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How can a beauty save a beast?

Blue Spruce, Montana, 1871—When Caleb Orson's prize stallion escapes his ranch, Sal Beauregard rides to the rescue, revealing her true identity as a one of the few eligible females in town. She'd do it again if it meant saving an animal from the cruel retaliation of Brendan Doran. The man has no respect for women or God's creatures.

But the sun's early setting strands her at Caleb's ranch. Worse, Sallie's father unceremoniously leaves her there under Caleb's protection. However, Doran refuses to lose again to Caleb---first a horse, now a woman. He wants Sallie as his wife and not even the reclusive ogre of a cowboy can stand in his way. No matter Sallie's opinion.

Choosing to make the best of a difficult situation, Sallie takes over the gentling of Caleb's stallion. She believes she can reach Caleb as well. Only, the first blush of friendship grows into something ... more. Something that threatens the desires of Caleb's enemy. And if Doran cannot have a beauty like Sallie, neither can a beast.

2026 Holt Medallion Winner (novella category)

Who did this woman think she was? Caleb swung down from Duke’s back. His long legs ate up the ground between her and him, allowing him to reach for her arm before she got as far as the horse. Thomas and the kid, Anchorman, had Arion cornered. They could handle getting Arion home. No need to endanger Beauregard’s daughter. He shook his head. Daughter?

Caleb jerked her to a stop with fingers hooked around her arm. She spun at the momentum shift he caused, her hand landing on his chest to keep herself from falling. The set of her jaw had him backing up, out of range of the hand she balled into a fist. This woman knew how to fight.

“I don’t reckon answering to your father if you get hurt.” He folded his arms, letting his barrel chest expand. Not that his attempt at intimidation would work on her. Sal—Sallie—Beauregard seemed impervious to such things. It made him curious, a feeling that just made him more irritable.

“I thank you for that, but I take full responsibility.” She nodded as if that ended the conversation and spun on her toe.

Thomas met Caleb’s eye over his shoulder, asking for direction. Frankly, he had no idea. The woman wouldn’t listen to reason. But she was the lad known for his way of speaking to horses. The connection twisted in his head, and a growl rumbled out of him.

Miss Beauregard pressed steepled hands to her mouth, which drew his attention to what he’d never noticed about her before: her beauty. When he thought her a trapper’s son, he didn’t think twice about her straight figure or ruddy complexion. Now he noticed her long lashes and the thin lips within her perfectly round face. It was enough to fan his irritation to full-fledged anger. Romance was for a good man, and Caleb had no blinders to the fact he was not one.

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Until next time, may your reading bring both light and encouragement.

Happy reading!
~ Danielle.