McCormick's Creek Complete Collection

Six books plus a free short story!

Each McCormick’s Creek romance has its own happily-ever-after and can be read as a stand-alone, but the family and town stories carry through the series in this order:

1. Trusting His Heart: She’s feisty. He’s stubborn. Will love conquer the clashes between them and the secrets each is keeping?

2. Finding Her Heart: “Everyone has a hidden agenda.” Can Mitch and Ree overcome their suspicions to build a foundation of love?

3. Safe in His Heart: Robin would rather rescue stray dogs than deal with people, until an unexpected connection with ranch hand Cliff.

4. Stealing His Heart: Will their budding romance survive the clash between ambition and love in the scenic Oregon mountains?

5. The Christmas Key to Her Heart: After 15 years as a widow, is it Nora’s turn for love?

6. Protecting Her Heart: Shauna’s given up on finding love until her friend’s almost-kiss leaves her surprised and confused.

Love, Logically: a McCormick’s Creek short story just for you!

(Excerpt from Trusting His Heart, Book 1)
The trail to Warm Springs had never lost its magic to Justin, but he began to see it through her eyes. Huge fallen logs were draped in blankets of moss, and tiny mushrooms sprouted from ragged stumps. Ferns filled the space under the trees, and the light filtered through, making them glow. A clean, damp smell came from the water, mingled with the musty scent of the forest floor.

In town, the creek was tame and stayed within its banks, but here…here McCormick’s Creek tumbled wild and unruly over the boulders, just like his emotions tumbled over his logic every time he looked at Cat. Spray filled the air and landed delicately around her, leaving sparkling diamonds in her hair. This place, his magic place, was taking control, loosening and frizzing her ponytail until it was half-undone.

They stood at the edge of the creek, listening to the roar. Storm winds and winter blankets of heavy snow had felled trees which now angled across the creek, just out of reach of the churning water. This was no quiet, civilized place.

Cat caught her breath and pointed upsteam to one fallen giant. “Can we cross?”

Justin took her hand while his heart tumbled like the rushing water. He would keep her from falling onto the boulders below, keep her safe from any harm.

He started to help her onto the log, but she brushed his hand away and climbed up on her own. He blew out a short breath. He was all for independent women, but she was denying him the feel of her small, strong hand in his.

Just friends, he reminded himself. Just friends, even though his whole being ached for more.

She hardly paused as she made her way across, stopping halfway over the creek to take in its grandeur. The enchantment on her face made him glow inside—she wasn’t so citified that she disdained the beauty around her. As for him, her sunlit face, moist with the shimmering mist, was all the beauty he needed.

He joined her and put his arm around her waist. She fit into his side like she was made to be there. They watched the tumble of clear water and his heart pounded over the roar of the creek—this was not in the plan, not what he needed to be feeling. Finally he spoke. “Do you want to go on to the other side?”

She shook her head. “This is enough, more than enough. But you did promise me a surprise at the end.”

That he had. He led the way back, jumped down, and reached his arms up to her waist. Cat looked surprised and began to pull back, then smiled and let him lift her to the ground.

They held hands as they walked up the trail—just friends, he reminded himself—pausing only when she saw a bush with tiny green berries. “Are they edible?”

“Yup. They’re huckleberries, and Mom makes an incredible huckleberry pie.”

“How soon? I’m getting quite hooked on your mother’s pies.”

“Nowhere close to ripe, yet,” he chuckled. “Sometime in August, probably.” Would she even be here to taste them? He had to enjoy every moment he had with her, right now. He led her another hundred feet up, to a small pool of water. “Feel it,” he said.

She stuck her hand in. “Oh, it’s warm!” Then she did what he knew she would—sat on a rock, pulled her socks and shoes off, and dabbled her toes in the water. He followed suit, rolling his jeans to his calves, and sighed with the warmth.

It wasn’t just the water—Justin had never felt so comfortable around a woman, like something was opening up inside of him, like a piece that was missing had suddenly fallen into place. He knew he should stay focused on his family’s problems, knew she’d be leaving when the mansion was finished, but he leaned toward her anyway.

The warmth of her breath caressed his lips, and her fingers tucked softly into his hand. He searched her eyes, while she searched his. He kissed her gently, her lips tender and willing.

Holding a woman close had never felt so good, and so right in all the ways that counted. Could he actually have found a counterpart who was not only beautiful but who completed him? Who would put up with his annoying habits and idiosyncrasies? Who was more than his match in taking care of herself?

Cat let go of his hand, and he felt her fingers on his shoulder. He reached for the elastic band to release her ponytail and reveled in the thickness of her hair. He kissed her again, not quite so gently, then leaned back. Her eyes stayed closed, but her lashes trembled. She pulled his lips back to hers.

Her mouth tasted sweet—and dangerous. Too enticing, too much power to make him forget his responsibilities. He sank into the kiss for another minute, then pulled back.
She sighed and opened her eyes. She didn’t speak, just smiled slightly and leaned into his shoulder.

He put his arm around her and tilted his head to rest on hers.

How would this all turn out a few months down the road?