The Rancher's Reluctant Bride

By Anna St. James

When Sarah Monroe's abusive husband dies, all she feels is blessed relief. When she inherits her uncle's house in Cactus Gap, she moves to Texas for a chance to start fresh. Happy in her new-found freedom, she swears off men and marriage forever. Until she meets Zach Whitfield.

Zach is on a mission to find a bride. From the moment he sees Sarah, he's completely smitten. When tragedy strikes, leaving him guardian of his best friend's young daughter, Zach asks Sarah for help. Can he break down the fortress surrounding her fragile heart? Can he persuade her to become his wife?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna St. James
• Release date: Sep 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311515483

Anna St. James

Anna St. James grew up watching the classic westerns during the golden age of television. Rawhide, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, The Wild, Wild West and Bonanza were just a few of her favorites.Later on she became a fan of Little House on the Prairie and Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman; and later still, The Love Comes Softly Series and Sarah Plain and Tall.Her love of Texas and history made writing historical western romances a natural choice. Married to her own special hero, Anna makes her home in the Lone Star State.Anna St. JamesClassic Romance: Short and SweetHistorical Western RomanceInspirational RomanceSign up to receive emails announcing Anna's new releases:http://www.annastjames.com

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THE RANCHER'S RELUCTANT BRIDE

A Brides of Cactus Gap Short Story

by Anna St. James

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When Sarah Monroe's abusive husband dies, all she feels is blessed relief. When she inherits her uncle's house in Cactus Gap, she moves to Texas for a chance to start fresh. Happy in her new-found freedom, she swears off men and marriage forever. Until she meets Zach Whitfield.

Zach is on a mission to find a bride. From the moment he sees Sarah, he's completely smitten. When tragedy strikes, leaving him guardian of his best friend's young daughter, Zach asks Sarah for help. Can he break down the fortress surrounding her fragile heart? Can he persuade her to become his wife? 

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The Rancher's Reluctant Bride

Copyright © 2014 by Anna St. James

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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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The Rancher's Reluctant Bride

A Short Story

by Anna St. James

Texas Panhandle, 1875

Zach Whitfield wanted a wife. He wanted children. He wanted sons to inherit his two-thousand-acre West Texas ranch. Blood, sweat and tears had gone into the making of his ranching empire. The ZWR was one of the most profitable cattle-raising outfits this side of the Cap Rock. He didn't want it all to go for naught. He envisioned generations of Whitfields enjoying the land for many years to come . . . into an endless future.

Zach loved the ZWR. He didn't begrudge all the hard work and the lean times he'd suffered in the early years. The house he'd built stood proudly against the backdrop of the Double Mountains. Sometimes, he imagined he could hear the laughter of the children who would one day fill the rooms of the two-story ranch house. He could imagine a woman sitting by the great stone fireplace, small children gathered round her, telling stories on cold winter evenings, her hands busy with sewing or knitting or whatever it was women occupied themselves with after the nightly chores were done.

Reining in his horse and his imagination, Zach frowned. None of that would happen if he didn't soon find a bride to share the life he'd forged for himself. He wasn't getting any younger. Not that he was exactly old. He'd be thirty-two come his birthday next spring. He was more than ready to find a woman to marry.

The sooner, the better.

He didn't look for love. Love would be nice, but it wasn't necessary. On the other hand, admiration and respect were high on the list. Beauty wasn't a requirement, but the woman should have a neat appearance and pleasing manners. And a mutual attraction would be good, too.

Howdy, Zach. Glad you could make it. David Evans stood on the stone steps leading up to his house. He'd obviously been on the lookout for Zach's approach.

Thanks for the supper invitation. Zach dismounted and looped his reins on the hitching post in front of the porch. You know I can't turn down one of Mary's good meals.

David smiled. That's a fact.

David and Mary were good friends and close neighbors--only three miles as the crow flew. After the war, he and David had come to Texas from Alabama looking for land and a fresh start.

Zach! Zach! You're here! You're here! Six-year-old Amy Lou Evans tore out of the house and launched herself at Zach.

He caught her in his arms and swung her high above his head. Amy Lou, you get prettier and prettier every time I see you.

The little girl giggled. Pa says I look just like Ma.

Well now, your pa's a smart man. He settled her on his hip, and she wrapped her skinny little arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek and frowned at the roughness of a day's growth of beard. Ouch! You're all stickery.

Sorry about that, little lady. He kissed her forehead and set her on her feet. Guess I should have shaved, but I was a might busy today and didn't have time. I hope Mary doesn't mind.

I don't mind at all. The screen door swung open and Mary Evans stepped out onto the porch. "Glad you could join us for supper. We haven't seen you in a