Brogan: Cowboy Pride: The Kavanagh Brothers Book Three

by Ball, Kathleen

  “Pa, you’re supposed to whistle. You can turn around now. I’m clothed.”

  Greg figured she’d be the one blushing but it was he who felt heat on his cheeks. “Sorry about that, Mercy.”

  “No harm done.” She gave him one of her warm smiles. “How’s the digging going? Are you rich yet?”

  “Fine and no. I’m here to see about grading to avoid flooding.”

  Mercy began to explain how it was done while Hugo went into the mine with his pickaxe. Greg listened to her in fascination. She sounded more like an engineer than a miner.

  “You’re educated.”

  “You noticed?”

  “You know boys don’t like smart girls, at least that’s what my sister Scarlett says.”

  “I don’t care, never did. I’m too smart for that kind of logic.”

  Greg laughed. “I do think we can be good friends, Mercy.”

  “As long as you don’t try to get too friendly we’ll do quite well together. Now scoot. I have a mine to work.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Greg wanted to smile as he walked back to his tent, but he put on his best expressionless face. Happiness usually equaled a gold strike around here, and he didn’t want to put himself or Mercy in danger.

  All he thought of while he shoveled the dirt out of his tent was Mercy. She was so unlike anyone he’d ever met, her presence in mining country so unexpected. But mining for gold was just the adventure he’d been looking for.

  “Well, hello good looking.”

  Greg startled, grabbed his gun, and spun around. Standing inside his tent was a beautiful blond woman with not nearly enough clothes on. He swallowed hard, not knowing exactly where to look.

  “Hello, ma’am.”

  She laughed. “Your ma must have taught you some nice manners. My name is Shelly. I just wanted to say hello. I like to greet all the new men.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Greg Settler. Are you in camp with your husband?”

  “Aren’t you a young one. Unjaded, I like that. No I work in the saloon tent. I was hoping I’d see you there later. The first one is free.”

  His jaw dropped and his face heated. “Excuse me?”

  She fluttered her eyelashes at him and gave him a coy smile. “The first drink, silly.”

  “Would you like to put my coat on? It doesn’t seem—”

  “I put on an extra petticoat for the walk over. I’m fine. I usually don’t make house calls but in your case I could make an exception.” She walked closer with each word until she had her hand on his cheek. “I’d like us to be friends.”

  He took a step back. “A person can never have too many friends. Listen Shelly, I need to get back to work, but it was nice to meet you.”

  She frowned and looked around his mine. “Maybe you wouldn’t be able to afford me. Have you found any gold yet?”

  “Not yet but one can hope.”

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  About the Author

  Sexy Cowboys and the Women Who Love Them...

  Finalist in the 2012 and 2015 RONE Awards.

  Top Pick, Five Star Series from the Romance Review.

  Kathleen Ball writes contemporary and historical western romance with great emotion and

  memorable characters. Her books are award winners and have appeared on best sellers lists including: Amazon's Best Seller's List, All Romance Ebooks, Bookstrand, Desert Breeze Publishing and Secret Cravings Publishing Best Sellers list. She is the recipient of eight Editor's Choice Awards, and The Readers' Choice Award for Ryelee's Cowboy.

  Winner of the Lear diamond award Best Historical Novel- Cinders' Bride

  There's something about a cowboy

  Other Books by Kathleen

  Lasso Spring Series

  Callie’s Heart

  Lone Star Joy

  Stetson’s Storm

  Dawson Ranch Series

  Texas Haven

  Ryelee’s Cowboy

  Cowboy Season Series

  Summer’s Desire

  Autumn’s Hope

  Winter’s Embrace

  Spring’s Delight

  Mail Order Brides of Texas

  Cinder’s Bride

  Keegan’s Bride

  Shane’s Bride

  Tramp’s Bride

  Poor Boy’s Christmas

  Oregon Trail Dreamin’

  We’ve Only Just Begun

  A Lifetime to Share

  A Love Worth Searching For

  So Many Roads to Choose

  The Settlers

  Greg

  Juan

  Scarlett

  Mail Order Brides of Spring Water

  Tattered Hearts

  Shattered Trust

  Glory’s Groom

  Battered Soul

  Romance on the Oregon Trail

  Cora’s Courage

  Luella’s Longing

  Dawn’s Destiny

  Terra’s Trial

  Candle Glow and Mistletoe

  The Kabvanagh Brothers

  Teagan: Cowboy Strong

  Quinn: Cowboy Risk

  Brogan: Cowboy Pride

  Sullivan: Cowboy Protector

  The Greatest Gift

  Love So Deep

  Luke’s Fate

  Whispered Love

  Love Before Midnight

  I’m Forever Yours

  Finn’s Fortune

  Glory’s Groom