Release Day for REUBEN HAYES
Tag Line:
The crustymiddle-aged rancher had only ever loved one woman. And now her daughter stoodon his doorstep.
Blurb:
A young womanshows up at the Hayes’ ranch, bringing bad news and danger.
Sage Baylor is the daughter of the only woman Reuben ever loved. Now she’s onhis doorstep, bringing with her the news her mother is dead. Shortly after herarrival, her father, the Honorable Senator Baylor from Missouri, arrives.That’s when bullets start flying.
Both the senator and Sage are in danger from an unknown source. When thesenator leaves, he tasks Reuben with keeping his daughter safe. Help comes froman unexpected source in the form of an engaging young gunslinger. Between thetwo men, and Reuben’s cranky ole cook, they’ll keep the Senator’s daughtersafe. No matter the peril. No matter the cost.
Excerpt:
Cattle lowed.Horses whinnied. Men whooped and lariats slapped against chaps.
Thesounds carried on a thick, heavy breeze. Dust rose from hundreds of hooves, makingbreathing difficult. The scent of scorched fur and hide filled the air asbrands came down on heaving flanks before struggling longhorns were let go.
Reuben Hayes rosein the stirrups, cupped his hands and shouted, “Henry, get that loco longhorn that’sheaded for the brush.”
A lean cowboyraised a hand in acknowledgement, urged his horse into a gallop and shot offafter the steer. Another rider came thundering up. This one young, still in histeens. He reined in his foam-flecked dun mare.
“Soggy wantsyou back at the house pronto. His words not mine, sir.” He pushed back his hatand wiped his sweating brow, unruly black curls falling over his forehead.
“What’swrong?” Reuben’s raspy voice came out harsh as tension crawled up his backbone.Soggy would never call him back to the ranch if it weren’t dire.
“There’s avisitor waiting.”
“A visitor?” Thick,dark eyebrows, streaked with gray, rose nearly to his hairline. “Soggy told youto come and get me ‘cause he has a visitor?” He lifted his voice to carry overthe bellow of frightened cattle.
“Not him,Boss. You.”
“Thanks forclarifying that, Billy.” Eyebrows that had risen now settled into an aggrievedscowl.
Billy wiped asweaty hand on his pants and swallowed, his Adam’s apple doing a nervousdance. “It’s a young lady,” he addedhelpfully.
“A younglady?” Reuben’s head jerked back and he blinked in surprise.
“Yes, sir.”
“A younglady?” he repeated.
“Yes, sir.Pretty as a picture.”
For a momenta fatuous look settled over the young man’s features, making him look like amoonling calf, Reuben thought in disgust.
“Guess I’mheading back to the ranch.” Curiosity warred with irritation. It was brandingtime. He didn’t need to be shunting back and forth between the house and therange like a damn fool. He blew out an impatient breath, lifted the reins, thenbellowed, “Levi.”
put heels to his bay and camegalloping toward him.
“Yes,Boss?”
“I’m headingback to the house. You’re in charge.”
“Everythingokay?” His foreman took off his no-frills, worn cowboy hat, wiped his forehead thensettled it back on his head.
“The boss hasa visitor. Pretty as a picture,” Billy interjected.
“Oh, yeah?” Levigrinned and spat a wad of tobacco.
“Wipe thatsmile off your face and take care of the cattle.”
Levi compliedthough his lips continued to twitch.
Reuben pointeda finger at Billy. “You help him.” He clapped heels to his big Appaloosa andgalloped off.
CharacterFacts:
Reuben isas tough as old shoe leather, but he’s fair.
He rides abig Appaloosa.
No one thatknows him goes out of their way to mess with him.
Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Reuben-Hayes-S-Cox-ebook/dp/B0DWQBGT88
AND
March 31, I am visiting with prehistoric man expert, Jacqui Murray. Jacqui knows more about this era than anyone I know. She takes historical facts and wraps them in a fictional story. If you haven't tried one of her books yet, you are in for a reading treat. She has two blogs that are always chock full of information for readers, writers and teachers alike.
If you're in the vicinity, stop by and share a cyber cup of cowboys' coffee.
For more info on the coffee cowboys drank:
History – Arbuckle Coffee
Available at Amazon
