Clay: The Carter Brothers, #3

By Susan Horsnell

No 1 Best Seller in Western Romance in November 2018 and Top 5 during September, October and November 2018.

A gal burned and scarred in a fire who wants nothing to do with the sexiest, most eligible bachelor in town.
She's convinced he's out for only one thing.
Add in an escapee bull who loves the ladies, a couple of idiot wannabe criminals who tell the law where to find them and their kidnap victim and you have a whole heap of Wild West fun with a large dash of drama.
BUT, will the hero capture his heroine, the gal with "the sexiest behind I've ever laid eyes on" or, will his 'cute' face fail to win her over?

This is the third and final book in the Carter Brothers Series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lipstick Publishing
• Release date: Sep 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223158080

Susan Horsnell

I’m an Australian author who lives in Queensland when not travelling and I write in a variety of Romantic sub-genres, including Western,  Historical, Gay, Mafia, and Contemporary Romance.  I have published over 60 books and novellas, many of which feature strong, independent heroines and rugged, alpha male heroes. Some of my popular series include the Outback Australia series and The Carter Brothers series. My books are known for their well-researched historical details, vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape and real life experiences. My work has garnered praise from readers and critics alike, and I have been a Finalist in both the Rone Awards and Laramie Awards as well as being a multiple times International Bestselling Author and USA Today Bestselling Author. If you're interested in learning more about my books:  Linktree https://linktr.ee/SusanHorsnell   

Book preview

THE CARTER BROTHERS

BOOK 3

CLAY

SUSAN HORSNELL

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Contents:

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Author of Amazon No 1 Best Sellers in 2018:

Matt – Book 1 in The Carter Brothers Series

Clay – Book 3 in The Carter Brothers Series

Amazon No 1 Best Seller in February 2019

Andrew’s Outback Love – Book 1 in The Outback Australia Series

Amazon No 1 Best Seller in July 2019

Ruby’s Outback Love – Book 2 in The Outback Australia Series

Amazon No 1 Best Seller in May 2019

Eight Letters

Amazon Best Seller in April 2020

Cora: Bride of South Dakota

CLAY

Copyright © 2017 by Susan Horsnell

The right of Susan Horsnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

Written by Susan Horsnell

Edited by Redline Editing

Published by Lipstick Publishing

ABN: 573-575-99847

Chapter One

A drawing of a face Description automatically generated

Gold Springs TEXAS

Winter 1869

Justine pushed the hair from her eyes for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning. She was on the last leg of her trip to Gold Springs where she expected to be met by one of her men. He would then accompany her to the ranch which was one hour from town.

The track was rough, and she was constantly being jostled into her fellow passenger, Maurice Thompson. He had also travelled from Boston and was on his way to visit his elderly mother. She had given up apologising as she seemed to be thrown against him every few minutes.

Justine was trying hard to keep her seat but it proved impossible. When they hit a large rut just before arriving in Gold Springs, she almost landed in the poor man's lap and her hat was pushed down over her face. As she straightened her now battered hat and sat back on her seat, she apologized for what she hoped would be the last time.

Mr. Thompson, please forgive me but it seems I just cannot stay seated.

No need to apologize Miss Saunders, it clearly isn't your fault.

Nevertheless, I will be most relieved when we finally arrive.

It has indeed been a long journey and I must say I have enjoyed your company. Your wit and quick mind have been truly stimulating.

Why thank you Mr. Thompson. I have also enjoyed your company. Having you share the journey has made me feel very much safer.

GOLD SPRINGS, LAST STOP; GOLD SPRINGS, the driver shouted as he pulled the horses to a stop in front of the stage office.

Do you have someone to meet you Miss Saunders? Maurice enquired politely. He hoped he wouldn't have to be seen with Justine in Gold Springs where his family and friends lived.

Yes, Mr. Saunders. My Grandpapa's foreman should be here. Justine tied a scarf over her head, down the side of her face and around her neck. She then fixed her bonnet in place.

Maurice held out his hand as the driver opened the door. Once again Miss Saunders, it's been a pleasure. He shook her gloved hand and promptly left the stage. He walked straight to his port and headed to the other end of town.

Justine sighed and rose from her seat, before making her way to the door at the top of the steps. The driver, who'd watched Maurice walk away, offered his hand.

That was rude, Miss, please allow me to apologize. He gripped her hand as she walked down the steps and onto the boardwalk.

Never mind sir, I'm quite used to it. Thank you.

Josh and Loni, from the ranch, watched her exit the stage and being the only one on it, they knew she had to be their new boss. They walked toward her and doffed their hats in welcome.

Miss Saunders, how was your trip? Josh enquired. I'm Josh, your foreman and this here fella's Loni, one of the hands.

Justine held out her gloved hand and the two men shook it in turn. The trip was long and dusty so I'm very glad to be here. Thank you both for meeting me. My trunks are just over there if you don't mind. She pointed to the two large trunks which the driver had placed on the boardwalk under the stage office window.

We'll load them in the wagon, Miss, if you'd be kind enough to follow.

Justine followed the men to a wagon waiting nearby and while they loaded her trunks, she climbed onto the seat. Once the trunks were secured, Josh climbed up on one side of her while Loni climbed up on the other. Josh lifted the reins and urged the horses forward.

Home. Justine couldn't wait to get there. She hoped that in time, this would be where she would find the peace she'd been craving.

~*~

Two years earlier Justine and her family had been visiting Boston when fire broke out at the hotel they were staying in. Justine had managed to make her way out through the flames and the choking smoke to escape the inferno. Sadly, her parents had been trapped in their bedroom by a falling beam and had burned to death. She still heard her mother's screams in her nightmares. Justine had been hit in the face by a piece of burning ceiling moments before escaping the building and it had caused terrible burns to the side of her face and neck. The area was now heavily scarred.

Justine's Grandfather, Mason Prentiss, her only living relative had rushed to Boston to be by her side. He'd been devastated to see his once beautiful granddaughter so terribly disfigured and it saddened him to know she would endure life alone because of her injuries. He vowed to help her in any way he could and when she mentioned her desire to teach, he was determined to send her to boarding school where she could train as a teacher. His granddaughter recovered and enrolled at Miss Simpsons College for Refined Ladies in Boston. Her once happy life became miserable from that point on and she often wondered if it was worth living.

The taunts and torment were almost unbearable, and Justine struggled hard to live through each day. Lizzie, her saviour, became her best friend. Lizzie walked with a pronounced limp due to a broken leg as a child so, she also suffered ridicule. When one of the girls taunted Justine about never being able to marry and have children because of her hideous looks, Lizzie held her while she cried. You have to be strong Justine, don't let them defeat you. It's what they want.

Justine had made the decision to hold her head high and be proud of who she was. She'd told herself, I won't marry or have children, but I'll have the comfort of the children I teach. I don't need a man.

The two friends banded together to face their tormentors and, although the taunts continued, they no longer had the effect they'd once had.

When Justine received the wire from Grandfather's lawyer telling her he'd passed on and she'd inherited his ranch, she decided it was her chance to begin a new life. The ranch was going to be her new start. She knew nothing about ranching, but at least could ride a horse. The rest, she decided, she could learn. She sent a wire back to the lawyer advising him she was coming and promptly booked her train and stage tickets.

Lizzie accused her of running away and, although Justine knew there was some truth in the comment, she argued it was her heritage and said she owed it to her Grandpapa to continue on with his ranch. Lizzie finally accepted her decision and wished her luck. There was kissing, hugging and loads of tears and promises to keep in touch, before Justine finally walked away from the school without looking back.

~*~

Justine took in her surroundings as the wagon bounced along and Josh pointed out things he thought would be of interest. He explained about the boundary with the Carter Ranch, her neighbor, and promised to introduce her when the opportunity arose.

As they passed through the gates of the Circle P Ranch, she nervously surveyed her new home.

How many acres are there, Josh?

About sixty thousand now. Mr. Prentiss sold off twenty thousand acres to two young couples who just got themselves hitched. One of the couples is from the Carter ranch. They've got the biggest spread in these parts, about a hundred and fifty thousand acres and they run about ten thousand head. They've got a lot less at the moment, as do you, we've thinned down for winter. Joe Carter is a real nice man. Him and his wife, Ginny, do a lot in the community to help out. Two of their sons are married now. One of them is the Deputy in town, Josh explained.

What cattle does Grandpapa have?

We've got about a thousand head and most of those will calve in the spring. Your Granddaddy leased a bull from the Carter's to try and improve the bloodlines. He was hoping for a passell of bulls from the calves that he could sell on.

Josh pulled the wagon to a stop near a two-storey house which had a porch running the width of the home. It was built of rough sawn logs and Justine noticed a swing on the porch under a window. The gardens were well cared for and she imagined there would be quite a pretty display come spring. She wished she'd had the opportunity to visit her grandfather before he'd passed. He'd always come to visit her in Boston, declaring, you don't want to spend time at the ranch when there's nothing there for you.

Josh lifted her down from the wagon and as the men unloaded her trunks, she walked inside. She followed a passage leading from the front door and noted a well-furnished parlour to her right and a study off to her left. The passage opened into a huge kitchen. A fire crackled and roared in the fireplace and the room was pleasantly warm. A small, stout, middle aged woman with greying hair stood peeling vegetables at the sink.

When the woman heard Justine enter, she turned, wiped her hands on her apron and waddled toward her with a smile on her face.

You must be Miss Justine. I'm Millie, your Granddaddy's cook and housekeeper. God rest his soul.

I'm pleased to meet you, Millie. Please call me, Justine.

Very well dear, how was your trip?

Long and dusty. I'm sure I have bruises in places I didn't even know I had from the jostling. Justine laughed.

Millie laughed with her. Sounds about right. Take your coat and bonnet off, have a seat and I'll get you a coffee and some fresh baked cookies.

Thank you, Millie that will be lovely.

Millie turned to the pot on the stove and poured coffee into a mug while Justine removed her coat, gloves, bonnet and scarf. She hoped Millie would stay on and become a motherly friend she could confide in.

As she sat down at the large oak table she voiced her concern, Millie, are you staying on?

Millie swung to face Justine and as she did her eyes widened with both surprise and sympathy.

Justine automatically raised a hand to her scarred face.

Oh, I'm so sorry darlin'. Of course, I'd love to stay on if you'll have me.

Before Justine could answer, Josh sauntered into the kitchen. She watched his bottom lip drop when he looked at her.

Josh, Millie, please take a seat. Justine indicated the chairs at the table. Millie brought over coffee and cookies as Josh sat.

Justine smiled to set them so at ease. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here for Grandpapa's burial but unfortunately I couldn't get transportation any quicker.

We understand darlin'. Millie assured her and placed her hand over Justine's.

"As you probably know, Grandpapa has been paying for me to go boarding school in Boston for the past two years. I was studying