Welcome to “At First Sight Saturday.” Today’s guest is author, Gayle Irwin who gives us a ‘first sight’ scene from her book Finding Love at Compassion Ranch and introduces us to hero, Michael Jacobs and heroine, Erin Kelly. Be sure to leave a comment to let Gayle know your thoughts about the scene. But first,
A Note from Gayle: November is Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month, and I am excited to share my pet rescue romance novella, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, a story about second chances for both people and animals. Two older cats live in my home (sisters who are more than 15 years of age), and two cats are adopted in the novella. Readers will also discover dogs, horses, and sheep in the story. Compassion Ranch is based on a real animal sanctuary in Wyoming known as Kindness Ranch; the sanctuary takes in former research animals, some of which are adopted and others live on the ranch for the rest of their lives.
Excerpt: The first meeting between my heroine, who volunteers at the rescue sanctuary fictionally named Compassion Ranch, and my hero, who is the ranch manager, adds an element of surprise: they knew each other in high school.
Erin gazed at the building before her and recalled horses sheltered in stalls inside. When she and her sister, Rhiann, visited two months ago, the animal sanctuary had received four Belgian draft horses that had been injected with cancer drugs. The Oklahoma research facility kept the mares for ten years, conducting more tests and observing outcomes. Compassion Ranch received them after the drug trials. The non-profit’s mission of providing sanctuary for former research animals offered the horses, and other creatures, a home for the rest of their lives. Upon learning more about Compassion Ranch and meeting some of the temporary and long-term four-legged residents during that visit two months ago, Erin knew she didn’t want to leave the area without helping in some way. Volunteering during her drive back to Florida offered her that opportunity.
Erin stepped out of the car and walked toward the sprawling house near the barn. She remembered this dwelling served as the organization’s office. She hoped Maggie, the director, would be inside since she had arrived an hour earlier than scheduled.
As she reached the porch, Erin heard hoofbeats on the road. She turned and waited for the animal and its rider. The man, dressed in a brown cowboy hat, leather chaps covering jeans, and a short-sleeved blue shirt loped the buckskin horse toward the building. When he reined the animal closer to Erin, she noticed the dark leather work gloves upon the man’s hands. She also took quick note of brown hair tinged with gray protruding from under his coffee-colored Stetson. His tanned, chiseled face sported a goatee, and a large smile graced his face. The man tipped his hat like a cowboy in a western movie.
“Good afternoon. May I help you, ma’am?” he asked in a warm, polite tone.
“I’m here to meet Maggie Henshaw, the director. I’m spending a few weeks volunteering,” she replied.
“Oh, so you’re the newbie,” he said with a grin, pushing his hat back a bit. “Maggie told me to expect you. She’s at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in town. I can take you to your cabin so you can get settled in. Maggie said she’d meet up with you when she returns.”
“That would be wonderful. I’d appreciate your help.”
Erin noticed the man studying her.
“Your voice sounds vaguely familiar. Have we met before?” he asked.
Erin shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m not from around here.”
“Neither am I. There’s just something about you … Where are you from?”
“I live in Florida now and have for many years. My husband was in the Air Force, so we moved around a lot, especially in the early years.”
“Hmm,” the cowboy mused. He shrugged his broad shoulders and dismounted from the horse. “Never been to Florida.”
He walked to Erin and extended his hand. “Happy to have you aboard. Maggie has you set up in one of the volunteer cabins. Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
Erin smiled. “That’s because I didn’t give it yet. I’m Erin Christiansen.”
The man stared at her. “There was an Erin in my high school. Erin Kelly.”
Her eyes grew wide. “That’s my maiden name.”
The man broke into another grin. “Well, I’ll be! It is you! I’m Michael Jacobs, Mike Jacobs.”
Erin gazed at him in surprise. “Mike! Well, this is amazing! I remember you planned to attend veterinary school and set up a clinic near Seattle.”
He nodded. “I did all that. I sold my practice four years ago and came out here, first just to volunteer for a time. Now I’m the ranch manager.” His voice sobered. “Maggie told me you lost your husband a few years ago – I’m very sorry, Erin.”
She gave him a wobbly smile. “Thank you. It’s been about eighteen months, but some days … well, there are days when it’s still very difficult.”
Mike nodded. “I understand.” She looked at him. “I lost my wife about five years ago.”
Compassion flooded Erin’s face. “Oh, Mike – I’m sorry!”
He gave her a lop-sided, sad smile. “Thanks. Her death was the main reason I sold the practice. The boys had entered college and I needed a change.”
“So, you came to Wyoming to work here?”
He grinned. “Wasn’t my intention, but after spending a few days volunteering, I was hooked!”
She heard the enthusiasm in his voice. As he continued smiling, Mike added, “Well, Erin, I must say, you’re just as lovely as you were in high school.”
Instantly, Erin’s brain leaped back thirty-three years to a moonlit spring night. Mike escorted her from his car to the front of her grandparents’ light blue farmhouse. Her silken indigo skirt swished across the concrete steps as she carefully climbed the three stairs to the porch. Under the night sky, Mike’s lips brushed hers with tenderness. Her first kiss.
Erin pressed her lips together at the memory and looked into his hazel eyes. She gave him a slight smile.
“I don’t know about that but thank you for the compliment.”
He tipped his hat again. “Well, I think you are. Of course, I always thought of you as beautiful.”
Surprise appeared on her face. “You did?”
His smile faltered a bit. “I was too shy to tell you. I tried to drop hints …” He shrugged and then smiled again. “I would never have guessed I’d see you here. I’m glad, though. I thought about you over the years. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
Blurb: A ranch like no other … Erin Christiansen is still adjusting to life as a widow. She seeks additional healing by volunteering at Compassion Ranch, a sanctuary for former research animals. Upon arrival at the majestic and unique northwestern Wyoming ranch, she meets Mike, a man she knew in high school, whose compassion for animals and people might be the balm Erin needs.
Retired veterinarian Mike Jacobs is no stranger to loss. Five years after the accidental death of his wife, he now serves as ranch manager of Compassion Ranch. He not only fixes fence and provides tours, but he applies his veterinary skills and his heart for animals to his work. Upon recognizing Erin from high school, he can barely believe his first love will spend a few weeks at the sanctuary.
Can Erin and Mike span the years since they have seen each other or do they? Like many of the rescued animals, these two have wounds that run deep. Too deep to trust and love again?
Available Now: Finding Love at Compassion Ranch is currently available in e-book and print format from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2AM7sLk The novella is also available as an e-book on other platforms, such as Barnes & Noble and Kobo: https://books2read.com/u/4j2RNZ
About Gayle: Gayle M. Irwin is an award-winning author and freelance writer, being recognized by Wyoming Writers, Inc., and the Wyoming Press Association for several of her works. She is a contributor to seven Chicken Soup for the Soul books and the author of many inspirational pet books and stories for both children and adults. Her clean, contemporary romance series, Pet Rescue Romance, consists of Rescue Road, released November 2019, Finding Love at Compassion Ranch, released in May 2020, and a recently released holiday novella, Rhiann’s Rescue, the series’ prequel. She subtly weaves important life lessons within the lines and pages of her stories, including the importance of pet rescue and adoption. An animal advocate, Gayle volunteers for various dog rescue and humane society organizations and donates a percentage of all book sales to such groups. Gayle resides in Wyoming with her husband and their adopted animals. Learn more about the author, her writing endeavors, and her pets, and receive free stories and resources by visiting her website: www.gaylemirwinauthor.com.
Find Gayle Online: Facebook Author Page Pinterest (under Waggin’ Tales) Twitter Website Amazon Author Page
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