It’s time he lived up to his word
Eleven years ago, Cole Ferguson made the biggest mistake of his life, but now he can finally get back on track. The first step? Nail the job at the local animal shelter and keep his head down. But working at the shelter means spending time with Rebecca Lincoln. Rebecca is beautiful and kind but she’s also determined to save the world. Cole isn’t about to join her. Helping Rebecca would mean breaking his promise—running toward trouble instead of staying clear. She doesn’t need him anyway. How could she ever see him as more than just another charity project?
“Are we enemies?”
Rebecca ran her hands through her hair. She’d never had an enemy before. She wasn’t sure she’d even had a real critic. All she’d ever done was what people expected of her.
“No, we aren’t. Just stay...away. I’m not your project.” Cole waved a hand. “I don’t need your charity, and I sure don’t need another cause to keep me awake at night.”
Rebecca straightened. “Is that was this is about? Because I suggested you should do something to help those boys, we’re fighting again?”
“No, we aren’t fighting, but I haven’t joined the Rebecca Lincoln fan club. It’ll be okay. You don’t have to make another unexpected visit. I made a promise to stay out of trouble. Easiest way to do that? Keep my nose to myself instead of sticking it where it doesn’t belong.”
After finding a stray dog, which led to volunteering at my local animal shelter, I was introduced to a special program where selected prison inmates provide weeks of obedience training to rescue dogs. At graduation, the lucky, well-trained dogs are adopted. I’ve been dog crazy since I could toddle after a beagle named Jake, so I appreciate programs that give animals a second chance and I understand the power of a dog’s unconditional love.
Cole Ferguson is a man who needs these gifts—a second chance and man’s best friend. His prison experience opens the door, but a do-gooder, her friends and some student volunteers will convince him that this new life is sweet. Please visit me at cherylharperbooks.com to find links to adoption programs like this one, to let me know what you think about Keeping Cole’s Promise, to sign up for my newsletter or to find out what’s coming next. Thanks for reading!
Cheryl
Keeping Cole’s Promise
Cheryl Harper
CHERYL HARPER discovered her love for books and words as a little girl, thanks to a mother who made countless library trips and an introduction to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House stories. Whether it’s the prairie, the American West, Regency England or Earth a hundred years in the future, Cheryl enjoys strong characters who make her laugh. Now Cheryl spends her days searching for the right words while she stares out the window and her dog, Jack, snoozes beside her. And she considers herself very lucky to do so.
For more information about Cheryl’s books, visit her online at cherylharperbooks.com or follow her on Twitter, @cherylharperbks.
I owe Dana Grimaldi, the editor who patiently works with me on every one of these books, the biggest thanks. She makes these stories and characters that I love so much shine. Thank you for all your hard work, Dana!
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