The Cowboy's Courtship (16 page)

“I would have called, but I didn’t want to make you feel as if you had to do something or say something.”

“Something like, I love you?” He held her close. “Something like, I want to hold you forever and I’d like to replace that ring on your finger with a real one. Because I want more for us than going steady.”

“What do you want?” She touched her forehead to his and waited, because she knew what she wanted.

“I would love to marry you. I’d love to make you Alyson Bradshaw.”

“I was kind of planning on being the crazy cat lady living in town and teaching kids to play—”

“No, sorry, I don’t think you’ll be able to fulfill that role.”

“I think you’re right. I think I might want Alyson Bradshaw, wife of Jason Bradshaw, more than I want to be single with a dozen cats and a big hat.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He kissed her again and again. “Because I think my sister wants me to throw you over my shoulder and elope.”

“I think I want the same thing.”

Because Alyson Forester loved a cowboy, and now she knew that he loved her back.

“I forgot something.” Alyson pulled away from Jason and when he looked confused, she smiled.

“What did you forget, because I don’t know if I can let you leave again.”

She touched his cheek and then she leaned toward him, a little breathless as she kissed him, knowing he was hers forever.

“I forgot to tell you that I love you, too,” she whispered.

Dear Reader,

Welcome back to Dawson, Oklahoma, to the lives of characters I’ve come to know. I hope you’re enjoying them as much as I am.
The Cowboy’s Courtship
is Jason Bradshaw’s story, and some of you would say that it is about time he got to be a hero. I think he’s always been a hero, but it took time for me to find the right woman for him.

Jason needed a woman in his life who would unlock the secrets of his past and help him to deal with his pain, the pain he’s been hiding behind his smile and charm. He needed a woman who would settle him down and keep him in town. That woman happened to be Alyson Anderson, who arrives in Dawson looking for her past.

These two characters don’t realize it when they meet, but they have a lot in common. Neither of them has ever really felt connected to another person. Once they meet, that ends for both of them, and the journey of finding themselves and finding love begins.

I hope you enjoy this new book in the cowboy series.

1. Alyson chose anger over fear. Why does it sometimes feel easier to control anger than fear? Do both emotions control us equally?
   
2. Jason Bradshaw’s memory issues create several problems for him, including a loss of independence. What would some of the other problems be?
   
3. Alyson has always seen herself as a person who isn’t strong. How does she show that she is stronger than she believed?
   
4. Camp Hope is a part of the Dawson community. How does it change the people who work there, and what can it do for the children who attend?
   
5. Andie knew about her sister. Alyson didn’t know about Andie. How do you think the two will continue to work through their relationship?
   
6. Jason has always closed himself off from emotion, from feeling too much. Why? How did he do this?
   
7. Alyson figures Jason out by watching him. People tell us more by their actions sometimes than by their words. What does she see in him that maybe others missed?
   
8. Alyson gradually comes to faith. What is the most important deciding factor in her turning to God?
   
9. Jason decided early on to build a relationship with Alyson, even though he might not have realized it. He begins to court her. Do you think she realized what he was doing?
   
10. Alyson has commitments at home in Boston. Is it ralistic to think she would walk away and not go back? What would you do in the same situation?
    
11. When Alyson leaves, she has dreams of coming back. She makes those dreams about being a cat lady, not about Jason. Why do you think she pushes the dream of Jason from her mind?
    
12. Jason loves Alyson, so why doesn’t he push her to stay? Why doesn’t he run after her and bring her back to Dawson?
    
13. Alyson makes a decision to return to Dawson. She turns away from her career, but she doesn’t turn from her family. What allows her to make these decisions?
    
14. Jason and Alyson share a special bond and have several things in common. How did those things help them understand each other better?