Love at the 20-Yard Line Page 28

  “No, Mom. I have a few more hours of work to do before I’m finished, so don’t wait on me. I’ll grab something to eat on my way home.” Brenna leaned against the desk, staring into the watery darkness outside.

  “Drive carefully. I hate that you have to make such a long trek to and from work every day,” Letty cautioned.

  “I know, Mom. See you in the morning.” Brenna disconnected the call.

  Growing up in Silverton, Oregon, just an hour or so southeast of Portland, Brenna and her family didn’t think anything about the drive whenever they needed to run into the city. The drive was far different when she had to make the trip every day in heavy traffic.

  All through college and right up until about two months ago, Brenna lived in a cute little apartment with two roommates not far from the office. When the owner of the apartment building decided to sell it to a developer for a new retail center, the tenants were given a month to get out. Without time to hunt for a new apartment, Brenna temporarily moved back home.

  Yep, that’s how I’ve always envisioned my life, she thought sarcastically: a thirty-year-old living at home with her parents, working for a boss she loathed at a job she barely tolerated in a city she often felt sucked the lifeblood right out of her.

  Someday, she’d follow her dreams, but today was not that day.

  Her sister, Avery, constantly nagged her to stop waiting for someday and do it now, but Brenna was too cautious, too responsible, to throw caution aside and plunge blindly into the future.

  She had a nice little nest egg, a good start on her retirement savings, and a few close friends she enjoyed. None of that erased her longings, though, or the loneliness that sometimes threatened to overwhelm her.

  When she closed her eyes, she could see a welcoming cottage-style home, a man with broad shoulders and dark hair, and a gangly mutt. The smell of coffee and fresh baked pastries hung in the air, along with a hint of cedar and some other scent that drifted just out of her mind’s reach.

  Haunted by the same dream for years, Brenna had yet to see the house, the man, or the dog anywhere but behind her closed eyes.

  For now, she’d go on dreaming and waiting.

  Brenna sighed, returning to her paperwork. She was exhausted, her back was killing her from sitting at the computer all day, and she was half-starved. Pushing her discomfort aside, she buried herself in the work.

  Two hours later, she neatly bound the report with a strong sense of accomplishment. Brenna picked up her coat and purse, turned off her office equipment and lights, shut the door, and walked down the hall to Wesley’s office. The door was open, so she walked in and dropped the report on his desk.

  As she turned to leave, she noticed him sprawled on the couch with an empty bottle of whiskey on the floor beside him. She shook her head and walked out. By the snores emanating from him, he had no idea she’d been in the room.

  Cautious about crossing the parking lot alone, Brenna asked one of the night security guards to walk her to her car. It wasn’t that she was overly paranoid, but she’d rather be safe than sorry. Two homeless men begging for change made her glad for the escort. The security guard waited until she buckled her seatbelt before returning inside.

  Brenna’s stomach growled as she headed south on the freeway. She planned to swing by one of her favorite sandwich shops closer to home, so she kept on driving.

  Mentally exhausted, she was tired of playing the office games, tired of putting up with Wesley, and tired of having no life outside of her job.

  Something had to change. Soon. Maybe she should consider Avery’s advice.

  Brenna mulled over her options when she heard a loud pop and her car jerked to the right. Of course, her tire would blow right after she drove past an exit. Carefully maneuvering the car onto the shoulder of the road, Brenna turned on her hazard lights and jumped out of the car into a steady downpour of bone-chilling rain. Rushing around to the passenger side, she could see her tire was not only flat, but also missing a piece or two of rubber.

  Fantastic.

  The flat tire unraveled the last thread that held Brenna’s frustrations in check. She ran back to the driver’s side of the car, slid behind the wheel, and burst into tears.

  Available today on Amazon!

  Grass Valley Cowboys Series

  Meet the Thompson family of the Triple T Ranch in Grass Valley, Oregon.

  Three handsome brothers, their rowdy friends, and the women who fall for them are at the heart of this sweet contemporary western romance series.

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan (Book 1) — Cadence Greer’s plans for a happy-ever-after are quickly derailed when her fiancé runs off with his secretary a week before their wedding. Homeless, jobless, and jilted, she escapes to Grass Valley, Oregon, where she takes a job as a housekeeper and cook to seven cowboys on a sprawling ranch.

  The Cowboy’s Spring Romance (Book 2) — Trent Thompson has carried a torch for the new schoolteacher since she moved to Grass Valley more than three years ago. Instead of asking her out, he’s dated every single female in a thirty-mile radius, giving her the impression he’s not interested in her at all.

  The Cowboy’s Summer Love (Book 3) — Always the wild-child, Travis Thompson doesn’t disappoint as he rolls from one adventure to another in his quest to keep his adrenaline pumping. He needs a release for the tension constantly building inside him, especially after he discovers the girl he’s loved his entire life just moved back to Grass Valley.

  The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall (Book 4) — Brice Morgan thought love at first sight was some ridiculous notion of schoolgirls and old ladies who read too many romance novels. At least he does until he meets Bailey Bishop at a friend’s wedding and falls hard and fast for the intriguing woman.

  The Cowboy’s New Heart (Book 5) — Years after her husband died unexpectedly, Denni Thompson can’t bear to think of giving her heart to anyone else. With three newly married sons, a grandchild on the way, and a busy life, Denni doesn’t give a thought to romance until she meets the handsome new owner of Grass Valley’s gas station.

  The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye (Book 6) — With his siblings and friends all entangled in the state of matrimony, Ben Morgan is more determined than ever to remain blissfully single. Despite his vehement refusal to commit to a relationship, he can’t help but envision a future with the sweet, charming woman who unknowingly captures his heart.

  The Women of Tenacity Series

  Tenacious, sassy women tangle with the wild, rugged men who love them in this contemporary western romance series.

  Heart of Clay (Book 1) — Easy-going cowboy Clay Matthews is a respected college professor. He's the man family and friends turn to for help, or when they need a good laugh, since he's a huge tease and practical joker. Life would be almost perfect, except for his relationship with his wife... (Available FREE for electronic downloads.)

  Country Boy vs. City Girl (Book 2) — A confirmed city girl finds herself falling for a wanna-be country boy. Sparks fly as a battle of stubborn will ensues.

  Not His Type (Book 3) — After spending her entire twenty-four years hiding in the background and perfecting her status of wallflower, Anna Zimmerman arrives at the astounding conclusion it’s time for a change. Tired of living life in the shadows, she steps into the light, unprepared to handle the attention of the charming, handsome cowboy who works across the street.

  The Christmas Cowboy (Rodeo Romance, Book 1) — Among the top saddle bronc riders in the rodeo circuit, easy-going Tate Morgan can handle the toughest horse out there, but trying to handle the beautiful Kenzie Beckett is a completely different story. As the holiday season approaches, this Christmas Cowboy is going to need more than a little mistletoe to win her heart.

  Wrestlin’ Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 2) — Sidelined with a major injury, steer wrestler Cort McGraw struggles to come to terms with the end of his career. Shanghaied by his sister and best friend, he finds himself on a run-down ranch with a worrisome, albeit gorgeous widow, and her si
lent, solemn son.

  Capturing Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 3) — Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as the redheaded photographer he meets at a rodeo.

  Learnin’ The Ropes — Mechanic Ty Lewis is out of options. Homeless and desperate to find work, he accepts a job in the tiny community of Riley, Oregon. Resolved to embrace a new adventure with an elusive boss, he leaves behind everything he’s ever known in Portland to live in the middle of nowhere.

  Lexi Ryan, known to her ranch hands and neighbors as Lex Jr., abandons her corporate career to keep the Rockin’ R Ranch running smoothly after the untimely death of her father. It doesn’t take long to discover her father did many crazy things during the last few months before he died, like hiding half a million dollars that Lexi can’t find.

  Ty and Lexi are both in for a few surprises as he arrives at the ranch and begins learnin’ the ropes.

  Pendleton Petticoats Series

  Set in the western town of Pendleton, Oregon, at the turn of the 20th century, each book in this series bears the name of the heroine, all brave yet very different.

  Dacey (American Mail Order Brides Book 12) — A conniving mother, a reluctant groom and a desperate bride make for a lively adventure full of sweet romance in this prelude to the beginning of the series.

  Aundy (Book 1) — Aundy Thorsen, a stubborn mail-order bride, finds the courage to carry on when she's widowed before ever truly becoming a wife, but opening her heart to love again may be more than she can bear.

  Caterina (Book 2) — Running from a man intent on marrying her, Caterina Campanelli starts a new life in Pendleton, completely unprepared for the passionate feelings stirred in her by the town's incredibly handsome deputy sheriff.

  Ilsa (Book 3) — Desperate to escape her wicked aunt and an unthinkable future, Ilsa Thorsen finds herself on her sister's ranch in Pendleton. Not only are the dust and smells more than she can bear, but Tony Campanelli seems bent on making her his special project.

  Marnie (Book 4) — Beyond all hope for a happy future, Marnie Jones struggles to deal with her roiling emotions when U.S. Marshal Lars Thorsen rides into town, tearing down the walls she’s erected around her heart.

  Lacy (Book 5) — Bound by tradition and responsibilities, Lacy has to choose between the ties that bind her to the past and the unexpected love that will carry her into the future.

  Bertie (Book 6) — The next adventure in the Pendleton Petticoat Series — coming in 2016!

  Crumpets and Cowpies (Baker City Brides, Book 1) — Rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother’s estate only to find he’s inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined.

  Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan’s insufferable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she finds herself traveling across an ocean and America to reach his ranch in Oregon.

  "Thane and Jemma are a perfectly snarky fit for each other, able to fling era-appropriate zingers with a passion and precision seldom done so well in a historical."

  Julie York — InD'tale Magazine

  Thimbles and Thistles (Baker City Brides, Book 2) — Maggie Dalton has no need for a man in her life. Widowed more than ten years, she’s built a successful business and managed quite well on her own in the bustling town of Baker City, Oregon.

  Full of Scottish charm and mischief, Ian MacGregor could claim any single woman in Baker City as his own, except the enchanting dress shop owner who continues to ignore him. Not one to give up on what he wants, Ian vows to win Maggie’s heart or leave the town he’s come to love.

  Corsets and Cuffs (Baker City Brides, Book 3) — Coming Spring 2016!

  Books by Shanna Hatfield

  FICTION

  HISTORICAL

  Baker City Brides

  Crumpets and Cowpies

  Thimbles and Thistles

  Pendleton Petticoats

  Dacey - Bride of North Carolina

  Aundy

  Caterina

  Ilsa

  Marnie

  Lacy

  Bertie

  Hardman Holidays

  The Christmas Bargain

  The Christmas Token

  The Christmas Calamity

  The Christmas Vow

  CONTEMPORARY

  Love at the 20-Yard Line

  The Coffee Girl

  The Christmas Crusade

  Learnin’ the Ropes

  QR Code Killer

  Grass Valley Cowboys

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan

  The Cowboy’s Spring Romance

  The Cowboy’s Summer Love

  The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall

  The Cowboy’s New Heart

  The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye

  Holiday Brides

  Valentine Bride

  Rodeo Romance

  The Christmas Cowboy

  Wrestlin’ Christmas

  Capturing Christmas

  The Women of Tenacity

  A Prelude (Short Story)

  Heart of Clay

  Country Boy vs. City Girl

  Not His Type

  NON-FICTION

  Farm Girl

  Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller

  Recipes of Love

  Savvy Entertaining Series

  Savvy Holiday Entertaining

  Savvy Spring Entertaining

  Savvy Summer Entertaining

  Savvy Autumn Entertaining

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  SHANNA HATFIELD spent ten years as a newspaper journalist before moving into the field of marketing and public relations. Self-publishing the romantic stories she dreams up in her head is a perfect outlet for her lifelong love of writing, reading, and creativity. She and her husband, lovingly referred to as Captain Cavedweller, reside in the Pacific Northwest.

  Shanna loves to hear from readers.

  Connect with her online:

  Blog: shannahatfield.com

  Facebook: Shanna Hatfield’s Page

  Shanna Hatfield’s Hopeless Romantics Group

  Pinterest: Shanna Hatfield

  Email: shanna@shannahatfield.com

  If you’d like to know more about the characters in any of her books,

  visit the Book Characters page on her website

  or check out her Book Boards on Pinterest.