by M J Andrews
“The Heart the Cowboy Broke”
McGuire Family Book Two
MJ Andrews
Copyright © 2020 by M.J Andrews
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
M.J Andrews asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. M.J Andrews has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners.
The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Praise for “Healing the Heart of a Cowboy”
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Épilogue
A Sneak Peek of “The Wounded Heart of a Cowboy”
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
For all those mending a broken heart and those praying for a second chance
.
Praise for “Healing the Heart of a Cowboy”
“I loved the characters in this story! They were so fun to get to know. I loved laughing my way through their love story! It had just the right amount of thrills and discord. It was easy to follow and such a fun ride!” - River (Goodreads Reviewer)
“Thank you for such a wonderful story. This is a wonderful western romance, filled with some laughter and some mystery.” - Genevieve (Goodreads Reviewer)
“I loved the characters in this story! They were so fun to get to know. I loved laughing my way through their love story! It had just the right amount of thrills and discord. It was easy to follow and such a fun ride!” - Melissa Newell Wootton (amazon.com)
“This is a really nice story of love conquering all...in spite of a shaky start! A heroine with a tough exterior but a soft heart and a hero who is every woman's dream make this an enjoyable escape into a credible and well described world.” - Clara (amazon UK)
Chapter 1
10 years ago
"I can't believe we're finished!" Lexi squealed, as she embraced her best friend, Valerie, in the hallway of Silverton High School. It was the last day of school and both of them were headed off to different colleges in the fall.
"I can! I'm so ready to make this world my bitch!" Valerie admitted confidently. Valerie was the typical popular girl that everyone had in high school. She sported long blond locks that she'd tarnished with pink streaks. Her delicate facial features were accentuated by her greenish-blue eyes that were the demise of any boy within a five-mile radius. Valerie wasn't a snob or bitchy and that was where the stereotype ended because she was sweet and would do anything for anyone.
Lexi leaned against the bright blue lockers as Valerie cleaned out her own for the last time. Lexi and Valerie had been friends since middle school when Valerie punched CeCe Drake in the face for calling Lexi a four-eyed ugly duck. They'd been inseparable ever since. It was seen as an odd friendship given that Lexi was the complete opposite of her BFF in every way. With long dark brown hair that laid flat on her head, hazel eyes that were nothing to write home about and a body built like a teenage boy, she rarely turned heads. Add into the equation the braces and glasses and she might as well be invisible to the opposite sex.
"So Lex, what kind of trouble are we getting into tonight?" Valerie smirked as she waggled her perfectly shaped eyebrows.
Lexi rolled her eyes and pulled her gaze down the hallway where other students chatted together. The excitement and energy of the last day of school bounced off the walls that had been their home for the last several years.
"Honestly, I just planned to stay home tonight and get started on some advanced reading for the fall semester."
Valerie slammed the door to her locker and posed her hands on her hips as though she was Wonder Woman. Her eyes sharpened pinning Lexi in place.
Shit… She had that constipated look going on. A sure sign that she was about to argue with her.
"Sweetie, don't you think it's time for you to let me give you a makeover? Have one fling before you rush off to NYU in the fall? I mean, it's our last summer of freedom Lex! Let's do something wild!" she said, her eyes twinkled with excitement.
A large tanned arm made its way around her waist as Brett leaned in to plant a kiss on Valerie's lips. Brett Jenson was the star quarterback with beautiful black hair, blue eyes, and shoulders that needed a spread in GQ.
"I hear you want to do something wild. Did I hear that correctly?" Brett asked with the low husky voice that had all the girls swooning — all the girls, except Lexi. Brett was an awesome guy, sure, but he didn't do it for her and he spent far too much time looking at himself in the mirror. She was convinced he kissed his reflection good night.
"Babe, I was just trying to persuade Lex to let me help her with her hair and makeup so she can come to Colin's party tonight," Valerie declared wrapping her arms around Brett's neck. Brett turned his head toward Lexi as if only noticing that she was there for the first time.
"Lex, you should totally come along. You spend too much time with your nose in the books! Time to let loose and celebrate!" his gaze wandered to something over Lexi's shoulder. She turned to see what had captured his fleeting attention. Her heart stopped for a brief moment at the sight of the Adonis in living color swaggering towards them.
Sawyer McGuire.
It was as though the earth ceased to turn and all the oxygen was sucked out from her lungs. He caught her eye and offered a coy smile that instantly made her core throb with need and butterflies sprang to life in her stomach.
"McGuire!" Brett hollered breaking the spell she was under.
Sawyer stopped and stood next to her as he chatted with Brett about some football stats. But she didn't pay attention. She reminded herself that her lungs needed air and inhaled deeply. God, he smelt so good. It was a combo of Adidas for men, fabric softener and hay. His light brown hair was longer and moved freely, like a slow-motion video of Justin Bieber. And his eyes… he owned the most beautiful jade green eyes she had ever seen. In fairness, all the McGuire kids had green eyes that were show-stopping. But Sawyer's differed from his siblings because of the little flecks of gold around the outer circle.
A hand clasped around her shoulder and she was shaken out of her daydream. On
ly to realize that her gaze had been fixated on Sawyer.
"I'm sorry," she apologized before embarrassment forced her to look at her shoes, "did you say something?" Sawyer chuckled and a blush crawled slowly up her neck.
"I was just wondering if you'll be joining us for Colin's party tonight. I don't think I've ever seen you outside of school since middle school," Sawyer cleared his throat and shoved his hands in his pockets.
Lexi looked up and caught his gaze before glancing at Valerie who widened her eyes as if to communicate that she should say yes.
"Um, sure," Lexi nodded. He could've asked for one of her kidneys and she still would've agreed. Sawyer grinned and her heart stopped beating.
"Good! I'll see you guys there!" he said, punching Brett in the shoulder before walking away, leaving Lexi to oogle the deliciously firm rear he was sporting.
"Giiiirrrllll…. Now you've got to let me work my magic! That boy is fine," Valerie dragged out the word fine as though she belonged in the Bronx and not a cul de sac in Silverton's rich district.
Lexi sighed and her friend wrapped her arms around her shoulders and walked towards her car. Lexi didn't understand the big deal about makeup and hair products. If someone was going to be interested in her, then it shouldn't matter what she looked like… right?
That was exactly the argument she was having with Valerie an hour later as she sat cross-legged on Valerie's bed while she raided her huge walk-in closet for a party dress.
"I hear what you're saying, Lex. But you want to make an impression on a guy before you ever open your mouth to spew your quirky little brain," she argued from inside her closet.
"Ah-ha! This will be perfect!" Valerie rushed out, holding an emerald green sequenced party dress that cut low into a V in the front and sat about mid-thigh. It was completely outside her comfort zone, but she'd told Valerie that she would be open to anything.
After an hour and forty-five minutes, Valerie waxed her eyebrows, painted her face and managed to find a strappy gold-toned wedge that Lexi could walk in. She curled Lexi's hair in loose wavy curls, which was strange for her since she was a ponytail girl all the way. Valerie took another hour to get herself ready, curled her hair, applied makeup and zipped into a bright blue mini skirt, silver tube top and silver heels that Lexi would fall to her death in if she ever wore.
Valerie slipped a flask into her purse since her parents were out of the country on business, so she had free rein of the house and staff.
"You should probably call your mom and tell her you'll be sleeping over tonight," Valerie instructed, climbing into her bright green Jeep Wrangler.
"Good idea!" she said, pulling out her cell phone from her purse and calling her mother. They were accustomed to her staying over at Valerie's house, so they didn't even question it. Plus, she'd never done an irresponsible thing in her life and they didn't expect her to break any rules.
By the time they pulled up to the house party, the sun was setting. The party was already rowdy and there were people all over the front lawn, couples made out and guys drank beer. Lexi and Valerie made their way into the house, pushing and walking over people as they went. Colin Kincaid's parents were both from old southern money and they had a huge two storey house with all the bells and whistles. There was a gourmet kitchen that was used to hold a variety of alcohol. A pool lit up the back yard where numerous loungers were spread around and a fire pit to the side.
As soon as they made their way into the house, Valerie ran to Brett who was playing beer pong with Sawyer. She greeted her boyfriend, and by greeted she meant she tried to suck his face off. Feeling awkward, Lexi stood to the side hoping no one noticed her. Unfortunately for her, Colin noticed.
"Holy fuck…is that Lexi?" Colin's shocked expression and loud voice drew all the attention to his line of sight. Her.
Jesus fucking Christ.
Lexi gave a geeky wave to everyone as a vicious blush climbed her face. She wasn't used to people taking notice of her. Colin's eyes slowly ran over her body causing her to squirm. Despite being pretentious, she didn't have an opinion of Colin, but something about the way he looked at her like she was his next meal, had the hair on her neck standing up.
"Hey Lexi!" someone shouted, and she turned to see who bellowed, only to find Sawyer waving in her direction.
"Come play beer pong with me? I need a new partner now that Brett and Val are attached by their tongues," she laughed and nodded.
She hastily made her way to the beer pong table where Sawyer greeted her with a smile.
"You ever played before?" he asked.
"I haven't," she admitted.
He smirked, "It's okay I can teach you."
For the next hour, she and Sawyer played as a team and were in the lead when it was down to the last team of partners. She'd lost track of how many beers she'd consumed but she knew she'd done more laughing and smiling with Sawyer than she had in a long time.
The game was tied with each team having only one cup standing. It was Lexi's turn and Sawyer pulled her into a huddle, forcing their heads closer together. The smell of alcohol permeated the air around them and the crowd grew silent.
"You got this Lex. You've been on fire all night!"
"It's strange because I'm not good at sports," she laughed.
"Well, you're a pro at beer pong. Let's win this!" he encouraged. She nodded and picked up the little white ball. She cracked her neck as if preparing for a fight and Sawyer moved behind her and rubbed her shoulder while he whispered in her ear. His touch was orgasmic, not that she'd had one of those, but she would have given anything to keep his hand on her skin.
"You got this Lex!"
He stepped back and the other team tossed their ball. The guy who stood on the other side of the table was intoxicated and she was sure someone supported him so he could stand. His wonky toss didn't even come close to their cup. If she sank hers, they won the game.
The crowd grew silent as Lexi prepared to aim. She focused and on her exhale let go of the ball. It moved slowly through the air until the splashing sound of the ball hitting the beer rang out. Cheers filled the house and the next thing she knew Sawyer had lifted her into his arms and twirled her around in celebration.
Once the crowd went about their business, Sawyer released his grip on Lexi and she slowly slid down his hard body. Their gazes locked and she saw the desire in his eyes as he inched closer to her. He flicked his gaze between her mouth and her eyes as if asking permission. Her breath hitched as he moved closer. His hands rose to sit on her cheek as he caressed the side of her jaw.
"I'd like very much to kiss you, Lexi. Is that okay?" he asked, his voice was husky and rough. All she did was nod because her brain couldn't process what her mouth would say.
He closed the gap between them and brushed his hot full lips over hers. He was tentative at first and pulled back. But the current charged through her body and the liquid courage in her blood made her spontaneous and she was not ready for the kiss to end. She pulled him into her again and demanded his response. His arms wrapped tight around her waist and time seemed to stop as they devoured each other in sensual perfection. His tongue ran across her lips causing her to gasp in surprise. He wasted no time slipping in to caress her tongue with his.
She moaned into his mouth as her body melted into his. Then he pulled back, leaving her craving the warmth of his touch. Both panted in anticipation when Sawyer wrapped his fingers around hers and pulled her through the crush of the crowd to an empty upstairs bedroom. He shut the door and pulled her into his arms.
"I've been wanting to kiss you since middle school," he confessed, pressing kisses to her nape.
"Why haven't you?" she whispered.
"Because I didn't think you liked me," he conceded, as she shook her head in surprise.
"I've always liked you, Sawyer. Kiss me again," she begged. It was as though she had no control over her body. She convinced herself that it could be a dream and wasn't happening. But then she felt the heat of Sa
wyer's body and concluded it was very, very real.
"We won't do anything you don't want to do, Lexi. I won't take advantage of you," he murmured.
"Just touch me, Sawyer," she demanded, rising on her tiptoes and capturing his lips in a scorching kiss. He turned and pushed her against the door as the heat began to pool in her panties.
Sawyer McGuire wanted her.
The four-eyed ugly duck.
He growled as her hands found the waistband of his jeans and she slipped her hands under to touch his skin. And abs… For the love of God…he really was an Adonis. She quickly yanked his shirt over his head to get a better view of the body she fantasized about. Her hands ran over the hard planes of his pecs and the bumpy hardness of his six-pack. It should be illegal to look that damn good.