Cold Creek Noel - RaeAnne Thayne (HSE #2228 - Dec 2012)

Series: Cowboys of Cold Creek (Book 10) 

A SEASON FOR LOVE...
Caidy Bowman had been the apple of her family's eye-until a devastating tragedy forced her to hide from the world. She was used to devoting her time to the animals on her family's ranch. Then widower Ben Caldwell and his two adorable children arrived in Pine Gulch, and suddenly, Caidy wanted more than a life in the shadows....

As the town's new vet, Ben needed a place to stay for the holidays-and for his family to heal from their own loss. He absolutely wasn't looking for love again! But Caidy Bowman's sparkling green eyes and sweet smile touched Ben's broken heart, giving him hope for a new future. Their future-if he could convince the beautiful cowgirl that Christmas was a time for new beginnings....  

Good book.  Ben had come to Pine Gulch to help his family recover from the loss of his wife and to get his children away from the bad influences of his in-laws.  He wanted to concentrate on his children.  He did not expect to be attracted to Caidy and didn't want it at this time.  I liked the way he was so kind and caring with the animals, though his attitude toward Caidy the first time they met didn't show it.  I also liked the fact that he did apologize to her for the way he had acted.  Coming from the city, Ben was not used to the openness and friendliness of the small town atmosphere.  Besides his immediate attraction to her, the way the Caidy took care of him and his kids went a long way toward making Ben think there was a future for them together.  Caidy had basically been hiding out on the ranch since her parents' murders eleven years earlier.  She was carrying a lot of guilt since she felt it was her fault they had been at home that night.  At first she didn't like Ben at all, but the more she got to know him the more she liked him.  She fought the attraction, but it was a losing battle.  I liked the way that she was able to overcome her dislike of the Christmas season to help make the holiday better for Ben and his kids.  The way that she was able to open up to Ben about her parents also showed that she felt more for him than she thought she did.  I loved the closeness of the Bowman family and the way that there is always room for more to be included.
 
 

A Cold Creek Reunion - RaeAnne Thayne (HSE #2179 - Apr 2012)

Series: Cowboys of Cold Creek (Book 10) 

He was the one you called when you needed rescuing...

But who was Taft Bowman going to call when he needed help? Because ten years ago Laura Pendleton, the love of his life, had left town without a word, then or since. Now she was back, with a new last name -- and two adorable, high-needs little ones in tow. Well, Taft had been stupid enough to let her go once before...he wasn't about to make the same mistake again. He'd never stopped loving her -- and one look at those adorable little faces and he knew that he was meant to be with Laura and her kids forever. All he had to do was convince her that this time he was a man she could count on! 

Very good book.  I liked both Taft and Laura.  Their breakup ten years ago had been contributed to by both.  Taft was playing the stoic male, not allowing anyone to help him through the murders of his parents.  The shutdown of his emotions pushed Laura away.  At twenty-one, Laura couldn't handle that and gave him an ultimatum - to postpone their wedding or she would leave.  Now she is back, and Taft has realized what an idiot he had been, and that he still loves her.  Laura has brought her children and come home to recover from the death of her husband.  He had not been a good husband, and she had no intention of opening herself up to another relationship.  She did her best to keep herself apart from Taft, but found herself drawing closer to the man he had become.  I loved the way she finally realized that she was still in love with him too. He was terrific with her kids, and a fantastic fire chief, all showing that he had changed from when she knew him before.