Stone Creek

The Bridegroom

The Rustler

A Wanted Man

The Man from Stone Creek

The McKettricks

A McKettrick Christmas

McKettrick’s Heart

McKettrick’s Pride

McKettrick’s Luck

McKettrick’s Choice

Mojo Sheepshanks

Arizona Heat (originally published as Deadly Deceptions)

Arizona Wild (originally published as Deadly Gamble)

The Montana Creeds

A Creed Country Christmas

Montana Creeds: Tyler

Montana Creeds: Dylan

Montana Creeds: Logan

And look for the second book in Linda Lael Miller’s all-new Painted Pony Creek series, Country Proud, coming soon from HQN!

Dedication

To animal lovers everywhere.

Dear Reader

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the town of Painted Pony Creek in the Big Sky State of Montana. Country Strong is the first of three stories based in this town; it will be followed by Country Proud and Country Born.

The heroes of these books, longtime friends, are Cord Hollister, Eli Garrett and J.P. McCall. Central to this first one is Cord, who owns a horse ranch and a horse-training business. You’ll also meet Shallie Fletcher, a woman from his past, who becomes part of his life again.

And you’ll meet Eli, the local sheriff, and J.P., a military veteran, and you’ll learn more about them in Country Proud and Country Born, and see how they find love, too.

In this book, this series, you’ll experience everything that’s important to me and, as I know from past contact with my readers, to you, too: a strong sense of community, a love of country and small-town life and, above all, the importance of human connections—especially family and friendship. The possibility of redemption. The importance, too, of a sense of humor, which can help us through hard times and make good times even better. The same goes for the role of music and how it enhances our lives.

And I can’t imagine what my own life would be without dogs, cats, horses, birds… I’m an “animal person” all the way, and I’m fortunate that almost everyone I know is, too. (I’d love to hear your animal stories, dear reader. Write me at the website or address below. Send pictures if you’d like.)

Ultimately, it all comes down to love, doesn’t it?

I’m grateful to have these beliefs in common with my editors, Paula Eykelhof and Michele Bidelspach, and my agent, Irene Goodman. I’d also like to extend my appreciation to a number of people at Harlequin Books, a division of HarperCollins: Dianne Moggy, Margaret Marbury, Loriana Sacilotto and Susan Swinwood.

My family—daughter, Wendy, and niece, Jenny, and their respective (and respectful!) partners are vital to my personal and professional lives. So, of course, is the rest of my family. And my longtime friend and fellow animal lover, Debbie Macomber.

Much gratitude to my many loyal readers!

Linda Lael Miller

PROLOGUE

Eighteen years before…