Claiming a Cowboy's Heart: The Cowboys of Whisper Colorado, #3

By Melissa Keir

Even broken souls deserve a second chance at love….

Elementary Teacher, Michelle Alt has faced untold trials in her life, yet she continues to do what's right to make things better for the next generation.

 

Cowboy Veterinarian, Preston Hall has lost everything in order to follow his dreams and return to his grandfather's small-town practice.

 

Recognizing each other's pain, these two broken souls come together to heal, but fear and misunderstandings send their blossoming relationship into a tailspin. Will they be able to put aside their pain to find the love of a lifetime?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Keir
• Release date: Mar 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393131052

Book preview

Other Books by Melissa Keir

Wilder Sisters Series:

Forever Love

Beach Desires

A Christmas Accident

Coming Home

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Charming Chances:

Charming Chances (print of combined ebooks)

Second Time’s a Charm

Three’s a Crowd

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Pigg Detective Agency:

Protecting His Wolfe

Protecting Her Pigg

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Magical Matchmaker

Chalkboard Romance

One Night in Laguna

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The Cowboys of Whisper, Colorado

The Heartsong Cowboy

The Heartbroken Cowboy

Claiming the Cowboy’s Heart

Broken Dreams

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Box Sets

Cowboy Time

Cowboy, Mine

Cowboy, Yours

Cowboys Forever

Holding a Hero

Dreaming of a Hero

Summer Heat: Love on Fire

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The Way to the Heart (recipe book)

Love, Bake, Write (recipe book)

We’d Rather Be Writing (recipe book)

Musings of a Madcap Mind (memoir)

Claiming a Cowboy’s Heart

Even broken souls deserve a second chance at love....

Elementary Teacher, Michelle Alt has faced untold trials in her life, yet she continues to do what’s right to make things better for the next generation.

Cowboy Veterinarian, Preston Hall has lost everything in order to follow his dreams and return to his grandfather’s small-town practice.

Recognizing each other’s pain, these two broken souls come together to heal, but fear and misunderstandings send their blossoming relationship into a tailspin. Will they be able to put aside their pain to find the love of a lifetime?

Dedication

This book is for my teacher friends who always go above and beyond for the children of their heart.

And to the man who makes my heart sing...

Thank you to all the people who buy and read my books.

Your support makes everything worthwhile.

CHAPTER ONE

The mare’s sides heaved with each breath as the contractions shook her body. A new birth was a wondrous event, the validation of a creator.

Preston laid his hand on Cheyenne’s side. You’ve got this, girl. We’re here to cheer you on. The healthy chocolate mare had been Jake’s best therapy horse at the Heartsong Ranch. She’d brought his silent, traumatized stepdaughter out of her horrors and back to her mom.

I’m glad you’re here. Even though I know Cheyenne doesn’t need us for the birth, having you here in town makes me grateful. Jake Kyncade patted his friend on the shoulder. After all, your gramps was the best veterinarian this side of the Mississippi.

A twinge of pain hit his heart at the reminder of why he’d returned. His grandfather’s passing. I’m glad to be home. Why doesn’t my voice sound convincing? Look, something’s happening.

The horse’s tail rose. A small leg became visible as the birth began. Holding his breath, he waited and watched.

With his gaze on the eminent arrival, he frowned. Crap. That’s an upside down hoof.

His friend drew in close. A second leg arrived. Shit. The foal’s backward. Those are the rear legs.

We have to get the foal out now. If we don’t, it’ll drown. He knelt next to the horse. Get up front and soothe Cheyenne. I’m going to have to pull the foal out fast, and I don’t want her thrashing around. Sweat trickled down his spine. Playing God was not what being a veterinarian was about. Losing an animal—any animal—took a piece of his soul. But to lose a new life...it might leave a permanent scar. I’ve been blessed so far. Would the blessing last?

Glancing to see that his buddy had followed his directions, Preston gritted his teeth and seized a hold of the offspring’s legs with both hands. Ready, on the count of three.... One, two, three. He heaved with all his strength, observing as the foal came out. Quickly, he tore open the sac, releasing fluid and giving the foal a chance to breathe. He gnawed on his lip, gaze glued on the foal. Was it alive? Come on. He whispered a silent prayer.

J, step away. See if Chey will take over. The good doctor eased to the side of the stall as well. Leaning on the wall, he kept his eyes on Chey and her baby. He clenched his hands as he willed the foal to move, breathe, or something.

Look. Jake pointed at Cheyenne as she pushed on the baby with her nose. She nudged it again then licked at its face. Come on, baby. That’s your little one.

His voice broke. This horse meant the world to him. Cheyenne wasn’t just another working therapy horse. She was a member of his family.

Chey’s licking the baby. The foal’s chest rose. Preston relaxed his hands. Did he imagine it? He stared, inspecting, waiting.

The foal tossed its head and stretched out its legs. They observed the foal stumble and stand on those wobbling legs then nurse.

Pulling a rag from his pocket, he wiped it over his face then stuffed it back into his jeans. Preston took a deep breath. One crisis averted. One life saved.

Jake nudged his shoulder. How about a drink? I owe you a beer.

Sure. I’ll have one. But I need to check on this new family in an hour. I want to examine the placenta, too. We can’t have an infection happen now that we’ve saved the little one. He smiled at his friend. Lead the way.

Jake sauntered out of the barn. Preston took one final look at the new mom and her baby. The foal preened under his mother’s care. A slight breeze blew across his neck. He glanced up and smiled. Thanks, Gramps, he whispered and followed his friend toward the house.

––––––––

Preston Hall lifted the cold brown bottle to his lips and took a swig as he scrutinized his childhood friend. Jake looked much the same, always with the easy smile and big heart. Lord, how he missed this—a beer with a friend who accepted you as you, not for the money in your bank account.

It’s been over ten years since you’ve been in town. Jake opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a beer.