Into The Storm. Helen DePrima

      

      Can she finally stop running?

      Horse trainer Shelby Doucette never bothers to unpack her bags. With no roots, no ties and no fixed address but her granddad’s old sedan, she’s avoided emotional connections, and eluded her past, for fourteen years. Get in, do the job, get out. That’s always been her way. Until she meets Jake.

      Widower Jake Cameron is unlike any man she’s ever known, but that doesn’t mean he can be trusted. He has a way of sneaking through her defenses, a way of making her want to stay for good. But being with Jake would mean finally facing her past. And heading directly into the storm...

      “What am I going to do?”

      Stranger licked the side of her face.

      “You’re no help.” She shoved the dog in mock anger. “The longer we stay, the harder it’ll be to leave.” She buried her face against his rough fur. For thirteen years, caution had been her lodestar, warning her not to put out tentative roots.

      How had she let Jake Cameron sneak past her defenses? His pain speaking to hers? Not enough reason to trust, but she did trust him.

      One summer, her parents had rented a cottage on a barrier island in the Gulf. She had been a fearless child, dashing into the surf, entranced by the schools of small fish bumping her legs with their noses. One day she ventured out too far and a rogue wave knocked her down and sucked her under. Before she could panic, her father scooped her up. She remembered the strength of his arms and the absolute certainty nothing could harm her as long as she was with him.

      With Jake, she felt a whisper of that long-ago comfort.

      She couldn’t afford that indulgence.

      Dear Reader,

      After living in New England for decades, I’ve finally returned to the loves of my youth, the Rocky Mountain West and Western horsemanship. I’m also an avid fan of professional bull riding and love nothing better than long cross-country road trips to watch live competition. Into the Storm combines all three passions when a traveling horse trainer drops into the lives of a Colorado rancher and his two sons involved with bull riding.

      I hope you’ll enjoy the tale as much as I’ve loved telling it. Please write me if you have any questions or just want to chat. I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me at [email protected] or find me on Twitter, @HelenDePrima.

      Happy reading. I hope you enjoy the ride.

      Helen DePrima

      Into the Storm

       Helen DePrima

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      HELEN DePRIMA grew up on horseback on her grandfather’s farm near Louisville, Kentucky. After spending a week on a dude ranch in Colorado when she was twelve, Helen fell in love with all things Western.

      She spent wonderful weeks on the same ranch during her high school summers. After graduation she headed for the University of Colorado to meet the cowboy of her dreams and live happily ever after in a home on the range. Instead she fell in love with a Jersey boy bound for vet school. She earned her degree in nursing and spent four years as a visiting nurse in northern Colorado while her husband attended Colorado State University.

      After her husband graduated, they settled in New Hampshire, where Helen worked first in nursing and then rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife. After retirement, she turned again to earlier passions: writing and the West, particularly professional bull riding.

      MILLS & BOON

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      To my husband for keeping me focused on the dream.

       Acknowledgments

      Thank you

      To my agent, Stephany Evans, for her persistence.

      To my editor Dana Grimaldi for keeping me honest.

      To my wonderful critical reader Melissa Maupin for her comments, suggestions and validation.

      To Earlene Fowler for her encouragement and prayers.

      To the Professional Bull Riders for inspiring me to cowboy up—love you all!

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

Dear Reader

       Title Page

       About the Author

       Dedication

Acknowledgments

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT