Colton: Rodeo Cowboy. C.J. Carmichael

      A Change Of Hart

      After years of tearing up the rodeo circuit—and shirking his family duties—Colton Hart shouldn’t be surprised that his return to Thunder Ranch has been a bit thorny. His plan to put the Harts’ prize stallion, Midnight, back into dangerous rodeo competition doesn’t help.

      Colt’s stirring up trouble off the ranch as well, especially in Leah Stockton’s heart. Recently divorced, Leah is determined to make a new life for her two kids. The last thing she needs is a man who acts like a child himself.

      And Leah doesn’t even know about the biggest mistake of Colt’s life. When his shameful secret is revealed, she’ll never look at him the same again. But Colt also realizes it’s past time he acts like the man Leah deserves…whether she wants him or not.

      Leah touched Colt’s arm, under the guise of checking out the soft chambray fabric of his shirt

      But really it was the rock-hard muscles of the man who was wearing the shirt that impressed her.

      Colt sandwiched her hand with his. “That feels nice. Your hand on my arm.”

      She had to admit it did. More than just nice. Colt was different than she remembered and not just in appearance. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who had gone through some hard times and matured these past few years.

      “Leah—I just want to be real clear on one point. You’re not married anymore, right?”

      “That’s right.”

      “Good. I’ve never kissed a married woman before, and I was hoping this wasn’t going to be the exception.”

      Dear Reader,

      If I could wish one thing for you as you read this book it would be that you get swept away. Swept away by Colt Hart, the rodeo cowboy who’s been carrying a secret so long that the weight of it is crushing his heart. Swept away by Leah Stockton—a single mom doing her best in trying circumstances, who doesn’t need the complication of falling for another cowboy wedded to the road. Or even swept away by Midnight, the stallion the Hart family acquired in a heated bidding war in book one of the series, who may not be worth all the money they paid for him, after all. As the author, I have been enthralled by all of it—the whole world of the Harts of the Rodeo series.

      This book was such a pleasure to write, and I want to thank Senior Editor Kathleen Scheibling for creating the Hart family and for setting the story in the most perfect ranching town possible: Roundup, Montana. Thanks also to my editor, Johanna Raisanen, for believing in me and inviting me to contribute to this series. And mega thanks to the other talented authors who also contributed stories. It was so much fun building the world of the Hart family with Cathy McDavid, Roz Denny Fox, Shelley Galloway, Marin Thomas and Linda Warren.

      Maybe when you’ve finished this story you’d like to know more about how I developed the characters for this book. If so, please visit my website—www.cjcarmichael.com—where I’ll be posting bonus information about Colt and Leah, as well as contests to win copies from my backlist. You can also keep the dialogue alive by visiting my Facebook page or following me on Twitter. I’d love to hear your feedback about this story.

      And finally, don’t forget that the Hart family saga continues next month with Roz Denny Fox’s Duke: Deputy Cowboy.

      Happy reading!

      C.J. Carmichael

       www.cjcarmichael.com

      Colton: Rodeo Cowboy

      C.J. Carmichael

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Hard to imagine a more glamorous life than being an accountant, isn’t it? Still, C.J. Carmichael gave up the thrills of income tax forms and double-entry bookkeeping when she sold her first book in 1998. She has now written more than twenty-eight novels for Harlequin Books, and invites you to learn more about her books, see photos of her hiking exploits and enter her surprise contests at www.cjcarmichael.com.

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      For Natalie and Caroline with love

      Thanks to

      The mastermind behind the Hart family series: Senior Editor Kathleen Scheibling;

      My own amazing editor, Johanna Raisanen;

      And the creative and talented Cathy McDavid, Roz Denny Fox, Shelley Galloway, Marin Thomas and Linda Warren.

      Contents

       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

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Epilogue