The Cowboy Way. Christine Wenger

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       Beth touched her lips. Had Jake really kissed her?

      The butterflies still in her stomach told her he had. Passionately. Hard. But she reminded herself that nothing more could come of it.

      They were from two different worlds. And besides, she didn’t want to get involved with anyone, especially not Jake Dixon. He was the type of man she could easily lose her heart to. And she didn’t want a man in her life. Not now.

      She was happy living with her son, just the two of them. And Jake Dixon drank. She remembered seeing him drinking a beer last night. No way was she going to let another man like that into her life.

      No way on earth.

      Then why had she accepted his invitation to go out tonight?

      Dear Reader,

      Well, we hope your New Year’s resolutions included reading some fabulous new books—because we can provide the reading material! We begin with Stranded with the Groom by Christine Rimmer, part of our new MONTANA MAVERICKS: GOLD RUSH GROOMS miniseries. When a staged wedding reenactment turns into the real thing, can the actual honeymoon be far behind? Tune in next month for the next installment in this exciting new continuity.

      Victoria Pade concludes her NORTHBRIDGE NUPTIALS miniseries with Having the Bachelor’s Baby, in which a woman trying to push aside memories of her one night of passion with the town’s former bad boy finds herself left with one little reminder of that encounter—she’s pregnant with his child. Judy Duarte begins her new miniseries, BAYSIDE BACHELORS, with Hailey’s Hero, featuring a cautious woman who finds herself losing her heart to a rugged rebel who might break it…. THE HATHAWAYS OF MORGAN CREEK by Patricia Kay continues with His Best Friend, in which a woman is torn between two men—the one she really wants, and the one to whom he owes his life. Mary J. Forbes’s sophomore Special Edition is A Father, Again, featuring a grown-up reunion between a single mother and her teenaged crush. And a disabled child, an exhausted mother and a down-but-not-out rodeo hero all come together in a big way, in Christine Wenger’s debut novel, The Cowboy Way.

      So enjoy, and come back next month for six compelling new novels, from Silhouette Special Edition.

      Happy New Year!

      Gail Chasan

      Senior Editor

      Silhouette Special Edition

      The Cowboy Way

      Christine Wenger

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      There are so many wonderful friends I’d like to thank for making my dream come true.

       The Packeteers have been with me from the beginning, and I thank them from the

       bottom of my heart. The Sisters of the Lake were there when I needed a boost.

      Throughout the years, Pat Kay, Carla Neggers and Maggie Shayne

       gave graciously of their time and knowledge and made me a better writer.

      And to Amber Schalk who taught me never to give up.

       I think of you often, Amberoni.

      This one’s for you, ladies—fabulous writers

       and fabulous friends. I love you all!

       CHRISTINE WENGER

      has worked in the criminal justice field for more years than she cares to remember. She has a dual master’s degree in probation and parole studies and sociology from Fordham University, but the knowledge gained from such studies certainly has not prepared her for what she loves to do most—write romance!

      A native central New Yorker, she enjoys watching professional bull riding and rodeo with her favorite cowboy, her husband, Jim.

      GOLD BUCKLE RANCH

       MOUNTAIN SPRINGS, WYOMING

      CONGRATULATIONS TO

       BETH CONROY AND KEVIN CONROY!

      Dear Kevin,

      We are happy to inform you that your essay—about how your mother needs a vacation and how you’d like to participate in Wheelchair Rodeo—has touched our hearts. Therefore, you are both invited to spend a free week at Gold Buckle Ranch located in beautiful Mountain Springs, Wyoming, during the second week of July.

      Your mother will find that our facilities promote rest and relaxation. Troubles are soon forgotten at the Gold Buckle Ranch, as one spends sunshine-filled days walking among the wildflowers on any one of our beautiful trails.

      Kevin, as you know, Wheelchair Rodeo is the idea of our son, world champion bull rider Jake Dixon. In your application, you stated that Jake has been your hero since before your accident. Therefore, you’ll be happy to know that Jake will be personally helping you pick out a horse and teaching you to ride. He’ll also be happy to help you mom get used to ranch living.

      We guarantee that you’ll both have a wonderful time at the Gold Buckle Ranch!

      Very truly yours,

      Dex & Emily Dixon

      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 One

       B eth Conroy looked outside and saw her son parked in his usual spot at the end of the driveway, waiting for the mail to be delivered.

      Every afternoon since Kevin had entered the Gold Buckle Ranch contest, he had wheeled himself down to the mailbox at the foot of the driveway at three-thirty sharp in the hope that a letter would come from Wyoming, informing him that he was a winner.

      He had on his black cowboy hat as usual, the one she got him for Christmas, and he wore a big silver belt buckle, jeans and a long-sleeved western shirt. Not unusual for Lizard Rock, Arizona—most everyone dressed in the western style, but once in a while other kids wore shorts and a T-shirt.

      Not Kevin.

      Every article of clothing on him, except maybe his underwear, was from the “Jake Dixon Collection.” If something didn’t sport the name of Jake, his favorite bull rider, Kevin didn’t wear it.

      Waiting, hoping, looking so alone, he craned his neck toward every car or truck that came down the street. “Today it’ll come,” he’d told her earlier, total trust shining in his eyes.

      Five minutes later, when the white truck with the blue eagle on the side turned the corner, she saw him wave his fist in the air.

      “All right! Cool!” he shouted.

      To a ten year old, it must have seemed to take forever for Mrs. Owens, the mail carrier, to reach their mailbox. Beth stepped closer to the screen door so she could hear the conversation.

      “Hi, Kevin,” Mrs. Owens said. She leafed through a handful of mail and smiled. “It’s here. Gold Buckle Ranch, Mountain Springs, Wyoming.”

      “Yesss!”