Gage Cooper is back in Oklahoma after a winning bull ride
and a busted knee. Driving in pouring rain he spots a lady
he knew at school and offers her a lift; she grudgingly
accepts. Gage isn't her favourite person, and it seems
there is nothing he can do about it.
THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS COURTSHIP sees Layla Silver wishing
her life wasn't so complicated. She doesn't resent the
responsibility of looking after her young brother Brandon,
which she took on at an early age, but now he's turning
into a wild teen. She'd once hoped that Gage would be the
man for her but he was determined not to be the marrying
kind, and she can't seem to forgive him.
With Christmas fast approaching Gage has to participate in
family traditions - he enjoys the wagon ride in the cold,
but the community centre dinner his mother helps to serve
is more work. Cooking and baking are expected of everyone
and Layla turns up to contribute. Her tearaway brother is
dragged along but gets into an argument with her... Gage
can't help but step in, and both Layla and Brandon dislike
it.
Gage is a practical kind of man, knee brace or not he gets
on with work, and I found myself warming to him. He has the
good idea of asking Brandon to help him on his family
ranch. While the Coopers have money, Layla has twenty
acres, one mare, a diner job and a mortgage. She thinks
Gage could only be amusing himself if he wanted her
company. As for his plan to start young Brandon bull-
riding, how irresponsible is that! I did see her point.
Christmas can bring family issues to the fore and some
people dislike being obliged to enjoy the holiday and its
trappings. However it can also be a time for meeting
old friends and making new ones, and romances can be
kindled. I enjoyed the understated romance which was all
the more powerful for being slow to develop. This is an
inspirational tale which shows that attending church
services helps isolated people to meet, and that it's
easier to have your faith when life is going well than when
you're in difficulties and the weather is bitter.
THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS COURTSHIP is my favourite Brenda
Minton book to date.
With her mortgaged farm, rebellious brother and two jobs,
Layla Silver is struggling to keep afloat for the holidays.
But does she need Gage Cooper riding to her rescue? Back in
high school, Gage was nobody's hero. Now he's an injured
bull rider home for Christmas to make amends for his
checkered past. And something about the stubborn, beautiful
Layla has him wanting more than forgiveness. Can a wandering
cowboy turn a Christmas courtship into an everlasting love?
Cooper Creek: Home is where the heart is for this Oklahoma
family
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