Season of Love

She's sworn off men like him. He's determined to prove her wrong.

Noelle Kidman has already made one mistake in love—and it nearly broke her. After a failed marriage and painful divorce, she's rebuilding her life on faith, strength, and the promise that if she ever gives her heart again, it will be to a man who shares her beliefs and values. That does not include Blake Montgomery, the town's charming, reckless playboy who gambles, drinks, and is everything she should avoid.

Blake has loved Noelle for years. But being her friend—and worse, her boss—has kept him trapped in the friend zone. Now, he's ready to change that. Noelle may see him as nothing more than a flirt, but he's willing to risk everything to show her that he's the man she deserves.

As Christmas magic fills the town, Blake is determined to prove that love can be worth the risk—and that sometimes, the person you least expect is the one who can give you everything you've ever wanted.

Will Noelle open her heart to an unexpected love, or will fear of the past keep her from the future she's meant to have?

Blake Montgomery held tightly to the horse’s reins as he pushed the animal faster. The gushes of air from Blake’s mouth nearly kept the same rhythm as his horse. The late November sun beating down on them didn’t make it easier, either. Montana had been oddly warm this season, and moisture trickled down the side of Blake’s face. At least he hadn’t lost his cowboy hat yet.

He took a quick glance behind him. The man on horseback raced toward Blake. His mind screamed to go faster. No matter what, he couldn’t let the other rider catch him.
As Blake approached a bend in the road, he leaned into it, guiding his horse the best he could. He’d been riding horses since he was old enough to feed himself, and as soon as he was eight-years-old, his old man – rest his soul – had him entering rodeos. With all the training Blake had received over the years, he’d think it would pay off… and getting far away from the rider was a good time to prove that he could do it.

The branches hung lower in this section of the forest, and he had to duck several times. He took another glance over his shoulder. The rider seemed to be slowing down just a bit. Apparently, he couldn’t trust himself around these branches. But that was a good thing. Now maybe Blake would be able to get far away from him.

He concentrated on the turns in this thicket of trees, knowing that up ahead would be a clearing. Once he reached that spot, he’d be able to push his horse faster and not worry about the rider behind him.

A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face, but he refused to take his grip from the reins. Concentrating on his goal was the only thing that would keep him sane at this moment. One little slip and everything would be over.

At long last, the light at the clearing shone brighter, almost as it was welcoming him. Grinning, he leaned closer to the horse and rode faster. Within moments, he was out of the trees. Throngs of people filled the clearing, except for the pathway leading to the finish line. Flashes from cameras snapped, and fans cheered as Blake headed toward the man holding the flag.

This would make the third year in a row that Blake had taken the first-place winnings home. Not that he really needed the money, but he definitely enjoyed the praise. It felt good to know he was number one in something.

As he passed the finish line, the cheering crowd grew louder. He slowed his steed, and several people rushed to him, congratulating him – women, mostly. His trainer was the first to reach him, handing Blake a towel and cold bottled water. He drank first, then wiped his sweaty face. Laughing with glee, he tipped back his head and poured a little water on his head, relishing in the cool liquid on his hot skin.

Fifteen minutes later, he had acknowledged the other riders and thanked them for a good race before heading toward his fans. Well, they weren’t really fans, but they were a group of people who had always supported him. His cousin, Rafe Montgomery, was the only one missing from today’s event. Good ol’ Rafe was going to be a father of baby number two sometime today. That was definitely more important than seeing his cousin win another race.

Debbie ran toward him with another water bottle, and her bleach blonde hair flapped in the wind. Her eyes twinkled when she gazed at him. The look in her eyes was unmistakable. She’d been after him for a few months now, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask her out. Debbie was new in Timberland, and she was a teacher at the elementary school. She was as sweet as an angel during the day, but after hours when the sun went to bed, she was a little she-devil. Although she was fun, he wanted to be with a woman who didn’t wear two different hats during the day. He wanted a woman who didn’t want to hide her true self.

He wanted… Noelle Kidman – a woman he would never have.

Sighing, his hopes plummeted. Debbie reached him, and he took the bottle from her. After telling her thanks, he opened the bottle and drank. Debbie hung on his arm, staring up at him with stars in her eyes.

“I knew you’d win, Blake.” She laughed in a high pitch. “In fact, I bet on you, and I’m happy to say, you made me one-hundred-dollars today.”

He lowered the bottled water and shook his head slowly, looking at her pretty face. “Then I hope you’ll go to confession on Sunday. Don’t you know, betting is a sin?”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not like I went to Las Vegas or something.”

He shrugged. “Betting is still gambling.”

She arched a heavily penciled eyebrow. “Then why don’t you do it?”

“Sin?” He laughed. “I thought you knew me better than that.”

“No, silly. Why don’t you confess your sins on Sunday for betting?”

He patted her fingers, still resting on his forearm. “The difference between me and you, Debbie, is that you regularly go to church. I don’t.”

Blake started walking toward the stable. He still needed to brush down his horse before leaving. The gang would meet at Joe’s Lounge for drinks later, and Blake was halfway tempted not to go. He was tired today, and for some reason, he only wanted to celebrate his victory with one person, but she wouldn’t be there.

“You can, you know.” Debbie caught up to him, still trying to hook her arm with his, but his wide strides kept her hurrying to catch up. “I’d love to have you come to church with me.”

Hypocrite! It was people like Debbie, who made him never want to set foot in the church again. If he couldn’t commit fully to his religion, then he wouldn’t commit at all.

“Thanks for the invite, but I’ll pass.”

He reached the stables and went directly to his horse’s stall. “I hope you don’t mind, but I need to brush down Lucky.” He nodded to his steed. “I put him through a hard ride this afternoon.”

“Yes, you did.” She grinned. “Well, I hope to see you later tonight at Joe’s.”

“Yeah, I’ll think about it.”

“Think about it?” A male voice had Blake looking in another direction of the stable. His friend, Cole Langston, walked toward the stall, shaking his head. “What is there to think about? It’s celebrating time, Montgomery. You will be there.”

Inwardly, Blake groaned. He really had to be there. If his friends were going on his behalf, then he needed to go. Especially since Cole was visiting family in Montana for the holidays, and he lived in California.

“Fine.” Blake sighed. “I’ll see you there at seven.”

Debbie giggled and clapped her hands. “Great. I’ll see you later.” She gave Blake a small wave and headed out of the stable.

His tall, broad-shouldered friend who drove a 4x4 truck and always wore a cowboy hat and black boots, strode toward Blake. The cowboy stopped and leaned against the stall. “You’re an odd duck, you know that, Montgomery?”

“Seriously?” Blake laughed and moved into the stall, picking up the brush from the shelf. “You haven’t seen me for what, six months, and the first thing you say to me is that I’m an odd duck? Where are your manners?”

Cole chuckled. “I just don’t understand you sometimes. You have women falling all over themselves to get your attention, and yet, you can never settle on one.”

Blake threw back his head and laughed heartily. “And that makes me odd? The last I’d heard, having this many women made me one lucky guy.”

“True, but we all know you’re looking for the right woman to settle down and start your family.”

“Who are the people who know this?” Blake scowled playfully. “And why are you all talking about me behind my back?”

“Come on, Montgomery, we’re your friends. We want to see you blissfully happy.”

Blake chuckled and shook his head. “And you think marriage will do that?”

Cole shrugged one shoulder. “I’ve seen the way you watch Rafe and Holly. I see how you look at their child when you’re holding her. Anyone who knows you well can see it.”

Blake flipped his hand in the air. “Don’t worry about me any longer. I’ll be fine. When I’m ready to settle down, I’ll find the right woman.” He glanced toward the direction Debbie had left. “And it won’t be with a woman like her.”

Laughing, Cole tipped back his cowboy hat and grinned. “Yeah, I know. You’ll pick a winner. You always do.”

“What about you, Langston? Why haven’t you settled down?”

Cole snorted and rolled his eyes. “Find me a woman who isn’t after my money, and I’ll marry her as fast as you can snap your fingers.”

“That’s for sure.”

“I’ll let you get back to your horse now. I’ll see you tonight at Joe’s.”

“See ya later.” Blake nodded as he turned back to his horse.

The smile slowly left his face the longer he brushed down his horse. He considered himself a very fortunate man. True, he had some ups and downs, but overall, he led a pretty good life. The only problem he had issues with was loving a woman who didn’t return his feelings. He’d known Noelle Kidman for years. He’d watched her go through a terrible marriage and an even rougher divorce. She struggled as a single mother to care for her precious daughter, Cami.

Two years ago, he’d hired Noelle as one of his secretaries so that he could talk to her every day. They were friends, and that’s where it would stay in her eyes. As much as he wanted to, he didn’t know how to push their relationship out of the zone.

His feelings confused him, knowing she would always have a special place in his heart, but knowing that he wanted to see her happy, even if it was without him in her life.

“Blake?”

The sound startled him, and he jumped. For a moment, he thought he’d imagined Noelle’s angelic voice, but when he heard footsteps shuffling in the hay, he snapped his attention toward the stall’s door. His heart leaped. Had his dreams come true? Or… maybe this was a dream right now. “Noelle?”

Her long, silky auburn hair fell over her shoulders and down her back. Her cheeks were bright, and her amazing hazel eyes glimmered like stars. Blake moved away from his horse, stepping toward her.