Series: Brands of Montana (Book 8)
Is he a big-sky kind of guy?
All Nick Brand wants to see of Montana is a for-sale sign
on his family's in-dispute land. That's before the fast-track Chicago lawyer
meets the ranch hand who's been hired to help clean up the property. Dallas
Dalton can rope a steer, ace a barrel-racing competition…and lasso her way into
one smitten bachelor's heart.
Raised on the rodeo circuit, Dallas lives to compete --
while guarding against future heartbreak. Now she just wants to muss up Nick's
hair and show him how this Western woman is won! The refined attorney is a
world away from the rough-and-tumble cowboys Dallas knows. Yet deep down, she
and Nick desire the same thing. Is he ready to trade his Eastern view for the
big sky with a cowgirl who's through singing the blues?
Good story of opposites attracting. Nick is a Chicago
lawyer, from the non-Montana branch of the family. When his aunt dies, Nick is
the one sent to get the land ready to sell. It had been occupied by Davy Dallas
until his death, and Nick enlists his daughter Dallas to help go through his
things. Dallas is a barrel racer who spends most of her time on the rodeo
circuit. She was raised on the road by her father and is fiercely independent.
I enjoyed the development of their relationship. It starts
out slow and easy as they become friends while going through all the stuff that
Davy left behind. There is also attraction. Nick is somewhat baffled by his
fascination with Dallas. When he first arrived, all he wanted was to get rid of
the property and get back to his city life in Chicago. But the more time he
spends with Dallas, the harder it is to think of leaving. But he needs to get
back to work soon. Dallas is just an intrigued by Nick, but her life is on the
road. There's no way that their lives could mesh.
Nick missed Dallas when he went back to Chicago and
couldn't stop thinking about her. I loved the way that he showed up at some of
her competitions just to see her. He knew he was starting to care for her and
was determined to expose her to the good things in his life. But he also had
worries about how she would fit in with his Chicago life. Dallas missed him
too. She was surprised and pleased when he would show up. His attentions made
her feel special in a way she never had before. I loved how they talked and
texted over the next few weeks, sharing bits of their lives. When Nick invited
her to spend a week in Chicago, she was happy to go.
I had mixed feelings about Nick in Chicago. I loved how
he wanted to show Dallas a good time while she was there, even though he also
had to work. His enjoyment of introducing her to things like the symphony and
some of Chicago's attractions was real. He was also thinking into the future
and found a place where she could continue her training. But there were also a
few traces of his parents' attitude in him, and there were several times when
he let something she said or did bother him. The dinner with his parents was especially
irritating to me when he said something that was really hurtful.
I liked Dallas a lot. She's independent and content with
her life. She's had issues in her past that have had their effects on her
present, causing her to be cautious about giving her heart. She has her own
goals for her future. Though she has a pretty tough exterior, she also has a
soft center. Going through her father's things was difficult, and having Nick's
support helped. I liked the thoughtful way she decided to go to Chicago,
wanting to see Nick's world. She was excited and nervous. I loved the visit
with Jordan and her husband. Having Jordan nearby gave Dallas an extra layer of
support. Dallas really enjoyed the different things she got to see and do. She
started to understand that Nick really was looking at a future with her. But
there are times when she wonders if she can fit in his world. A couple of
incidents reinforce that feeling.
When Dallas goes home to Montana, Nick realizes how badly
he hurt her and has to take a hard look at himself. I loved his self-assessment
and the realization of just how much he loves her. At the same time, Dallas has
her own hurt to deal with. I liked her conversation with Nick's aunt and
everything it gave her to think about. Nick's big moment at the end was sweet
and romantic and emotional. I loved the engagement "ring" that he
gave her.
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