Sweet Nothing

by Catherine Anderson

rated 4 stars

Read this for #13 of the REaders of Romance Summer 10 reading challenge

Synopsis:

Molly Wells is out of work, on the run and almost broke--but that won't stop her from doing what is right, even when that means stealing Sonora Sunset, the valuable racehorse her ex-husband is about to destroy. Fortunately, Jake Coulter, the Horse Whisperer Molly brought Sunset to after brutal beatings made him wild and dangerous, also believes that right and wrong are more important than the bottom line--or the letter of the law. He knows Molly isn't telling him everything, but there's no way he'll return a terrified horse to the man who brutilized it. He even offers desperate Molly a job to cover expenses for the stallion and herself. He figures any woman who was once married to the monster who hurt Sunset has every right to be wary around men. But, as the unexpected passion between Jake and Molly escalates, so does the risk to them both--and to everything they treasure.

My Thoughts:

Jake has saved his money and bought back the family ranch. He is known as the Horse Whisperer. Molly has stolen Sonora Sunset to save him from probable execution. Her ex-husband is a downright bad dude and has beaten Sunset and plans to come back and finish the job. So she takes the horse to the Coulter ranch to be healed by the Horse Whisperer. Upon meeting, Jake senses that Molly is in a desperate situation and offers her the job of ranch cook. She quickly wins over the rag-tag group of ranch hands (including dog) even though she is feeding them "city portions".

Jake finds out the harsh treatment that Molly has received from her ex-husband and decides that she needs as much healing as the horse. He becomes the "Molly Whisperer" and applies his healing touch to Sunset and to Molly's heart. When her ex comes to the ranch and tries to hurt her, Jake and Molly's relationship takes on even more importance.

This is definately a story where the hero falls first and has to pursue the heroine. It is also a story about one persons personal journey. There were times when I felt like she was creeping at a snails pace, but as the events unfold, it made more sense for her process to be slow and easy.