Big Sky Summer. Linda Miller Lael

      The “First Lady of the West,” #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, welcomes you home to Parable, Montana—where love awaits.

      With his father’s rodeo legacy to continue and a prosperous spread to run, Walker Parrish has no time to dwell on wrecked relationships. But country-western sweetheart Casey Elder is out of the spotlight and back in Parable, Montana. And Walker can’t ignore that his “act now, think later” passion for Casey has had consequences. Two teenage consequences!

      Keeping her children’s paternity under wraps has always been part of Casey’s plan to give them normal, uncomplicated lives. Now the best way to hold her family together seems to be to let Walker be a part of it—as her husband of convenience. Or will some secrets—like Casey’s desire to be the rancher’s wife in every way—unravel, with unforeseen results?

      Dear Reader,

      Welcome to Parable County, Montana, whether you’re new in town or not.

      Big Sky Summer is the story of Walker Parrish, rodeo stock contractor and all-around cowboy in the “sexy” division, and Casey Elder, country music superstar and red-hot redhead! These two have a history, but it’s a tumultuous one, that’s for sure, including a couple of rapidly growing secrets. And you know how the truth is—it will come out, for better or worse.

      Can these two hardheaded independent types make it work? A lot of people wouldn’t give their on-again, off-again love, tough and durable as it is, the proverbial snowball’s chance. But, as you and I both know, there’s magic in Parable County, and love is its favorite trick.

      In addition to this brand-new story, I’m delighted to announce that I have teamed up with Montana Silversmiths, the legendary makers of championship belt buckles and fabulous Western jewelry, to create a piece I call “Casey’s necklace.” You’ll read all about it in the book, and might even find yourself wanting one of your own. Just go to www.montanasilversmiths.com/two-hats-one-heart. And know that 100 percent of my share of the profits will go toward establishing perpetual funding for my Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, in the hope that generations of deserving ladies of all ages will continue to benefit from the program.

      Meanwhile, stop on by www.lindalaelmiller.com for my (almost) daily blog, excerpts from my books, videos of some very sexy cowboys, scholarship news and fun contests, along with a few surprises now and then.

      Happy trails, and thanks for the listen.

      With love,

      Praise for #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller

      “Miller’s name is synonymous with the finest in Western romance.”

      —RT Book Reviews

      “Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget.”

      —#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

      “Miller’s down-home, easy-to-read style keeps the plot moving, and she includes…likable characters, picturesque descriptions and some very sweet pets.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Big Sky Country

      “After reading this book your heart will be so full of Christmas cheer you’ll want to stuff a copy in the stocking of every romance fan you know!”

      —USATODAY.com on A Lawman’s Christmas

      “Miller once again tells a memorable tale.”

      —RT Book Reviews on A Creed in Stone Creek

      “A passionate love too long denied drives the action in this multifaceted, emotionally rich reunion story that overflows with breathtaking sexual chemistry.”

      —Library Journal on McKettricks of Texas: Tate

      “Miller’s prose is smart, and her tough Eastwoodian cowboy cuts a sharp, unexpectedly funny figure in a classroom full of rambunctious frontier kids.”

      —Publishers Weekly on The Man from Stone Creek

      “Strong characterization and a vivid Western setting make for a fine historical romance.”

      —Publishers Weekly on McKettrick’s Choice

      Big Sky Summer

      Linda Lael Miller

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For Larry Readman, aka the Canadian Wrangler. Thanks for taking such good care of my horses.

      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

       Excerpt

      CHAPTER ONE

      WALKER PARRISH, WEDGED into the middle of a third-row pew, with old ladies wearing gauzy hats and floral dresses packed in tightly on either side, risked a glance up at the church ceiling, just to make sure it wasn’t fixing to fall on his head. He resisted a nervous urge to loosen his tie—for him, like churchgoing, tie wearing was reserved for funerals and weddings. This occasion, fortunately, fell into the latter category.

      The small sanctuary seemed charged with excitement; folks chatted in whispers, the organist was tuning up for the wedding march, and the groom, Sheriff Boone Taylor, stood tall up front, just to the right of the simple altar, looking eager and scared shitless, both at the same time. Like the majority of men around Parable, Montana, Boone lived in jeans, cotton shirts and boots most of the time, and he looked a few degrees past uncomfortable in his rented tux.

      Hutch Carmody and Slade Barlow, half brothers and Boone’s closest friends, stood up with him, hardly recognizable in monkey suits of their own. Both married men, and cowboys to the core, they kept an eye on Boone, as if ready to catch him by the