True Heart

True Heart
Peggy Nicholson

They're on a collision course–againRancher Tripp McGraw knows that only the big ranches will survive in southwest Colorado, and he's determined to buy the Circle C, a ranch that adjoins his own. If he wanted to, he could foreclose on a loan and force Kaley Cotter to sell her spread to him.Newly divorced, pregnant by her ex-husband, Kaley has just returned to the Circle C, a ranch her family has held for four generations. Now her baby will be the fifth&3151;as long as Tripp doesn't succeed in buying her home out from under her.To make things even more difficult, nine years ago Tripp ended his engagement to Kaley without explanation, and both lovers felt abandoned and wronged.Two passionate, stubborn people heading for heartbreak once again.But maybe, just maybe, love is better the second time around….

“Kaley, you’re not cut out for this life,” Tripp told her.

“It takes a tough heart. That’s why I want you to sell out to me. You’re better off without this.”

“Better off with—”

The same thing he’d said in his kiss-off letter nine years ago! You’ll be better off without me.

She jerked upright in his arms. “Who the hell are you to tell me that?”

His tender half smile faded to bewilderment. “Hey, I’m just trying to—”

She brought her hands to his chest and shoved, arching her back against his hold. “That’s right! You’re doing this all for my own good. Taking my ranch from me. You’re such a considerate guy!” She shoved him again, but still he held on. For just a moment there—oh, she was such a fool to feel safe and loved in his arms! Nothing but her old longings betraying her—just as they’d betrayed her the first time all those years ago. It isn’t me he gives a damn about! Tripp takes what he needs for himself, then tells you he’s done you a favor!

Well, not this time, Kaley vowed….

Dear Reader,

Have you ever dreamed about living in the perfect little town? Some place small and friendly enough that people know your face. Where the menfolk tip their Stetsons at you when they drive by. Where the women remember if you take after your mama’s side of the family or your daddy’s.

A town just big enough that a few inquiring strangers wander through every year, then are beguiled by its warmth and charm into staying. A town rich in beauty, with snow-capped mountains looming on the horizon, and cattle ranches spreading out all around, and a white church on a hilltop perfect for storybook weddings.

Trueheart, Colorado, first took shape in my mind with the book Don’t Mess With Texans, when my heroine, Susannah Mack, hid out from her vengeful ex-husband there. I couldn’t resist revisiting the place in The Baby Bargain, to help widowed ranch owner Dana Kershaw find a new soul mate while she doubled her family.

And now, in True Heart, we return for the third time, when Kaley Cotter comes back to have her baby, save the family ranch—and rediscover the love of her life.

So welcome to my town—or welcome back! Slide into a booth at Mo’s Truckstop and order a steakburger and fries to go with your story. Or maybe you’ll want to try the new café in Trueheart, where Michelle serves cassoulet to the ladies, and French chili to the men—and it’s all from the same pot.

As always, thanks for reading!

Peggy Nicholson

True Heart

Peggy Nicholson

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

To Christina Canham, fearless on the foredeck,

fearless in the kitchen, frequently admirable,

perpetually amusing. Closest to a little sister

I’ll ever have. Chrisso, how I’ll miss our

Girls’ Nights Out. Sail on, kid, but don’t be a stranger.

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

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

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

PROLOGUE