Debbi Rawlins - Stealing The Cowboy's Heart

Discover the Made in Montana miniseries—where all your cowboy dreams come true!

Kylie Richardson has always known she wanted a family. So much so that she waited years for her rodeo-riding boyfriend to make it big and settle down. Then she discovered that he was a lying cheat—so she’s started a new life in a new town.

Kylie is shocked when Landon Kincaid, her ex’s best friend, shows up in Blackfoot Falls. There was always an attraction between them, but neither of them ever acted on it. The spark is still there, but can she take a chance on another rising rodeo champ? Kylie doesn’t want to come second to the rodeo again, so it’s up to Landon to prove that she’s first in his heart.

The evening air was already nippy as Kylie hurried toward Main Street.

As she came around the corner, she saw Landon standing outside the restaurant. She slowed her steps even as her heart picked up speed.

She loved it when he wore blue shirts. They always made his eyes look bluer, and with his wavy dark hair, he truly was a good-looking man. A fact many of the other riders’ wives and girlfriends had certainly noticed. Yet she’d never seen him flirt. Not once.

“Landon, where are your crutches?”

“I thought we were going right in to dinner so I didn’t need them.”

“And yet, here you are,” she said, shaking her head. “Not smart.”

“We can fix that. Here, put your arm around my waist,” he said as he slid an arm around her shoulders and leaned against her slightly.

At first she couldn’t speak. He smelled so good. Felt too good. The warmth of his body seeped into hers, beckoning her closer. He was all lean muscle. Rock solid.

“Is the leg bothering you?” she asked, tightening her arm around him.

“Not especially.”

Suspicious, she looked up at him. “So why are we plastered to each other?”

Dear Reader,

Well, I must say, it feels good to be home. While this is my first Western Romance, my very first published book was with Harlequin American Romance somewhere back in the early nineties. At the time, all I read were Americans, so when I decided to try my hand at crafting a story, of course I submitted to that particular line. Oh, and by the way, writing a short book? Not as easy as I’d thought it would be. Wow, what a humbling experience!

Anyway, I wrote for American for quite a long time, with the occasional Love & Laughter, Duets or Intrigue thrown in. Then I switched to Blaze and wrote for that line for over fifteen years. When I was told I could bring my Made in Montana series with me to Western Romance, I was delighted to come full circle.

Stealing the Cowboy’s Heart takes place in the fictional town of Blackfoot Falls, Montana. It’s the eighteenth book in the series, but I’ve peppered in some of the more interesting characters as a means of introducing you to the town and its sometimes wacky, sometimes annoying townspeople, who might like to gossip a bit more than most.

I hope you enjoy Kylie and Landon’s story. We all welcome you to Blackfoot Falls!

Happy reading!

All my best,

Debbi

Stealing the Cowboy’s Heart

Debbi Rawlins

www.millsandboon.co.uk

DEBBI RAWLINS grew up on the island of Oahu in Hawaii but always loved Western movies and books. When she was twelve she spent the summer on the Big Island of Hawaii, and had the dubious honor of being thrown off her first horse. A year later, minutes before a parade started down her street, she managed to find the most skittish horse in the lineup and... You can probably guess the rest.

These days, sixty-five-plus books later, she lives on four acres in gorgeous rural Utah surrounded by dogs, cats, goats, chickens and free-range cattle, who just love taking down her fence every couple years.

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

This is for Megan and Kathleen—I bet you two were cheerleaders in high school. Am I right?

Thank you for all your patience and support, and for helping me make the transition to Western. You’re both terrific!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

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

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a cute dress. Just kinda conservative.”

Kylie Richardson glanced down at the simple blue sheath and sighed. She almost always wore jeans. She liked jeans. They were comfortable, casual, easy. Dresses always made her think of Easter and holding her stomach in. Why on earth had she agreed to go on this date? Just the thought of it made her palms clammy.

“If I were you, I’d be showing off those curves,” her friend Mallory said before taking a bite of her apple fritter.

“Well, that’s a nice way of putting it,” Kylie said with a laugh that ended in a groan. Since moving to Blackfoot Falls, Montana, and opening The Cake Whisperer thirteen months ago, she’d gained six pounds. Obviously from enjoying too many of her own cupcakes.

Mallory stopped chewing and swallowed. “What do you mean?”

She’d moved from California and opened the bar next door about the same time and they’d become fast friends. Tall and slim with honey-colored hair that Kylie coveted with unabashed envy, Mallory didn’t have to worry about indulging her sweet tooth.

The bell above the door jingled, saving Kylie from having to reply.

Aunt Sally, who owned the Cut and Curl—the only beauty parlor in town—walked into the bakery and frowned at the dress. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, you still have that old thing?”

“I was hoping you didn’t get that at the new consignment boutique.” Rachel Gunderson, another friend who knew practically everyone within a hundred miles, entered right behind Aunt Sally. “It doesn’t flatter you at all.”

Kylie spotted the elderly Lemon sisters across the street, squinting and trying to see them through the window. “Lock the door, will you, Rachel?” The bakery was closed for the day but Kylie should’ve known better. People around their small town didn’t pay any attention to signs or wait for invitations.

Usually Kylie didn’t mind, and she certainly welcomed these women. Her aunt was the main reason Kylie had chosen to settle in Blackfoot Falls. But she sure didn’t need any more opinions about her dress.

Rachel’s attention had wandered to Mallory. “Did that just come out of the oven?”

“Tastes like it,” Mallory muttered around another bite of the fritter.

“They’re from this morning,” Kylie said, grateful for the distraction. “I have a couple left in the back. Some scones too, I think. Go help yourselves.”