HERE COMES THE BRIDE
by Laura Drewry
ISBN: 0-8217-7858-7
Publisher: Zebra
Genre: Historical Romance

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Gabe Calloway is certain of only two things in his life. The first is he was born to be a rancher. It's bred into him as much as the color of his eyes and the huge stubborn streak he inherited from his father. The second is that ladies have no business whatsoever in a town like Porter Creek, Montana Territory. It is a life of hardship, sorrow and pain, and sooner or later every woman will succumb to the harshness of the land.

So how is it that in a matter of weeks, a tiny whisper of a thing like Tess Kinley - a fancy city girl no less - can turn his whole world upside down and leave him wondering what the hell happened.

Tess insists she is meant to be at El Cielo, his family's ranch, yet her blue blood paints a very different picture for Gabe. She is, without question, the least likely person able to cope with ranch life, yet she dives in with an exuberance that softens even Gabe's own hardened core. Yet, the more he's drawn to her, the more determined he is to put her on the very next stage headed east. Best to do it now, while his heart is still whole, than risk her leaving him and his heart in a million pieces.

If only she'd stop looking at him that way; if only she'd stop letting him kiss her; if only. . . .

© copyright 2005

Tender and light as a summer breeze, his lips brushed across her brow, the tip of her nose, then both eyes. Her breath held in her throat, her legs no longer able to hold her. She melted against him, into him, her face turned up to meet his. His lips were warm and sweet against hers, gently coaxing a response from her.

Tess floated away on that dream, knowing on more than one level it was simply that – a dream – but refusing to give it up yet. Her mouth curved into an unconscious smile. If dreaming were the only way she could have Gabriel, then she would dream forever.

And that was how Gabe found her a short while later – a beautiful angel lying in an iridescent bed of flowers, her only cover being the huge blanket of stars above. His heart ached to look at her. It would be so easy to scoop her up and take her home, to give her anything and everything she wanted, to love her, to make love to her.

To love her. He couldn't let himself do that knowing eventually, whether she knew it or not right then, she would leave him. Whether it be on the stage coach out of town or on the wings of an angel, she would leave him. Either way, whatever the circumstances, it would mean the certain death of Gabe Calloway.

He climbed down from his saddle, leaving Zeus to graze freely, and slowly lowered himself to the grass beside her. Even asleep, she radiated such a glowing vitality, an intense magnetism, Gabe had to fight the urge to wake her up and abandon himself to the pleasures of her flesh. God help him, he wanted to, but. . .

But he couldn't very well leave her there, either, so he pulled off his thin canvas jacket and draped it over her, then lay down in the grass and pulled her gently into his arms. He was only trying to keep her warm, was all. It didn't matter it was the warmest night of the year so far, or his jacket alone would have sufficed in keeping her warm, he couldn't risk her catching a chill because then she wouldn't be able to leave on Friday.

She snuggled closer against him, the top of her head resting under his chin, her tiny left hand pressing flat against his chest. Warning bells blared in Gabe's brain – bad idea, really bad idea. His pulse leapt, his heart hammered and every last drop of blood raced south of his belt. He should let her go, lay her back in the grass and get as far away from her as he could. But damn it all if she didn't smell like heaven itself. And she fit against him like nothing he could ever imagine.

"Drewry's debut is filled with the charm of a romance, the grit of an earthy Western and the rapier dialogue and verbal battles of a clash-of-wills love story that are sure to make her a favorite of love-and-laughter readers. What a way to begin a promising career. FOUR STARS" -- Kathe Robin, Romantic Times

". . .a warm-hearted romance. Gabe and Tess are perfect for each other. . .an enjoyable and funny tale." - Rob Preece, BooksForABuck

". . .the romance between Tess and Gabriel is wonderful. . .secondary characters are strong and interesting. . .cleverly plotted and well written. . .satisfying in every way. Don't miss it!" - Karen Troxell, ebooksnbytes

". . .a very fun story. With strong, likeable characters, fast and humorous dialog, and a story line that is all romance, this new author's book is sure to be a success." - Brooke Wills, Romance Junkies

". . .a very refreshing novel. . .witty and emotionally charged dialogue, fast-paced scenes, vivid and interesting secondary characters, emotions that cause the heartstrings to be tugged and a smile to tug at the lips. . .I eagerly await the next novel by Laura Drewry. Hopefully the wait won't be too long... - Connie Payne, Once Upon a Romance

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