A Cowboy's Promise

By Ellie Lynn

Sarah has been struggling to maintain her ranch on her own since the death of her husband. Despite her fierce determination, she's overwhelmed with the daily tasks necessary to keep the ranch running smoothly. Enter Casey Reed, a tall and rugged cowboy with a mysterious past. At first, Sarah is wary of him, but as they work side by side, a deep friendship develops. Sarah finds solace in opening up to Casey about her struggles, and he proves to be a loyal companion.

 

Casey himself is guarded, but as he spends more time with Sarah, he begins to let his guard down. They share stories of their pasts and their dreams for the future. As they grow closer, they begin to feel something more than friendship.

 

However, running a ranch is no easy feat. While Casey deals with the demons from his past, Sarah struggles to keep her ranch out of the hands of a ruthless landowner.   Just when they think they're finally clear of all their obstacles, a lawman from Texas shows up looking for Casey. Will their love be torn apart or will they find a way to keep it together once and for all?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Deslisle Publications
• Release date: Jan 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9781989276204

Ellie Lynn

They always say 'write what you know', so Ellie Lynn started out writing romantic comedy. She's since discovered a love of historical western romances as she channels Gunsmoke and Bonanza, but still writes the occasional contemporary. These days she calls rural Saskatchewan home with her husband, two incredibly spoiled dogs and Horatio the salamander.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sarah Carter sat on the weathered porch of her small ranch house, her gaze fixed upon the mesmerizing hues of the sunset painting the rolling hills of Laramie County. The bench she sat on offered little comfort, its worn-out cushions providing minimal support. She longed to sway gently on the porch swing, the rhythmic creaking lulling her troubles away. But the swing, a relic of happier times, had succumbed to the ferocity of the last windstorm, its once sturdy chains now broken and weakened. It was a stark reminder of the absence that plagued her life since her beloved husband, Andy, had passed away.

With a sigh, Sarah raised the steaming cup of coffee to her lips, its warmth providing a momentary respite from the chill that permeated her weary bones. She was determined to prove that she could manage the ranch on her own, but the weight of her responsibilities bore down upon her like an unforgiving burden. The crops, once vibrant and promising, now withered under neglect. Sarah's days were consumed by the relentless pursuit of odd jobs in town, scrambling to make ends meet and prevent the inevitable decline of her once-thriving homestead. The hours slipped through her fingers like grains of sand, leaving little time for the careful tending the land demanded. The option of selling to another rancher was ever in her mind but this had been their dream. She couldn’t sell.

Her beloved ranch, once teeming with life and prosperity, had dwindled to a mere shadow of its former self. A couple of horses grazed with weary indifference, a lone cow provided a meager source of sustenance, two pigs oinked hungrily, and a handful of chickens pecked at the parched earth. If she didn't find a way to reverse this downward spiral, the remnants of her once-cherished livestock would join the countless losses she had already endured. The weight of her predicament became unbearable, and a single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek, carrying with it the ache of longing for Andy's presence.

Oh, how she yearned to turn back the hands of time, to have Andy by her side once more. His strength, his wisdom, his unwavering love—he was the pillar upon which their dreams were built. But reality harshly reminded her that time flowed in one direction, leaving her to alone to confront the daunting challenges that lay before her.

A tear slid down her cheek. What she wouldn’t give to turn back the clock and have Andy back.

Casey Reed sat on a barstool in the saloon, nursing a mug of ale. He would have preferred whiskey, but a shot lasted a few seconds before needing another, and the last thing he wanted to do was waste his meager earnings on booze. The ale quenched his thirst and helped him kill a little time while he waited for the dining room at the rooming house to open for supper. If Gladys, the owner, was in a good mood, she gave him extra potatoes and gravy. Sometimes in exchange for chores around the place, she’d let him stay in an empty room, if she was short on guests. Tonight wasn’t going to be one of those nights. He was in between jobs, so he’d probably sleep in the stables again, with the promise of keeping an eye on things through the night.

A group of ranch hands at a nearby table started whooping it up, drawing his attention. They were cat-calling through the open door to a woman on the boardwalk out front. She heard them, he could tell she heard. Her spine stiffened and her chin raised as she hurried by.

Who’s that? he asked the bartender.

Sarah Carter. She’s a widow, poor thing. Got married not even five years ago, and last year her man up and got a bad case of lung sickness and died. Can’t afford no help or nothing so her ranch is slowly dyin’. Not sure what she’s gonna do if that happens. Probably pack up and move back east.

He flung a towel over his shoulder and pointed to Casey’s mug. Want another?

No, one’s enough for me. Going for some grub now.

You take care, y’hear?

Yessir, I sure will, Casey said and pushed away from the bar.

He left the saloon, looking in the direction of the young widow. Before she disappeared around the corner, he paused to admire her long blonde curls, the twitch of her skirt, and the steel set of her jaw. He grinned and straightened the brim of his hat. Sounded like she was in almost the same predicament as he. For a whole different reason, though. He turned in the other direction toward the boarding house and gave his grumbling gut a pat. He could think about women another day. Right now, he needed to take care of his hunger.

Gladys beckoned to him when he opened the door. The grey-haired woman pointed to a table. Ye can sit at the table by the stove. It’s stew’n biscuits tonight. If’n ye be able to fix the kitchen winda tomorrow mornin’ I can add a thick slice o’ apple pie.

Seems like a fair trade, Casey agreed. What’s wrong with the window?

Eh, someone broke the frame last night. Mighta been tryin’ ta get in or somethin’. She wiped her hands on her apron. I’ll be back with yer supper.

Casey settled at the table indicated and took in the familiar sights and sounds of the eating establishment. The clinking of plates, the chatter of guests, and the warmth of the stove made him feel almost at home. Gladys brought his dinner and he quickly spooned a mouthful of thick stew, savoring the flavor of the beef and vegetables. It wasn't fancy, but it was enough to keep him going. As he ate, his mind wandered back to the widow. Would she like to have a companion on the ranch, someone to share the workload and keep her company?

He finished his meal and helped himself to a biscuit. Gladys brought him a slice of apple pie as promised, and he savored the sweetness. Yes, he’d fix the window in the morning, as agreed, and then he would go see Mrs. Carter. Maybe he could help her with the crops, or fix something on the ranch. He had a feeling they had more in common than just struggling to make ends meet.

As he walked toward the stables,