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Cattle
Valley
Best Selling Series
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Total-E-Bound
Publishing
Erotic Rating: Total-e-burning
Genre: Contemporary/Gay
Book Length: Novel
ISBN: 978-1-906590-13-0
Format: e-Book
Book
four in the
Cattle Valley Series
For rancher, Ezra
James, life is pretty simple. He wakes before dawn and
spends his day working with the cattle he loves. For twenty
years, the EZ Does It ranch has been enough to drown out his
loneliness and guilt. To the world, he appears impervious to
everything. The only chink in his armour - the man who owns
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clothing store in town.
Palmer 'Wyn' Wynfield caught Ezra's eye the first time the rancher
stepped foot in the store. Though Ezra knew his large size
intimidated others, his little self-confidence was shattered when
Palmer backed away in apparent fear. In a moment of
self-preservation, he referred to Wyn as Mr. Fancy Pants. That was
six years ago, and he's never been forgiven.
An early morning phone call changes all that. Though the line is
scratchy, Ezra definitely hears the words he's been waiting to hear
for years. "I need you."
Carol Lynne delivers an
outstanding romance. ROUGH RIDE is an excellent story and shows that
love can break through even the most hardened hearts. I love the
residents of Cattle Valley, and I am once again anticipating the
next match to spring from this special town.
~ Novel Talk
Ms. Lynne has continued her series with another book that once again
brings to life the heart and soul of the people living in Cattle
Valley... I will be waiting for the next installment of the Cattle
Valley series.
~ Fallen Angel Reviews
By reading any further, you are
stating that you are 18 years of age, or over. If you are
under the age of 18, it is necessary to exit this site.
Cradling his sore jaw, Wyn
picked up the phone and called his best friend, Nate.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Wyn. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
“Nope, just getting ready for bed. How’re you doing?”
“Not good. Dad’s funeral was tough.” Wyn knew if Nate was getting
ready for bed, it was indeed a bad time to call. Still, he needed
help. “I got jumped when I went into town for supper.”
“Jumped? By who? I thought you said Pamona was a sleepy little town
in the middle of nowhere?”
“It is, but there’s a group of guys that don’t think much of the
town queer coming home.”
“Damn.”
“Yeah. Anyway, I was wondering if I could get you to come down until
I can get things wrapped up around here. I hate to sound like a wuss,
but I’m no match for a group of rednecks.”
“I’ll come if Ezra won’t.”
“Ezra? Who said anything about him?” Wyn had tried his best to not
think about that man, or the tender kiss they’d shared on Christmas
Eve.
“Look, Wyn, you gotta call him. Not only is he the right man to help
you get the ranch in order, but he’s been walking around like a bear
with a sore paw since you left. Besides, do you know anyone more
intimidating than him? He’ll keep the rednecks at bay.”
“He won’t come. I imagine he’s still mad about that little prank you
pulled with the cookie bouquet.”
“Naw, I finally got that all worked out. Cost me a couple bottles of
single malt scotch, but it was worth it to get the dragon off my
back.”
“Ezra giving you a hard time was he?”
“No, Ryan. He said it was my mess to clean up and nagged for days on
the subject.”
Wyn chuckled. God he missed Nate. No matter what, Nate could always
make him laugh. “So you really think I should call Ezra?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t think he’ll see it as me chasing him?” That was the whole
reason he hadn’t called Ezra after Christmas Eve. The kiss had been
phenomenal, but as soon as they parted, Ezra gave him a funny look
and walked out of the hall. He’d waited for several weeks for a
phone call or visit from the big man, but nothing.
“Just do it, Wyn. You and I both know he’s the best person for the
job. If you two can’t get your shit together, give me a call back.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. Ever. Especially to Ryan,” Nate added.
“My lips are sealed.”
Wyn hung up and looked at the clock. Deciding it was too late to
call Ezra, he turned out the lights and headed upstairs.
The ringing phone woke Ezra from a sound sleep. With a growl, he
reached over and fumbled with the cordless handset. “Hello,” he
grunted.
“Ezra?”
Ezra sat straight up, wide awake. “Wyn? Is that you?”
“Yes. Sorry to call so early. I forgot about the two hour time
difference.”
“No matter, I’m due up anyway. Where are you?”
“I’m in Oklahoma, north of Tulsa at my father’s ranch. Oh crap,
Ezra, I hate to ask, but I need you…uh, your help.”
“Huh?” Ezra scratched his bushy beard.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. “My dad
died. I came down to make burial arrangements and see about the
ranch. But things keep going wrong, and there’s a group of guys in
town that keep threatening me. I’m sorry, Ezra. I know you have your
hands full with the EZ Does It, but I don’t know who else to call
for help.”
Ezra felt his blood begin to heat. “What’s going on with the guys
from town?”
He heard Wyn breathing heavy like he was getting worked up again. “I
grew up here. They didn’t like me then and they sure as hell don’t
like me now.”
“Because you’re gay?”
“That’s part of it, but I never fit in here. It’s the reason I left
home as soon as I was old enough.”
“Have they hurt you?” Ezra asked around the lump in his throat. If
there was one thing he couldn’t tolerate, it was big folks pickin’
on littler folks. It was worse this time, because it was Wyn these
town fellas were harassing.
“Nothing permanent. I know we haven’t exactly been friends, but I
really would feel safer if you could come down and help me get the
ranch ready to sell.”
Nothing permanent? “I’ll be down as soon as I can get a flight.”
“Thanks. Hopefully it’ll only take a week or so. Will that put you
into a real bind with your place?”
“No. I’ve got people to look after the ranch. Can you pick me up at
the airport, or should I rent something?”
“No, no, I’ll be there. Just let me know what time.”
“I will. Hang on and I’ll find a piece of paper to write your number
down.” Ezra swung back the covers and climbed out of bed. Digging
through his top dresser drawer, he came back with paper and a pen.
“Okay,” he said.
Wyn rattled off his cell and the ranch numbers.
“Got ‘em. Let me get showered and make a few calls. I’ll let you
know when I have a time.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Wyn said.
The tone of the man’s voice almost broke his heart. Usually Wyn
seemed so confident, but just now, he sounded like a lost little
boy. Right or wrong, Ezra couldn’t wait to wrap him in a protective
embrace. Just let one of those fuckers try to touch his Wyn with him
around. It had been years since he’d had a good fight.
Copyright © Carol Lynne, 2008
All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A
Total-e-bound.
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