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That Last Night in Texas
It was supposed to be the most wonderful night of their young lives. Cassie McGuire was barely eighteen and ready to elope with the man of her dreams, when tragedy struck. With the new future now facing her, there was no way Cassie was going to saddle the adventurous Ethan Rafferty with a woman who might never ride again, much less walk. So she sent him away.Cassie gets the shock of her life when Ethan returns to Texas. The sexy wrangler is as handsome as ever--but he'll be fit to be tied once he discovers her secret. Will he forgive her--or will he fight her for the son he didn't know he had?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Ann Evans
73 books10 followersAs a lifelong procrastinator, I spent twenty years polishing up the same story. It took a loving push from friends and family for me to finally walk into a local Romance Writers of America meeting to find out how to submit my work to a publisher.
I almost couldn't do it at all. I'm irrationally intimidated by women in hats, and one of the members was wearing a snazzy little red one that practically shouted 'Professional Writer.' I was afraid they'd laugh me out of the room for daring to think my writing could be taken seriously. Lucky for me, they were a great bunch of people who made me feel right at home. They also helped me to see all the things I was doing wrong, like having no conflict and no plot. With the help of a strong critique group and generous fellow writers, I began to understand just how a book ought to be structured. A year later I won the Golden Heart from Romance Writers of America for Best Short Contemporary of 1989.
Since that time I have sold regularly to the Harlequin Superromance line. I'm not a slow writer, I swear – just a slow typist! I love writing for the Harlequin Superromance series as they publish the kinds of books I like to read, so I don't feel that anything could have been a better match for me! I was born and raised in Florida, but now live in Orlando where I continue the love/hate relationship with my computer. I adore bobbing around in the pool, hot fudge sundaes, collecting antique postcards and finding any excuse to travel.
I still hate hats and refuse to own one.
I almost couldn't do it at all. I'm irrationally intimidated by women in hats, and one of the members was wearing a snazzy little red one that practically shouted 'Professional Writer.' I was afraid they'd laugh me out of the room for daring to think my writing could be taken seriously. Lucky for me, they were a great bunch of people who made me feel right at home. They also helped me to see all the things I was doing wrong, like having no conflict and no plot. With the help of a strong critique group and generous fellow writers, I began to understand just how a book ought to be structured. A year later I won the Golden Heart from Romance Writers of America for Best Short Contemporary of 1989.
Since that time I have sold regularly to the Harlequin Superromance line. I'm not a slow writer, I swear – just a slow typist! I love writing for the Harlequin Superromance series as they publish the kinds of books I like to read, so I don't feel that anything could have been a better match for me! I was born and raised in Florida, but now live in Orlando where I continue the love/hate relationship with my computer. I adore bobbing around in the pool, hot fudge sundaes, collecting antique postcards and finding any excuse to travel.
I still hate hats and refuse to own one.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 23, 2011
“That Last Night in Texas” happened 13 years ago. Nearly-eighteen-year-old Cassie McGuire was all set to elope with one of the wranglers on her father’s horse ranch, Ethan Rafferty, when a horse gets spooked and lands on her. In the ER, the doctor tells Cassie they might have to amputate her leg. Maybe it was the pain haze or drug induced (or plain old plot contrivance), but while she’s waiting for surgery Cassie tells Ethan it’s over between them, because he’ll never fit into her world. Cassie drives him away because Ethan deserves a woman who could walk and ride horses. Ethan goes away because he thinks he’s not good enough.
Thus begins a series of contrived plots and deliberate misunderstandings. Fast forward to today. Ethan is (of course) wealthy and a successful horse whisperer. He’s back in Beaumont, Texas to show everyone, and especially Cassie McGuire, just how good enough he now is. Cassie is surprised to see Ethan is the interested buyer of her land. But Ethan gets an even bigger surprise—his 12-year-old son who calls Cassie’s recently divorced ex-husband “Daddy.”
The secret baby is not a spoiler, as it’s described on the back blurb. To be fair, it’s not totally like a good old secret baby plot. Cassie did try to find Ethan, but Ethan deliberately did not want to be found. And Cassie’s ex Josh Wheeler is not an evil bastard. He actually seems like a very good dad to Cassie’s son and tried to make a real marriage with Cassie.
What is unsatisfactory and plain annoying about this book are the deliberate misunderstandings. For instance, Cassie doesn’t understand why Ethan is so mad at finding out he had a son. She believes Ethan never wanted kids, reminding him that he had said so years ago, when he talked about how his own parents had done such a bad job of raising him. But Cassie’s belief is a deliberate misunderstanding. In the very first chapter of the book/the past, Ethan baldly tells her: “I want to make babies with you and watch them grow up to make babies of their own.”
The rest of the story is the resolution of the reunion romance and how Ethan gets integrated into his son’s life. The pace this occurs goes in starts and fits, making one wonder when it’s going to end. Just go to bed already with the only man who ever made you feel passion! Just tell the boy already—he’s clearly figured it out! Can I just put this down already!
Thus begins a series of contrived plots and deliberate misunderstandings. Fast forward to today. Ethan is (of course) wealthy and a successful horse whisperer. He’s back in Beaumont, Texas to show everyone, and especially Cassie McGuire, just how good enough he now is. Cassie is surprised to see Ethan is the interested buyer of her land. But Ethan gets an even bigger surprise—his 12-year-old son who calls Cassie’s recently divorced ex-husband “Daddy.”
The secret baby is not a spoiler, as it’s described on the back blurb. To be fair, it’s not totally like a good old secret baby plot. Cassie did try to find Ethan, but Ethan deliberately did not want to be found. And Cassie’s ex Josh Wheeler is not an evil bastard. He actually seems like a very good dad to Cassie’s son and tried to make a real marriage with Cassie.
What is unsatisfactory and plain annoying about this book are the deliberate misunderstandings. For instance, Cassie doesn’t understand why Ethan is so mad at finding out he had a son. She believes Ethan never wanted kids, reminding him that he had said so years ago, when he talked about how his own parents had done such a bad job of raising him. But Cassie’s belief is a deliberate misunderstanding. In the very first chapter of the book/the past, Ethan baldly tells her: “I want to make babies with you and watch them grow up to make babies of their own.”
The rest of the story is the resolution of the reunion romance and how Ethan gets integrated into his son’s life. The pace this occurs goes in starts and fits, making one wonder when it’s going to end. Just go to bed already with the only man who ever made you feel passion! Just tell the boy already—he’s clearly figured it out! Can I just put this down already!
December 28, 2019
A sweet typical romance novel ❤
April 29, 2020
This was a very good second chance romance. Loved the characters.
January 3, 2023
gd read
February 7, 2026
Great story, well written. It would have been 5 stars if near the end some important scenes weren't summarized instead of written out. The end scene itself was good though.
November 6, 2010
Although my favorite genres tend to center around Paranormal, UF and Fantasy, every so often I like to lighten the daily reading experience with a good romance!
In today’s life of hard work, busy family, and stressful obligations, it’s nice to sit back and enjoy a Harlequin Romance; to escape for a while! In general, these are light, loving, and happy ending stories that are a quick and fun read! Who doesn't love a great love story!
Some might say all HQ's are pretty much the same, but I dare you to consider the feelings invoked when reading one. When life has turned sour, you've had a hard day at the office, or are just in need of some general good feelings, an HQ will provide exactly what you need.
In That Last Night In Texas, readers will experience a myriad of emotions while following Ethan and Cassie on their road to happy endings. At 18, Cassie was in love and in total awe of the freedoms and emotions that a life with Ethan promised her. So much so that despite her fathers overbearing nature, Cassie and Ethan had decided to throw caution to the wind and elope! Having agreed to meet in the barn, Cassie was a few minutes early and Ethan still had a few things to take care of before they left. So, Cassie decided to spend a few moments saying hello to the newest addition to the horse stock. Believing that Bandera had been tranquilized, Cassie had no fear when she entered his stall to put some hay in his feeding trough. Unfortunately, this was a reckless decision that changed both their lives in a flash.
Trampled by the horse and laying broken and battered in the Emergency Room, Cassie faced the horrific possibility of losing a leg. In a drug induced haze, Cassie couldn’t imagine Ethan wanting the kind of life she was now envisioning. So, she told him to leave. Only moments after being told by Cassie’s father that he was a “no good drifter only after Cassie’s inheritance”, Cassie herself told him to go away. She no longer wanted to marry him, no longer wanted the life they had planned. Achingly hopless, Ethan walked out of the hospital and out of Cassie’s life.
13 years later, Ethan returns to Beaumont with a plan in mind. He’s made something of himself despite the brutal and hateful comments Cassie’s father screamed at him. He’s back to show everyone just how wrong they were. Ethan may have had a few surprises up his sleeve, but he would soon find out Cassie had a few of her own to serve up!
Join Ethan and Cassie on this journey of true love, tragedy, discovery and, of course, the inevitable “HQ” happy ending!
In today’s life of hard work, busy family, and stressful obligations, it’s nice to sit back and enjoy a Harlequin Romance; to escape for a while! In general, these are light, loving, and happy ending stories that are a quick and fun read! Who doesn't love a great love story!
Some might say all HQ's are pretty much the same, but I dare you to consider the feelings invoked when reading one. When life has turned sour, you've had a hard day at the office, or are just in need of some general good feelings, an HQ will provide exactly what you need.
In That Last Night In Texas, readers will experience a myriad of emotions while following Ethan and Cassie on their road to happy endings. At 18, Cassie was in love and in total awe of the freedoms and emotions that a life with Ethan promised her. So much so that despite her fathers overbearing nature, Cassie and Ethan had decided to throw caution to the wind and elope! Having agreed to meet in the barn, Cassie was a few minutes early and Ethan still had a few things to take care of before they left. So, Cassie decided to spend a few moments saying hello to the newest addition to the horse stock. Believing that Bandera had been tranquilized, Cassie had no fear when she entered his stall to put some hay in his feeding trough. Unfortunately, this was a reckless decision that changed both their lives in a flash.
Trampled by the horse and laying broken and battered in the Emergency Room, Cassie faced the horrific possibility of losing a leg. In a drug induced haze, Cassie couldn’t imagine Ethan wanting the kind of life she was now envisioning. So, she told him to leave. Only moments after being told by Cassie’s father that he was a “no good drifter only after Cassie’s inheritance”, Cassie herself told him to go away. She no longer wanted to marry him, no longer wanted the life they had planned. Achingly hopless, Ethan walked out of the hospital and out of Cassie’s life.
13 years later, Ethan returns to Beaumont with a plan in mind. He’s made something of himself despite the brutal and hateful comments Cassie’s father screamed at him. He’s back to show everyone just how wrong they were. Ethan may have had a few surprises up his sleeve, but he would soon find out Cassie had a few of her own to serve up!
Join Ethan and Cassie on this journey of true love, tragedy, discovery and, of course, the inevitable “HQ” happy ending!
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December 24, 2014Miniseries: A Little Secret
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December 24, 2014Miniseries: A Little Secret
October 30, 2010
I received a review copy of this book from Tell Harlequin.
October 18, 2014
love this book its not like most romance novels with just love scenes it has more of a storyline to it
November 19, 2016
Over the course of the book I couldn't decide if I really liked Cassie. I'm glad they got together by the end.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews