Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Deidre believed it would help Cara build confidence. No one knew her there and she could be anybody she wanted to be. She believed too that it was easier to step out of a bubble without the threat of someone shoving insults down her throat or reminding her of the past. It was worth a shot. If anything, she could barricade herself in her cabin with a good book. There was a new one out, written by her favorite author, that she was excited to start on—an erotica that would get Cara’s fantasies stirring. She had plenty, just no one to share them with.
    The vacation wouldn’t be a complete loss.
    Everything was taken care of at her shop. Cleo could manage the place blindfolded, unless she handled it like she did Cara’s plane ticket. Although, she had a feeling her friend did it on purpose. When Cara had told Cleo about Nirvana, she had mentioned that she hoped Cara didn’t back out. It was true she’d debated canceling the trip, not only once, but daily since she received her packet through email. But once she stuck the check in the mail, her fate was written in stone.
    In the end, no one would miss her at home.
    Her throat constricted. Her life had very little meaning. James had stripped her of everything and taken away every strand of her individuality. She was a cold, blank canvas, wishing for an artist’s touch.
    She was a weak, scared woman. Finding her backbone would offer her an open book to write a new story. And her first step was Nirvana Ranch. To have a fresh outlook. A life skills coach was on staff who, by what Cara read on the website, would help organize this new change.
    And if by chance she found her old self at Nirvana, by the miracle of fresh air, she wouldn’t allow another man to ever come along and take her independence again.
    How had she allowed James to rid her of so much? People questioned why she hadn’t left him sooner, when she realized he was an abuser, as if somehow she was at fault. She guessed there were many reasons. None that many people would understand.
    Opening her eyes, she stared through the window into the clouds and the pale blue sky. There was a peace here in the sky, away from the world, and she wasn’t as scared as she thought she would be.
    James had been a respected citizen in their community. He rubbed elbows with the popular and influential socialites, and there were a lot of doubting people, even after he was arrested.
    Her husband had always been good at manipulation. He had known exactly where to hit her so no sign of injury would be visible—a skill he’d learned from his father who’d beaten his wife almost daily. If there happened to be bruising in an exposed place, like Cara’s face or arms, she’d stay inside the house and James would come up with an excuse for her absence.
    None of their friends—his friends—had ever known about the abuse within the walls of the nice house in the pleasant part of town. Cleo had been Cara’s one and only confidant.
    Thinking back, Cara did wish she’d left him sooner. In all truth, she’d known from as far back as their honeymoon in Fiji that there was something disturbing about him.
    She’d saved herself for marriage and had notions of how lovely and quixotic the first time would be. The actual moment was the complete opposite of what she’d expected, or would have ever wanted.
    James had gotten drunk at the sand bar and came stumbling back to their hut along the beach. What should have been a night of candles, romance, and sensuality, turned out with him roughly removing her lace, satin gown and taking her virginity in three harsh pumps.
    The hope was still alive for her though, even after they’d arrived home. She’d blamed his rough and careless actions on their honeymoon on his drunken stupor , and held out optimism that the next time would be different. But nothing changed, not really. It had only become more daunting.
    Sober, James didn’t have an appetite for sex. Drunk, he liked it raw and controlling. If