Yukon Cowboy

Yukon Cowboy
Debra Clopton

Hometown girl Bethany Marlow moves back to Treasure Creek to open a wedding planning shop for all the new brides. But when her former boss asks her to help lead a wilderness tour before she sets up shop, she can't refuse.When she finds out the lead guide is Nate McMann, the man who broke her heart, she's thrown into a tailspin. Nate's now a gruff rancher, hiding his heart–and a secret. Guiding lovey-dovey newlyweds and a sweet family have Bethany and her Yukon cowboy questioning everything they thought was true. Except their love.

“Can you still hike that kind of terrain? And when was the last time you rode a horse?”

“Nate McMann, I could outhike you any day of the week when we were in high school and you know it.” The gall of the man! “And though I might not be able to break wild horses like you I can still ride with the best of them.” She had no intention of telling him that she hadn’t ridden a horse in nine years!

“I never said you couldn’t ride or hike,” he said. His tone sent shivers through her. Confused her.

The man still got to her. There was absolutely no denying that. It was maddening and crazy. But, maybe this was what she needed. Maybe this was the thing that would clear the air once and for all.

Alaskan Bride Rush:

Women are flocking to the Land of the

Midnight Sun with marriage on their minds

Yukon Cowboy—Debra Clopton

October 2010

DEBRA CLOPTON

was a 2004 Golden Heart finalist in the inspirational category, a 2006 Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award winner, a 2007 Golden Quill award winner and a finalist for the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She praises the Lord each time someone votes for one of her books, and takes it as an affirmation that she is exactly where God wants her to be.

Debra is a hopeless romantic and loves to create stories with lively heroines and the strong heroes who fall in love with them. But most important, she loves showing her characters living their faith, seeking God’s will in their lives one day at a time. Her goal is to give her readers an entertaining story that will make them smile, hopefully laugh and always feel God’s goodness as they read her books. She has found the perfect home for her stories, writing for the Love Inspired line, and still has to pinch herself just to see if she really is awake and living her dream.

When she isn’t writing, she enjoys taking road trips, reading and spending time with her two sons, Chase and Kris. She loves hearing from readers and can be reached through her Web site, www.debraclopton.com, or by mail at P.O. Box 1125, Madisonville, Texas 77864.

Yukon Cowboy

Debra Clopton

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.

He cares for those who trust in him.

—Nahum 1:7

This book is dedicated to Ms. Jo. You are truly an inspiration and a blessing to me and all those whose lives you touch.

Contents

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

Letter to Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

“You want me to assist in a tour?” Bethany Marlow asked, in disbelief. Surely her friend and ex-boss was joking. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No kidding involved,” Amy James said, and though she was smiling, the petite, blonde owner of Alaska’s Treasures tour company looked like she wasn’t taking no for an answer. “I’m so glad you’ve chosen to move back to Treasure Creek and open a wedding-planning business. It is going to be a wonderful addition to the town. I know I’m springing this on you, and probably before you’ve even unpacked your suitcase. I’m desperate, though. This is a family tour that I feel needs a woman guide assisting the lead guide.”

Bethany couldn’t believe her ears. Her plane had landed barely an hour ago—and yes, her bags were still packed. She’d been in such a hurry to get outside and not waste any of the precious Alaskan daylight that she’d simply slid them inside her hotel room and hurried outside. She’d been stopped several times by acquaintances who were as excited to see her as she was them. Seeing her old friend Amy coming toward her lifted her spirits even higher. But help lead a tour? This was the last thing she had expected to hear from Amy. She hadn’t led a tour in years. The idea was kind of tempting, however, opening her wedding-planning business had to come first.

“Amy,” she said, feeling bad, “I’d like to help, but I have to put finding a spot to open my store first.”

Amy smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Got that covered already. There’s a space that opened up around the corner from The General Store just off of Main Street. It’s just the cutest, quaintest storefront, with personality plus. I can see your name on the window right now. The location is great. Not that it will matter—as soon as these women hear you’re in town, I have a feeling you’ll be overrun with clients.”

“My word, Amy, you’re like a steamroller!” Bethany laughed—more from surprise than anything. “You’ve been thinking ahead on this curve ball you’ve thrown me.” She sobered. “And all before I’ve even had time to tell you how sorry I was to hear about Ben. I am really so sorry.” Amy’s husband, Ben had died in a tragic accident just a few short months ago. His death left Amy to raise their two young sons on her own, plus running the tour company business, Alaska’s Treasures, by herself. “You have a lot sitting on your shoulders. How are you holding up?”

The entire town was reliant on the tour company to bring in the visitors that kept the town going. Tourist trade was the primary support for all the businesses in town.

“It has to have been so hard on you. I can’t imagine.”