Reclaiming Nick

W
HAT
P
EOPLE
A
RE
S
AYING
ABOUT
S
USAN
M
AY
W
ARREN

“In Reclaiming Nick, Susan May Warren once again delivers that perfect combination of heart-pumping suspense and heart-warming romance. In her trademark, fast-paced storytelling style, Susan keeps the reader enthralled and invested from page one to a very satisfying ending. I can’t wait for book two in this fabulous new series!”

T
RACEY
B
ATEMAN, AUTHOR OF THE
C
LAIRE
E
VERETT SERIES

“Susan Warren writes with a fresh, new voice and creates characters that will delight her readers.”

K
AREN
K
INGSBURY, AUTHOR OF THE BEST-SELLING
R
EDEMPTION SERIES AND THE
F
IRSTBORN SERIES

“I’m proud of Susie; my friend gets better with every book.”

—D
EE
H
ENDERSON, AUTHOR OF
T
HE
M
ARRIAGE
W
ISH

“Susan May Warren is an extremely gifted storyteller, always keeping her readers in suspense to the end. . . . Susan’s books are guaranteed to entertain, thrill, and inspire. Without question, they fall in the Can’t-Put-Down category!”

—D. M., A
MAZON.COM READER

“This author needs to write more books! I love her style.”

—C. T., A
MAZON.COM READER

“Susan Warren is a writer to watch! . . . Susan’s characters are so real you can almost hear them breathe.”

—A
MAZON.COM READER

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Reclaiming Nick

Copyright © 2006 by Susan May Warren. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of man copyright © by Rob Lang/Getty Images. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of fence copyright © by John Wang/Getty Images. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jessie McGrath

Edited by Lorie Popp

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Warren, Susan, date.

  Reclaiming Nick : noble legacy / Susan May Warren.

    p. cm.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-1017-6 (pbk. : alk. paper)

  ISBN-10: 1-4143-1017-X (pbk. : alk. paper)

  I. Title.

  PS3623.A865R43 2006

  813′.6—dc22 2006017532

ISBN 978-1-4143-2895-9 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4143-2894-2 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4143-7300-3 (Apple)

For Your glory, Lord

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

Our God is an amazing God. Not only did He put this story in my heart, but He gave me the resources to accomplish it. I saw 1 Thessalonians 5:24 worked out through the following people.

Dan and Julie Viren and their brother Bob, who took my interest in ranches to heart and arranged a visit out west. Thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm!

Alan and Jan Lloyd—gracious ranchers who hosted two city slickers, patiently answered all my questions (including “What’s the difference between a steer and a bull?”), and let me see inside the world of ranching under the big sky. Thank you for letting me fall in love with your world.

Curt and MaryAnn Lund, who took care of my boys while I disappeared into the Montana hills. Thank you for passing on the legacy of love and faith to your grandchildren.

Dannette Lund, legal whiz. Thank you for laboring with me to get the legal plot and jargon right. You’re a gift to me. Any mistakes are entirely mine.

Sarah Warren, my traveling buddy, who flew into nowhere with me, navigated us to a ranch in a place not even on a map, and patiently followed me for three days, taking pictures and serving her mother. God gave me a precious gift when He gave me you.

Rachel Hauck, fellow author and all-around great plotter. The Frothy Monkey will always be one of my favorite memories. Your friendship makes my life rich.

Michele Nickolay, proofer extraordinaire. Thank you for your late nights! Your encouragement and insights are such a blessing to me.

Lorie Popp, my editor, who makes me sound good! Thank you for your hard work, your enthusiasm, and your attention to details!

Karen Watson, my new editor, who caught my vision for this series. Thank you for your wisdom and commitment to making this story exactly what I hoped.

Dave Kirchner, a modern-day hero. And his wife, Kim, who is a heroine in her own right. Thank you for inspiring us to think eternally and take to heart what it means to lay down your life for another.

Dan and Becky Schultz, who fought the good fight of faith. May the Lord bless you in this next season of faith and joy.

Finally, to Andrew. You show me every day what love means.

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

P
HILIPPIANS
1:6