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
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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
Ross: Riding Hard, Book 5 Page 19
