The Christmas Cowboy: (Sweet Western Holiday Romance) (Rodeo Romance Book 1)
Page 29
“Where should I park the trailer?”
Tate pointed to an empty space next to one of his trailers near the machine shed. Cort expertly backed into the spot he indicated.
His friend helped gather his belongings from the back of the pickup before they walked to the house.
“Just leave your stuff here, for now.” Tate motioned to a bench by the back door. Carefully wiping their boots on the doormat, they entered the mudroom then the sunny kitchen where Celia and Kenzie sat at the table, consumed with giggles.
“What’s so funny?” Tate washed his hands before joining them at the table. He accepted the glass of iced tea his wife handed him.
“Celia was telling me about an impossible bride she worked with last weekend.” Kenzie grinned at her husband, dark brown eyes sparkling with humor.
“How’s your photography business going?” he asked.
Celia had a talent for taking photos of weddings and family portraits, as well as rodeo photography.
“Great!” Celia took a cookie from the plate Kenzie handed her. “I’m booked solid through the holidays.”
“That’s fantastic!” Kenzie motioned for Cort to join them.
After sitting for so long, his knee ached with a brutal force. He refused to limp as he made his way to the table, hoping his stilted walk came off as an arrogant swagger.
Cort accepted a cookie and an icy cold glass of tea from Kenzie then sat back and studied the orderly, homey kitchen. No wonder Tate traded in his rodeo career for staying at the ranch full time. From the many meals eaten around their table, Cort knew Kenzie was a remarkable cook. She was also hard-working, funny, and completely dedicated to his friend.
Their baby, Gideon, was almost two. From what Tate shared, the little guy was turning into quite a handful. Like father like son, no doubt.
Kenzie and Celia carried the conversation with Tate throwing in an occasional comment while Cort sat in sullen silence.
“Will that be okay with you, Cort?” Kenzie asked, looking at him.
“Sorry, Kenz. I missed what you said.” Cort didn’t sounding particularly apologetic.
“Do you have any requests for dinner? I’ll pick up something when I drive Celia into town to catch her flight. Would barbecue be okay?”
“Anything is fine.” Cort helped himself to another cookie. Between no breakfast and Celia not stopping for so much as a bottle of water, he was famished and thirsty. When he drained his tea glass, Kenzie refilled it and slid the cookie plate closer to him.
“I hate to ask, but can I please see Gideon before we leave? I won’t wake him up, but I’d love to see him for a few minutes.” Celia stood and rested her hand on Cort’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. Uncertain what she wanted to convey, he shrugged off her fingers. She scowled at him then turned her attention back to Kenzie.
“Gid will be up from his nap soon, anyway. Come on.” Kenzie hurried up the back stairs with Celia following close behind her.
The two women returned to the kitchen with Celia carrying Gideon in her arms. The baby rubbed at his sleepy eyes while his golden brown curls danced around his head in a tousled mess. He inherited Tate’s dimples and smile, but got his molasses-colored eyes from his mother.
Gideon glanced around the faces in the kitchen. He grinned and reached out his arms to Cort with a happy squeal. “Tort!” he exclaimed. “Me, Tort!”
Tate and Kenzie laughed as Celia handed the wiggling toddler to her brother.
“Hey there, Gid.” Cort took Gideon from his sister and patted him on the back. “How are you?”
“Good.” Gideon launched into some fast-spoken babble none of the adults understood.
Kenzie picked up her purse and smiled at Celia. “Now might be a good time to go, while he’s occupied.”
“Okay.” Celia bent over and kissed the baby’s head. “Behave yourself, big brother. Don’t make me have to come back here and kick your sorry backside into next week for acting like a jerk.”
“Like to see you try, sister, dear.” Cort’s smile lacked both warmth and conviction.
“Anything you want me to tell Mom and Dad?” Celia asked at the door.
“Nope.”
“Okay.” Celia hugged Tate and whispered something in his ear. Tate nodded his head, kissed Celia’s cheek, then gave Kenzie a hug and kiss before she opened the door and the two women rushed outside.
“Me go wif Mama.” Gideon slid off Cort’s lap and hurried across the floor toward Tate.
“No, Gid. You’re staying home with the guys.” Tate picked up his son and tossed him in the air. “How about a cookie?”
“Tookie?” Gideon asked.
Tate handed the baby a cookie then settled him in his highchair. “That will keep him busy for a few minutes.” He grinned at Cort as he poured milk into a sippy cup and set it in front of Gideon. “Let’s talk about what sort of work you feel up to doing.”
“What have you got in mind?” Cort asked. It would kill him to tell his lifelong friend he didn’t want to be there, didn’t want to be part of the sweet, loving family Tate and Kenzie created.
“We’ve got another cutting of hay to put down, cattle to work, and I’ve got two new horses to train. If you’re up for it, you can…”
Cort wondered just how long he’d be forced to depend on Tate and Kenzie’s hospitality before he could hit the road. He didn’t know where he’d go or what he’d do, but he certainly had no plans to make his visit at the Morgan Ranch an extended one...
Wrestlin’ Christmas
Rodeo Romance, Book 2
Available on Amazon
Capturing Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 3) - Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as Celia McGraw.
Confident and spirited rodeo photographer Celia McGraw is determined to capture the best images possible. Fearless, she’s the last person to back down from a challenge, even when it puts her in danger. However, her biggest risk isn’t found in the rodeo arena, but in the way her heart responds to one incredibly handsome stock contractor.
Will Kash and Celia capture the spirit of Christmas and each other’s hearts?
Grass Valley Cowboys Series
Meet the Thompson family of the Triple T Ranch in Grass Valley, Oregon.
Three handsome brothers, their rowdy friends, and the women who fall for them are at the heart of this contemporary western romance series.
Book 1 – The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan
Book 2 – The Cowboy’s Spring Romance
Book 3 – The Cowboy’s Summer Love
Book 4 – The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall
Book 5 – The Cowboy’s New Heart
The Women of Tenacity Series
Welcome to Tenacity!
Tenacious, sassy women tangle with the wild, rugged men who love them in this contemporary western romance series.
The paperback version offers a short story introduction, A Prelude, followed by the three full-length novels set in the fictional town of Tenacity, Oregon.
Book 1 – Heart of Clay
Book 2 – Country Boy vs. City Girl
Book 3 – Not His Type
The Christmas Bargain (Hardman Holidays, Book 1) - As owner and manager of the Hardman bank, Luke Granger is a man of responsibility and integrity in the small 1890s Eastern Oregon town. Calling in a long overdue loan, Luke finds himself reluctantly accepting a bargain in lieu of payment from the shiftless farmer who barters his daughter to settle his debt.
Philamena Booth is both mortified and relieved when her father sends her off with the banker as payment of his debt. Held captive on the farm by her father since the death of her mother more than a decade earlier, Philamena is grateful to leave. If only it had been someone other than the handsome and charismatic Luke Granger riding in to rescue her. Ready
to hold up her end of the bargain as Luke’s cook and housekeeper, Philamena is prepared for the hard work ahead. What she isn’t prepared for is being forced to marry Luke as part of this crazy Christmas bargain.
The Christmas Token (Hardman Holidays, Book 2) - Desperate to escape an unwelcome suitor, Ginny Granger flees to her brother’s home in Eastern Oregon for the holiday season. Returning to the community where she spent her childhood years, she plans to relax and enjoy a peaceful visit. Not expecting to encounter the boy she once loved, her exile is proving to be anything but restful.
A talented carpenter, Blake Stratton enjoys a simple existence in the small western town of Hardman. With honest work and good friends, his life is nearly perfect, at least until the day Ginny Granger arrives, setting him on his ear and turning his world upside down. Infuriated by her meddling presence, he’s further exasperated to discover she kept a Christmas token he gave her along with his heart the day she left town many years ago.
The Christmas Calamity (Hardman Holidays Book 3) - Dependable and solid, Arlan Guthry relishes his orderly life as a banker’s assistant in Hardman, Oregon.
His uncluttered world spins off kilter when the beautiful and enigmatic prestidigitator Alexandra Janowski arrives in town, spinning magic and trouble in her wake as the holiday season approaches.
The Christmas Vow (Hardman Holidays, Book 4) Coming November 2016!
Learnin’ The Ropes - Mechanic Ty Lewis is out of options. Homeless and desperate to find work, he accepts a job in the tiny community of Riley, Oregon. Resolved to embrace a new adventure with an elusive boss, he leaves behind everything he’s ever known in Portland to live in the middle of nowhere.
Lexi Ryan, known to her ranch hands and neighbors as Lex Jr., abandons her corporate career to keep the Rockin’ R Ranch running smoothly after the untimely death of her father. It doesn’t take long to discover her father did many crazy things during the last few months before he died, like hiding half a million dollars that Lexi can’t find.
Ty and Lexi are both in for a few surprises as he arrives at the ranch and begins learnin’ the ropes.
Love at the 20-Yard Line - Haven Haggarty is woefully inept when it comes to men and matters of the heart. Successful in her job as an image consultant with an up-and-coming company, she wishes she could enjoy as much triumph in her dating efforts. When she falls hard for a handsome wide receiver, Haven realizes she needs to tackle her fears or miss the opportunity to experience once-in-a-lifetime love.
Brody Jackson lives and breathes football. As a wide receiver for a popular arena team, he’s determined to make it back to the NFL. Cocky and confident, he doesn’t have the time or energy to be bothered with a serious relationship until he’s blindsided by a sweet, naive girl who breaks through his defenses. He has to decide if he’ll let go of his dreams or fumble his chance to win Haven’s heart.
The QR Code Killer - Murder. Mayhem. Suspense. Romance.
Zeus is a crazed killer who uses QR Codes to taunt the cop hot on his trail.
Mad Dog Weber, a tough-as-nails member of the Seattle police force, is willing to do whatever it takes to bring Zeus down. Despite her best intentions, Maddie (Mad Dog) falls in love with her dad's hired hand, putting them both in danger.
Erik Moore is running from his past and trying to avoid the future when he finds himself falling in love with his employer’s daughter. Unknowingly, he puts himself right in the path of the QR Code Killer as he struggles to keep Maddie safe.
From the waterfront of Seattle to the rolling hills of wheat and vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley, suspense and romance fly around every twist and turn.
The Coffee Girl - On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, Brenna Smith has a few goals in mind:
* Introduce herself to the hunky construction guy she runs into every morning at the coffee shop.
* Slap the smug smirk off the face of her detestable boss right before she quits.
* Open a bistro.
* Find the man who haunts her dreams.
Handsome and charming Brock McCrae owns a successful construction company and enjoys time spent with friends. However, he still has a few items on his to-do list:
*Find a place to call home.
*Get a dog.
*Work up the courage to ask the quirky woman he knows only as the Coffee Girl out on a date.
Will the two of them connect over more than a cup of java?
Pendleton Petticoats Series
Set in the western town of Pendleton, Oregon, right at the turn of the 20th century, each book in this series bears the name of the heroine, all brave yet very different.
Aundy (Book 1) Aundy Thorsen, a stubborn mail-order bride, finds the courage to carry on when she's widowed before ever truly becoming a wife, but opening her heart to love again may be more than she can bear.
Caterina (Book 2) - Running from a man intent on marrying her, Caterina Campanelli starts a new life in Pendleton, completely unprepared for the passionate feelings stirred in her by the town's incredibly handsome deputy sheriff.
Ilsa (Book 3) - Desperate to escape her wicked aunt and an unthinkable future, Ilsa Thorsen finds herself on her sister's ranch in Pendleton. Not only are the dust and smells more than she can bear, but Tony Campanelli seems bent on making her his special project.
Marnie (Book 4) - Beyond all hope for a happy future, Marnie Jones struggles to deal with her roiling emotions when U.S. Marshal Lars Thorsen rides into town, tearing down the walls she’s erected around her heart.
Lacy (Book 5) - Bound by tradition and responsibilities, Lacy has to choose between the ties that bind her to the past and the unexpected love that will carry her into the future.
Bertie (Book 6) - The next adventure in the Pendleton Petticoat Series - coming in 2016!
Crumpets and Cowpies (Baker City Brides, Book 1) - Rancher Thane Jordan reluctantly travels to England to settle his brother’s estate only to find he’s inherited much more than he could possibly have imagined.
Lady Jemma Bryan has no desire to spend a single minute in Thane Jordan’s insufferable presence much less live under the same roof with the handsome, arrogant American. Forced to choose between poverty or marriage to the man, she finds herself traveling across an ocean and America to reach his ranch in Oregon.
Thimbles and Thistles (Baker City Brides, Book 2) - Maggie Dalton has no need for a man in her life. Widowed more than ten years, she’s built a successful business and managed quite well on her own in the bustling town of Baker City, Oregon.
Aggravated by her inability to block thoughts of the handsome lumber mill owner from her mind, she renews her determination to resist his attempts at friendship.
Full of Scottish charm and mischief, Ian MacGregor could claim any single woman in Baker City as his own, except the enchanting dress shop owner who continues to ignore him. Not one to give up on what he wants, Ian vows to win Maggie’s heart or leave the town he’s come to love.
Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller - When a hopeless romantic with a bit of a sarcastic attitude falls in love with an introvert who dreams of living in a man cave, they plan to live happily ever after. The only problem is that life seems to get in the way.
Waking up one day to discover they’d gone from perpetual honeymooners to a boring, predictable couple, author Shanna Hatfield and her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller, set out on a yearlong adventure to add a little zing to their relationship.
This G-rated journey through fifty of their dates provides an insightful, humorous look at the effort they made to infuse their marriage with laughter, love, and gratitude while reconnecting on a new, heartfelt level.
Farm Girl - What happens when a farmer who’s been wishing for a boy ends up with a girlie-girl?
Come along on the humorous and sometimes agonizing adventures from a childhood spent on a farm in the Eastern Oregon desert where one family raised hay, wheat, cattle and a farm girl.
“Great read! I found myself laughing out loud quite
a few times!”
Amazon Reviewer
Savvy Entertaining Series
Discover seasonal ideas for decorating, entertaining, party themes, home décor, recipes and more from Savvy Entertaining’s blogger!
Books by Shanna Hatfield
FICTION
HISTORICAL
Baker City Brides
Crumpets and Cowpies
Thimbles and Thistles
Pendleton Petticoats
Aundy
Caterina
Ilsa
Marnie
Lacy
Hardman Holidays
The Christmas Bargain
The Christmas Token
The Christmas Calamity
The Christmas Vow
CONTEMPORARY
Love at the 20-Yard Line
The Coffee Girl
Learnin’ the Ropes
QR Code Killer
Rodeo Romance
The Christmas Cowboy
Wrestlin’ Christmas
Capturing Christmas
Grass Valley Cowboys
The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan
The Cowboy’s Spring Romance
The Cowboy’s Summer Love
The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall
The Cowboy’s New Heart
The Women of Tenacity
A Prelude (Short Story)
Heart of Clay
Country Boy vs. City Girl