Pride's Deception

Book excerpt: Kirby Thornton along with his older sister, Reggie, and older brother, Blake, own a ranch in Bear Creek. In order to pay for the expansion of their herd, they have started a hunting guide service. Most of these clients/hunters want to hunt bear or mountain lion. Robin Beck has lived in Bear Creek most of her life. Three years ago while away in college, Robin lost her fiancé in Iraq. She came back to Bear Creek to run the family grocery store. Her mother died two years before and now it’s just her and her dad who runs the garage and gas station next to the store. Robin is finally thinking about getting on with her life now and comes to an agreement with her dad that they should both do that. Kirby Thornton has loved Robin Beck for many years, but she has always counted him as her best friend, never any more. To cope with the rejection of Robin’s love, Kirby joined the army and after his discharge, works with his brother and sister. However, he lives on the wild side. Robin’s three cousins want to go on a bear hunt. Her cousin, Marcia, wants to go along for the adventure and convinces Robin to join them. Kirby thinks that his chance to change Robin’s mind about him will come when she and her cousins are on the bear hunt that he will be guiding along with his brother and sister. When Robin’s cousins come up to Bear Creek for the hunt, her cousin, Marcia, has just broken off her engagement to her abusive fiancé. The fiancé, Preston, comes to Bear Creek demanding that Marcia leave with him. Marcia, is afraid of Preston and refuses to go with him. Robin is determined to help Marcia. Before the hunt even begins, Kirby and Reggie encounter the threat that Preston will be to the group. Kirby, Blake and Reggie are questioning whether the four cousins, (Perry, Terry, Betty, Marcia) and Robin will be safe. Will the Thornton’s be safe? Should they cancel the hunt? Kirby is hoping that during the hunt, Robin will get to know him again and will give him a chance. After deciding they would all go up into the mountains for the hunt as planned, Preston follows them. Preston begins to be a threat as soon as the hunt starts. As the hunt progresses, the Thorntons learn how Preston’s “pride” causes uncontrollable abuse. Will the group be able to survive? How can they get help? Will Kirby be able to protect Robin from Preston?