Allie Pleiter - The Texan's Second Chance

Wrangling Her Heart

There’s a lot riding on Witt Buckton’s fresh start in Martins Gap, Texas. His cousins at Blue Thorn are counting on him to make the new arm of their ranch business a success. First, however, he’ll have to figure out how to work with Jana Powers. The petite, energetic spitfire immediately locks horns with the blue-eyed rancher. But she doesn’t just challenge him—she captivates him. As they work together, Witt and Jana discover common ground…and something more. Sweet Jana has left her brand on Witt’s heart, and now he faces his greatest challenge yet: convincing her that love can be worth the risk.

“I’m not talking as your boss right now, Jana.”

Witt tapped her head, making her look up at him. She knew she’d be lost when she did, for the look in his eyes seemed to go right through her. There wasn’t any hope of hiding what had grown between them at that point. Whether it made business sense or not hardly mattered. “I’m talking as your…friend,” he said, the hesitation speaking volumes. After a moment, he leaned in and left a soft kiss on her cheek. She felt herself dissolve under the tenderness. “As someone who…cares about you.”

She didn’t even realize that her hand had lifted to the spot where he’d kissed her until she followed his gaze. “Witt…”

“Yeah,” he said softly, touching her hand as it lay against her cheek. “We’re going to have to figure out what to do about that. But not now.”

ALLIE PLEITER, an award-winning author and RITA® Award finalist, writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion for knitting shows up in many of her books and all over her life. Entirely too fond of French macarons and lemon meringue pie, Allie spends her days writing books and avoiding housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and lives near Chicago, Illinois.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

—Jeremiah 29:11

To Elizabeth

Because great partnerships

truly are hard to come by

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Wrangling Her Heart There’s a lot riding on Witt Buckton’s fresh start in Martins Gap, Texas. His cousins at Blue Thorn are counting on him to make the new arm of their ranch business a success. First, however, he’ll have to figure out how to work with Jana Powers. The petite, energetic spitfire immediately locks horns with the blue-eyed rancher. But she doesn’t just challenge him—she captivates him. As they work together, Witt and Jana discover common ground…and something more. Sweet Jana has left her brand on Witt’s heart, and now he faces his greatest challenge yet: convincing her that love can be worth the risk.

Introduction “I’m not talking as your boss right now, Jana.” Witt tapped her head, making her look up at him. She knew she’d be lost when she did, for the look in his eyes seemed to go right through her. There wasn’t any hope of hiding what had grown between them at that point. Whether it made business sense or not hardly mattered. “I’m talking as your…friend,” he said, the hesitation speaking volumes. After a moment, he leaned in and left a soft kiss on her cheek. She felt herself dissolve under the tenderness. “As someone who…cares about you.” She didn’t even realize that her hand had lifted to the spot where he’d kissed her until she followed his gaze. “Witt…” “Yeah,” he said softly, touching her hand as it lay against her cheek. “We’re going to have to figure out what to do about that. But not now.”

About the Author ALLIE PLEITER, an award-winning author and RITA® Award finalist, writes both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion for knitting shows up in many of her books and all over her life. Entirely too fond of French macarons and lemon meringue pie, Allie spends her days writing books and avoiding housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and lives near Chicago, Illinois.

Title Page The Texan’s Second Chance Allie Pleiter www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11

Dedication To Elizabeth Because great partnerships truly are hard to come by

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

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Jana Powers stared at the truck in front of her. “It’s blue.”

Her new boss, Witt Buckton, didn’t seem to especially mind. “Yes, it is.”

Jana pushed up her sleeves. She’d tried to dress professionally for this first meeting with her supervisor, wearing her chef’s coat, but even in October Austin was still too warm for it. Texas could still hit ninety degrees on a daily basis in the fall. “No, I mean it’s really blue.” The food truck was, in fact, an alarmingly bright turquoise. Brilliantly blue. One might accurately say “loud.” Uh-oh. Was Witt Buckton one of “those” kinds of restaurant owners—the kind who put public relations above everything and cared more about gimmicks than quality?

Keep an open mind. Ellie said this guy was smart and nice. Then again, this guy was Ellie’s cousin, and Ellie was really more colleague than friend.

She stared at the vividly hued truck again. From a marketing standpoint, the color might make sense—it certainly stood out, and was memorable—but who would want to eat in a glow that intense? She might have to don sunglasses just to work inside the thing. Please, don’t let it be that color on the inside.

“It’s a marketing thing.” Jana was glad to note a touch of apology in Witt’s voice that hinted maybe his priorities weren’t totally skewed toward PR. “The color is a trademark for the Blue Thorn Ranch.”

Jana looked at him. He was part of the Buckton family—the clan who had owned the Blue Thorn Ranch for several generations and to which her former coworker Ellie belonged—but he was a cousin, not one of the immediate family. Still, a long look allowed her to connect the dots almost instantly. Ellie was a Buckton, and her eyes were the same brilliant turquoise as Witt’s. If those eyes were a family trait, then she could understand why the ranch had adopted that shade as its trademark. “I get it,” she offered. “But—” here she applied her friendliest smile “—don’t you think you went a bit overboard on the paint job?”

Oops. Witt’s eyes went a touch cold, and Jana fought the urge to whack her own forehead. Not everyone needs to hear every opinion you’ve got. Especially not your new boss. Remember how much you want this job?