by Tessa Layne
“But I don’t want you to feel like your only option is to be… what’d you call it? A camp-follower?”
“I won’t be. Grace Boots will go on as the signature line of Trinity Apparel. I have a contract that gives me full artistic control and quality control. Trinity will use a portion of their factory in Texas to build the boots. They have quality machinery, and people already trained in boot making. It’s still a family-owned business, which I like. And I get to do what I do best, which is design.” She made a face. “And since I flat-out refuse to marry you if you have anything to do with Carter holdings, it seemed like the best thing for our future, was to pay back your investment and then some.”
He dropped his head, laughter ringing from the rafters. “You don’t have to worry about Carter Holdings anymore, sweetheart. They’re history.” He looked at her with wonder. “I don’t know what to say.”
She held out her hand, and laced her fingers with his as she pulled him close. “Say you love me and that you’ll marry me as soon as my sisters let everyone in the church.”
“Yes, to all of that,” he rasped, picking her up, mouth brushing hers with such sweetness an ache ballooned in her chest. “So you can join me on the road?”
She nodded, happiness settling in her bones. “I’ll still be speaking for Grace Boots, so they’re happy to have me represent wherever you are.”
“And you won’t miss making them? The boots?”
“I’ll still make shoes for my friends and family, but my hands are killing me.”
“And they’re too perfect to hurt all the time.” His mouth brushed hers again.
A thrill of attraction raced through her. “And if I’m not working seven days a week churning out orders…” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “We’ll have time for other… more family-oriented endeavors.” She giggled as a growl started low in his throat and his arms tightened around her.
“Oh, we’ll have plenty of time for that,” he murmured against her mouth. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Anticipation raced through her veins. “I love the sound of that.”
The heavy door creaked open. “Hey, if you two would stop making out, maybe we could have a wedding in here,” Lexi called.
EPILOGUE
December – National Finals Rodeo, Las Vegas
Colt checked the tape on his arm a final time before slipping into his shirt. Chaos raged around him, but his focus was laser tight.
“Here, let me,” Lydia said softly. “Shut your eyes and see your ride. I’ll finish the buttons.”
He snaked a hand around her neck. “Kiss first, wife,” he growled. He’d swear on a stack of bibles her kisses had added thousands to his earnings this year. Something about the way the energy ripped through his body when her mouth went soft under his. It kept him hyper-aware, perfectly balanced, like he was one with his ride.
“You’re gonna be late,” she laughed breathlessly when he pulled away.
“They’re not gonna send Candy Corn out into the arena without me, darlin’. Now button me up and get out to your box so I can see you before I ride.”
She gave him a grin that held more mischief than a funhouse on the midway.
“What you got up your sleeve, sweet thing?” he asked, guard going up. “You change my ringtone again?”
Her laugh sounded like music to his ears. “Of course.” She winked up at him as she finished the last button and held out his vest.
“What else? You’re workin’ on something. I can tell.” He shrugged into his vest, while she centered his neck protector.
Her grin widened. “You could say that.”
He pulled her flush against him. “Don’t make me kiss it outta you,” he rumbled.
“Ooh, promise?” Her eyes lit.
He gently smacked her ass. “One more kiss and get outta here, darlin’.”
She stood on tiptoe, and gave him a kiss that curled his toes in his boots. “That’s it.” He grinned down at her, still surprised by the lightness that swept through him at unexpected intervals. “That’s the winning kiss. I ride eighty-six, and I win tonight.”
Lydia’s eyes grew soft. “You’re already the best in my mind, Colt. No matter what happens. See you in the arena.” She turned with a saucy sway of her hips and left him to walk the final yards to the chutes on his own.
Back behind the chutes, he tied his glove, rubbed the palm with glue, and climbed over the rails at the signal from the flank men.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, all the way from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, give it up for a man who’s been in the hunt for best All-Around Cowboy, Colton Kincaid.”
The roar in the arena made his ears ring, but Colt was focused on jamming his glove into the rigging and getting his body balanced just right.
“Ready?” asked one of the flank men.
He scanned the box, searching for Lydia and raised his arm when they made eye contact. Keeping his eyes on her, he set his spurs, and just as he was ready to nod, she raised a sign with the words RIDE HARD DADDY!
He dropped his arm as the words sank in. “What?” he shouted over the cheers of the crowd as the announcer picked up on their exchange. She nodded vigorously pointing to her belly. He couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as joy like he’d never felt before burst inside his chest. Didn’t want to. “I love you,” he mouthed, throat tight with wonder.
“We love you,” Lydia mouthed back, hand over her heart.
With more determination than ever, he raised his hand and gave the nod, body moving in slow motion as Candy Corn bolted from the chute.
There was nothing left to do but hang on for the ride of his life.
THE BEGINNING OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER
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And while you’re waiting….
Will a shared passion be enough to help these polar opposites find true love?
COMING JUNE 26TH – A HERO’S HOME
When Army Ranger Jason Case accepts an invitation from his closest friend to join Resolution Ranch, the last thing he expected was to be a hero to Prairie’s resident hippie, Millie Prescott. He’s no hero, and he wants to be left alone.
Millie knows she and Jason have a cosmic connection – he saved her from certain death. There’s only one problem…
• He Loves Bacon – She Loves Tofu
• He’s a hardened warrior – She’s a peacemaker
• He’s the man of her dreams – She’s a thorn in his side
Neither Jason nor Millie could have predicted the blistering heat that erupts between them, and in a moment of lust-fueled insanity, the grouchy vet agrees to help Miss Sunshine save her struggling vineyard and put Prairie on the map for heirloom wine.
But trouble comes to Prairie when Jason’s family decides they’ll stop at nothing to bring Jason back where he belongs, running the Case wine empire. And Jason must decide how far he’s willing to go to ensure the woman he’s fallen for doesn’t become collateral damage.
MEET THE HEROES OF RESOLUTION RANCH
Inspired by the real work of Heroes & Horses… Chances are, someone you know, someone you love has served in the military. And chances are, they’ve struggled with re-entry into civilian life. The folks of Prairie are no different. With the biggest Army base in the country, Fort Riley, located in the heart of the Flint Hills, the war has come home to Prairie.
Join me as we finally discover Travis Kincaid’s story and learn how he copes in the aftermath of a mission gone wrong. Meet Sterling, who never expected to return to Prairie after he left for West Point. Fall in love with Cash as he learns to trust himself again. Laugh with Jason and Braden as they meet and fall in love with the sassy ladies of Prairie. Same Flint Hills setting, same cast of frien
dly, funny, and heartwarming characters, same twists and surprises that will keep you up all night turning the pages.
A HERO’S HONOR – Travis Kincaid & Elaine Ryder (On Sale Now)
A HERO’S HEART – Sterling Walker & Emma Sinclaire (On Sale Now)
A HERO’S HAVEN – Cash Aiken & Kaycee Starr (On Sale Now)
A HERO’S HOME – Jason Case & Millie Prescott (Coming June 2018)
A HERO’S HOPE – Braden McCall & Luci Cruz (Coming 2018)
Help a Hero – Read a Cowboy
KISS ME COWBOY – A Box Set for Veterans
Six Western Romance authors have joined up to support their favorite charity – Heroes & Horses – and offer you this sexy box set with Six Full Length Cowboy Novels, filled with steamy kisses and HEA’s. Grab your copy and help an American Hero today!
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: THE COWBOYS OF THE FLINT HILLS SERIES
Sizzling, Standalone Stories with HEAs, Sassy Heroines, and Cowboys you want to Cuddle
PRAIRIE HEAT – Blake Sinclaire & Maddie Hansen (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE PASSION – Brodie Sinclaire & Jamey O’Neill (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE DESIRE – Ben Sinclaire & Hope Hansen (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE STORM – Axel Hansen & Haley Cooper (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE FIRE – Parker Hansen & Cassidy Grace (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE DEVIL – Colton Kincaid & Lydia Grace (on sale now!)
PRAIRIE FEVER – Gunnar Hansen & Suzannah Winslow (coming in 2018)
PRAIRIE BLISS – Jarrod O’Neill & Lexi Grace
PRAIRIE REDEMPTION – Cody Hansen & Carolina Grace
Coming this fall!
PRAIRIE FEVER (Book 7 in the Cowboys of the Flint Hills Series)
Playing doctor has never been so sexy.
Confirmed bachelor Gunnar Hansen, has successfully resisted the matchmaking efforts of Dottie Grace and her posse of granny wannabe’s. There’s no room in his life for love, or for starting a family of his own. Not when his hands are full running Hansen Stables and heading up the board of Prairie’s new medical clinic. But everything turns upside down when the socialite who ditched him at the altar years ago turns out to be Prairie’s new doctor.
Four years ago, fresh out of medical school, Suzannah Winslow took a gamble on a sweet-talking cowboy who left her high and dry… and pregnant. With her residency behind her, and an offer to become Prairie’s first and only physician, she can finally provide her daughter with stability she’s longed for. She has no interest in taking a second chance on a silver-tongued cowboy full of empty promises. Even if his smile still melts her panties.
But Gunnar has other ideas, and when he mounts a full-scale campaign to win back the woman he lost, will little Lula Beth become his unlikely ally or the wedge that drives them apart for good?
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing this book was so much fun! It made me fall in love with my rodeo roots. Growing up in Colorado meant that January was National Western Stockshow & Rodeo Month. I can’t tell you how many years we walked the stock show pens in the snow! So tell me… do you like rodeo? I sense another cowboy series coming to Praire… maybe this one focused on rodeo Drop me a line and tell me what YOU want more of!
Many thanks to my amazing cover designer Amanda Kelsey – Colton is my favorite cover yet!
Many thanks to all my readers and fans in the Prairie Posse! You make writing so much fun, and your encouragement on the hard days helps me keep going.
Thank you to Posse Member Stephanie Perrow, who helped me pick out the perfect bad-girl name!
My heartfelt thanks to Kimberley Troutte, I’m so grateful for your steady encouragement. You’ve taught me well and this book showed me I could fly on my own ♥ I never would have gotten here without you.
Thank you Genevieve Turner and Kara for always being willing to tell it like it is. You make my books better.
Lastly, to Mr. Cowboy, Tiny & Teenager: Check your phones, I might have messed with your ringtones!