Leigh Duncan - Rodeo Daughter

From Corral To Courtroom

Former rodeo star Amanda Markette is prepared to deal with anything her new job as a family law attorney can dish up. Until she learns her childhood sweetheart, Mitch Goodwin, is her client’s ex-husband and opposing counsel.

Mitch wants nothing more than to win full custody of the daughter he’s been raising on his own for the past four years. Until Amanda rides back into his life…

Amanda and Mitch know they shouldn’t give in to the connection that still sparks between them after fifteen years, but can they resist? And will Mitch ever forgive her once he learns the secret she’s been keeping—a secret that could change his life forever?

When Amanda’s hand brushed his, a low-voltage current shot straight up Mitch’s arm and across his chest

He studied her face and knew she’d felt the same thing. Curls had fallen onto her forehead and, using only his fingertips, he swept them to one side.

“Amanda?” he whispered.

Her cheeks flushed and her breath caught.

Though he wanted nothing more than to bend down and kiss her, Mitch told himself he had to draw back. “There’s too much at stake,” he whispered. “My daughter…”

“Right,” she agreed. “You’re absolutely right.”

He knew there was only one thing he could do. He had to leave before they crossed a line. They weren’t sixteen anymore. They were on opposite sides of a court case that could change his life, and Hailey’s life, forever.

Amanda dusted her hands. “We’ll meet here at the same time next week?”

“Yeah. Are you okay?”

“Sure. I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

She seemed so self-confident, but as Mitch made his way to the door he couldn’t help wondering if either of them was telling the truth…

Dear Reader,

Shortly after we were married, my husband and I spent a crisp fall weekend with friends at one of those old summer camps near Lake Saranac in upstate New York. Though the leaves had turned brilliant and we bundled up to walk along the shore or row across the lake, I could almost hear the laughter of those summer campers.

I imagined days of arts and crafts, archery lessons and swimming competitions. Nights around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories. The thrill of falling in love for the first time, holding hands, sharing a first kiss, followed by the bittersweet rush to the mailbox for letters after the summer ended.

In Rodeo Daughter, Amanda and Mitch spent one such glorious summer together before their lives headed in very different directions. Fifteen years have passed. This time when they meet, they are adversaries in a custody suit filed by Mitch’s ex-wife. When a playground mishap forces Mitch and Amanda to spend time together, they walk an ethical tightrope as the love they felt that long-ago summer rekindles and deepens into something neither of them expect.

I loved writing Rodeo Daughter and hope you enjoy reading it. Special thanks go to Roxanne St. Claire, Kristen Painter and the ever-encouraging Lara Santiago, who introduced me to the magic of Library Days while I worked on this book. I look forward to hearing from my readers and invite you to stop by for a visit at www.leighduncan.com.

Leigh

Rodeo Daughter

Leigh Duncan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Leigh Duncan writes the kind of books she loves to read—ones where home, family and community are key to the happy endings we all deserve. Married to the love of her life and mother of two wonderful young adults, Leigh lives on central Florida’s east coast.

When she isn’t busy working on her next story for Harlequin American Romance, Leigh loves nothing better than to curl up in her favorite chair with a cup of hot coffee and a great book. She invites readers to follow her on Twitter or Facebook. Contact her at P.O. Box 410787, Melbourne, FL 32941 or visit her online at www.leighduncan.com.

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For Sandy

And all who dream of growing up to be real cowgirls.

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 One

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Amanda leaned against the hood of her car. Staring into her father’s perpetual blue-eyed squint, she fought for composure.

“Sorry, Mandy.” Tom Markette managed to say the words without sounding or looking at all apologetic. “I need the biggest paycheck I can get, and Okeechobee offered it. Gas and feed ain’t free, you know.”

Amanda swallowed a bitter retort. There was more than money behind her father’s decision to leave her twisting in the wind, and they both knew it. But this wasn’t the time to dredge up old hurts. She shoved a hank of loose hair behind her ear and chose a different battle. She had more immediate issues to deal with, starting with the Saddle Up Stampede in…

“Dad, the stampede is in five days. Five days. You can’t back out now.”

Expecting to find her father in the practice ring of the Boots and Spurs Dude Ranch, where the bar association held its annual fundraiser, she’d closed her law office in nearby Melbourne and driven out to watch him ride. The instant she’d spotted his long form propped against his motor home, a familiar sinking feeling had formed in the pit of her stomach. Acid had burned the back of her throat when she’d spied a horse standing in the hitched-up trailer.

“Okeechobee lost their opening act and I took the job, baby girl. You know how it is. I have to take advantage of every opportunity.” Tom speared her with a calculating glance. “If you’d give up this foolish notion and join the team again, I wouldn’t have these problems.”

There it was. Eight years, and her dad still hadn’t forgiven her for walking away from the Markette Ropin’ Team. Well, he wasn’t the only one who bore a grudge. She held up a hand.

“You’re the one backing out of our deal. Don’t even try to lay this on me.”

She eyed the man who should be standing with his hat in his hand, gratitude showing in his lined face for the easy paycheck he would earn putting on a roping-and-riding exhibition at the charity fundraiser. Hoping to impress him with the clout she wielded as the newest member of the bar association, she’d given him the job. But her father didn’t appear grateful, much less impressed. If anything, he looked as if he couldn’t wait to hit the road. And if he cared one whit about the predicament his leaving would put her in, it didn’t show in the jaunty angle of the Stetson he’d perched on his head.

“By the time the show starts, three thousand people will be sitting right up there. Waiting for you, Dad.” Amanda gestured toward the grandstand, which would be filled to capacity in less than a week. “How can you let them down?”

She didn’t bother to ask how he could let her down. The fact was, neither of her folks had ever won a Parent of the Year award or shown any interest in her outside the rodeo ring. Their neglect had shaped her decision to specialize in family law, where her focus was always on the best interests of the child.