01 Winters Thaw (25 page)

“Beth?” She didn’t miss the way his gaze lingered on her breasts where her shirt clung. It wasn’t white so she missed giving off the wet T-shirt thing. And good, ’cause kids and all, and because she didn’t do wet T-shirt contests. But she was glad he found them nice enough to look at a while.

“Yep.”

He got that look. The one guys got when they liked what they saw. Then his gaze darted to William, and the look changed to
oh yeah, that’s my friend’s little sister
. Damn. She was clearly going to have to knock him out of that box.

“Nice to see you. Last time I did you were still in high school, I think.”

She was sure he never even noticed her as a person back then. “Probably.”

He really looked good. Like, really, really.

But before she could get warmed up enough to flirt, he turned his attention back to her brother and she hid her frown.

“Come on in. I’m planning on some time on the porch. Gotta keep an eye on all these sprouts.” William had pretty much forgotten about her now that his friend had arrived.
Boys.

“I’m gonna run. I have an appointment in a while with my bed and a nap.” She tiptoed up and hugged her brother, who kissed her forehead when she stepped back.

“Thanks again for watching the kids.”

“Anytime.” She looked to Joe again. “See you around town, Joe.” And she totally would. Because now it would be her mission.

The kids all came running, laughing and squealing to give her hugs and kisses, and she told them she’d see them the next day at her sister Tate’s house.

She didn’t even try to pretend she didn’t throw some sway into her walk when she headed to her car.

Winter’s Thaw

Mari Carr & Jayne Rylon

Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan. Sometimes it’s better.

Compass Girls, Book 1

Sienna Compton has it all figured out. Her life’s goals are set and it is all systems go. At least, it was. Until her long-time boyfriend Josh threw a ringer into the master plan, requesting a “break” from their relationship. Now she’s left alone during the long, cold Wyoming winter, questioning what her heart has always believed to be true love.

Daniel Lennon is facing an uncertain future. When a tragic accident leaves him unable to pursue his career as a professional bull rider, he finds himself at Compass Ranch, working to help Sienna’s father, Seth, build his horse breeding business. One look at Sienna has Daniel envisioning things he never imagined wanting—a permanent home, love, marriage—and he’s willing to use all the red-hot tricks in his sexual arsenal to melt the ice surrounding Sienna’s broken heart.

When lust turns to genuine emotion, can Daniel convince Sienna to take a chance on something different and unexpected? Can he persuade her to consider a new path, one that will lead her directly to his arms…forever?

Warning: Roping and riding, past and future, cold winter and fiery desire, lust and love all come together in this new Compass series. Saddle up and hang on. The Comptons are back!

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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

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Winter’s Thaw

ISBN: 978-1-61921-333-3

Edited by Amy Sherwood

Cover by Valerie Tibbs

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First
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: February 2013

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