Grumpy Cowboy's Redemption

By Kira C. Reynolds

Who says Fate doesn't play tricks. 

 

We're double booked in a cozy hotel room with the grumpy cowboy who rescued us.

 

While watching him interact playfully with my daughter, I hesitantly agreed to let him stay. 

 

Our original plan: a mother-daughter ski getaway in the Rockies.

 

The perfect refuge from my ex's custody battles. 

 

Our idyllic escape is disrupted with this broad-chested blue-eyed third wheel in our room. 

 

His smile is warm, but I can't ignore the pain he hides behind those kind eyes. 

 

As the monster storm rages, we find ourselves engaged in profound late night conversations. 

 

Logic dictated this was just a passing encounter, destined to fade into memory.

 

My rebel heart is saying otherwise. 

 

Do I trust my instincts, despite their past betrayals, and offer us both a second chance at love? 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kira C. Reynolds
• Release date: Oct 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223256731

Book preview

Chapter 1

Alex

H ere, Mommy . . . I picked a crayon out for you. It’s Cer-lan Blue. Isn’t it pretty?

You mean ‘Cerulean,’ and yes, it is stunning. It will really make your picture stand out, don’t you think?

I watched my little girl nod her head, her blonde hair loose and free over her shoulders. That was something that I was glad that she got from Evan. She inherited my deep blue eyes and his shining blonde hair, which made her look like walking sunshine. Her personality was like that too. I was raising a little girl who was so gentle she wouldn’t even kill the ants that have a tenacious affinity for our weather-worn picnic table outside. She would simply scoop them up and put them back on the ground.

I knew how different this summer would be for us both. I enjoyed it when Evan insisted on grilling steaks and hot dogs on the deck. I felt shivers of joy when he set off the sparklers and smoke bombs while celebrating the Fourth of July. Now, I felt like my face was slapped when I found out he was bored with our life. He wanted the excitement that a younger woman could provide for him. I watched him as he made plans to travel and gravitate into a lifestyle, he considered appropriate for someone making over six figures a year. That type of lifestyle was not important to me. I wanted sunshine and laughter-filled afternoons with PBJ sandwiches. I wanted the coziness he promised me so long ago.

I felt a pang of remorse when I looked at Elise's questioning eyes as she asked, Mommy, when’s Daddy coming home? I promised I’d make him a picture.

You’ll see him soon enough. He’s coming for a visit this weekend. Do you remember we talked about how he doesn’t live here anymore?

Yeah, I do.

Look at me, my Sunshine. Just because he doesn’t live with us anymore does not mean he loves you any less. He is your father. He will always be your father, no matter what!

Yes. I should make him two pictures then, shouldn’t I?

Honey, I think that he would love that.

I fought back the tears in my eyes as I stroked Elise’s hair. Walking into the living room, I looked at the empty space where our wedding picture once hung. I looked down at my watch and saw that it was nearing time for supper and bed. I walked to the cabinet and frowned. I had planned on making chicken and broccoli casserole, but I was totally out of the crackers to make it. It’s Elise’s favorite casserole. She’d been in a picky mood lately and insisted that she wanted broccoli. She hoped it would turn her skin green like Miss Dragoon, her favorite cartoon character. Well, there was only one thing to do!

Hey, Elise, go grab your coat and put your shoes back on.

Uh oh. What’s wrong, Mommy?

Nothing at all, Sweet One! I need to run to the store and get us a few groceries. Do you think that you can help me pick out some kind of dessert? Mommy seems to have a craving for ice cream tonight.

Ooooh! You know I can!

That’s my girl. Now hurry! We want to get there before all the good flavors are gone.

I pulled into the parking lot at Wade’s Grocers and cut the ignition. I sat staring at the doors for a few moments. It didn’t appear to be very crowded, but I still felt a pang of sadness walking inside. When Evan and I moved here, he told me I’d be spending a lot of time in the store. He was right. The late-night trips for pickles and peanut butter when I was pregnant, and the midweek diaper runs. We also had to keep stocked up with medicines for fever, birthday cake trimmings, and crayons. All the things that make the home and childhood fun.

I believed Evan when he promised me that he was ready to be a father. I believed him when he said we would spend a blissful life together forever in this small Wyoming town. I remembered when we watched the snowfall together for the first time. The snow gathered on the mountain peak against an orange-laden sunset. I felt like I was in paradise. I remembered that Evan placed his hands gently around my waist, pulling me closer to him. He whispered to me, Those mountains are forever, just like we are. I believed him with all my heart. I choked back tears as I unfastened my seatbelt. A tiny voice piped up in the back seat. Yay! We’re here.

Yes, Honey. We are. Come on, let’s make the best of this trip, okay?

I decided to pick up a mini cart by the door as we entered the store. Elise stayed near as we began to shop for our groceries. She seemed very content looking over the shelves for the supplies we needed. Something told me that she was pretending she was in her make-believe kingdom and taking stock of all her magical properties.

I strolled to the aisle that held the supplies for our supper. Multiple cans of soup and buttery crackers landed in the cart. We will be having the casserole more than once this week. It was an easy meal to make, especially when I was exhausted. As I began to stroll to the next aisle, I heard an all-too-familiar whiny voice ringing out. I looked heavenward as I braced for this chance encounter.

Alexandria! Well, I’ll be! Where have you been keeping yourself? We haven’t seen you at the PTA or book club for quite some time. I thought you packed up and moved on us.

Nancy, you know better than that. You would be the first to know if I did that. Anyway, Elise is getting ready to start important projects at school. I won’t change her environment if it’s not necessary. Surely you know that.

Nancy cocked an eyebrow and smirked at me. I felt driven to verbally deflate her in some way. She had the nerve to break the news to the town about my divorce. Nancy the busybody, PTA leader, small town know-it-all! She made sure to be the first to express her sympathies about Evan’s affair. Gossipers, how I abhorred them! I watched her toss her curly black braids that framed her face as she flashed her wicked smile. That smile caused me to square my shoulders in preparation for her next salvo.

So! I know that it’s still too fresh, but have you heard from Evan? Does he still plan on living with oh . . . what’s her name again?

With all the derision I could muster I responded Hmmm . . . your memory is slipping, Nancy. Perhaps you should start using memory vitamins for that problem. I felt myself growing tired of this encounter.

If you’re so interested, perhaps you should track him down and get the straight scoop from the horse’s mouth! But wait . . . aren’t you allergic to horses? Those hives were monstrous! Her eyes widened with my comment. Look, Nancy, Evan doesn’t show any interest in his family. I couldn't care less at this point what his plans may be. That is too much mental energy to waste! That may be something you might want to practice . . . restraint . . .

With my comment, she tossed her head, turned, and sashayed away. It’s hard for me to let her condescending attitude roll off my back. I had placed all my faith in Evan and his dreams of domestic bliss in his remote hometown in Wyoming. He cheated on me! Then he decided to divorce me. The hubris of his actions was so monstrous. Now I am left alone to contend with the cold staring eyes and snide comments from people whom I thought were my friends. They would whisper at the post office, secretly blaming me for the divorce.

I heard all the rumors. Comments like I wasn’t caring enough for Evan. That I wasn’t a good wife, making him shoulder all the responsibility of the household. The topper was that I supposedly stopped sleeping with him and forced him to step outside of our marriage. These poisonous words are so draining. I was so exhausted with it all. I may have been slow on the uptake of this experience, but life was teaching me that divorce is messy, especially in a small town. All aspects of our marital situation were subject to the town’s collective scrutiny. Nothing about my private life seemed off limits, thanks to Evan! I sighed as I heard Nancy across the market, chatting up another PTA/book club member. I guess I needed to get ready for another round of gross gossip. I frowned at my thought then I glanced down at Elise who was patiently waiting.

Mommy . . . ice cream?

Of course, Sweetie. Do you know what flavor you want?

Elise walked to the freezer section and pointed at a tan-colored carton. She could read, but it was still a challenge. Butter pecan? Are you sure that’s the one?

It’s my favorite.

Hahaha! All right, all right, all right! I guess you’re more like me than I thought.

I reached into the freezer and put the carton in my cart. I smiled at her choice. Apparently, there was a bit of Georgia pride from my genes in Elise. It was a good feeling to know that at least someone appreciated my quirks.

"Are you ready, Mommy?