A COWBOY OF HER OWN
The Callahans
Book One
by
SUSAN FISHER-DAVIS
Table of Contents
Title Page
A Cowboy Of Her Own (The Callahans, #1)
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
More books by Susan Fisher-Davis
Erotic Romance
A Cowboy of Her Own
Copyright © 2017 Susan Fisher-Davis
First E-book Publication: December 2017
Cover design by Amy Valentini
Edited by Romancing Editorially
All cover art copyright © 2017 by Susan Davis
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER: Blue Whiskey Publishing
Susan Davis
www.susanfisherdavisauthor.com
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Dedication
As always, I have to thank my editor, cover artist, and friend, Amy Valentini. I wouldn’t do this without you.
Also a huge thank you to my terrific PA, Colleen McGrath...you make life organized.
A big thank you to my betas, Sandra, Kelly, Dedee, and Toby—you ladies know I love you.
A big thank you to MariaLisa DeMora for assisting me in finding Robert Kelly, and his fabulous photographer, Kristi Hosier.
To Robert Kelly. You are such an amazing person. Thank you.
You can connect with Robert on IG Robert_Kelly_Fitness and his FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/robertkellyfitness/
To Kristi Hosier for the cover photo. You are a wonderful person to work with and I’m so glad we got to do this again.
Connect with Kristi on her FB page: https://www.facebook.com/kristi.hosier.9?fref=ts
To my husband. You’re the best, Rob, and I love you.
For Malinda Davis Diehl—Priscilla is named for your mom and I hope you enjoy her.
Many of us have lost our mothers and miss them every day. I’m so glad to do this for Malinda. I know her mom is looking down on her and smiling at the woman she’s become.
To all of the author friends I have made since I’ve been doing this. You’ve been my rock.
Last, but certainly not least, to you—the readers. I wouldn’t be here putting these stories out without your support. You are truly wonderful and I love every one of you.
Chapter One
The wind whooshed out of Roark Outlaw Callahan when he hit the sawdust-covered floor, causing pain to rip through him as he tried to catch his breath. Get up! Run! His brain screamed at him to move but he couldn’t breathe enough to stand, let alone run. All other sights and sounds disappeared except for the pounding hooves of the bull. Resigned to it, he waited for the bull to trample him but it never happened. Someone grabbed his arms and dragged him across the sawdust floor to the fence. Once there, he took deep breaths, and opened his eyes in time to see the bullfighters running around the bull, and finally corralling him through the gate.
“Are you all right, Outlaw?”
Roark turned his head to stare up at his friend, Hoyt Billings, and then shook his head to clear the cobwebs.
“Yeah, just had the wind knocked out of me, is all. Did I make it?”
“No.”
“What the hell do you mean no? I thought I heard the buzzer.” Roark clenched his jaw against the pain still coursing through him and the disappointment of having it all been for nothing.
Hoyt slapped him on the shoulder making him wince. “That was probably the ringing in your ears from when you flew through the air.”
Roark pushed himself up grimacing against the pain he knew would leave him stiff as a board in the morning. “Son of a bitch. That bull is going to be the death of me.”
Hoyt laughed. “Captain Crush sure as hell doesn’t like you on his back.”
Climbing to his feet, Roark waved to the crowd when they started cheering for him. He gave a fake smile.
“That’s it, buddy. Let them think you’re happy with the ride.” Hoyt laughed.
“Fuck off, Billings.” Roark turned and climbed the rails, swung his legs over then jumped down and doubled over in pain. He straightened up and strode down through the aisle. Cowboys tipped their hats at him or slapped him on the back as he passed. Buckle bunnies tried to surround him but he wasn’t interested. He shook his head to hold them off as he made his way down the aisle of the arena then slapped his hand against the door to the men’s locker room, making it slam into the wall. He needed to take his chaps off, grab a quick shower, and change into cleaner clothes. Taking a seat on the bench, he untied the straps around his glove then pulled it off, and started to unbuckle his chaps when the door creaked opened.
“Mister Callahan...” The sound of a feminine voice was not what he wanted to hear right now.
Aw hell!
“Sorry, darlin’, I’m not interested,” Roark said without looking up.
“You don’t even know why I’m here––”
“Sure I do. You buckle bunnies always want to soothe away the aches and pains.”
“Buckle—you think I’m a buckle bunny?”
“Why else would you be back here in the men’s locker room?” He stood and continued to unbuckle his chaps.
“Hold it right there. I am not a buckle bunny. I’m a writer with Western Cowboy magazine.”
“Hell, that’s even worse,” Roark muttered, but then he turned to look at her and lost all coherent thought. She was breathtaking. Her long copper-colored hair flowed past her shoulders in loose curls. A pert nose sat above one hell of a sexy pair of lips. A mole sat at the right corner above those lips but her porcelain skin was otherwise, flawless. Her eyes, the color of summer grass, peered at him through thick, lush lashes behind green eyeglasses.
Son of a bitch! His dick wanted to bust out of his jeans because it had been too long a while since he’d had sex. His eyes skimmed down her body, taking in the tight red T-shirt hugging her breasts, and then down skinny jeans to some kind of fancy sandals with heels. Bright red polish covered her toenails making him ment
ally shake his head. Definitely not the right footwear for a rodeo...for neither watching nor participating.
“Could you just give me a minute?” she asked him.
“A minute for what? I’m not interested in doing an interview right now. I just want to go home and soak in my hot tub.”
“I’m not real thrilled about this either, but my boss said he had talked to you about this and that you were fine with it.”
“I don’t recall talking to anyone about an interview.”
“It’s not really for an interview. I’m to follow you around the competition so I can write an article about it.”
“Follow me around? Darlin’, I’m going home. I didn’t make the next round,” Roark growled.
“Look, I have to write about you. Earl said you were fine with it.”
“Earl? Earl Sanders?” She nodded and Roark swore. “Damn it, he told me he’d send someone who’d fit in. You sure as shit ain’t it.” The fact that she didn’t even blink in reaction to his language impressed the hell out of him.
“You won’t even know I’m around.”
Roark stepped forward and smirked when she backed up. “Sweetheart, there’s not a man alive who wouldn’t know when you’re around.” He swore under his breath and turned away from her. “Now, I’m going home. If you want to follow me around there, you can. But you’ll have to work alongside me. Can you shoe a horse?”
Roark knew he was baiting her to get her to leave and he also knew it was wrong, but he just wanted to go home and sulk. Turning around, he faced her again and raised an eyebrow.
“Uh...no.”
“No? How about file teeth? Brand cattle? Repair a fence? Bale hay?” He looked her up and down. “Hell, do you even own a pair of cowboy boots?”
“No. But I can buy a pair.”
Roark shook his head and laughed. “A new pair would have your feet in so much pain you’ll want to cut them off after just a day.” He took his white straw cowboy hat off and tossed it onto the bench.
“I can do something else then. Please, Mister Callahan, if I don’t do this article, I’ll lose my job. I’ve screwed up too many times already. I’ll even shovel out stalls. Anything. I need to do this.”
“Just what is it you’ll be doing?”
“Following you around. I told you that. You know, learn about what you do.”
Roark placed his hands on his hips. “I’m up before dawn. I ride the fence every morning. I take the cattle to different pastures and when I do that, I sometimes have to camp out. Then there’s the cleaning of the stalls. Stacking hay—”
“Please.” Her plea stopped him when she nibbled on her bottom lip. He found himself wanting to grab her and chew on it himself.
He swore under his breath yet again. He knew he had to be out of his damn mind even to consider allowing her to do this. “Can you ride?”
A big smile brightened her face. “Yes.”
Fuck! He combed his fingers through his hair and stared at her. “All right, but I’m telling you if you do one thing wrong or get in my way, you’ll be out on that pretty little ass of yours in no time. We clear?”
“Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“Yeah, I’m out of my fucking mind. Now, get out so I can get changed. I’ll be out after I shower. Unless, you want to follow me in there too?”
She gasped and spun away from him in such a hurry, she smacked into the door.
“Are you all right?” Roark asked concerned yet stifling a chuckle as he stepped toward her.
“Yes.” She reached for the handle and pulled the door open.
“Wait. What’s your name?”
“Priscilla...Priscilla Butler, but everyone calls me Cilla. I’ll be outside.” Without another look back, she walked out the door.
Chuckling at how he’d made her blush, Roark stripped and walked to the shower. After turning it on, he stepped in and groaned when the hot water hit him. Damn. Thinking about the beautiful woman he’d just agreed to have following him around all day, he groaned again for a completely different reason. This was not going to end well. What had he been thinking saying yes? Apparently, he hadn’t been thinking at all.
PRISCILLA LEANED AGAINST the wall outside the door and smiled in triumph. He was going to let her follow him on his ranch and her article would be written and hopefully, printed. The smile left her face when she thought of following him around all day. Roark Callahan was any woman’s wet dream. No wonder he’d been named the Sexiest Cowboy Alive. The man was sexy as hell and devastatingly handsome. He towered over her five foot eight by at least nine inches. His body was hard and muscular, and she’d love to know if it was the chaps that made his crotch look that good, or if it was the man himself.
A shiver ran through her. She’d seen pictures of him but not one of them had done him any justice and she had thought he was hot when she’d looked at those. His picture was probably under tall, dark, and hot in the dictionary. His black hair was a little long and curled on the ends at his neck, but it suited him. A straight nose sat above sexy, kissable lips and his light gray eyes were beautiful. Sexy stubble covered his lower face, neck, and jaw. The man was too good to be true.
Frowning, she also knew of his reputation. She’d tried for days to get close to him but buckle bunnies always surrounded him and she wasn’t surprised when he’d mistaken her for one. They probably slipped into the locker room any chance they had to have a shot with him. It was getting awfully hot in here. She pulled her T-shirt out and blew a cool breath down the front. Sweat trickled between her breasts and shoulder blades.
“Hey, hon. Are you waiting for Outlaw?” a cowboy asked her as he leaned against the wall beside her.
“Yes.”
“I hate to tell you this but when he loses, he’s not interested in a woman. He just likes to be alone. But I just won if you’d like to get a drink together?” He grinned at her and ran his finger along her arm. She jerked away from him. He was nice looking but he was no Roark Callahan. Priscilla shook her head.
“I’ve already talked with him. That’s why I’m waiting.” She grinned.
The man straightened up. “Really? Well, I can’t say as I blame him. You sure are a looker.”
What a charmer. Priscilla mentally groaned. She was about to reply when the door beside her opened, and Roark stepped out. He smelled fantastic. His hair was still damp on the ends, his black cowboy hat was sitting low on his forehead, and she had thought he looked good in the white one. She watched as he narrowed his eyes at the other cowboy.
“What are you doing, Burke?” he asked as he slung his duffle bag over his shoulder and stared at the man.
“Not a thing, Callahan. She looked lonely waiting for you. I was just going to keep her company until you came out. I just thought she’d rather spend time with a winner.”
“Let’s go,” Roark said and started walking away. Priscilla followed him.
“Maybe she can make you feel better about your loss, Callahan.”
Roark stopped and turned around causing Priscilla to scurry to the side or get hit with his duffle bag. “I’ll be back. You can bet your ass on that. I will win that buckle back.”
Burke laughed. “I’m sure you think so. I’ll see you in Butte.”
“Damn right you will,” Roark muttered then set his gaze on Priscilla. “Maybe you’d like to follow him around instead?”
“No thanks. He’s an asshole.”
“Nailed it.” Roark chuckled and started to walk again. Priscilla hurried to stay with him.
“I’ll need to return my rental. Can you follow me there?”
Roark sighed. “Yes. Damn, I just want to get home.”
“I’m sorry...”
“It’s all right. I just hate the fact that Burke beat me. He’s such a prick.”
“I noticed. Can I ask you some questions while we walk?”
He stopped and looked at her. “I thought you said this wasn’t an interview?”
“It’s not, re
ally it’s not. I just want to have some other things to put in the article besides what you do all day when you’re not competing.”
“Yeah, sure.” He started walking again, his stride much longer than hers.
“How long have you been on the rodeo circuit?”
“Since I was twenty-two—ten years—I started out calf roping then went to bulls when I turned twenty-five.”
“That long? Doesn’t your body hurt?”
“Oh, darlin', you have no idea.”
“Then why do it?”
He stopped again and looked at her. “Why do you write for a magazine?”
“I love it.”
His obvious answer was an abrupt nod, and then he began walking again, somewhat faster than necessary it seemed. She trotted to keep up with his long strides.
“How can you love being thrown around on an animal that size?”
“Adrenaline, sweetheart. Pure adrenaline.”
Priscilla shook her head and followed him out the doors and into the parking lot. She watched him weave his way through the parked cars and after tearing her eyes away from his ass in those tight jeans, she ran to her rental then climbed in. She backed out and drove to the exit. When she glanced in the rearview mirror, she saw a big black pickup truck pull up behind her. Of course, he’d drive a big black beast, she thought grinning. She jerked and let out a small squeal when he blew the horn and put his hands up as if to say, are you going to go or just sit there? With her heart pounding in her ears, she glanced both ways and pulled out onto the street to head for the car rental agency.
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU thinking, Callahan?
Roark shook his head at the stupidity of this situation. Taking a woman to the ranch and letting her follow him around all day was asking for nothing but trouble. He ran his hand down his face and huffed. Just what the hell was he supposed to do with her anyway? And for how long? Hell! He hadn’t even asked. He knew he’d have to talk with his ranch hands about her too. No one was to bother her in any way, shape, or form. There would be hell to pay if it happened. Not that his men were necessarily crude but they could get a little rowdy at times so whether they liked it or not, they’d have to be on their best behavior while she was there.
A Cowboy of Her Own Page 1
