Confession time: today’s snippet is part of one of my favorite opening scenes. This comes from A Rancher’s Pride, the first Flagman’s Folly story. The hero, Sam Robertson, has just returned home to find his ex-wife has left him the biggest surprise of his life:

After a moment’s hesitation, Sam rose and moved to the door. He had to brace himself before he could step into the living room.

Everything looked familiar. The pair of plaid couches facing each other. The long pine coffee table between them. The chime clock ticking away on the mantel. Everything looked familiar, except the child sitting on one of the couches.

A beautiful little girl. The daughter he’d always hoped for, the start of the family he’d never had.

He shook his head. Pipe dreams, for sure. Ronnie had never told a true story in her life. This child couldn’t be his.

She wore a blue T-shirt, white shorts, and denim sneakers. In her arms, she cradled a stuffed tiger. A couple of dolls rested on the couch alongside her. As he moved another step into the room, she looked up.

Small and blonde, just as his mom had said. And more.

The girl’s eyes shone in the light from the table lamp beside the couch. Silver-gray eyes surrounded by dark lashes, a perfect match to his own.

His throat tightened. He felt frozen in place.

She gave him a shy smile.

He’d seen that half-twisted grin in plenty of his own childhood pictures. Not impossible after all. The child was his.

Somehow, after what seemed like hours, he managed to raise one hand to wave at her. “Hello.” The word came out in a croak. He hadn’t the first idea of what to say and went for the standard opening line. “What’s your name?”

His mom moved up to stand behind him and rested her hand on his arm. “Her name’s Becky,” she told him. “But she can’t hear you, Sam. She’s deaf.”

His Whole World Is In Her Hands

Sam Robertson’s life just changed. In one short day, he found out that he’s a daddy; that his beautiful little girl, Becky, is deaf; and that her aunt, sign language teacher Kayla Ward, intends to fight him for custody.

There are plenty of reasons Sam shouldn’t fall for Kayla. A city girl like her has no place on his ranch, particularly when she’s his ex-wife’s gorgeous sister. But thanks to the judge’s orders, Sam’s spending a lot of time with Kayla, trying to give Becky the stable home she’s never known.

Despite their ongoing custody battle, Sam and Kayla’s love for Becky brings them closer than they ever expected, and Sam knows that no matter who wins in court, he could still lose—Kayla or his daughter.

Amazon  http://bit.ly/2Arp818kWIO

Barnes & Noble  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ranchers-pride-barbara-white-daille/1100382659?ean=9781459202337

Harlequin  https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781459202337_a-ranchers-pride.html

Books-a-Million  http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ranchers-Pride/Barbara-White-Daille/Q805260264?id=6631563407959

Kobo  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-rancher-s-pride