Running from the Cowboy by Cami Checketts

From Goodreads:
Missy Horman escaped an abusive marriage and returns to Snow Valley to help her father deal with her emotionally disturbed mother. Volunteering to teach a youth Sunday school class seems like a good way to get out of her comfort zone—until she ends up kissing Porter Wilson in front of a bunch of teenagers. Embarrassed, and secretly thrilled, by the kiss, she writes Porter off as a playboy. But, Missy wasn't the only one affected and Porter's new mission in life is to prove that there's more to him than flirting and world-tilting kisses. He wants to show her that a true cowboy knows how to treat a lady and, if Missy can't keep her wits about her, she might just let him.

My Take:
This story was part of the newest Snow Valley set (which I haven't read yet, but I'm looking forward to it!)

The last time we saw Missy Horman, she had made a pass at her long lost boyfriend Luke (Porter's brother). What I remember liking about Missy is that when she discovered Luke was in love with someone else, she gracefully bowed out. She recognized that she wasn't ready for what Luke had already found with Annie. She's still not sure she's ready to risk her heart again, but Porter has decided she's what he wants.

There is good give and take, push and pull with this story. The emotions are natural and like any woman, Missy has the right to change her mind. I'm referring to her adamant phrase, "I don't like cowboys." I actually liked it when Missy would spout some childish thing in an effort to distance herself from Porter. I liked the way Porter handled it even more. Ever patient, he let her work through everything in her time. Of course, a few stolen kisses might have helped keep her on the path he wanted her on.

This was a great new story from one of my favorite authors. Solid 4!

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure