A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy. Judy Duarte

      Blake was way out of her league.

      But boy howdy, that man was a looker, Cindy thought as he sauntered toward the porch.

      He’d inherited the absolute best his German and Comanche bloodlines had to offer. And eight years on his own, riding the rodeo circuit, had made him more handsome than ever.

      He carried himself with that lean, cowboy swagger, looking like a buckle bunny’s dream come true. And Cindy’s, too, if her pillow could talk.

      Blake looked at Cindy with a heart-stopping grin. “Hey, aren’t you going to give me a welcome-home hug?”

      She fought the urge to give him a great big hug—like she’d always done when she was younger. Because now she wanted him to see her as a woman.

      A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy by Judy Duarte

      Flirting with Fireworks by Teresa Carpenter

      The Sheriff Wins a Wife by Jill Limber

      Her Gypsy Prince by Crystal Green

      Dear Reader,

      It’s two days before Christmas, and while the streets of New York City are teeming with all the sights and sounds of the holiday, here at Silhouette Romance we’re putting the finishing touches on our July schedule. In case you’re not familiar with publishing, we need that much lead time to produce the romances you enjoy.

      And, of course, I can’t help boasting already about the great lineup we’ve planned for you. Popular author Susan Meier heads the month with Baby Before Business (SR #1774), in which an all-work Scrooge gets his priorities in order when he discovers love with his PR executive-turned-nanny. The romance kicks off the author’s new baby-themed trilogy, BRYANT BABY BONANZA. Carol Grace continues FAIRY-TALE BRIDES with Cinderellie! (SR #1775), in which a millionaire goes in search of the beautiful caterer who’s left her slipper behind in his mansion. A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy (SR #1776) introduces Silhouette Special Edition author Judy Duarte to the line. Part of the new BLOSSOM COUNTY FAIR miniseries, this romance involves a tomboy’s transformation to win the cowboy of her dreams. Finally, Holly Jacobs continues her PERRY SQUARE miniseries with Once Upon a Prince (SR #1777), featuring the town’s beloved redheaded rebel and a royal determined to woo and win her!

      Happy reading!

      Ann Leslie Tuttle

      Associate Senior Editor

      A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy

      Judy Duarte

      

      Blossom County Fair

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Books by Judy Duarte

      Silhouette Romance

      A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy #1776

      Silhouette Special Edition

      Cowboy Courage #1458

      Family Practice #1511

      Almost Perfect #1540

      Big Sky Baby #1563

      The Virgin’s Makeover #1593

      Bluegrass Baby #1598

      The Rich Man’s Son #1634

      *Hailey’s Hero #1659

      *Their Secret Son #1667

      Their Unexpected Family #1676

      *Worth Fighting For #1684

      *The Matchmakers’ Daddy #1689

      Silhouette Books

      Double Destiny

      “Second Chance”

      JUDY DUARTE

      An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy Duarte always wanted to write books of her own. One day she decided to make that dream come true. Five years later, she sold her first book to Silhouette Special Edition.

      Her unpublished stories have won numerous awards, and in 2001, she became a double Golden Heart finalist. Judy credits her success to Romance Writers of America and two wonderful critique partners, Sheri WhiteFeather and Crystal Green, both of whom write for Silhouette.

      When she’s not at the keyboard she enjoys traveling, spending romantic evenings with her personal hero and playing board games with her kids.

      Judy lives in Southern California and loves to hear from readers. You may write to her at: P. O. Box 498, San Luis Rey, CA 92068-0498. You can also vist her Web site at www.judyduarte.com.

      To Chad Duarte, who has been a good sport about his mother’s writing career—most of the time. In spite of what you might occasionally think, Mom doesn’t love her computer more than she loves you.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

      Chapter One

      When Blake Gray Feather agreed to compete in the upcoming rodeo, the Blossom County Fair Board had practically danced in the town square.

      After all, Blake’s fame and his local-boy status would bring in the crowd—and the revenue—they desperately needed. And since the rodeo was the kick-off to the fair, they hoped the community enthusiasm and attendance would carry over.

      But Cindy Tucker had her own reasons to be excited. The good-looking cowboy with the rebel grin would be staying at the Tumbling T with her and Grandpa for a couple of weeks. And that’s all she needed to put her plan into motion—a plan that had been stewing since the first of the year. Or maybe even beyond that, if truth be told.

      Several times throughout the morning, she’d wandered into the living room, peered out the big bay window and searched the long graveled driveway that led to the ranch house.

      But Blake had yet to show up.

      She really ought to be helping Grandpa fix the south fence, but she’d been so eager to see Blake that she’d puttered around the house all morning, doing the odd jobs she’d been neglecting. But at least she’d finally fixed that leaky valve in the toilet tank and replaced the lightbulb in the