An Uptown Girl and A Cowboy

By Lorelei Confer

Samantha, a New York City girl wanna be wildlife photographer, travels to Saddle Creek, Wyoming to begin a new life for herself. After a horrendous travel day she meets a burly, strong-muscled cowboy who instills in her a sexual attraction like no other. After numerous threats on her life, Dillon comes to her rescue. Is he only offering protection or so much more?

Elliott, who married the love of his life and still blames himself for her death, is wildly entertained by Samantha’s naiveté of country life, and begins to feel again. His emotions run wild when he readily comes to her aid to protect her from villainous terrorizations. Will she be the one to set him free?

Although Elliott comes to her aid, will he arrive in time to save her or will history repeat itself and she dies in his arms?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lorelei Confer
• Release date: Jul 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370919796

Lorelei Confer

Amazon bestselling author of romantic suspense, Lorelei Confer, has been writing since the fourth grade. She lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida with her husband and AJ, a longhaired Chihuahua, who are both her constant companions.In 2010, her first novel, Deadly Deception was published, the first in the Deadly series. Another series, Saddle Creek, began with the first release, Rustlers and Romance in 2016. This series is set in the shadows of the Grand Teton mountains in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Mentoring children years ago led to helping aspiring authors set goals, and generally, meet their objective to finish the book. She practices her own discipline every day.After six years as a copy editor and two years as an editor at The Wild Rose Press, she ventured out on her own as an indie author.Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.loreleiconfer.com/subscribe to receive exclusive excerpts and bonus material, receive alerts when books are released, and take part in great giveaways.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Maybe being passed over for the coveted promotion of Sales Manager at PowerUP PR firm was the best thing that would ever happen to her.

Samantha William’s suitcases sat by the door. A horn blasted outside Traveston Towers, one of New York’s modern apartment complexes, announcing the cabbie’s arrival. She took one last look around what she’d called home for the past four years, marveling at the bright, clear light shining through the large windows. Dust motes drifted over the few remaining packing boxes stacked against a wall. The rays reflected off the protective glass in a picture frame, which held a picture of her late parents, left standing alone on the mantle, a reminder of the immense upcoming change in her life.

She hurried over to wrap up the frame and shoved it into her oversize carryon. The taxi honked again.

Time to go. There was no time to change out of her work suit or torturous heels after an early morning meeting at the office. She took a deep breath and exhaled, her insides fluttering with anticipation.

The rooms smelled like her yesterdays, and she was prepared for her tomorrows. There was no time to change out of her work suit or torturous heels. After closing the door behind her, she rode the elevator down to the ground floor to meet the cab across the street.

She pulled her itinerary out of her large purse and reviewed it. Her heart began to beat rapidly, her palms sweating and her breathing uneven. She let out a big sigh. She’d had enough of New York City, and now with her impending move to Wyoming, she’d have the opportunity to live her dream of nature and wildlife photography, while establishing herself in her new job.

While she stood beside the car with her bags, the cab driver opened the trunk and loaded them inside. She glanced around, wondering if she would miss the gas fumes, the horns blowing, cabbies milling around looking for a fare, people on foot traveling in all directions, the usual hustle and bustle of a large city.

A dull brown tree, soon to come into an early spring bud, caught her attention. Her heart longed for the wide-open spaces and grass and flowering trees like her childhood home in upstate New York.

As a car passed by, the dirty slush-filled streets splattered the icy mix all over the side of the taxi. Droplets landed on her luggage in the trunk, which only confirmed she’d made the right decision. Her body trembled with eagerness.

She opened the cab door and laughed at the thought of beginning her next adventure.

~~~~

Arriving late in Salt Lake City without her luggage but with rental car keys in her hands, Samantha headed for the only car left on the lot, wondering about its reliability, why it hadn’t been checked out yet, why it was parked there, alone.

Unlocking the car door, she threw her purse into the shotgun seat and settled behind the wheel. She only had one bag and her oversized purse containing some cosmetics. Thank God she’d thought ahead and stuck her toothbrush and a few other toiletries inside.

She leaned her head on her hands that held tight to the steering wheel. Oh God, please let this day be over soon. She whispered a prayer, and then turned the key. Nothing happened. Oh, God, Oh God! What did I just say? She glanced back at the darkened rental office closed for the night. She turned the key again and to her relief the car came to life, smoke coming out the exhaust pipe.

Country music blared from the radio and she searched for the volume button. Once she found it she turned the sound down and began to relax. She inhaled deeply as she dug in her purse searching for her cell phone to call Cindy to let her know her location and expected time of arrival.

Hello, Sam. Where are you?

Hi Cindy, I made it to Salt Lake City, I’m in my rental car and ready to head north.

That’s great, you’re making good time, Cindy said after expelling a deep breath.

Well, I did have some setbacks. My luggage is lost and should be delivered to my hotel sometime tomorrow, so I may have to borrow a few things from you. I’m staying at The Kentuckian in Jackson, I’ll be there tonight sometime.

Sure, don’t worry about a thing, we’ll work everything out. Everyone is so friendly and helpful here, not like in the city, that’s for sure.

Okay, well I need to get on the road. I’ll try to call later when I get in if it’s not too late, but I’ll see you tomorrow for sure.

Okay, drive careful, Cindy said, before ending the call.

Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Sam hoped Cindy heard her. Doesn’t anyone say goodbye anymore?

The interior light was dim enough for her to make out the faint map she studied before leaving the car lot. She entered the hotel address into her GPS and placed the unit on the dash.

Once clear of the airport, she headed north out of Utah toward Wyoming, eager to make the borderline in an hour or so. Traffic thinned and the roads became narrower. The sun began setting on her left and rich hues of deep purple, pink, and blue colors covered the sky. She checked her speed and set the cruise control ten MPH over the legal limit. Taking a few deep breaths, she calmed and changed the radio station to something a little more soothing.

After driving miles without passing another car and in total darkness, she squirmed in her seat. Restless, looking for road signs, she glanced at her GPS for directions. The last time she saw a sign she was about eighty miles away from Jackson. Even though she had followed directions, she felt lost in the middle of nowhere.

Sam called her boss and good friend Cindy, when the car started to jerk and cough as she began to leave a message.

Hi Cindy, this is Sam. I think I’m lost. I haven’t seen a road sign in a couple of miles and this clunker of a car I rented isn’t running right. I don’t think I’ll be able to make it tonight so don’t wait for me. I’ll see you sometime tomorrow. She glanced at the phone to make sure the call had ended and realized she had no service, not sure how much of the message Cindy heard before the call dropped.

What else could possibly go wrong?

The car shook, bucked, and coughed again, then finally stopped running all together. Sam quickly turned the steering wheel hard to the right, the power steering making it really difficult, and coasted to the side of the road. She turned the key again but nothing happened. The headlights dimmed and then died completely. In the pitch black, she could barely make out her hand in front of her face.

God damn it!

She vaguely remembered seeing a sign for Saddle Creek back a while, indicating two miles ahead, but no sign for Jackson. She wouldn’t get anywhere sitting in the car and it was only getting later. With no idea what awaited her outside the car, she opened the door. The cool night air came in through the opening and she shivered.

Mad as hell, she stepped outside. She booted the car door hard. It closed, making a loud noise that echoed in the night quiet. Steam whistled out from beneath the hood and the front tires. She stepped back onto the road, expecting the vehicle to go up in flames at any minute. Walking to the rear of the vehicle, she kick-boxed the back tire.

Remembering her bags in the car, she quickly opened the passenger door and grabbed them, and then stepped away. You wanted the wide, open spaces, girl, she muttered. This is all part of the journey, so deal with it.

Twisting side to side, she looked up and down the road, but didn’t see another car coming either way. Damn it. She would have to walk. After all, it was only two miles to the nearest town. The sound of her heels on the asphalt sounded like gunshots as she headed toward the silhouette of the towering mountains looming in front of her. Her eyes, now adjusted to the dark, scanned the dim area. No buildings nearby, no lights at all. She shivered. The air, cooling off now since the sun had gone down, would only get colder. She longed for her heavy jacket she’d placed in one of her missing suitcases.

No stores in sight. So isolated. No barn or shed for shelter. No hotels, or motels, no open-all-night 7-Elevens, no gas stations, no shopping malls, no people, and no traffic to flag someone for help. How do people live out here?

She twisted her foot on a small rock on the road, kicking it aside, and heard a crack. She put her now heelless shoe onto the pavement, glanced down, and perused the damage. Moaning at her costly mistake of ruining a pair of expensive shoes, she reached to the ground and picked up the heel. She was reminded of the movie Romancing The Stone. She took off her other shoe and slammed it against the blacktop. Nothing! The damn heel would not come off.

Looking up at the sky, she tried to remember how to wish upon a star. She needed all the help she could get. It was bad enough she left her family and all her friends in New York. Now, she only had Cindy as a friend but also her boss. And even though they worked well together she didn’t know how far she could push their friendship. Cindy had received the new position of Western PowerUP Manager for a reason. She’d been diligent with the people she managed as well as outside vendors. She had to be a strong woman. Sam wasn’t sure she was tough enough to go up against her inside the workplace as well as outside.

Sam definitely didn’t want to make any ripples in either place. She wanted to get settled in her job, and enjoy her photography hobby on the weekends. Something she’d never had time to do in New York. There was no going back now, either.

Tears bubbled up in her eyes and gathered at the corners of her eyes, ready to run down her cheeks. She brushed them away. Wasn’t lost luggage, broken-down car, and ruined shoes, alone in the dark, strange night sounds, being cold and exhausted enough for one day? She stopped and sat on a large rock on the side of the road and sighed, feeling sorry for herself. Gazing at the star-filled night sky and all the fireflies flickering in the dark, she heard a wolf howl in the distance. Sam wondered if any bears were in the area. Scared to death of the wild beasts, she stood, anxious to get wherever she was going.

A light off to the right of the road in the distance illuminated a small area. As she got closer, she heard men’s voices echoing in the quiet and a beam of a light zoomed around in the stark darkness. The sounds of metal against stone hammered in her ears. A white pickup sat nearby them. Her first thought was that they could give her a ride back to civilization.

Help, help, she yelled toward them, as she slowly stood and began to make her way in their direction. Then she stopped. Blinded by a bright light, she didn’t move. Scared they might be unsavory characters, she wasn’t sure she really wanted their help, so she backed away. Who would be out digging this late at night—and for what? Something wasn’t right here. She studied the tag number on the truck, when suddenly, the digging stopped. The light bounced around in the wilderness and then went out, black and silent. A car door closed, an engine roared to life. Stones flew as the white truck pulled out onto the highway a short distance behind her, and started directly toward her. She jumped out of the way, off the road, as the truck slowly passed by, the flashlight blinding her once again.

She stomped back onto the road, her hands on her hips, her eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. Suddenly, the light went out and she studied the back of the retreating truck’s license plate. Something weird was going on and she didn’t want to be a part of it.

Back on the road, she picked up her pace. Surely she would run into somebody sometime, and the sooner the better.

After walking another half hour or so, a blinking, red light flashed in the distance. It gave her hope. Civilization. The blisters on her feet or the chill in her bones didn’t seem so bad now.

She stopped to catch her breath and stared at the blinking red sign: Rosie’s Diner. As she limped forward, the big door opened and country music, as well as a cacophony of voices and laughter, poured out. Limping forward, she glanced in one of the big windows and saw a mom and pop diner straight out of the fifties, with black and white checkered floors, a curved bar with silver pedestal barstools, and booths, which were covered in red pleather. Five high-back booths lined the walls on both sides of the front door, the bar straight ahead. She vaguely remembered a diner similar to this in upstate New York, and they served a milkshake with the remainder in the mixer can. With great anticipation, she reached for the door handle with shaking cold fingers.

Although engulfed in warmth and a disharmony of conversations, a shiver ran through her as she sucked in the aromas of home cooked food and fresh brewed coffee. Sam blew a breath upward to remove a wisp of hair that had settled over her eyes, as she hiked the oversized carryon back on her shoulder. She wrapped her arms around her middle to take in all the provided heat. Her hands and feet began to burn as they soaked in the warmth. She welcomed the laughter and relaxed.

As she pulled her shoulders back and straightened her spine, she smoothed her short skirt and tugged her suit jacket down as far as it would go. She’d finally made it, she didn’t know where she was but there were people here, probably cell service and definitely cab service to her hotel. She inhaled a deep breath.

The place was packed with people talking and laughing, as if they’d known each other for years. It seemed like everybody knew everybody. She glanced around looking for an empty booth, but there were none available. Only one stool at the counter was vacant. A very attractive cowboy-type, blondish-brown-haired man sat beside it. Oh, well. It would have to do.

She approached the bar and the too-handsome-to-be-real stranger. When he glanced her way, she gazed into deep blue eyes and sucked in her breath. His wide grin revealed straight, white teeth against his tan skin, and she turned away. She idled his way and placed her bags on the seat and asked, Is this seat taken?

Just twelve hours ago she was in a taxi in New York City heading toward the airport, so excited to begin a new venture. If she only knew then how this day would end, she might have thought twice about her decision for adventure.

Or maybe not.

Chapter 2

Sam glanced at the cowboy again and was pinned to the spot when his blue eyes bored into hers, as if sending a message of magnetism. Her nerve endings tingled. She inhaled deeply and exhaled. She slowly smiled at him.

It’s yours now, Elliott nodded toward the bar stool with a big smile. I—I’m Elliott Bouchard. He stood and held out his right hand.

Samantha Williams, but everyone calls me Sam. Nice to meet you, Elliott. She shook his work-calloused hand. Triggers of electricity surged through her fingertips, up her arm, and traveled throughout her body. Her heart jumped into her throat, and she couldn’t breathe. A tingle ran down her spine. She quickly pulled her hand away.

Sam dropped her bags on the floor at her feet and settled onto the stool next to Mr. Handsome. From the corner of her eye she could see his worn-in jeans fit his muscular thighs just right, and with a red plaid shirt-jacket over a white T-shirt, he reminded her of the actor who played the part of Wyatt Earp in the Tombstone movie.

New in town, I see. Elliott glanced at her from head to toe, and then wiped his hands on his thighs.

The waitress interrupted her response and poured coffee for Sam and took her order. Sam glanced his way while she wiped her silverware on a paper napkin and scanned the parking lot. Yes, as a matter of fact. How did you know? A shiver made her hand shake when she reached for the warmth of her coffee mug.

Your shoes, especially, totally unsuitable for out here. Where from? He sipped his coffee and set the mug down on the counter.

New York City. Sam hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she smelled the food placed before her. She began to cut her meatloaf into small pieces.

Ah, a city slicker. What brought you to these parts? Or maybe I should ask who?

Not a ‘who,’ that’s for sure. It’s definitely ‘what.’ It’s a brand-new adventure for me. She spread her arms wide, excitement culminating in her voice. A new job, more time for my photography hobby, and I love, or sorta did, all the wide open space here. Reminds me of my childhood home in upstate New York. She paused. "Wherever here is," she muttered softly, looking around slowly.

Here is Saddle Creek, in the heart of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Where were you headed?

Jackson, Wyoming. I hope it’s not too far from here. I made hotel reservations for tonight anyway.

I assume you haven’t been to these parts of the West before, have you? He had stopped eating to talk and waited for her answer.

No, I haven’t and I’m not sure I’m prepared for the challenges here. She took a bite of food, chewed, and swallowed. This meatloaf is delicious.

It’s my favorite, too. Maybe I could help show you around the area, you could take in some of the sights, get acclimated. He turned toward her, his hands on his taut thighs.

Sam chewed another mouthful of food while she thought about it. He smiled, and stared right back, eye to eye.

I—I—I don’t even know you, other than your name is Elliott something or other.

No better time than the present to get acquainted. What do you say?

I don’t know. I’ve had such a bad day. She exhaled deeply, and perused the faces in the diner, looking for safety. Seeing she had no choice, she studied him from head to toe, still hesitant and said quietly, I—I guess so.

Good! Tell me about your trip here. You said you had a bad day. What happened? Did you drive or fly? he asked, taking a bite of bread.

I flew and drove. It’s been a trip from hell, like no other, to be honest with you. My first flight was delayed, missed my connecting flight, my luggage lost, the rental car broke down, I broke a heel on my favorite and expensive shoes, and I had to walk here with blisters on my feet. She counted off the events on her fingers, then took a deep breath. I’m exhausted. Bet you can’t beat that, can you? She smiled at him, and then continued to play with her food.

Not even gonna try, he muttered, then smiled. Tell me about your family, he said as he began to eat again.

"Well, my