The Rancher's Runaway Bride

By Anna St. James

When her pa promises her hand to a man older than himself, Cora Hodges has no choice but to run away. With no kith or kin to turn to, she flees the only home she’s ever known and seeks help from her good friend, Gabe Sanders. If anyone can help her, it’s Gabe. But will the handsome rancher be willing?

Gabe's friendly feelings for Cora have undergone a drastic change since she’s grown into a beautiful young woman. When Cora comes to him in dire need of rescue, what’s a fella to do but offer matrimony and the protection of his name? But how will Gabe endure a marriage in name only, loving Cora the way he does?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna St. James
• Release date: Mar 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310116490

Anna St. James

Anna St. James grew up watching the classic westerns during the golden age of television. Rawhide, The Rifleman, Gunsmoke, The Wild, Wild West and Bonanza were just a few of her favorites.Later on she became a fan of Little House on the Prairie and Doctor Quinn, Medicine Woman; and later still, The Love Comes Softly Series and Sarah Plain and Tall.Her love of Texas and history made writing historical western romances a natural choice. Married to her own special hero, Anna makes her home in the Lone Star State.Anna St. JamesClassic Romance: Short and SweetHistorical Western RomanceInspirational RomanceSign up to receive emails announcing Anna's new releases:http://www.annastjames.com

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THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY BRIDE

A Brides of Cactus Gap Short Story

by Anna St. James

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When her pa promises her hand to a man older than himself, Cora Hodges has no choice but to run away. With no kith or kin to turn to, she flees the only home she’s ever known and seeks help from her good friend, Gabe Sanders. If anyone can help her out of her predicament, that rugged rancher will be more than able. But will he be willing?

Gabe's friendly feelings for Cora have undergone a drastic change since she’s grown into a beautiful young woman. When Cora comes to him in dire need of rescue, what’s a fella to do but offer matrimony and the protection of his name? But how will Gabe endure a marriage in name only, loving Cora the way he does?

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The Rancher's Runaway Bride

Copyright © 2016 by Anna St. James

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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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The Rancher's Runaway Bride

by Anna St. James

Texas Panhandle 1875

Cora Lynn Hodges needed to run away. She had no choice but to leave the only home she'd ever known. She had to get away, far away, and she had to do it as quickly as possible.

If she didn't, Pa was going to make her marry Major Wendell Hamilton, and she'd rather die than marry that mean, good-for-nothing lawyer. She didn't know why the Major was so mean, but he was and she wasn't about to marry him. He was old enough to be her pa. He was older than her pa. Ugh!

After breakfast, Cora waited for her pa to head for the fields, so she could be on her way. But he'd been working in the barn for over an hour, taking his ever-loving time doing whatever he was doing. Why had he chosen this of all days to work in the barn before plowing the fields?

Cora's nerves stretched taut as a barbed wire fence as she went about her morning chores. Chores she hadn't even planned on doing today. She'd wanted to be long gone before her pa returned to the house for the midday meal. She'd told him she'd be going to town today for supplies, hoping to give herself more time before Pa actually missed her.

One little lie. She hoped God would understand.

When Cora peeked out the kitchen window again, she saw her pa walking with the horses and plow toward the wheat field. Finally. There wasn't a moment to lose.

She threw down the dishtowel and ran upstairs to gather her things. She quickly made for the barn where she saddled her trusty little mare, Biscuit. She fastened her hastily packed carpetbag to her saddle and stuffed her revolver in the holster. Making sure the coast was clear, she led the horse out into the yard and hoisted herself up onto Biscuit's back.

A couple of minutes later, she was galloping across the flat arid plains of West Texas. The sky was clear with wisps of white clouds streaking across the vast blue expanse. The October air was crisp and cool, the sun bright in the east. To the north stood the Double Mountains, still purple with morning haze. The sleepy little town of Cactus Gap lay to the south. She gave Biscuit full rein and headed north toward the mountains. The mare took advantage and ran like the wind. Cora hunkered down and held on tight.

Her plan was to put as much distance as possible between herself and her pa. She had to escape before it was too late and she found herself married to Major Hamilton. Pa had his mind set on the Major and her to wed, and once Orville Hodges set his mind to something, there was no moving him. Her dear departed mama had always said her husband was as stubborn as a mule and a body might as well give in to his demands, or the man would make life a pure misery.

Cora shook