Introduction

April McBride has suffered a broken engagement once before and fully intends to guard her heart when she travels to Lewistown, Montana, to attend her brother's wedding. One look around the small mining town convinces April that this won't be difficult--just a bunch of dusty shops, bad service, and ill-bred cowboys. But a run-in with a horse trainer named Wes Owen opens up vast possibilities for frustration, embarrassment, friendship, and . . . love? Can April and Wes see past their differences in order to envision a future together? Readers will love going on this adventurous, spark-filled ride through turn-of-the-century Montana. Praise for Maggie Brendan: "Brendan's gentle style of prairie romance is reminiscent of Janette Oke . . . capturing the heart of the old West with romance that will make you sigh."--Julie Lessman, author of the Daughters of Boston series "Brendan blends colorful characters, lively dialogue, and intriguing historical details."--Amanda Cabot, author of Paper Roses and Scattered Petals

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Excerpt

The Yampa Valley, Colorado
September 1896

The brisk Colorado wind tugged at April McBride’s silky tresses
underneath her Stetson hat, tickling the exposed skin at the nape of
her neck. She threw her head back in delight, and her laughter spilled
across the valley floor, causing her roan’s tail to twitch. There wasn’t
anything April would rather do on a fall day than be out riding with
total abandonment. She pushed her mount higher up the slope.

A half hour later she reined her horse in as she reached the
crest of the craggy ridge overlooking the Yampa Valley. Her gaze
traveled down to the rumbling Blue River below where a familiar
figure on horseback had stopped to give his horse a drink. Luke
Weber. But this time her heart no longer thumped with excitement.
Luke paused at the river’s edge and rested his arms across
the saddle horn. He glanced up to her on the ridgeline above him
and lifted his hat in greeting. April returned the greeting with
a wave. After a brief moment, Luke gave his horse a nudge and
continued on downstream.

Who would have thought that she and Luke would be just
friends one day? Certainly not April. It all seemed so long ago
now . . .

Her world had come crashing down the day Luke told her there
would be no wedding. Her shock had been profound, and April,
who was never at a loss for words, was speechless. She’d tried to
absorb what he’d said while her heart, frozen in pain, threatened
to stop beating altogether. How could he not love her? She had
loved him deeply and was ready to begin their life together.

Her ego had suffered terribly, and she wondered what was
wrong with her. But how could she argue with someone who told
her he didn’t share the same feelings? She couldn’t. If it had been
the other way around, she wouldn’t have wanted him insisting that
she marry him just because he loved her. No . . . it wouldn’t have
worked. April could see that now, but it had taken a long time to
reach that perspective. How many times had her mother told her
that she was praying for her and the right man would come along
when the timing was right? Too many to suit April.

She’d lived with a shattered heart, refusing to see any of the
eligible bachelors in Steamboat Springs who constantly pursued
her, and now, after four years, her heart had slowly mended. Luke
and Crystal were going to have a baby soon, and she could honestly
say she was happy for them. Who wouldn’t be when one could see
the love in their eyes? Her mother was certain that her mended
heart was the work of the Lord. April wasn’t so sure about that,
but she knew she had finally moved on and was genuinely happy
for Luke and Crystal now.

Enough of this reflecting. The day was simply too beautiful to
waste ruminating about the past, so she headed the roan back
down into the valley, allowing her to take the lead on their way
back to the Rocking M Ranch.
*
Hours later, April stripped off her leather gloves and picked up
the mail as she entered the large foyer of her home. With a measure
of contentment, she started going through the stack. It was nice to
have the house to herself while her parents were away in Ireland
for their thirtieth wedding anniversary. She shuffled through the
assortment of bills and invitations, releasing a squeal of delight
when her eyes latched onto an envelope marked Montana in her
brother’s bold handwriting. It was crumpled and dirty, and the
postmark was early August. Where must it have traveled before
reaching her? No matter. Seeing a letter from Josh brought a huge
smile to her face, and she decided to go sit in the garden, away
from the maid who was cleaning, to savor every word privately.
Settling down on the bench near the angel fountain with its
soothing flow of water in the background, April picked up her
engraved letter opener and slit open the envelope to find a single
page from Josh.

Dearest Sis,
Hope all is well with you, and our parents are
enjoying their trip to Ireland. Mother wrote me that
she was really looking forward to it.
The main reason I write again so soon is to tell
you that I am engaged to marry the girl of my
dreams! Her name is Juliana Brady, and we are to
10
A Love of Her Own
be married September 25. I realize I should have
written sooner, but time slipped away from me
somehow. Now that we’ve finally set a date, we would
be honored if you would come and represent our
family.
Please telegraph me your answer and the time of
your arrival, and I will reserve a room for you at the
Stockton Hotel right away. I can hardly wait for the
wedding and to see you again!
With much love and affection,
Josh

Tears of joy stung the corners of her eyes. What wonderful
news, but oh, how disappointed her parents were going to be to
miss Josh’s wedding. April decided to send one of the servants
into town to telegraph her reply. She should send a telegraph to
her parents as well, even though they would be unable to get back
in time. Maybe Josh had already done that.

A trip to Montana! Maybe that was exactly what she needed
to get excited about her life again. New, fresh faces sounded very
appealing. She rose, stuffed the telegram into her pocket, then
hurried down the brick path to the house, immediately thinking
of what she’d need to pack.

“Tilly!” April called, and the stout maid hurried down the
hallway to reach her.

“Yes, ma’am? What’s all the excitement?” She was breathing
heavily when she stopped short in front of her mistress.
“Hurry, I’ll be leaving for Montana as soon as I can make the
arrangements,” she said, then rushed to the large secretary and
jotted a message down on a piece of letterhead. “Can you fetch
Robby to send a telegram?”

“I’ll do it right away, and I’ll have him get your valise down
from the attic too.” Tilly turned to go find Robby.

“One bag won’t do. I’ll need my trunk for certain.” April clapped
her hands together, then grabbed Tilly’s hands and swung her
around in a circle. April’s straight, silky blonde hair flew about her
shoulders until Tilly giggled and they were both out of breath.

“You must be going to see Josh.”

“Yes! It’s the best news—Josh is getting married!”

“Land sakes, Miss April, you can’t go alone. Do you want me
to accompany you?”

April stopped and stared at her. “Mmm . . . I think I can do
this alone. I’ll be on the train and stage the entire way with lots
of company. Besides, you’re needed here.”

“That may be so, but you will need my help.”

April clicked her tongue against her teeth. “I’m grown and can
handle a trip by myself. Don’t forget it’s almost the turn of the century.
Women are doing many things on their own right now.”

“Maybe so, but your parents are not going to like this one bit,”
Tilly muttered. “No sirree, not one bit.”

But April was already taking the stairs two at a time in her
riding pants while Tilly stood looking up at her mistress and
shaking her head. When April got excited about something, the
entire household had better watch out!

“When you’re ready, come up to my bedroom. I need to get
organized,” April called over her shoulder as she reached the landing.

“Yes, Miss April, just as soon as I find Robby to send your
telegram.” Tilly scooted her stout frame as fast as she could in
the direction of the kitchen.
... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

From the publisher:

1. We don’t meet April’s parents in this book, but we learn a bit about them from April’s perspective. How would you describe April’s father? How has April’s relationship with him shaped who she is at the beginning of the story? How does her opinion of her father change later in the book?

2. Wes and April meet early in the story under unusual circumstances. Describe their encounter. Do we get a glimpse in this scene of what their future relationship may be like? If so, in what way?

3. April, the girl who has it all, walks around town for a couple days smelling like a skunk. Why is Wes the only person who finally tells her that her clothes still smell? He goes to a lot of trouble to do this, even providing her with a new dress. What does this say about Wes?

4. What do you think was the most significant factor in April’s change of heart and her decision to begin praying and reading her Bible again? Why did her change happen in this time and place rather than at home in Colorado?

5. The theme of needing boundaries runs throughout the book. April, Jane, and April’s horse Sassy are all described at different times as spoiled or manipulative. How do these descriptions apply to our relationship with God? Do we need boundaries and discipline to be truly free? Why does always having our own way or getting everything we want actually diminish our freedom?

6. The stagecoach robbery is a dramatic moment in the story. How is it a turning point for April? What does she learn about herself or the person she wants to be?

7. April was raised with all of the finer things in life, which at the beginning of the book is very important to her. How does her view of material things change? What causes the change? What does she find far more important that money can’t buy?

8. As April begins to care for the people she meets in Lewistown, she begins to see and value herself differently. After the stagecoach robbery, April asks Miss Margaret why Miss Margaret treats her so well when she doesn’t deserve it. Why do you think April feels unworthy? What does this tell us about her?

9. The first thing that April does to make a change in her behavior and in her heart is to watch what she says. Why is this the first step for her? What is so important about choosing not to say the first thing that comes into her head?

10. What does Billy teach April early in the story? Why does he bring out her compassion and kindness when no one else can?

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Southern Belle Writer Blog

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