Victoria Vane | Crying Wolf

While in Montana the summer before last researching my first two stories, I met several ranchers who expressed concerns about the booming wolf population and the threat to their livestock. Intrigued by this, I began researching the re-introduction of wolves into the Rocky Mountain states. Upon discovering what a political powder keg this had become, I thought what an interesting story this could make.

In ROUGH RIDER I had already introduced a secondary character named Reid Everett who was a young Marine from Wyoming. He seemed to be the perfect candidate to become my hero. Reid is an interesting combination of cowboy and warrior and a protector to the core. The heroine was much harder for me to get a handle on, until I decided that Reid was based at Camp Pendleton. Suddenly, the answer was easy— she was a California girl named Haley Cooper, and his opposite in every conceivable way.

In Haley's words: “I’m a bookish, acrophobic, pacifistic, vegan and you’re a bow- hunting, roller-coaster riding, cowboy, carnivore. I don’t fit in with your family, friends, or your world, Reid. We’ll just end up hating each other in the end. Can’t you see that?”

Reid, however, has her in his crosshairs and isn't about to let her go. “No I don’t. I only see you.”

Although constantly at odds, they actually have more in common than they realize. Both are idealists with a powerful desire to protect those they love.

“I like and respect animals too, Haley, but predators like wolves and grizzlies need to be kept in check.”

“You mean by killing them?” “When necessary,” he said.

“So you’re one of them?” She shook her head. “Why should that surprise me? I can partly understand people who hunt game for subsistence, but the ones who consider hunting and killing pure sport are another matter.”

“There’s something you need to understand before you pass judgment. I was born hunting, tracking, and shooting. I held my first rifle at about six years old. Killed my first elk at twelve. My family runs a hunting outfit just outside Yellowstone. It’s been our livelihood for three generations."

“And I suppose you have all those animal heads mounted on your wall as trophies?”

“I do. A whole roomful. And I’m not going to apologize for it. I like hunting and shooting, but I’ve never killed anything just for the hell of it. We eat all the game animals. And every predator I’ve ever taken has been at the behest of the Fish and Wildlife Managers. Trophy hunting helps maintain the ecological balance.”

“Nature did fine on its own until people like you almost wiped out the predators.”

“People like me?” He mumbled a curse.

“Yes,” she declared. “And someone has to make it right.”

“And you think that’s you?”

“Not me alone, of course, but there are a lot of people who care about wildlife and the environment.”

“So you’re one of those green-living crusaders.”

His mockery put her further on the defensive. “Maybe I am, but certainly no more zealous than you are.”

He grinned. “So you’re actually saying we’re alike.”

She exhaled an exasperated huff. “Don’t twist my words. There’s a huge gulf of difference between you and me. I like animals alive, and you like their heads on a wall.”

Once I began writing, it came together rapidly. Suddenly, I was with Haley in Alaska and with Reid in Iraq. The story was more vivid and real than anything I had written before.

Excerpt #2:

A short time after crossing into al-Anbar Province, a storm of screaming rockets and mortar fire commenced. Reid’s gaze flickered to the blanch-faced, wide-eyed “boots.” Although they’d had plenty of live fire exercises at home, this was the real deal. Several mortars hit nearby, rocking the vehicles and quaking the earth.

Garcia snagged his gaze. “Ali Baba’s hospitality committee.”

Reid regarded the craters, careful to keep his tone bland. “At least their aim hasn’t improved.”

“Time to embrace the suck, hombres,” Garcia quipped to his comrades. “For the next eight months, this is about as good as it gets.”

On the heels of the attack came the familiar drone of an AC-130 Ghostrider circling overhead.

“I’m getting a hard-on now.” Garcia pointed to the sky. “I love that fucking plane.”

More earthquakes echoed in the distance—the Ghostrider’s reciprocation.

A wide smirk stretched Garcia’s mouth. “Welcome back to hell, ese.”

By nightfall, mortars and missiles were raining down like a meteor shower, with hellfire rockets lighting up the nighttime skies like shooting stars.

***

Dear Haley,

This is my first real letter to you. I may not get another chance for a while. Hell, I may not get another chance period. Truth be told, I don’t even know if I’ll send it. Although I prefer to live by the adage that if you can’t say something positive, it’s best to say nothing, there aren’t a whole lot of rainbows in the middle of a shit storm. And that’s what we’re up against. The grunts we came to replace greeted us with a nod and the thousand-mile stare. No words were exchanged. None were needed. We all know what we’re facing.

Every morning begins a new game of Russian Roulette as we sidestep IEDs, dodge RPGs, rockets, mortars, and sniper fire, taking every minute as it comes, knowing nothing over here can ever be taken for granted. My first thought every morning is only to make it through the coming day, and my last, at night, is a prayer of gratitude that I’m still alive.

At the end of each day, I can only marvel at the beauty of sunsets that are some of the most spectacular I have ever seen. Watching them is an evening ritual.

Reid paused to read the message, realizing it was far too raw and real. Did she ever think about him? He didn’t know. Did she care? He didn’t know that either. Maybe he never would.

With a shake of his head, he deleted the text of the email, attached a photo of a breathtaking desert sunset, and hit “send.”

At its heart, SHARP SHOOTIN’ COWBOY is about finding compromise, and shows how real love can conquer even seemingly impossible odds.

About Victoria Vane

Victoria Vane is an award-winning author of smart and sexy romance. Her collective works of fiction range from historical to contemporary settings and include everything from wild comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance.

Her biggest writing influences are Georgette Heyer, Robin Schone, and Sylvia Day. Victoria is the founder of Goodreads Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers and the Romantic Historical Lovers book review blog. Look for her sexy new contemporary cowboy series coming from Sourcebooks in 2014.

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About SHARP SHOOTIN’ COWBOY

TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT, COWBOY...

Weary warrior... After eight years as a Marine sniper, war-scarred Reid Everett is back in his native Wyoming. He knows and loves this rugged land, so working for wildlife services to reduce the booming wolf population suits him to a T.

Caring crusader... Wildlife biologist Haley Cooper is desperate to make a difference. Leaving the world of academia behind, she accepts a position as a wolf advocate to protect the animals she loves.

Raw attraction... Their jobs set them on a collision course, but chemistry sparks like wildfire between Reid and Haley. They'll have to brave some rough territory if they hope to reconcile their polarizing views with a passion that won't be denied.