Healed by the Fae: The Love's Protector Series, #4

By Cassidy K. O'Connor

Keara arrives at Redemption ranch hoping for an easy couple to setup. She never expected the guy to be an angry widow and the girl physically disabled. Everything Keara had trained for suddenly feels inadequate. She knows defeating the Lianhan Shee is more important than her own insecurities. She needs to focus on her job and unite the soul mates before it's too late.

After the loss of his wife, Tucker Gentry wanted nothing more than to be left alone working as the stable master at Redemption Ranch. When an injury causes the family to modify the ranch and open it as an equine-therapy center; Tucker has to decide if he will stay and help the new patients or flee to a new place of solitude.

Annie Blackwell was one of the first clients at the center. Hurt in a tragic accident, she has no desire to get better. When the stable master takes a special interest in her she suddenly finds herself believing it might be worth it to heal.

An unexpected visitor to the ranch alerts Keara the Lianhan Shee is coming for her. She has to help two bitter people heal and find love or risk losing everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cassidy K. O'Connor
• Release date: Oct 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215314142

Cassidy K. O'Connor

Cassidy K O'Connor is a born and raised Floridian who loves to travel but never forgets where her roots are. She married her high school sweetheart, they have 3 kids and a crazy dog. Travelling and reading are her two favorite hobbies. Cassidy loves all things Ireland and has been lucky enough to visit twice. Her first book 'The Evolution of Sam' was published August of 2014 and she has plans for many more.

Book preview

Prequel

Y ou’ve done a mighty fine job running this place while we’ve been gone. You have the Mrs. and I’s gratitude. Joshua pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and waved to Tucker to join them.

Tucker kept his hands in his lap as he sat down. They were still dirty from mucking out the horse stalls, he’d hate to dirty Mrs. Hawthorne’s white tablecloth. How’s your boy doing? 

Mrs. Hawthorne’s chin quivered. The doctors have done all they can for him, he’s not going to get out of that wheelchair. Her voice broke on the last word.

Joshua cleared his throat. That’s part of why we wanted to talk to you. Clint’s physical therapists showed us some pamphlets of ways we can use the horses to help him heal. He slid the brochures across the table. I visited a ranch a couple of hours from the hospital. You wouldn’t believe the things they’re doing. We have so much land here I want to build out a whole nother area for guests and open our own hippotherapy center. 

Tucker tilted his head, he’d never heard of hippotherapy and had no idea what any of it had to do with him.

Joshua opened one of the pamphlets and waited for him to grab it. In big letters across the top was that word with a small definition underneath ‘Treatment with the help of a horse.’ Part of him was relieved, all he could picture was a swamp full of hippos glaring at him.

Joshua continued on. We have the luxury to give our son everything he needs to heal at home and Maria was so excited she begged me to open it up for other people who need help too. 

Maria’s megawatt smile and tear-filled eyes made it clear how badly she wanted this. She jumped to her feet, her breath hitched as she explained in short gasps all their plans. We’ve spent the last few weeks interviewing all kinds of therapists and doctors. We hired a full staff to come to work here and we want you to oversee the whole project. You’ll have to get a lot of input from the therapists once they get here but you know these animals better than anyone, so I trust you to build the perfect facility. 

A cold sweat broke out, his breathing sped up. 

She continued on, oblivious to his panic. We have a contractor coming here tomorrow to draw up the plans. 

One of the flyers had a picture of a pretty blonde lady being lifted out of her wheelchair and into a harness. He stood so fast his chair flew backward. I’m sorry, I need to go, the horses need tending.

This job had been his saving grace, he wouldn’t have survived Emily’s death if the Hawthorne’s hadn’t taken him in. He swore off people and committed himself to take care of the animals. By some cruel twist of fate, his sanctuary was being transformed into a facility where he’d have to see sick and injured people at every turn. He didn’t know if he could do it. 

He took off for the one place he always felt better. The barn was his sanctuary and the animals his saving grace. 

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Joshua walk up and lean against the stall door. When you first came here, I could tell you were a haunted man. We’ve given you your space and never asked questions because it didn’t interfere with your work. I see that wedding ring on your finger but you’ve never mentioned a wife. I assume it’s all related?

The gold band on Tucker’s left hand had lost its sheen, scratches made it evident he worked in a rough job. He should have taken it off a long time ago but that was the last part of his past life he had and he clung to it to remind himself of better times.

He took a deep breath to steady his voice. I don’t think I’m the man for this job. I can’t be around all these people needing nurses and doctors. I don’t ever want to go back to that life.

Before Joshua could respond he heard a tiny voice call out to them. They turned and saw Clint waving to them from the porch. The boy had dreamed of being a rancher just like Tucker and his dad. 

Tucker hadn’t seen him since the accident, the muscles in his stomach clenched as he forced a smile on his face and turned to get a good look at him. To say he was shocked was an understatement. He was a scrawny kid to begin with, now he looked like a skeleton, his size made worse by the large wheelchair. 

Clint waved his arms at them. Will one of you come get me? 

Joshua broke through Tucker’s reeling mind, I know you love him as much as we do so I understand you don’t mean no harm by leaving but he’s been through a lot and losing you will be hard on him. I need someone I can trust to keep an eye on him and help me make this ranch safe for him. He squeezed