CJ Fisher Finds Love Book 1: Dawn's Cowboy
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Heather Teston
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"You've grown up over the years, in all the right places," he said as his eyes roamed over her body.
Ten years ago, Calvin’s heart shattered when Dawn vanished from his life, leaving only the echo of what might’ve been. Now she’s back in Colorado to sell her late father’s ranch—and the moment they meet again, every buried feeling roars to life. He wants another chance, but Dawn carries secrets that could destroy them both. As they uncover a dangerous truth hidden within the ranch, passion and peril tangle together. The flames between them never really died—but will love be enough when the past comes back with claws?
Chapter 1
Removing his hat, Calvin Fisher, a cattle rancher from a small town in Colorado, wiped the sweat from his brow. The sun was scorching hot as it beat down on him.
Today, the hottest day of the year, one of his cattle had damaged part of a fence. He had already lost some stock, and he’d be damned if he lost any more, so he had no choice but to fix it.
He had woken up in a good mood this morning, looking forward to riding the range on his black stallion.
A beautiful beast, he’d had the luck and privilege of catching and taming him himself. Dallas was Calvin’s pride and joy.
He breathed in the fresh air as he admired the view of the Rocky Mountains by his ranch. There was nothing like the smell of the great outdoors or the sight of his cattle grazing.
A sense of pride filled him when he looked around his land. After inheriting the property from his father, he had turned it into a thriving cattle ranch.
All his hard work had paid off, making him a very wealthy man. But a call from his lifelong friend, Hank Jackson, turned his good mood sour.
Hank was one of those all-around good guys—full of life and laughter, always willing to help anyone who needed it. He owned the ranch several miles from Calvin’s and was married with two sons and a third on the way.
The call was to let him know that Dawn Haworth was coming home. He hadn’t given her much thought over the years—at least, he tried not to.
And the last thing he wanted was to set eyes on her or think about her. But after that call, she was all he could think about.
She was the girl who broke his heart so many years ago. Dawn’s father, Frank Haworth, had bought the ranch further down the road from the Fishers’ place.
Frank Haworth was a nasty piece of work, and it wasn’t long before people knew not to piss him off and stayed clear of him. The moment Calvin laid eyes on Dawn, he fell head over heels in love with her.
She was sixteen, a real beauty with short blonde hair, tiny little breasts, and long legs. But it was her eyes he loved most.
She had these light brown eyes, with specks of green in them, so full of sparkle. Whenever he looked into them, his heart melted.
Her scent was intoxicating. It stirred a desire in him, making his heart pound rapidly in his chest whenever she was around.
She had a sweet disposition, was kind, and a little on the shy side. At first, whenever he approached her, she would keep avoiding him.
Soon, he won her over, and the other boys left her alone after they realized she only had eyes for him. Frank Haworth was so strict that they had to sneak around behind his back. They spent every minute together.
He loved how her lips tasted and couldn’t get enough of kissing her. They were deeply in love and made plans for the future.
After finishing school, they would get married and start a family. It was a warm summer night; her father was out of town on business.
In the Haworth barn, they were making out, kissing and touching each other. Things went further than they should have, and they went all the way.
He knew she was a virgin, so he took his time, letting her know it would hurt the first time. He told her that if she wanted him to stop, he would.
But she told him she loved and trusted him, and that this was what she wanted.
He felt terrible when she let out a small cry of pain. Kissing her tenderly, he said, “I’m sorry. I never wanted to cause you pain.”
When the pain subsided, the pleasure for them both was incredible, deepening their love for one another. After that, they made love every chance they got.
It didn’t matter to them that she was barely sixteen and he was seventeen. They were in love and planned on being together forever.
She was his true love; he was certain their love would have lasted a lifetime if it weren’t for her father. Little did the young lovers know how their lives would change when Frank Haworth caught them in the act.
Dawn and Calvin were making love in her father’s barn. It was a hot and humid night, and a storm was raging outside.
Rain slammed against the barn, thunder roared, and lightning struck, lighting up the sky. Frank Haworth returned home early from a business trip and caught them.
His face turned bright red; he looked like a man having a heart attack. Eyes blazing with rage, he ordered, “Dawn, get inside the house!” He swore and called her a whore.
Then he turned his fury on Calvin.
“You dirty piece of country trash. I’ll make you sorry you were ever born,” he spat, locking the barn door to keep Calvin from leaving.
Taking off his belt, he gave Calvin a brutal beating. To this day, Calvin still has the scars on his back to prove it.
Dawn was sent away to live with an aunt in Paris, and the young lovers swore they would keep in touch. She promised him that when she knew where she was going, she would write and let him know, and they would find a way to be together.
He was angry when she didn’t keep her word. For two years, he waited for a letter or a phone call, but none ever came.
He felt betrayed by Dawn. The love he once had for her was replaced with hurt and anger.
He couldn’t care less if he ever saw her again. Now she is coming home.
Frank Haworth had passed away over four months ago, and she hadn’t come home for his funeral. That was no surprise to anyone; Dawn and her father had never been close.
She was coming back to sell the ranch and take care of the old man’s belongings. Calvin swore he would stay clear of her while she was here.
She had betrayed him, leaving him without a second thought, and he despised her. Calvin had to admit that Dawn’s betrayal was the driving force behind his desire to be successful.
He thought that maybe someday they might meet again. He would have liked to get back at her, to hurt her the way she hurt him.
It wasn’t easy turning the ranch around. Old Frank Haworth did whatever he could to get in Calvin’s way.
Frank hated him, even after all these years; he had never forgiven Calvin for taking his daughter’s virginity. Frank went to his grave hating him.
All day, he thought about Dawn. It was now late, and the work was done, so he decided to go into town for a drink.
