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CHAPTER ONE

This is the chance you’ve been waiting for Hoping for Praying for Don’t blow it

Lizzie Fitzgerald climbed out of an SUV more suited to her rich past than her impoverished present

Her late uncle’s Western Idaho ranch splayed around her like an old-fashioned wagon wheel, spreading wide fro a huge letter T The sound of sheep and dogs rose up fro fields like white sprinkles on a kelly green cake

On her left the long, curving graveled drive wound past a copse of newly leafed trees to the two-lane country road above Behind her was a classic Western home Two stories, wrapped in honey-brown cedar and a porch that extended across the front and down both sides Tings and a variety of rockers decked the porch

“No doubt I will spend my share of time on that porch as the weather warms,” said Corrie as she stepped from the other side of the car “What a pretty place this is, Lizzie-Beth! But I can see your attention is drawn to what brought us here” She dipped her chin toward Lizzie’s right “Your uncle’s passing and his love for horses A family trait Or downfall,” she added softly

“It won’t be this time” Lizzie strode toward the freshly built stables “Not with so to put in the effort It wasn’t horses that brought down Claremorris,” she reminded Corrie, the stout African American woman who had raised Lizzie and her two sisters at the stately Kentucky horse farreed and dishonesty This will be different, Corrie You’ll see”

“I’ll pray it different, right beside you,” Corrie declared “Then we’ll see, Sugar You explore your new place I’ to see if there’s a restroom close by”

Lizzie walked toward the classic U-shaped stable configuration while Corrie disappeared into the house Two equine wings stretched from opposite ends of the central barn A row of stable doors faced the groorass that was surrounded by a hoof-friendly walking area Six s lined the face of the central barn, facing the equine courtyard Curtains in the upper s suggested living quarters, much like they’d had in their Kentucky stable The whole concept was randparents had known in Ireland Uncle Seanbusiness that made the family’s fortune, but he clearly appreciated their Irish roots

A horse nickered from its stall Another answered softly

Then quiet stretched as if wondering about her Testing her

Footsteps approached across the gravel She turned

A cowboy strode her way, looking just as classic as the ranch around him Tall Broad-shouldered Narrow-hipped And…familiar As if—