“And what’s the next stop on the change-seeking trail?”

Finally he looked at her and smiled. “My brother and I will be taking some time. He’s finally out of the Marines. We’ll be searching together, I suppose.”

“For what?” she whispered.

“Home,” he whispered back.

It was a yearning from a soul. A soul she now knew for certain had been broken along the way. She and Adam might be connected on many levels but their insides recognized the missing parts.

The sun slipped lower, bathing all they could see in shadows while streaks of violet and pink launched themselves across the wide open sky. Emily dropped to the ground, tugging Adam with her. He laughed and maneuvered behind her, gathering her up in front of him. The warmth of his chest pulled at something inside, letting it spill and spread throughout. Something more than memories. Something worth opening up for. Only?

“What’s home to you?” She’d spoken low, hoping it would encourage him to trust her with this.

He didn’t answer for the longest time, instead brushing light kisses against her hair and cheek. She’d almost given up when his chest expanded on a tight breath.

“Security. The promise of a future with possibilities. A place I belong.”

“And family?”

“There’s only Levi and I left.”

She squeezed his arms tighter against her. “No, I mean do you want one?”

“Do you?”

“Yes,” she confessed, not caring that he’d dodged a pivotal question.

Adam turned her to face him. He leaned his forehead against hers and stared with a heartbreaking intensity. “You deserve one, Emily.”

That moment, with his belief in her so evident in his blue gaze, Emily acknowledged what she had suspected all along. Her heart needed this man. She kissed him. Sweetly brushing her lips back and forth.

“You deserve one, too.”

**Grab your copy of Her Cowboy’s Promise by Jennifer Hoopes today!**

Three years ago, artist Emily White’s grief and survivor’s guilt sent her to the small Wyoming town of Fly Creek. Since then, she’s kept her emotions safely tucked away—until she meets the new rancher at Sky Lake Dude Ranch. Stetson in hand, the gorgeous cowboy’s arrival in her store immediately shakes up her world.

Adam Conley is only in Fly Creek for as long as it takes to fulfill his promise to his late cousin. The small town brings up too many memories of the life he left behind years ago. He knows his task won’t be easy, but the last thing he expects is the instant attraction to the reason he’s in town. Emily is beautiful, vibrant, and completely off-limits. He’s there to keep his promise—not fall in love.

But Adam’s secret will crumble everything Emily’s life has revolved around.

Jennifer lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. When not writing, she can usually be found elbow deep in flour or inhaling chlorine as she cheers her daughter on at a swim meet. She loves musicals, caramel and roller coasters, and lists Machu Picchu at the top of her bucket list. She is a member of RWA and is the President of her local chapter, Central Pennsylvania Romance Writers. Find out more about Jennifer and sign up for her newsletter at www.jenniferhoopes.com.