His first taste of freedom was only the beginning...
HOME FREE
Sierra Legacy #3
Claire McEwen
Released Nov 1st, 2016
Harlequin Superromance
His first taste of freedom was only the beginning...
Arch Hoffman has paid for his crimes. All he wants is to come home to rural California and start over. He's not looking to be a hero when he rescues a wedding cake from hitting the dirt at the ranch next door. But culinary artist Mandy Allen's irresistible smile makes him glad to save the day--and thankful that they're neighbors.
Mandy's just the distraction Arch needs. Her sweet voice quiets the memories that threaten his chance to be a better man, and he's determined to help her confront her fears. But the past is its own prison, and even love might not be enough to set them free.
EXCERPT
A flicker of
motion across the black backs of the cattle caught Mandy’s eye. Dark hair under
a brown cowboy hat. Long legs in faded jeans. Shoulders wide under his padded
canvas jacket. Arch Hoffman.
He was
standing on the rail of the fence, waving with both arms to get her attention.
She rolled down the window. “Hey,” she called, knowing that it didn’t matter
what she said. There was no way she was getting out of this situation without
looking like an idiot.
“What’s going
on?” He shouted the words, but it was still hard to hear him over the indignant
mooing. The steers wanted breakfast, and they were confused and frustrated.
Well, boys, welcome to the club. She’d been confused and frustrated for years
now.
“Not much,”
she called back in a lame attempt at nonchalance. “What’s up with you?”
She could see
the confusion on Arch’s face even from this distance. He probably hadn’t been
expecting small talk. “Um, not much. You need a little help there?”
She forced a
breezy voice. “I’m okay...just need to get out of this truck and get feeding.”
“Oh.” He
paused for a moment, as if trying to come up with the right words. “It’s just
that...you fell into the cab.”
How long had
he been there, watching her make a fool of herself? “Oh, ya know, just lost my
balance for a minute.” It was almost impossible to sound casual while yelling
over the ruckus of forty upset steers.
Arch jumped
off the fence and Mandy lost sight of him. She had a tiny moment to hope that
he’d decided she was fine and was gone on his way. Then she saw him swing up on
the back of a big black gelding and guide it along the fence to the gate.
Leaning gracefully from the saddle, he let himself into the pasture, closing
the gate behind him.
Mandy reached
for the door handle, but her hand was shaking so hard she couldn’t grasp it.
She wanted to get out and face Arch while tossing hay out of the truck like a
pro. But fear had its cold claws sunk in deep.
With a wave
of his rope, Arch cleared the steers easily from his path. He took their place
at her truck window, looking down at her from his relaxed perch in the saddle.
“Do you want me to feed them?”
His voice was
a balm of gentle concern that almost brought out the tears fizzing hot beneath
her eyes. She felt her cheeks heat, too, and knew her usually pale skin had
gone scarlet. She couldn’t answer. But she nodded.
“Okay,” he
said. “Just sit tight.”
She watched
him in the side mirror as he guided his horse alongside the vehicle and leaned
over, grabbing a few flakes of the hay she’d stacked there. He threw them to
his right and several of the steers trotted toward the pile. Quickly he grabbed
more hay and tossed it out behind the truck, creating another feeding area.
Soon the pasture was littered with piles of hay surrounded by happy cattle.
Mandy buried her face in her hands. He made it look so simple.
CAT'S REVIEW
"Home Free" by Claire McEwen is a story filled with love, hope, second chances and kindness. Our main characters, Mandy and Arch, both have demons holding them back. Arch, newly released from prison, is working hard to forge a new life for himself - a better life. He's determined yet scared. Mandy had lived in a self imposed prison for a long time. She is the picture of kindness and helpfullness, yet is yearning for more. Ms. McEwen has successfully written a tale that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Her portrayal of Arch and what one goes through to live beyond their past is heartfelt. I truly enjoyed this one, honestly, more than I expected. Ms. McEwen brought me inside the heads and hearts of both Mandy and Arch and I cheered and rooted for them throughout. This is a story of how much one's perception of themselves can affect their life as well as others. It also shows how simple kindess and a touch of faith from another human being can go a long way to change another's life. I found Ms. McEwen graced us with more than a romance, "Home Free" is a story of second chances and belief in the human spirit. When a story touches my heart as much as this one did, I never want it to end.
(received copy for honest review)
★★★★★
Claire
McEwen lives
by the ocean in Northern California with her husband, son and a scruffy,
mischievous terrier. When not dreaming up new stories, she can be found
digging in her garden with a lot of enthusiasm but, unfortunately, no green
thumb. She loves discovering flea-market treasures, walking on the beach,
dancing, traveling and reading, of course!
Thank you for taking the time to review HOME FREE today!
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