Never Before Read EXCERPT - Lightning over Bennett Ranch

Excerpt: 

“Did you ever love me? At least tell me the truth on that.”

Surprise overshadowed the anger that burned in his eyes. His chest heaved. “Yes, I did. I’m sorry I made you doubt that.”

Her tight control slipped and a tear slid down her face. Melody dug her nails into her palms to regain control. “You owe me the truth.”

Max tunneled his fingers through his spiky, dark blond hair. “I do, but I don’t want you to hate me more than you already do.”

“I don’t hate you. I did a long time ago but I forgave you.” She stepped back to give both of them breathing room. As it was, all she could breathe in was his scent. She felt suffocated and strangely at peace by it. “I’m happy, Max. My life is good. I missed you for a while but I moved on. To answer your earlier question, no, I don’t have a boyfriend. I’ve dated men after you, of course, but I’m single now. That’s my choice.” She refused to tell him about her list of must-haves, her criterion for potential love interests. Melody didn’t want him to know how much his betrayal had affected her view on men and love. “Besides, I’m sure you moved on to other women. I doubt a handsome man like you would have trouble finding a new bedmate.”

He glanced away and shifted his feet which confirmed her suspicion. She wrapped her arms around her queasy stomach and walked toward a window. She peered through the slats of the blinds but she didn’t see much of anything. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to feel not good enough? Tell me why you left Willow Creek without me. I don’t care what the answer is. I just want to know. I won’t hate you for it.”

Release Date: TBA

Blurb: 

Melody Bennett’s parents trampled on her teenage romance with a drifter ten years ago. He disappeared without a word of goodbyes on the night they had planned to run away together. Since then, she cast aside her foolish notions of happily ever after and worked hard alongside the hired help to care for the majestic horses on her family’s beloved ranch. She refused to give love another chance and resigned to live her life alone. 

Max Fortaine returned with a heart guarded by secrets and a sizable bank account that took blood, prayers and tears to fund. The cowboy disrupted Melody’s peaceful existence with stolen kisses and a promise for more. After a lifetime of running, mistakes and regrets, he vowed to reclaim the only woman he ever loved… if only her overprotective father didn’t stand in his way.