Blaze's Beauty: Pistol Ridge Series, #2

By Cyndi Raye

A woman desperate for her freedom - A hero determined to fight for her - Can they overcome all the outside forces against them?

Elijah Barret, better known as Blaze, has been thinking of settling down in Pistol Springs. He wandered for ten long years after the war, unsettled and weary. After meeting the beautiful Maggie James, he has a reason to stay. Except, she isn't free to love him back. Not yet, anyway.

Maggie James has a terrible secret. Her Uncle Charlie is no relative at all. She and her sister, Sophia, are bound servants caused by their mother's debt. In two months, they will have their freedom. Except Charlie has no intention of setting them free. Faced with the horrible truth, the clock ticks as Maggie's fate is about to play out.

Can Blaze save her or will it take the whole town of Pistol Ridge to drive a greedy monster from their midst?

The Pistol Ridge Series:
Peg Leg's Princess
Blaze's Beauty
Judge's Jewel
Raven's Rebel
Rider's Renegade

Pistol Ridge Scrooge

Creed's Confidant

Preacher's Pearl

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cyndi Raye
• Release date: Apr 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9798223715306

Cyndi Raye

Cyndi Raye writes mostly historical western romance except when she comes up with an idea for a contemporary romance, then she writes both. She loves the old West and the feel of small town togetherness, which is found in all of her series. Creating worlds where everyone is considered family, if not by blood, but from friendships, heartaches and sometimes mistakes made right again is what she loves to read. So, it was important to create such a world for her own readers to indulge in. Cyndi lives in Eastern PA and loves to travel and enjoy life with her hubby of 40+ years. She has 3 grown children and loves to spend time with her grands whenever possible. Don't forget to sign up for the mailing list to get a free copy of the exclusive short read: Miss Addie, the Beginning. The story behind the Brides of Wichita Falls. (This will not be sold, exclusive for reader's only).

Book preview

Blaze’s Beauty

Book 2

by

Cyndi Raye

Copyright © 2019 CyndiRaye All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

Book Cover Artist

by

Virginia Mckevitt

Pistol Ridge is a small remote mining town near Nevada City, Montana Territory, where a dirty sheriff had held the town hostage by ordering his thugs to steal a percentage of their earnings to keep law and order. But, the women, holding a secret society, went looking for a hero. They found him and cleaned up the town with the help of seven men who fought in the war to help their former commander. Now, seven men are looking for somewhere to hang their hats. Will Pistol Ridge be the place to find reprieve for their weary souls?

This is Elijah Barret’s story - also known as Blaze

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Chapter 1

Blaze took off his hat and held it in front of his chest with both hands. He nodded to the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She wore tiny white flowers in her beautiful soft brown hair. They matched her winter white gown. Good evening. I’m Elijah Barrett. Better known as -

Blaze! It’s me, Maggie. You see me every single day. Tell me you haven’t known that?

He gave her a wicked smile. I knew it was you, Miss Maggie. You look so beautiful tonight, I wanted to introduce myself properly. We’ve been in the same room together many times, but you’ve been so busy, you barely put your head up to look at the world. I figured you never noticed me.

She blushed and came forward. I’ve noticed you, she whispered. But, I’ve got to help with the grand opening. Can we talk later? How about by the hot springs when this is over?

Blaze nodded, taking in a deep breath. He was surprised she was in agreement and so forward. But, he liked that about her. He watched her glide across the room in her beautiful gown, picking up a tray and offering the contents to one of the resort’s visitors. She tilted her head and smiled shyly before looking back to see if he was watching.

Blaze had noticed her when she first came to the Pistol Springs Resort. She had a twin sister, too, but Blaze knew there was something special about Maggie. Her sister Sophia didn’t look at all like Maggie, they were not identical twins, but the resemblance was there. Where Sophia had dark hair, Maggie’s was lighter, with a tint of auburn when the sun hit her locks. Her hair looked so soft he wanted to run his hands through it.

Blaze never felt this way about anyone before. He never gave much thought to becoming serious about any woman until now. Hankering to speak with her since she got hired over a week ago, he wasn’t sure if she’d even talk to him. Now, he knew those nervous feelings he was hampering were not necessary.

She seemed excited to see him, even more so to talk to him. It was going to be a long night until she was free and could meet him.

Oh, brother, you’ve got stars in your eyes, too. What’s going on here? Maybe you should stay out of the hot springs. There must be something in the water. Raven came up beside him in a three-piece suit.

Look at you, Raven. All fancied up and no one to dance with. Maybe it’s because of that smart mouth of yours.

It’s because I don’t dance. You know that. The only dancing I do is around a man before I knock him out.

Blaze grinned. They were all rough around the edges. Eight men, all comrades from the war stood in this room tonight, helping to make the grand opening of the Pistol Springs Resort a success. Cal, the man who owned the Pistol Ridge Ranch down the road also owned the hot springs resort here. He bought the hot springs a while back, hiring all of them to work for him. Now that it was finished, Blaze wasn’t sure if he’d stick around. And yet, there was no where else he wanted to be right now.

The commander of their team from the war, Abel Rosevelt, who was now the sheriff of Pistol Ridge, had called them all here a while back to fight the dirty sheriff who was in charge at that time. None of them had really left since, except for Preacher and Judge. They were always on an outlaw’s trail or another adventure. Lately, Blaze noticed they came back sooner than later. Were they all starting to settle down after ten years of wandering from place to place?

Raven interrupted his thoughts. You got that stupid look on your face. How many times is she going to look back here?

You’re just jealous she isn’t looking at you, Raven.

She is beautiful, I’ll admit it. She may be looking at both of us, trying to size us up to see which one she wants. I’ve got a cold heart though, so you may as well take her.

Blaze flung his head back and howled with laughter. A few people close by turned to stare. When he was done laughing, he commented. Raven, she is looking at me, not you. Maybe it’s time you do warm that cold heart of yours and find someone to settle you down. Anyone except her.

Raven shook his head. Not going to happen. He slapped Blaze on the shoulder. Have fun, my friend. I’m in need of more whiskey. He strolled off, leaving Blaze standing there, his hat still clutched at his chest.

Maggie looked back again with a smile, doing something to his heart. How is it possible to feel this way just by looking at her? The hours dragged on until the last person had arrived and the guests began to go off to their rooms. Blaze helped to clean up the parlor to bide his time.

She had gone to the kitchen a while ago, so he left the main resort to make his way to the springs.

The moon was full tonight, reflecting light off the pond through the light steam rising up from the springs. Raven and Creed had built benches around one side of the pond where guests sit. He made his way to a bench to wait for Maggie.

After almost an hour, he was wondering if he hadn’t made a fool of himself, waiting for someone who obviously wasn’t going to show. Yet, she seemed interested. He was about to get up when he heard footsteps getting closer. He’d never admit to anyone a wave of relief overcame him right then.

I’m sorry to be so late, she told him, her soft voice hitting him right in the gut. He stood, welcoming her with open arms. She walked right up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She wasn’t shy one bit.

Blaze wasn’t the type of man who dilly-dallied. He wanted to kiss her.

So, he did.

When she went to step back, he took her face in his hands and stared into her eyes, making sure she would agree to his next move.

There was no surprise or fear, only desire there. He dipped his head and touched her mouth as it met his. Blaze wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and she fell into him as if she belonged there, in his arms.

Filled with a longing so strong it startled him, Blaze had to take a step back. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so brazen, but I can’t keep my hands off of you. Maggie, you are so beautiful.

She smiled shyly then looked into his own dark eyes. "I feel the same way. Since the very first day I