Shane's Burden Read online

  “And it’s great that he’ll be released from rehab in a few weeks.”

  “Yeah, I’m glad to see him home again.”

  Shane forced a smile. Mason laughed at something Boone was saying, and Jerry chimed in. Even Gramps sat with the younger men, smiling and laughing.

  “I hope that’s ice tea Gramps is drinking.” Alley’s eyes narrowed.

  Mason, Boone, and Jerry each held a bottle of beer, while Gramps clutched a smaller glass in his hand. They all seemed to be laughing it up like old times, with the old man chiming right in. There was something far away in Mason’s eyes however.

  Whether anyone else noticed was questionable, but Shane knew his brother better than anyone. Mason might look happy on the outside. He’d always been easy-going, but his accident had taken its toll on him. Raine walked past the group, and Jerry called something to her. She merely tossed a smile over her shoulder and kept right on walking.

  Shane forced his eyes away from his brother and friends, and looked at his wife. This wasn’t the day to dwell on what had happened many months ago. He’d eventually have to talk to Mason and find out what his plans were, but not today. Together, they’d face the possibility that Mason might never walk again, and whatever his brother had considered for his future would be discussed then.

  “You haven’t told him about your concept for a large animal hospital at the farm, have you?”

  Alley brought her hand up to touch Shane’s cheek. Shane led her off the dance floor toward the edge of the yard to look over the pastures and the distant mountains.

  “I’ll bring it up in a few weeks, when he’s home for good. Your gramps seemed to love the idea.”

  “It’s a perfect plan. Gramps lives in his house, and he’s manager of the facilities. He’ll have people to talk to all day long.”

  “And if you have your on-site lab, we can get blood samples analyzed much faster than sending them all the way to Missoula.”

  “I guess my degree in biomedical engineering and background in biochemistry will come in handy after all, if Mason agrees.”

  “I think it’s a good plan, but let’s not talk about that now.”

  Alley wrapped her arms around Shane’s neck, and gazed up at him. Her smile sent waves of longing through him.

  “Let’s talk about us, and our future.” Shane leaned forward to kiss her. “Or better yet, remind me again how we were destined to be together.”

  Alley tilted her head, her smile widening. “Well, it all started a long time ago, with the handsome high school football star colliding with the insecure book nerd in the school hallway. When both of them got called to talk to their science teacher the very same day about the paths they should take for their future, their fate was sealed.”

  “And they lived happily ever after?”

  Alley nodded. “And they lived happily ever after.”

  Thank you for purchasing and reading SHANE’S BURDEN. I hope you enjoyed the story. To help other readers such as yourself discover new books, please consider leaving a short review.

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  The next book in the Burnt River Series is called Thorn’s Journey , written by Shirleen Davies, and will be available June 1, 2017.

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  You can read more about Shane Taggart’s family in 1880’s Montana in IN HIS KISS (Blemished Brides, Book 4).

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  For a complete list of my books, including more time travel and western Historical Romance, please visit my Author Page.

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  About the Author

  I am an award-winning, best-selling western historical and time travel romance author of the Yellowstone Time Travel Romance Series, Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Teton Romance Trilogy, and the Blemished Brides and Wilderness Brides Western Historical Romance Series. When I’m not writing about Yellowstone, the Tetons, or the old west, I’m out hiking the trails, spending time with my family and pets, or catching up on much-needed sleep. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart, and we have two boys and a menagerie of animals including dogs, cats, horses, chickens, guinea pigs, and bearded dragons.

  I wish to thank my editor, Barbara Ouradnik, for the countless hours helping me perfect the story, not only fixing my grammar and wonky sentences, but also ideas and insights for making the characters and story stronger and the best it can be.

  Also by Peggy L Henderson

  American Mail Order Brides

  Emma: Bride of Kentucky

  Blemished Brides

  In His Eyes

  In His Touch

  In His Arms

  In His Kiss

  In His Thoughts

  Burnt River Contemporary Western Romance Series

  Mason's Rescue

  Shane's Burden

  Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series

  Come Home To Me

  Ain't No Angel

  Diamond in the Dust

  Teton Romance Trilogy

  Teton Sunrise

  Teton Splendor

  Teton Sunset

  Teton Season of Joy

  Teton Season of Promise

  Timeless Hearts

  Timeless Healing

  Timeless Bond

  Timeless Hero

  Wilderness Brides

  Cora's Pride

  Anna's Heart

  Caroline's Passion

  Yellowstone Romance Series

  Yellowstone Heart Song

  Yellowstone Redemption

  Yellowstone Awakening

  Yellowstone Dawn

  Yellowstone Deception

  A Yellowstone Christmas (Yellowstone Romance Series Novella)

  A Yellowstone Promise

  A Yellowstone Season of Giving: Yellowstone Romance Series Holiday Short Story

  Yellowstone Homecoming (Yellowstone Romance Series Novella)

  Yellowstone Origins

  Yellowstone Legacy

  Return to Yellowstone - Sequel to Yellowstone Heart Song

  Yellowstone Romance Series Holiday Bundle

  Yellowstone Love Notes

  Yellowstone Reflections

  Standalone

  Teton Romance Trilogy Bundle (Includes short Story Yellowstone Proposal)

  Also by Burnt River

  Burnt River Contemporary Western Romance Series

  Mason's Rescue

  Shane's Burden