Taming Her Heart

By Therese A Kraemer

Dawn Brooks returns home after six years to see her dying twin sister who had ruined her life and stole her fiancé with lies and false accusations.
Conner Williams is not happy to see the woman he once loved and who had caused such heartache and pain in his life that's unforgivable.
Both parties hurt by Dawn's evil twin, greeted each other still harboring pain and now fated to share the same house and ranch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spangaloo Publishing
• Release date: Jul 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370136919

Therese A Kraemer

Because I am dyslexic, I find writing a challenge, but my love of writing has inspired me to write more than sixty children’s stories, over two hundred poems and thirty-seven Romance Novels. I have also illustrated two story books used by primary teachers and students as a part of a vocal hygiene program at University of Arizona’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences.My credits also include four stories published by McFadden Publishing Co. in NYC. I wrote, illustrated and published two books of poetry used as fund-raisers by the Leukemia and Multiple Sclerosis organizations. I wrote illustrated and published in one book, forty-two children’s stories.I had an exhibition at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, Fl of my pen and ink drawings of animals. Recently, I have had three E-Book Romance Novels and a book of short stories published on the Spangaloo.Com website and another on the Smashwords.Com website. I make my home in Melbourne, Florida where I continue to write and illustrate

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TAMING HER HEART

Thérèse A. Kraemer

Copyright Therese A. Kraemer 2017

Published by Spangaloo

Spangaloo Edition

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This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, incidents, and places are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, people, or events is purely coincidental

Cover Design: Spangaloo

Ebook Formatting : Spangaloo

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Contents

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

EPILOGUE

About the Author

Other Books

ONE

Dawn Brooks came home to visit her twin sister who was dying…

As soon as the she stepped from the train, Dawn knew for certain what everyone around her was thinking. She’s back! The nerve of that one to show her face here and after what she did. Look at her; you’d think she was innocent. She should be tarred and feathered. I wouldn’t put it passed her to finish the job this time.

Yes, I am back! she mentally answered their condescending thoughts. These high-and-mighty, narrow minded people knew only half the truth. Oh, she knew there were always two sides to a story, maybe in her case, three. She released a disgusted sigh, let them think what they want, they didn’t matter to her, she mused as she sat on the bench waiting for someone to pick her up.

Glancing around the small town of Brentwood, Texas, Dawn couldn’t believe she returned after promising herself ever again would she set foot here. The stares of the people spoke volumes. Time didn’t wash off the label that these self-righteous people put on her. She was guilty back then and now, would always be in their eyes. But, Dawn held her head high; she had nothing to be ashamed about. Only her sister and she knew the truth, and it looked as if it would be buried along with her ailing twin, Eve. Her sister had written her to come to their ranch, their home, but this place no longer felt like home; too many painful memories linger here. Ignoring the stares and whispers, Dawn waited.

The day was hot and dusty, no different than the day she left this God-forsaken place. The town aged a little but so did she and she did wonder who still lived here and who left, either on their own two feet or by God’s hands. She snorted inwardly, did it matter? Not really; a bad reputation always remained on the tongues of self-righteous folks. Dawn sighed. She so wanted to turn around and leave, still unsure why she was putting herself through this. She didn’t owe her sister anything and she didn’t deserve putting herself through this anguish.

You’ve gone over this enough; remember you are better than her.

She hoped her though was right. Tired of her inner battle with her conscience, she forced herself to think of other things.

Had he changed? There wasn’t a day she hadn’t thought about Conner Williams. She had tried to recall the good times they shared but only thoughts of how he had hurt her over-shadowed the happier days before…A shot rang out snapping her back to the present. She looked up and grumbled to herself, Just a drunken cowboy.

Her mind back on Conner, anticipation mingled with dread washed through her.

Dawn tried not to think of the cowboy, the man she had loved so much; the man who had claimed his dying love for her; the man who broke her heart by marrying her sister.

Beautiful Eve with violet eyes and ivory skin; perfect nose and sculptured cheek bones. Every day she had to look in the mirror and see Eve’s wicked reflection staring back at her; a constant reminder of how much they looked alike. If only her sister had stayed in Paris, she could have been happily married to Connor today. But if all the only’s were wishes granted, life would be perfect. She wiped the dirt and grim off of her forehead with her sleeve. The trip had been uncomfortable in the overheated coach that felt more like a coffin. But it had given her time to think about the past, her side of the story.

The day her sister returned from Paris she had been engaged to Conner for a few months, and was blissfully happy. On that day, when her handsome cowboy came a courting, she was in the barn helping her father deliver a foal. Eve answered the door and unbeknownst to Conner, it was her twin. He had begun working at a neighbor’s ranch after Eve went to Paris and she was not expected to return for another year. Since there was never any love between them, Dawn never mentioned Eve to Connor, and that may have been a mistake. A mistake she dearly paid for.

On that dreadful day, she had ran into the house with the joyous news that Queeny had delivered a colt, the housekeeper informed what had taken place a while back, that Eve went with Connor on the picnic that they had planned. She quickly bathed and changed into her split-skirt fully aware of where they were going. There was going hell to pay! Maybe playing tricks on people when they were young was innocent, but no more! Running to the stable, she nearly bumped into her father as he was leaving. He looked up to see her as he was wiping his bloody hands on a rag. Apparently, she looked as if she could spit nails. And indeed she could!

What’s the matter, honey? he asked perplexed. You’re in one helluva mood.

Papa, I’m going to strangled Eve!

He sighed and shook his head. What has she done now, sweetheart?

Ooooh! Dawn hissed through clenched teeth. She went off with Conner. Not home one day and she’s already starting trouble! Even to her own ears, her voice was sharp with frustration.

He drew his brows together. Now sweetheart, stay calm. Her father then winced seeing that she had strapped on her Colt.45. Whatever are you thinking? Maybe you should leave your gun home, his voice was edged with anxiety. You look mighty angry.

Dawn couldn’t control a snort and ignored his suggestion. Oh, I’m not angry, papa, she contradicted, I am damn right murderous! And that said, she saddled Poncho, mounted the horse, put her heels into the pinto’s sides and raced off at top speed.

Leaning over the horse’s neck, she urged her mount on and rode hard towards the lake at a dust-raising pace; it was Eve’s favorite place. As she neared the spot, she slowed her horse to an easy trot and heard splashing. Dismounting, she tethered Poncho to a bush, and looked about. The blanket and opened picnic basket was the only evidence that anyone was around. Then she heard giggling which made her blood freeze in her veins. Crouching, she headed towards the water, peering over the bushes and gasped as her heart fell painfully into her stomach and bile rose. She knew Eve was capable of anything but never this!

Her twin and Conner were frolicking, naked. So enraged, Dawn could only gape until her senses returned, somewhat. Tears streaming, teeth gashing, trembling with outrage, she ran to the water’s edge and screamed, How could you? Her chest heaved, her head buzzed from anger as her nails dug deep into her clutched palms. Anger was putting it mildly; murder would definitely have been a better explanation for what she felt.

Two heads turned.

Eve smiled.

Conner paled.

Hi, sis, why don’t you join us? The water is warm, Eve had snickered, adding salt to the wound.

Why? she had pleaded for an explanation but none came from her sister. Did she really expect one? Maybe the day after never! Conner tried desperately but she couldn’t swallow his pathetic apology.

Sorry! Dawn had screamed, incredulous at his request for forgiveness. You’re standing there naked with my sister and all you can say is, sorry! As mad as she was, she couldn’t avoid admiring his muscular upper body and chest hairs that narrowed to stop blow his bellybutton where the water covered an area that would have made her blush.

Eve had marched out of the water her head held high and laughed, Such dramatics sister dear, just think of me as one of Conner’s whores. And don’t look so shocked, a man who can love a woman like he just had loved me had to have lots of experience with soiled doves.

She gasped at Eve’s words, she never believed that Conner was not a man who lived like a monk, by any means; it just hurt more to hear it said aloud. She might have forgiven Conner’s infidelity if it was any other woman but her sister? No way in hell!

She was not that naïve that she didn’t assume he had women before he met her. Placing her hand on the pearl handle of her gun, she was tempted, oh, very temped to shoot them both, but they were not worth getting hanged for. Her mouth quivered, unable to take anymore, she ran, tears blinding her way as she raced back home feeling as if her life was over. Her happiness gone; she had lost it all to her evil twin. Eve had taken away the only man who ever meant anything to her. If Conner really loved her, he would have seen Eve for the wicked woman she was and not succumbed to her charms.

Sitting there in her world of self-pity, rehashing the past was not helping her nerves, but she just couldn’t forget it, no matter how hard she tried. And no matter how many times she scolded herself for reliving it, she was weak when it came to forgetting her one and only love. She wished whoever was picking her up would come soon. She needed a drink but going into the saloon would only get her more stares but... how much more damage could affect her reputation now?

So she sat mutely with her depressed thoughts…

TWO

Dawn knew her sister was toying with Conner that day to make her jealous, but she would never have believed that Conner would betray her.

Trudie was in the kitchen when Dawn ran in teary eyed, slamming the door behind her.

"Mein liebe, what’s the matter?

Why had the housekeeper asked such a foolish question, she knew damn well what the problem was. She didn’t think the woman deserved an answer and Dawn did not give one. A few minutes later Trudie followed her upstairs finding her curled up on the bed bawling.

"Oh, mein child, what happened? Are you ill? Trudie gather her into her arms and rocked her. Hush, mein liebe, it cannot be that bad."

Dawn couldn’t determine if the woman made a statement or asked a question. She hiccupped and then wiped her nose on her sleeve. Trudie brushed back a wet lock of hair from her brow as if she was a child, but her touch was meant for concern. She sniffled, gasped for breath and hiccupped again. E-Eve, she stammered.

Trudie sighed. What had she done this time? It has to be awful. I’ve never seen you this upset and Eve has done some mean things to you.

Dawn echoed weakly, She, she tricked Conner, another hiccup.

Tricked? Trudie’s bushy brows rose, How?

She cried anew.

Eve pretended to be you, Trudie answered her own question. I suspected as much. Dawn heaved a long-suffering sigh, tears wetting Trudie’s shoulder. The kind housekeeper shook her head. Oh, dear, now, now, it’s not the end of the world. It was only a picnic.

Like hell! Dawn snapped.

Trudie jerked away, aghast, never having heard any cuss words out of her mouth before. The woman opened hers to scold her but Dawn blurted, She seduced him! And they were swimming naked, like…like…Oh! she wailed.

Trudie hugged her again. Oh, you poor child, she sighed. I know your sister has been giving you nothing but trouble since you were children. She clucked her tongue saying, How could two females split from one egg be so different? Eve should’ve stayed in Paris, but your Aunt Olivia sent her back because she couldn’t put up with Eve’s unladylike behavior any longer. And you know that I love you as if you’re my very own daughter. I had tried to love Eve but she wouldn’t let anyone close to her. Eve cursed all who gave their attention to you. That wicked soul brought all her trouble onto herself, and then she gave it to others.

The front door slammed and Dawn wiped away her tears.

"What