue suit walk in, smoothing his tie. After all the students had left, the dean cleared his throat.

Dr. Evans, I’ll come right to the point. The university cut a position in our department and I’m afraid we have to let you go. We’ll give you the standard three months severance pay and a good recommendation.

Wes’d blinked and his jaw dropped. You’re firing me?

Oh, no! Of course not. Our funding for the Wildlife Studies department has been cut. Our hands are tied. You were the last hired. It’s purely a tenure problem, don’t you see?

So it makes no difference to the university that I’ve brought in three grants in the last two years?

Of course, we’re very grateful, Dr. Evans, but we have to follow university hiring procedures. I’m very sorry.

And the dean had left, leaving Wes with a new bitter taste in his mouth to join the one his wife had left there. Soon to be ex-wife, that is.

He heard someone come in the front door.

… Hey! Where are you? Not killing yourself, I hope.

He watched Rob come in the kitchen and go straight for the coffee. In a crisp white shirt, pressed slacks and pale hair combed neatly, his brother always looked like he stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. Wes sighed.

What, no coffee at your house?

Sure, but yours is better although it could be stronger. He poured a cup and turned to look at Wes. If you’d made coffee this good when you were married, maybe Nicole wouldn’t have left.

Wes’ mouth dropped open. What a mean thing to say! You’re supposed to be on my side.

Rob joined him at the table. I was just kidding… but seriously, she wasn’t the girl for you, bro. I said that before you rushed into that crazy marriage. You just wouldn’t stop and listen to anyone. Least of all her.

He looked up from his cup. What does that mean?

Rob took a good drink of his coffee and licked his lips. Looking back at his brother, he shook his head. For Pete’s sake, she was making eyes at other guys during the ceremony. Why did you need to marry her anyway?

Wes physically shrank with sagging shoulders. …She said she was pregnant and I thought it was the right thing to do. Plus I thought I loved her.

Wrong on both counts.

So it would seem.

… She wasn’t pregnant?

No. I learned later that she’d lost the lease on her apartment and needed someplace to live.

So she lied to you.

When Wes gave a half-hearted shrug, Rob continued. And you weren’t in love with her.

…I guess I… wanted to be.

Rob stood to grab the pot and freshen his cup. You need to go out more. Date a bunch of women. See what’s out there.

No way. Wes rose quickly and tossed out his now cold coffee in the sink. I don’t care what’s out there. Quit kicking me when I’m down.

Listen. You’ve lost your job and your marriage. Don’t you think you need to try something new?

And I’m going to.

Like what?

Wes turned to look at his brother. He folded his arms across his chest and stared him down. I’m going camping in Yosemite for a while and do more research on the owls.

You’re going to hide out in the woods and not go near another human, in other words.

…Something like that.

Rob’s laugh filled the kitchen. How is that trying something new? You do that every chance you get. Those owls must know you by name.

Feeling defensive, Wes turned to rinse out his cup in the sink. It’s what makes me happy, all right? And precious little else in my life right now is making me happy.

Okay, okay, simmer down. Rob threw out his hands in front. Need any help packing? I gather you’ll be gone the usual week.

Yeah. Just help me gather my camping equipment and no more advice on my life.

I’ll try but it won’t be easy. Rob didn’t even try to hide the smirk.

They went into the garage where Wes instructed his brother to get a few supplies off a high shelf. Rob moved a ladder into position and climbed up to reach for the canister of kerosene that Wes pointed out.

…Got anything in this?

Check. I think so. And stay up there a minute, Wes instructed. He looked around at all the boxes and equipment stacked everywhere. It’s so crowded in here that I’m going to stack a few provisions on the ladder steps for a minute.

His brother twisted the cap off the canister and swirled it to check for any remaining liquid. A little sloshed out and splashed onto Wes’ head as he stood below.

Hey! What the hell are you doing up there? Wes reached for a rag to mop his hair. Now I need to take another shower.

Sorry! Rob screwed the cap back on the canister and stepped down a rung of the ladder. As he did, he stepped on an open book of matches. His boot slipped, accidentally lighting the matches that in turn fell on Wes’ head setting his hair on fire.

Yow! What’s going on?

Wes hopped around the garage, knocking things over, madly swiping at the dancing flames. Rob jumped off the ladder, grabbed a jacket he found on some boxes and threw it over Wes’ head. It snuffed the flames in his hair but not the fire in his eyes. He slowly pulled off the jacket to glare at his brother.

Did you have to set my hair on fire and put it out with my good leather jacket? Damn it, Rob! You’re supposed to be helping me, not adding to my misery.

Wes inspected the jacket and found a few holes burned into