Here is an excerpt and the cover for HEALED BY A HEART the first time ever. I hope you like it. I hope to have it out by the end of May if not before. I just finished it and am starting the editing process but I couldn’t wait to give you all a taste.

Leave me a comment for a chance to win a ecopy of REDEEMED BY A REBEL, book 1 of the Destiny in Deadwood series.

Passing in front of the Gem Theater he was knocked to the side by someone barreling out the door. He automatically reached for the person. A decidedly feminine person if the breast in his left hand was any indication.

“Are you all right? Miss?”

“Oh! Unhand me, sir.” The spitfire said in a tone that brooked no argument.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, releasing her immediately

She fell down onto the boardwalk, “Oh, owww.”

“Ma’am calm down. I’ll help you up, if you let me.”

“I…I seem to have twisted my ankle. I can’t stand up,” she cried softly.

“Here. Take this.” He handed her his parcel, the steaks wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Then, he scooped her into his arms. “Let’s take you to see Doc Cochran.”

“You can’t carry me all the way there,” she protested. “I’m too heavy and it’s much too far.”

He chuckled, ignored her protests and started walking toward the end of camp where Doc maintained his office. “I think I can manage.”

Doc’s office was at the far eastern side of camp, just outside the Celestial’s village. Liam didn’t know why he kept it there when most of his clientele was at the opposite end of camp. It made no sense to him but Doc must have a reason. Maybe the rent was cheaper outside Chinatown?

He gazed down into her upturned face and into incredibly wide blue eyes, the color of the sky at dusk and was momentarily mesmerized. “I’m Liam Anderson.”

“Eleanor Smith.” She perked up some. “Are you David’s father?”

Liam frowned. “Yes. How do you know my son?”

“He’s come into camp with Becky Finnegan…er…Anderson.” She closed her eyes for a moment, pain evident in the frown on her face. “Becky is my friend. I witnessed her marriage to your brother, Jake.”

Now he understood. “You’re the reverend’s daughter.”

“You say that with distain. Do you have something against the church?”

“Nope. Just got no use for ‘em. Where was your God when my Mary died? In hiding somewhere, because he sure wasn’t with us.” The anger still prevalent, surprised him. He thought he’d gotten over it by now.

Assaulted by memories still too painful to tolerate, he almost set her down and let her make her own way to the doctor’s place. But he was a gentleman and as such, he couldn’t do that.

“Have you just returned? David and Becky didn’t seem to think you’d be back until sometime next month.”

“I wasn’t expected. That’s why I was coming from the butcher before going home.”

“You…you…weren’t going into the Gem, were you?” she asked, surprised.

“No. I wasn’t.”

She let out an audible breath, like she’d been holding it for a long while. “Oh, I thought you…well you know what I thought.”

Liam watched her color rise. She was quite pretty in an understated way. Rich chestnut hair, deep blue eyes the color of the waning sky. Her bow shaped mouth was full and immensely kissable. Slender, she weighed almost nothing in his arms.

“If you’ll wrap your arms around my neck it will be easier for both of us,” said Liam.

She did as he asked and the action brought her breasts flush against his chest. He hadn’t been this close to a woman since Mary died. Until now, he hadn’t felt any desire to do so. He was feeling a whole lot of things, with this woman that seemed new to him. Maybe he should go visit the Gem and one of its soiled doves. Maybe then he could look at Eleanor with something other than lust on his mind.

“Are you sure you weren’t going to use the ‘offerings’ at the Gem?” she persisted.

He kept walking, debating whether or not he should answer her questions. He answered, deciding he wanted to get to know this woman better and figuring he wouldn’t have a better opportunity. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I was not. I was simply passing by when you crashed into me. Do you always assume that every man that passes this way is going into the Gem? What were you doing in there and why were you so anxious to leave?”

She ducked her head and wouldn’t look at him. “Yes, I’m sorry about running into you. I wasn’t looking where I was going. I minister to the women there and Mr. Swearengen doesn’t much like it, he was chasing me out, so to speak. Well, he wasn’t actually chasing me, just yelling at me. I don’t like it when people yell.”

“I’ll have to remember that.”

“Why would you care whether I like it when people yell or not?”

“We might become friends. You already know my son and probably my daughter, too.” He was decided they would become friends. Perhaps even more than friends. Where his children were concerned, he gave his all and if they wanted to be friends with this woman, then so would he.

She smiled up at him. A beam so brilliant it nearly took his breath away. “Ah, dear Hannah. She’s so very smart. You know that don’t you? She knows her letters and is starting to read. And talk, goodness, she’ll talk your socks off if you let her.”

He grinned. “And do you let her?”

“Of course. I encourage all of our youngsters to explore their world. I told you, I also teach school here, didn’t I?”

He shook his head. “No, you didn’t mention it.”