Taming Rafe

W
HAT
P
EOPLE
A
RE
S
AYING
ABOUT
S
USAN
M
AY
W
ARREN

“I’m proud of Susie; my friend gets better with every book.”

—D
EE
H
ENDERSON, AUTHOR OF
T
HE
M
ARRIAGE
W
ISH

“Susan once again delivers that perfect contemporary combination of heart-pumping suspense and heart-warming romance.”

—T
RACEY
B
ATEMAN, AUTHOR OF THE
C
LAIRE
E
VERETT SERIES

“Susan May Warren is an extremely gifted storyteller, always keeping her readers in suspense to the end. . . . Susan May Warren’s books are guaranteed to entertain, thrill, and inspire. Without question, they fall in the can’t-put-down category!”

—D. M., A
MAZON.COM READER

“This author needs to write more books! I love her style.”

—C. T., A
MAZON.COM READER

“Susan Warren is a writer to watch! . . . Susan’s characters are so real you can almost hear them breathe.”

—A
MAZON.COM READER

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www.susanmaywarren.com

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Taming Rafe

Copyright © 2007 by Susan May Warren. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of man copyright © by IT Stock Free/Jupiter Images. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jessie McGrath

Edited by Lorie Popp

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the
Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
^®
. NIV
^®
. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Warren, Susan, date.

  Taming Rafe / Susan May Warren.

    p. cm. -- (Noble legacy ; 2)

  ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-1018-3 (pbk.)

  ISBN-10: 1-4143-1018-8 (pbk.)

  1. Rodeo performers—Fiction. 2. Children of the rich—Fiction. 3. New York (N.Y.)—Fiction. 4. Montana—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3623.A865T36 2007

  813′.6—dc22 2007025923

ISBN 978-1-4143-2819-5 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4143-2729-7 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4143-7299-0 (Apple)

For Your glory, Lord

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

“Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me” (Psalm 35:1,
NIV
). This was the verse that my mind fed on during the season of writing
Taming Rafe
. I struggled with this story on many levels—wanting to get the bull-riding scenes right, wanting to make the story different from the typical “rich girl meets wild boy.” As I struggled, God was my contender against the voices of doubt inside me that said this book wouldn’t happen. I so richly saw Him provide resources and encouragement, wisdom and words, especially through the following people:

Allan and Jan Lloyd, Montana ranchers. Thank you for letting me see your life and showing me the balm of Gilead tree. The memories of that week continue to fill my spirit with sweetness.

Pam Meyer and Ed Crowder, PBR enthusiasts. Thank you for looking over my bull-riding scenes for craziness and helping me get it as close as possible. Any mistakes are mine alone.

Michele Nickolay, Sharron McCann, and Jane Howard, my writing buddies who took my whining and helped me craft my fledgling story. You have no idea how much I need our monthly therapy sessions.

Christine Lynxwiler and Rachel Hauck, fellow authors and brainstorming buddies who spent hours hashing out the intricacies of this plot over and over and over and over. . . . Thank you for your patience and perseverance!

Aven Grace, songwriter extraordinaire. Thank you for taking a kernel of an idea and helping make “For All You’re Worth” come to life. Your friendship is a blessing to me.

Randy King, the next great country singer. Thank you for singing Jonas’s song.

Karen Watson and Stephanie Broene, who labored with me on plot and characterization. I appreciate your wisdom!

Lorie Popp, who once again smoothed out all the rough edges. Your talents are a blessing to me.

Keri Tryba, stone-skipping pal and fashionista. You make everyone feel like they are the only one in the room. Thank you for giving me Cari.

Travis Thrasher, who can always make me laugh and keeps it real. Thank you for helping me research New York. It was the highlight of my year.

Gillian Brown, my right hand. Thank you for keeping it all running and for talking me down from my own waaz moments.

David, Sarah, Peter, and Noah, who remind me what’s important.

Andrew Warren, my hero who, through his love, shows me how good God is to me.