Ross: Riding Hard, Book 5

  Ray pretended innocence, comical in a man as bulky and mean-looking as he was. “Nothing. I only said huh.”

  “Keep your huhs to yourself. I am not interested in Anna Lawler.”

  “If you say so.”

  Kyle snapped his mouth shut, knowing more words would only add fuel to Ray’s fire.

  The Campbell brothers smiled down at their wives, and their ladies wrapped arms around them, contented and obviously in love. How the hell did the dirtbag Campbells get so lucky?

  Karen Marvin two-stepped very close to her cowboy of choice tonight, a young bull rider who couldn’t be much above drinking age. Anna watched the dancing, tapping her foot in a petite, high-heeled shoe.

  “Go on.” Ray leaned to Kyle. “Ask her.”

  “You’re a shit, Ray, you know that?”

  “What’s one dance going to hurt?” Ray asked, eyes sparkling. “You don’t have to marry her.”

  That was true. Anna obviously wanted to dance, and Kyle was just standing there, so why not?

  Kyle ignored Ray’s rumbling laughter and wove through neighbors and friends to where Anna waited, her hair like gold fire, a question in her blue eyes.

  Author’s Note

  Ross’s story tells the final Happily Ever After of the Campbell brothers, but there’s much more going on in Riverbend. Next comes the Malorys’ stories—Riding Hard: Kyle and Riding Hard: Ray.

  You might have guessed that Dr. Anna, the vet, will be the heroine of Kyle’s book. I have someone special in mind for Ray—she will be introduced in Kyle’s book. Lucy Malory will also return to Riverbend to find happiness in a way she did not expect.

  I’ve enjoyed my foray into contemporary romance, and Western romance in particular. I’ve lived in the West most of my life (Texas, Arizona, Nevada), and it feels natural for me to write about horses, ranches, cowboys, and the laid-back Western way of life. Even in the heart of the cities, you don’t forget you’re in big country with huge skies and immense landscape. As much as I love to travel, I’m relieved when I see the vast spaces spreading out outside my window (be it train, car, or plane), and I know I’m home.

  If you’ve never visited these states, take a trip, plan long drives, and soak up the beauty from the heart of Texas to the southwestern deserts, to the coastline of California. Just a warning, in the summer, this journey will be hot! Spring and fall, however, are absolutely beautiful.

  See you back in Riverbend!

  Jennifer Ashley

  Also by Jennifer Ashley

  Riding Hard

  (Contemporary Romance)

  Adam

  Grant

  Carter

  Tyler

  Ross

  Kyle

  Ray

  Snowbound in Starlight Bend

  Shifters Unbound

  (Paranormal Romance)

  Pride Mates

  Primal Bonds

  Bodyguard

  Wild Cat

  Hard Mated

  Mate Claimed

  “Perfect Mate” (novella)

  Lone Wolf

  Tiger Magic

  Feral Heat

  Wild Wolf

  Bear Attraction

  Mate Bond

  Lion Eyes

  Bad Wolf

  Wild Things

  White Tiger

  Guardian’s Mate

  Red Wolf

  Midnight Wolf

  Tiger Striped (novella)

  Shifter Made ("Prequel" short story)

  Immortals

  (Paranormal Romance)

  The Calling (by Jennifer Ashley)

  The Darkening (by Robin Popp)

  The Awakening (by Joy Nash)

  The Gathering (by Jennifer Ashley)

  The Redeeming (by Jennifer Ashley)

  The Crossing (by Joy Nash)

  The Haunting (by Robin Popp)

  Blood Debt (by Joy Nash)

  Wolf Hunt (by Jennifer Ashley)

  Forbidden Taste (by Jennifer Ashley)

  Stormwalker

  (Paranormal Romance

  w/a Allyson James)

  Stormwalker

  Firewalker

  Shadow Walker

  “Double Hexed”

  Nightwalker

  Dreamwalker

  Dragon Bites

  Historical Romances

  The Mackenzies Series

  The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

  Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage

  The Many Sins of Lord Cameron

  The Duke’s Perfect Wife

  A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift

  The Seduction of Elliot McBride

  The Untamed Mackenzie

  The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie

  Scandal and the Duchess

  Rules for a Proper Governess

  The Stolen Mackenzie Bride

  A Mackenzie Clan Gathering

  Alec Mackenzie’s Art of Seduction

  The Devilish Lord Will

  Nvengaria Series

  (paranormal historical)

  Penelope & Prince Charming

  The Mad, Bad Duke

  Highlander Ever After

  The Longest Night

  Regency Pirate Series

  The Pirate Next Door

  The Pirate Hunter

  The Care and Feeding of Pirates

  About the Author

  New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Ashley has written more than 100 published novels and novellas in romance, urban fantasy, and mystery under the names Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner. Her books have been nominated for and won Romance Writers of America's RITA (given for the best romance novels and novellas of the year), several RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice awards (including Best Urban Fantasy, Best Historical Mystery, and Career Achievement in Historical Romance), and Prism awards for her paranormal romances. Jennifer's books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have earned starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly and Booklist.

  More about the Jennifer’s books can be found at

  http://www.jenniferashley.com.

  Or join her newsletter at

  http://eepurl.com/47kLL

  Follow Jennifer on

  Copyright

  Ross

  Riding Hard, Book 5

  Copyright © 2018 by Jennifer Ashley

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All Rights are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

  Cover design by Kim Killion