“Can you still hike that kind of terrain? And when was the last time you rode a horse?”
“Nate McMann, I could outhike you any day of the week when we were in high school and you know it.” The gall of the man! “And though I might not be able to break wild horses like you I can still ride with the best of them.” She had no intention of telling him that she hadn’t ridden a horse in nine years!
“I never said you couldn’t ride or hike,” he said. His tone sent shivers through her. Confused her.
The man still got to her. There was absolutely no denying that. It was maddening and crazy. But, maybe this was what she needed. Maybe this was the thing that would clear the air once and for all.
Alaskan Bride Rush:
Women are flocking to the Land of the
Midnight Sun with marriage on their minds
Yukon Cowboy—Debra Clopton
October 2010
DEBRA CLOPTON
was a 2004 Golden Heart finalist in the inspirational category, a 2006 Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award winner, a 2007 Golden Quill award winner and a finalist for the 2007 American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award. She praises the Lord each time someone votes for one of her books, and takes it as an affirmation that she is exactly where God wants her to be.
Debra is a hopeless romantic and loves to create stories with lively heroines and the strong heroes who fall in love with them. But most important, she loves showing her characters living their faith, seeking God’s will in their lives one day at a time. Her goal is to give her readers an entertaining story that will make them smile, hopefully laugh and always feel God’s goodness as they read her books. She has found the perfect home for her stories, writing for the Love Inspired line, and still has to pinch herself just to see if she really is awake and living her dream.
When she isn’t writing, she enjoys taking road trips, reading and spending time with her two sons, Chase and Kris. She loves hearing from readers and can be reached through her Web site, www.debraclopton.com, or by mail at P.O. Box 1125, Madisonville, Texas 77864.
Yukon Cowboy
Debra Clopton
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
—Nahum 1:7
This book is dedicated to Ms. Jo. You are truly an inspiration and a blessing to me and all those whose lives you touch.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Letter to Reader
Questions for Discussion
Chapter One
“You want me to assist in a tour?” Bethany Marlow asked, in disbelief. Surely her friend and ex-boss was joking. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No kidding involved,” Amy James said, and though she was smiling, the petite, blonde owner of Alaska’s Treasures tour company looked like she wasn’t taking no for an answer. “I’m so glad you’ve chosen to move back to Treasure Creek and open a wedding-planning business. It is going to be a wonderful addition to the town. I know I’m springing this on you, and probably before you’ve even unpacked your suitcase. I’m desperate, though. This is a family tour that I feel needs a woman guide assisting the lead guide.”
Bethany couldn’t believe her ears. Her plane had landed barely an hour ago—and yes, her bags were still packed. She’d been in such a hurry to get outside and not waste any of the precious Alaskan daylight that she’d simply slid them inside her hotel room and hurried outside. She’d been stopped several times by acquaintances who were as excited to see her as she was them. Seeing her old friend Amy coming toward her lifted her spirits even higher. But help lead a tour? This was the last thing she had expected to hear from Amy. She hadn’t led a tour in years. The idea was kind of tempting, however, opening her wedding-planning business had to come first.
“Amy,” she said, feeling bad, “I’d like to help, but I have to put finding a spot to open my store first.”
Amy smiled, her eyes twinkling. “Got that covered already. There’s a space that opened up around the corner from The General Store just off of Main Street. It’s just the cutest, quaintest storefront, with personality plus. I can see your name on the window right now. The location is great. Not that it will matter—as soon as these women hear you’re in town, I have a feeling you’ll be overrun with clients.”
“My word, Amy, you’re like a steamroller!” Bethany laughed—more from surprise than anything. “You’ve been thinking ahead on this curve ball you’ve thrown me.” She sobered. “And all before I’ve even had time to tell you how sorry I was to hear about Ben. I am really so sorry.” Amy’s husband, Ben had died in a tragic accident just a few short months ago. His death left Amy to raise their two young sons on her own, plus running the tour company business, Alaska’s Treasures, by herself. “You have a lot sitting on your shoulders. How are you holding up?”
The entire town was reliant on the tour company to bring in the visitors that kept the town going. Tourist trade was the primary support for all the businesses in town.
“It has to have been so hard on you. I can’t imagine.”
Amy pushed her red curls from her face with one hand, a softness coming to her eyes. “It has been hard, but God’s been right there beside me. And the people of Treasure Creek—oh, Bethany—they have just been wonderful. There isn’t a better bunch of people in all of the world.”
“I agree,” Bethany said, and meant it. She’d met some nice people in San Francisco and on her trips around the country, but her heart had a special fondness toward the people of her hometown. She’d missed them. Not that it really was her hometown. Her dad’s job in the oil industry had transplanted them into the community when she was in elementary school, but she claimed it as her own. Sadly, she hadn’t really appreciated it until she’d moved away and been gone for a while.
“So, will you help out and take the tour? It will be good for you. Like getting your feet wet again with the way of life here in town. You’ll be getting in touch with your roots.”
“You make it hard to say no.”
“I try. Ever since that Now Woman magazine article came out about all the hunky tour guides working for me, the tour business has really picked up. It’s just been a blessing to everyone. And not just single women are coming to town looking for love, but also the family tours are picking up, too. Why don’t you do this? The reason I need you so much is that the family on the tour has just adopted the little boy they’ve been foster parents to. They really could use your help. The mom is nervous about the trip and feels like a woman guide will help her feel more at ease.”
Amy was watching her intently. She was the