Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good story. Hadley is in Rust Creek Falls for the Thanksgiving holiday, spending time with family and friends. She also has to endure the gentle nagging about finding the time for marriage and family. When she gets a call from a local vet asking her to check on a horse, she jumps on the chance to escape for a little while. While large animals aren't her specialty, she knows enough to help and expects to be back before the incoming snowstorm gets too bad. Eli is grateful that Hadley is there, but also a bit disturbed by her presence. He's noticed her before is attracted to her. But he is also wary. Hadley is a career-minded and educated woman, just like the one that broke his heart years ago. He has avoided getting serious with any woman since then.
Hadley and Eli's initial time together was mostly taken up with the care of the horse, but it's also evident that there are sparks between them. Eli is truly intrigued by Hadley, and those feelings only increase when they find the kitten and mama cat. Hadley is just as attracted to Eli, but she has her own demons that have caused her to lock her emotions up when it comes to men. As they spent time together waiting for the foal to be born, it was interesting to see their interactions. Both of them are a little insecure in their own ways. I ached a bit for Eli when Hadley said something that he took wrong, thinking that she was looking down on him. Things became even more tense when they realized that they were snowed in at the barn. Hadley panicked because of her attraction to him, and her actions upset him again. I liked that she realized what she had done and took steps to fix it. As the evening went on, I liked the way that Eli worked to put Hadley at ease. There were several very sweet moments between them where the connection was obvious, but one or the other would panic over the closeness and pull back.
Once they were rescued, Hadley figures she's safe because she's not likely to see much of him during the rest of her stay. But fate and Eli have something else in mind. I liked seeing how their relationship developed. With Rust Creek Falls being a small town, it doesn't take much for them to encounter each other. Eli can't deny that there is something that pulls him toward her, even though he knows she won't be there for long. He can't stay away from her and often ignores the inner voice that reminds him how different they are. Hadley is equally drawn to Eli, but her past experience has colored her view of men. I liked how often she was surprised by something Eli said or did, and how it made her realize that he's different than most of the men she knows. It was clear that Eli was falling and falling hard, and also that Hadley was fighting it as hard as she could. I ached for both of them when Hadley's secret came out and she couldn't trust him or herself enough to tell it all, instead running away to protect her heart and her pride. I liked the support and advice she got from her sister that opened her eyes, and her determination to overcome it. I also liked that Eli didn't give up and was intent on fighting for her love. I liked the ending and how they worked through Hadley's revelations.
Hadley and Eli's initial time together was mostly taken up with the care of the horse, but it's also evident that there are sparks between them. Eli is truly intrigued by Hadley, and those feelings only increase when they find the kitten and mama cat. Hadley is just as attracted to Eli, but she has her own demons that have caused her to lock her emotions up when it comes to men. As they spent time together waiting for the foal to be born, it was interesting to see their interactions. Both of them are a little insecure in their own ways. I ached a bit for Eli when Hadley said something that he took wrong, thinking that she was looking down on him. Things became even more tense when they realized that they were snowed in at the barn. Hadley panicked because of her attraction to him, and her actions upset him again. I liked that she realized what she had done and took steps to fix it. As the evening went on, I liked the way that Eli worked to put Hadley at ease. There were several very sweet moments between them where the connection was obvious, but one or the other would panic over the closeness and pull back.
Once they were rescued, Hadley figures she's safe because she's not likely to see much of him during the rest of her stay. But fate and Eli have something else in mind. I liked seeing how their relationship developed. With Rust Creek Falls being a small town, it doesn't take much for them to encounter each other. Eli can't deny that there is something that pulls him toward her, even though he knows she won't be there for long. He can't stay away from her and often ignores the inner voice that reminds him how different they are. Hadley is equally drawn to Eli, but her past experience has colored her view of men. I liked how often she was surprised by something Eli said or did, and how it made her realize that he's different than most of the men she knows. It was clear that Eli was falling and falling hard, and also that Hadley was fighting it as hard as she could. I ached for both of them when Hadley's secret came out and she couldn't trust him or herself enough to tell it all, instead running away to protect her heart and her pride. I liked the support and advice she got from her sister that opened her eyes, and her determination to overcome it. I also liked that Eli didn't give up and was intent on fighting for her love. I liked the ending and how they worked through Hadley's revelations.
