Sparta Rose

Ellie Fountain has a dilemma--Tyler Bishop, the handsome ranch foreman who's won favor with her Pa.  Ellie's determined to prove to them she can do anything a man can do, even if it means buying a gun and learning to shoot. Her father's ranch, Fountainhead, is her legacy and she aims to protect it from the Bryants, the trio next door who are using bullying tactics to purchase all the land in the area. When she accepts Ty's 'forced' invitation to a local dance, she never expects to find herself kidnapped and held hostage in an old drafty shack hidden somewhere in the snowy Tennessee Mountains.  She shouldn't have left the dance in such a huff without telling someone.

Coming Soon

Excerpt:

    Ellie pushed her gown aside and reached into the far corner. Her fingers locked around the smooth leather of her holster and, with caution, she withdrew her loaded weapon. She donned a jacket then draped the gun belt on her shoulder and tiptoed down the hall. Just outside her father’s room, she paused for a moment. Upon hearing his snores, she quickly passed his open door and went into the kitchen.

Cook turned from the stove. Her mouth gaped when she spied the gun Ellie carried. “My goodness, child. What are you doing with that?”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later, but don’t worry. I know how to use it.”

Ellie left the puzzled woman before she had a chance to respond and hurried out the back door. She crossed the distance to the barn in giant steps, pleased to find that Ty had saddled both their horses.

“Thanks for saving us some time. I’ll strap on my gun and we’ll be on our way.” Excitement tingled through her. For the first time she’d wear her sidearm instead of stashing it in a saddle bag. She fastened the holster buckle and bent to secure the rawhide strap around her leg. As exhilarating as the moment felt, her mind questioned her sanity.

“Let me have a look at that.” Ty held out his hand.

Being careful not to put her finger on the trigger, Ellie withdrew the weapon and handed it to him. “It’s one of the newest from the mercantile.” She chuckled to herself at the recollection of Percy’s face when she denied wanting to see the new arrivals. Some day she’d have to apologize to him.

Ellie hovered over Ty while he carefully weighed the gun in one hand while he admired the shiny metal and smooth grips. He pinched the sites, turned and aimed at the back wall, then lowered the gun and handed it back to her. “Pretty nice. Are you sure you know how to draw, site and shoot. This isn’t like a rifle, you know?”

“I’m sure,” Ellie said, rolling her eyes. “It has quite a different kick, but like I said, I’ve been practicing.”

“Then mount up and let’s get goin’.” Ty hefted himself astride Shadow.

She mounted and followed him out of the barn, annoyed that he still refused to see her as anything other than a helpless female. She’d show him.

Once outside, Ty spurred his stallion into a run. The bag of tin cans tied to his saddle horn rattled as he left Ellie lagging behind. She dug her heels into Chessie’s side, but it was no use. The chestnut mare couldn’t match Shadow’s speed; besides the faster pace sent cold air biting into Ellie’s cheeks. She slowed Chessie to a walk.

Ty noticed, reined his mount and waited for Ellie to catch up. He swiveled in the saddle and called out, “C’mon, we don’t have all day.”

Ellie wasn’t in a hurry. She wanted to make the time spent with him last, and if the truth be known, she didn’t mind stalling a bit to avoid the dreaded ‘show down’. She drew Chessie up alongside Shadow. “I didn’t know we were in such a hurry. Why can’t we just enjoy the ride?”

“I did enjoy the ride,” he answered with a smug look on his face. “You should have joined me.”

She screwed her mouth into a sneer. “All right, you’re an expert rider and a magnificent shot. I get your message. Has anyone ever told you you’re a conceited jackass?”

But a handsome one. It irked her she couldn’t seem to stay mad at him for any length of time.

He bent and patted the side of Shadow’s neck. “There’s a fine line between conceit and confidence. I’m confident because I know I’m good.”

There was no use pursing a conversation about his skills. He obviously had a pretty high opinion of himself, but maybe it was warranted. Her nervous stomach rolled as she turned her attention to the incredible scenery. She pulled the collar of her sheepskin-lined jacket up past her chilled cheeks and wondered what she had gotten herself into.

A definite winter threat iced the air, but the grass around them was just as fresh as the first day of spring. A few evergreen trees dotted the countryside, but the majority of the others had lost their leaves, stretching naked branches skyward. An occasional rabbit skittered to escape the horses’ hooves, and in the distance, a hungry hawk circled over his intended prey.

She had no doubt that her admiration of nature’s beauty posed a stall for time. Ellie turned back to Ty and made a sweeping gesture of the landscape. “Isn’t this the most breathtaking sight?”

He nodded in agreement, but his gaze never left her face.

They continued to ride, and before long, Ty pointed to a stand of trees. “Over there. We should be far enough from the house so we don’t disturb your pa.”

Disturbing her father was the least of her concerns at the moment. What had she been thinking challenging Ty to a contest? Pa was doing better, but maybe she should use him as an excuse to postpone the match. She nibbled her bottom lip and sighed. Ty would see right through that excuse.

Ellie halted Chessie next to the nearest tree, dismounted and secured her reins to a branch low enough to allow the animal to graze. Suddenly, her palms dampened with perspiration. She’d bragged about her abilities, and now she had to deliver. True, her skills had improved, but could she live up to her boasting? Here again she faced the consequence of using her mouth instead of her brain. She took a deep breath, turned and braced herself.

Ty had already tethered his horse and busied himself setting up a line of cans along a fallen log. Ellie found a stump and sat, her heartbeat sounding in her ears. Ty straightened from his task and glanced over at her. “You ready?”

She stood on wobbly legs. “I… I guess.”

“You don’t sound too convincing. We can call the whole thing off if you aren’t feeling sure of yourself.”

Oh, that irritating tone in his voice. Call it off? Not a chance. She could do this—she had to do this. Besides, his attitude was downright insulting. “I’m quite confident about my abilities, thank you.” Ellie spoke through clenched teeth.

She brushed by him and walked toward the target area. With a glance over her shoulder, she feigned confidence. “So how are we going to do this?”

Ty came and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her. “We’ll take turns. I’ve set up the first six targets. I’ll go first so you get the idea.”

Ellie stepped to the side to give him room.

Ty’s gaze focused on the cans lined atop the log. Beneath the brim of his dusty hat, determination knit his two brows into one. He widened his stance and rested a hand on the butt of his revolver.