The Cowboy Comes Home

by Roni Adams

  "I'm going to take the rest of our lives to show you how much I love you."

  Tyler kissed her and Beth forgot all about delivering babies, rainstorms, and anything else going on outside the cabin walls. Nothing mattered except being in Tyler's arms, right here, right now, and starting their new life together.

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  About the author...

  Roni Adams’ writing career began as a young girl writing stories about her family pets. When a friend of her family typed these stories up for her and put them in a three ring binder, her life course was set. Roni has worked as a newspaper journalist, an administrative assistant, and other positions, but she has always known in her heart she was a writer.

  After being published in several magazines and a couple anthologies, her first full length novel, “Beauty and the Geek” is now available through The Wild Rose Press.

  Set in a fictional town in Upstate New York Beauty and the Geek features a lovable geek named Louie who has loved Becky, the beauty, for years. When they both find themselves working on the same project will their close proximity and shared passion for the house on the hill be enough to show her he's not such a geek after all?

  Roni resides in a tiny hamlet in Upstate New York nestled along the Erie Canal. She's been married for 22 years to Scott. They have three sons, Ian, Brennan and CJ ages 12-19. They also share their home with an aging german shepard and three ornery cats. Escaping into the lives of her characters takes Roni's mind off the fact that her family is growing up way too fast.

  She is an active member of RWA and the San Antonio Romance Authors. She is also one of the founding members of www.rosescoloredglasses.com—a writers community devoted to helping new writers grow and learn. Roni loves to hear from readers and you can contact her at roni@roniadams.com. You may also visit her web site at www.roniadams.com.

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  Trouble in Texas

  Coming Spring 2009 from the Wild Rose Press

  A body made for sin.

  There was no other way to describe the woman leaning across the pool table. Her deep red hair hung in curly abandon halfway down her back, stopping where the band of her T-shirt rode up to reveal a wide expanse of tanned back. Her shapely hips, encased in a short denim skirt, shifted as she lined up her shot. She caressed the pool stick and slid it in and out of her fingers before finally giving it a stroke that made Grant Clark's breath catch. When the ball disappeared into the far pocket, she straightened and blew on the tip of the cue.

  His groin hardened in instant reaction.

  Around him, a small group clapped and she bowed dramatically. Her generous lips, the kind made for kissing a man senseless, curved into a smile that transformed her face from beautiful to stunning.

  Grant's imagination took over and soon he was laying her back against the pool table, her long legs hooked around his waist as he filled his hands with her luscious curves. Lowering his mouth to her cherry colored lips, he anticipated how warm and sweet they'd be. And she smiled that thousand-watt smile just for him.

  Suddenly he realized she was smiling at him, and not just in his fantasy.

  She'd caught him staring, and the glint in her eye told him she knew exactly where his mind had been. She crooked one well sculpted eyebrow and slowly slid her gaze down his length, searing every inch. Before her eyes met his again, someone in her group called and she snapped her head around.

  Grant felt as if she'd been holding him off the ground, and then dropped him.

  He watched as the sexy redhead sidled up to a balding older man and slid her arms around his neck and then kissed his pudgy cheek. The bald man shook his head and she pouted, looking up at him from under her lashes. What on earth was a beautiful young woman like that doing with someone twice her age? He stiffened, realizing that he was paying way too much attention to something that wasn't his business. He turned back around just as the bartender appeared with a frosty mug.

  "Here you go, Doc.” Bill set the beer in front of him.

  "That's what I need.” He took a long, grateful drink.

  Bill glanced past his shoulder and grinned. “The beer or the redhead?"

  Grant swiped at his mouth where the foam clung. “Definitely the beer.” He took another drink and quirked his head towards the pool table.

  A yawn Grant couldn't conceal overtook him, and he hastily covered his mouth with his hand. “Sorry."

  "You look like you were rode hard and put up wet.” Bill flipped the bar towel over his shoulder and picked up the now empty beer mug.

  "I think I delivered every calf in the county tonight.” He rubbed his hand around the back of his aching neck. Maybe he should have just gone straight home instead of coming to the LoneStar.

  "How you gonna handle things when Beth's gone on her honeymoon?” Bill drew a fresh beer and set it on the bar.

  Grant nodded his thanks and took a sip before answering. “She's got some friend of hers that's coming in to help out."

  "Another vet?"

  "No, someone to handle the office."

  Bill grinned. “What's this friend look like?"

  Grant shook his head. “No clue. I'll meet her this weekend at the wedding. I just hope she can do the job without getting in my way."

  "Maybe she'll be someone you wouldn't mind having around."

  The bartender laughed and Grant snorted. “She better be someone who just blends in with the background."

  Laughter from the party at the pool table was loud and clear. Grant glanced pointedly at Bill. “Not like some women."

  The owner of the LoneStar nodded. “I don't know, Doc. I think that kind of distraction would be worth a bit of overtime."

  He shook his head. “That type is nothing but trouble. I've had enough of that to last a lifetime.” His stomach rumbled loudly.

  Bill dropped his towel to the bar. “I'm gonna go check on your steak."

  Grant was relieved to see him go. His love life—or lack thereof—wasn't something he wanted to talk about. Lately, all Beth and her meddling sisters wanted to do was find him a woman. All he wanted to do was focus on his job, to get the practice to the point where they weren't both working eighteen hour days. Then maybe he could take a vacation. It would be pure heaven to lay on a beach somewhere with a drink in one hand and a good book in the other. Somewhere warm and tropical with white sand and blue skies would be perfect. Unfortunately, that wasn't going to happen. Beth would be back just in time to start a new life with her husband in Abilene.

  * * * *

  "What are you gonna do here alone?” Chase Boyd looked at his daughter with concern.

  Charli shrugged and handed her father his hat. “Listen to music, toss some more darts, I don't know. I'll be fine; stop worrying."

  He continued to look uncertain, so she smiled and kissed his cheek. “I promise I won't stay late."

  He straightened the hat on his balding head. “You've been keyed up for days, little girl. When do you think you might share with your old man what's eating at ya?"

  Not hardly. There were some things a woman didn't discuss with her father. She pushed him gently towards the door. “I'm just preoccupied with the wedding. Now go. I'll be fine."

  "I don't care how small this town is, I don't like leaving my daughter alone in a bar.” He looked beyond her at the rest of the room and frowned.

  "There's hardly anyone in here."

  He still didn't look convinced and she sighed. “Look, that guy at the bar is Beth's partner, Grant Clark. I promise I'll go up and talk to him. I won't be alone."

  Her father's gaze followed where she pointed, and he nodded, seemingly appeased that she'd be with a friend of the family. “I'll see you in the morning then. Drive careful."

  "I will."

  She waved him out the door before turning to the jukebox in the corner. After shoving a bunch of quarters into the music machine, she headed to the bar.

  Beth had told her that her partner was a quie
t man and a workaholic. Grant Clark's idea of relaxing was with a good book and the Discovery Channel—about as opposite from herself as he could get. At the time, she hadn't paid too much attention to Beth's description other than to picture him as a nose to grindstone kind of guy. She hadn't even thought much about his physical look, but seeing the small town vet in person had her completely rethinking the situation. Beth neglected to mention that her workaholic partner could fill out a pair of worn Levi's like a male model. The least she could do was introduce herself, maybe buy him a beer.

  The first thing Charli noticed was the way his black T-shirt molded to his back before disappearing into the waistband of his jeans. His brown cowboy hat couldn't quite hide the fact that his blonde hair was a bit too long, adding to the image of a hard working man who didn't even have time to visit a barber.

  She tried to catch his eye as she slid onto the stool next to him and crossed her legs. Grant Clark was completely obsessed with his very rare steak. The onion rings had been shoved aside as if they were of little importance. He attacked the meat as if he hadn't eaten in days. He looked exhausted, and she had this urge to massage his shoulders. His profile was ruggedly handsome, but the scowl on his face made him appear mad at the world. He definitely needs something to make him smile.

  At that moment, he turned his head and the blueness of his eyes startled Charli. But they weren't warm and welcoming; they narrowed at her as if she was a pesky five-year old about to bombard him with questions.

  Amused, Charli propped her chin in her hand and winked. “Hey, cowboy, buy me a drink?"

  His gaze roamed over her face and then slid to her chest. Her pulse sped up as he took a good long look, raised his eyes to hers again, and then turned back to his dinner.

  With what might have been a grunt, he stabbed the last piece of beef. “What's the matter? Your Sugar Daddy have to get home to his wife?” He shoved the fork into his mouth.

  Charli's lips twitched with humor. “That's the good part about older men, they leave early."

  The bartender appeared with a shot of amber liquid for her. She smiled warmly. “Thanks."

  "No problem.” Bill took Grant's plate. “How was that steak, Doc?"

  He tossed his crumpled napkin on the bar. “Hit the spot, that's for sure. Thanks."

  Charli caught the doctor's gaze slide to her bare legs. Purposely, she shifted on the barstool. She really should tell him who she was and not pick on him, but when she caught him staring at her cleavage again, she decided there wasn't any harm in having a bit of fun.

  Straightening her back, she lifted her long hair off her neck as if it were heavy, knowing the stretch would cause her breasts and the bottom of her T-shirt to rise. The gold ring in her bellybutton was such a part of her she barely noticed it anymore, but it caught Grant's eye. She let her hair drop back into place. He immediately snapped his head around and fiddled with a toothpick.

  Charli leaned across the bar and reached for the small bowl of snack mix. She took her time as she picked through for the fish shaped crackers.

  A sharp intake of breath from Grant had her biting back a smile. She straightened on the stool and smiled. “You're a doctor?"

  He watched her crunch, his gaze on her mouth so hungry she felt certain he'd be leaning in for a taste. Instead, he shook his head as if to stop the thoughts. A tough guy, huh.

  He stuck the toothpick into his mouth. “Yep."

  She grinned wider and lowered her lashes. Reaching out, she traced her red fingernail along the back of his hand. “I've got this ache, Doc, that maybe you can help me with?” She paused until he looked at her. Lifting her hand, she slid it up and over her breast before resting on her heart. “Right here."

  The color in his face deepened, and he gave a short humorless laugh. “Sorry lady,, I'm an animal doctor."

  Charli leaned in close and whispered, “I've been known to purr.” With a teasing chuckle, she picked up her shot of Jack Daniels and saluted him with it before tossing the liquid back. She closed her eyes and savored the burn as it slid down her throat. She could feel him watching her so she took her time about opening her eyes and meeting his gaze. A second passed, then another. Her blood pulsated in her veins, heating the room a few more degrees. Longer moments passed; she wasn't about to look away first. What was he thinking? Did he feel the zing between them like she did?

  A smidgen of guilt tainted the moment. She wasn't being very nice. Grant was a friend of Beth's and she was misleading him.

  Without warning, he turned away and slid off his bar stool. “You're coming on to the wrong guy, Red.” He opened his wallet and tossed several bills on the bar.

  She followed his gaze to where it skimmed her bare thigh, and saw that her skirt had inched up fairly high.

  Maybe it was his defiant attitude, but she couldn't resist one more tease. Pouting, she tipped her head. “Leaving already?"

  He nodded. “I've had a long day, and I'm going to bed."

  She cocked her eyebrow, smiled seductively, and tossed her hair back. “Is that an invitation?” You walked right into that one, Doc, she laughed to herself.

  The hesitant indecision that flashed through his eyes created a heated image in her mind of the two of them somewhere much more private. Charli wetted her plump lips. Beth had asked her to cheer her partner up, she rationalized. His eyes narrowed, and she slid her own downward, noting with satisfaction that it wasn't just his chest muscles that were bulging.

  The laugh that suddenly erupted from him was so unexpected she was thrown off guard. The transformation of his features was amazing. Handsome turned into deliciously sexy in an instant.

  As she chuckled with him, she opened her mouth to let them both off the hook, to tell him who she was and that she wasn't some stranger hitting on him in a bar.

  But before she could say anything he shook his head. “Sorry, Red."

  He touched the brim of his hat in a way she found incredibly charming and walked away. Charli watched him leave with a mixture of regret and relief.

  He glanced back, catching her stare. “I'd say stay out of trouble, but somehow I have a feeling that's your middle name."

  He pushed through the door and was gone.

  Whew. Wow. Charli let out the breath she'd been holding and sank back to the bar stool. When she offered to help Beth out in the office, even after the description of her grouchy partner, she figured she'd be doing a friend a favor, and as an added bonus, get to spend some extended time on the Double B. She'd had a thing for the cattle ranch's young patriarch, Cord Weston, for years—someday he had to realize what he was missing by keeping her at arms’ length. But, in the meantime, working with the very sexy Dr. Clark was not going to be the hardship she once envisioned.

  Her lips tilted into a wicked grin. This is going to be fun.

  * * *

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