Deb Kastner - The Cowboy's Forever Family

His Best Friend’s Baby

Widowed and pregnant, Laney Beckett wants nothing to do with stubborn rodeo cowboy Slade McKenna. But avoiding her late husband’s best friend is nearly impossible now that Slade thinks Laney and her baby need his protection. Though Slade figures he’s too rough a man to settle down, his thrill-seeking ways have already cost him his childhood pal. Looking out for the man’s wife and child is the least he can do, especially when headstrong Laney doesn’t know the first thing about running the family’s ranch. For the sake of baby Beckett, Laney and Slade give friendship a chance…but could they become a true family?

Cowboy Country: Surprise babies lead to unexpected love in Texas

“I’ve come to take you to the doctor.”

Slade clenched his jaw. “It’s only a five-minute drive, but I don’t know how long it takes you to do…whatever it is that women need to do to be ready to go out.”

Laney laughed. He raised a brow, but she only shook her head.

What had he said that was so funny?

Women. He’d never understand them, and frankly, he didn’t even want to try. Especially this one.

If it weren’t for Brody’s baby, he’d be out of there so fast Laney’s head would spin. It was asking a lot just for him to be in the same room with her, but for Brody’s kid, Slade would grit his teeth and try to get through it.

“I’m a wash-and-wear kind of girl,” she informed him, tossing her hair over her shoulder with an animated flip of her hand, which to Slade felt like a major brush-off. “I’ll be ready in five. And I’m going to ignore the fact that you just tried to order me around again.”

His gaze widened on her and he hoped he wasn’t gaping.

“But don’t do it again.”

DEB KASTNER is an award-winning author who lives and writes in beautiful Colorado. Since her daughters have grown into adulthood and her nest is almost empty, she is excited to be able to discover new adventures, challenges and blessings, the biggest of which is her sweet grandchildren. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, singing in the church choir, and attending concerts and musicals.

The Cowboy’s Forever Family

Deb Kastner

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;

There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying;

And there shall be no more pain,

For the former things have passed away.

—Revelation 21:4

To the Texas Tenors: John Hagen,

Marcus Collins and JC Fisher.

I’m incredibly grateful for your beautiful music. My Texas Tenors playlist has accompanied me through many tight deadlines,

and this book is no exception. Thank you!

Table of Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text His Best Friend’s Baby Widowed and pregnant, Laney Beckett wants nothing to do with stubborn rodeo cowboy Slade McKenna. But avoiding her late husband’s best friend is nearly impossible now that Slade thinks Laney and her baby need his protection. Though Slade figures he’s too rough a man to settle down, his thrill-seeking ways have already cost him his childhood pal. Looking out for the man’s wife and child is the least he can do, especially when headstrong Laney doesn’t know the first thing about running the family’s ranch. For the sake of baby Beckett, Laney and Slade give friendship a chance…but could they become a true family? Cowboy Country: Surprise babies lead to unexpected love in Texas

Introduction “I’ve come to take you to the doctor.” Slade clenched his jaw. “It’s only a five-minute drive, but I don’t know how long it takes you to do…whatever it is that women need to do to be ready to go out.” Laney laughed. He raised a brow, but she only shook her head. What had he said that was so funny? Women. He’d never understand them, and frankly, he didn’t even want to try. Especially this one. If it weren’t for Brody’s baby, he’d be out of there so fast Laney’s head would spin. It was asking a lot just for him to be in the same room with her, but for Brody’s kid, Slade would grit his teeth and try to get through it. “I’m a wash-and-wear kind of girl,” she informed him, tossing her hair over her shoulder with an animated flip of her hand, which to Slade felt like a major brush-off. “I’ll be ready in five. And I’m going to ignore the fact that you just tried to order me around again.” His gaze widened on her and he hoped he wasn’t gaping. “But don’t do it again.”

Dear Reader

About the Author DEB KASTNER is an award-winning author who lives and writes in beautiful Colorado. Since her daughters have grown into adulthood and her nest is almost empty, she is excited to be able to discover new adventures, challenges and blessings, the biggest of which is her sweet grandchildren. She enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, singing in the church choir, and attending concerts and musicals.

Title Page The Cowboy’s Forever Family Deb Kastner www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; And there shall be no more pain, For the former things have passed away. —Revelation 21:4

Dedication To the Texas Tenors: John Hagen, Marcus Collins and JC Fisher. I’m incredibly grateful for your beautiful music. My Texas Tenors playlist has accompanied me through many tight deadlines, and this book is no exception. Thank you!

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“I miss you, buddy.”

Slade McKenna’s throat burned and he swallowed hard. He shook his head and grunted at his own foolishness. He wasn’t in the habit of talking to those who’d passed on. Thankfully, no one was here to witness the rarity.

Stirrup-high Texas grass brushed across his boots as he rode the fence line in search of bent posts or breaks in the barbed wire where the Becketts’ cattle might get free. Mending fences kept his mind off the bad stuff.

Mostly.

He wasn’t the kind of guy who expressed emotion, verbal or otherwise, but right now his feelings were digging as deeply into his side as spurs, no matter how hard he bucked and resisted to throw his grief.

His best friend Brody Beckett was gone. Forever.

Dead.

He could hardly bear to think the word, much less say it aloud, especially when Brody’s absence was such a stark, bitter reality. Checking the fences on his parents’ ranch property had been Brody’s chore since he was old enough to sit straight on a horse, and as his best friend, Slade had often accompanied him in his rounds. When they were both little tykes, Slade and Brody had spent many hours out here on the range together, where the lowing of cattle, the gentle Texas wind and the creak of saddle leather were the only sounds to break the sweet silence.