The Mask She Wore

A Slow Burn Small Town Western Romance

By: Pippa Farthingale

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

She is desperate to be needed. He is terrified of being found.

Twenty-four-year-old Abigail Swenson carries the entire frontier town of Oakhaven on her shoulders. Orphaned and running the general store alone, she wears a mask of relentless cheer and perfect capability. She is terrified that the moment she stops being undeniably useful, the town will abandon her. She doesn't have time for fear—not even when she's forced to deliver supplies to the heavily armed, terrifying hermit living in the woods.

Hiram Croft wants to be left alone with his whiskey and his ghosts. Once a legendary lawman, a tragic crossfire convinced him that his presence only brings death to the innocent. He cultivates his reputation as a monster to keep the world at a safe distance. But the exhausted, defiant grocer who refuses to flinch at his scowls—and who desperately needs someone to carry her burdens for once—is slowly tearing down his walls.

In the quiet isolation of his cabin, a fragile sanctuary blooms. Hiram quietly fixes her broken wagons; Abigail silently anchors him through his darkest memories. For the first time, Abigail finds a man who doesn't demand she perform, and Hiram finds a woman whose resilience silences his demons.

But when a pack of ruthless scavengers targets Abigail’s store, the fragile peace is shattered. To protect the woman who gave him back his humanity, Hiram must unearth the heavy Colt Walkers he swore to bury and become the ruthless killer he hates.

He is willing to burn the world down to keep her safe. But when the smoke clears, will his violence save Abigail, or will it confirm his darkest fear and drive her away forever?

A gripping, slow-burn historical western romance featuring a fiercely independent heroine, a damaged protector, and a hard-won happily ever after.

TROPES:

• grumpy sunshine historical western romance slow burn
• protective alpha hero retired lawman damaged cowboy
• small town frontier romance series isolated cabin