Elaine Grant - No Hero Like Him

“I have to say this is a novel way to move a horse, but I like it.”

Claire felt the soft feathering of hair on top of Seth’s hand and the calluses on the underside. He smelled good, of fresh soap and aftershave. Of a subtle maleness that made her breathe faster. The heat of his muscled forearm burned through her thin T-shirt and her skin prickled in anticipation. He made no effort to turn her loose. Her first inclination was to lean against that rock-solid chest and enjoy the moment, see what he would do next. Then Belle snorted and Claire caught herself. She pushed Seth’s arm away.

“Let’s see you do it on your own.”

He narrowed those golden eyes that made Claire think of a mountain lion. “Aw, it’s a lot more fun when you help. I work much better hands-on.”

His gaze slid to the camp logo on her shirt, a smile curling his lip and triggering that deep dimple on his cheek. With a start, she realized her body had betrayed her through the taut T-shirt….

Dear Reader,

Here’s another story about the folks around Little Lobo, Montana. I’ve nicknamed them my “Love in Little Lobo” books. It’s fun matching up new people as well as revisiting old friends like the Rider family with all their kids; sweet little Wyatt and his new parents, Sarah and Cimarron; and Clint and Rosie from the Rider Ranch.

In No Hero Like Him, Claire Ford, the daughter of ranch foreman Clint, falls for Seth Morgan, a physically and emotionally wounded bull rider. Seth is coming to terms with the possibility of never riding again. Claire tries to help him redefine himself and he steps in to save her summer camp for at-risk teenagers. But they never expect to fall in love….

Would you believe, Hurricane Gustav hit my hometown full blast just as I was finishing this book? Nine days without power, trees down everywhere, a house full of my son’s Tulane University friends fleeing New Orleans…And two characters who needed to fall in love in spite of all odds. Whew! Once things returned to a semblance of normalcy—other than needing a new roof—my family spent Thanksgiving in gorgeous western Montana. No wonder I love to set my books there.

I hope you get a thrill out of my bull-riding book and love Little Lobo as much as I do!

I look forward to hearing from all my readers, so keep in touch. Contact me by e-mail at eygrant@aol.com, or at 14241 Coursey Boulevard, Suite A-12 #212, Baton Rouge, LA 70817 or visit my Web site at www.elainegrant.com or www.superauthors.com.

Elaine Grant

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When Elaine was five years old, she decided she wanted to be a writer who illustrated her own books. The illustrating part is still ahead of her; however, her first short story was published in the local weekly newspaper when she was in third grade. There was no turning back after that! No Hero Like Him is her third Harlequin Superromance novel set in the fictional town of Little Lobo, Montana. The first, Make-Believe Mom, was a Waldenbooks bestseller and a 2008 RITA ®Award finalist.

Elaine lives in Louisiana with her husband, son, a gray tabby cat and an Australian shepherd. Elaine’s books have garnered reviewer acclaim for their vivid characterizations and loving, committed relationships—praise she finds immensely gratifying, since these are the elements of romance that she loves to write.

Specials thanks to the following for their help with researching this book.

If I got something wrong—blame me, not them!

Many thanks to:

D. J. Domangue, Professional Bull Rider (www.djdomangue.com), who sustained an injury similar to Seth’s and who graciously shared the experience in detail. Darren Epstein, Executive Director, Express Sports Agency, (www.csarodeo.com/index.cfm) for introducing me to D.J. Chris Shivers and Mike White, Professional Bull Riders, for introducing me to Darren.

Thanks to:

Dr. Tandy Freeman, Sports Injuries, Dallas Orthopedic Center, surgeon extraordinaire to the Pro Bull Riders, for his information on leg injuries; to his assistant Val Worthington for shuffling my questions and his answers back and forth.

To Josh Peter, author of Fried Twinkies, Buckle Bunnies, & Bull Riders: A Year Inside the Professional Bull Riders Tour for putting me in touch with Dr. Tandy.

To Dale Butterwick, MSc, University of Calgary Sport Medicine Centre, for describing rodeo injuries and rehab. To Daniel Brister, steer wrestler, for general rodeo information.

To Carol Vallee, Meadowview Stables, Baton Rouge, for allowing me to observe her therapeutic riding classes, and to Priscilla Marden, CEFIP-ED, Horse Warriors, Jackson Hole, Wyoming (www.horsewarriors.com for more information on equine-assisted therapy).

Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) is the premier bull-riding organization in the world. For more information on the PBR and its riders and bulls, visit www.pbrnow.com.

This book is dedicated to all who are willing to

take a risk to live their dreams.

PROLOGUE

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

EPILOGUE

T HE HEAT FROM A TON OF animal sinew and hide rose beneath Seth Morgan’s thighs as he hovered over the cramped bull chute. The dust of the rodeo arena filled his nostrils. The roar of a thousand eager fans in the stands echoed off the stadium walls.

Rotten.

He’d drawn a bull named Rotten for the final go-round. And from all he’d heard, the name fit.

Seth braced himself on the rails, waiting for the cowboy hanging over the side to pull the rope tight around the animal’s girth, and then he eased down onto the bull’s broad hindquarters. This huge yellow bull, a descendant of the notorious Bodacious, was gaining a reputation for tossing riders, as well as having a tendency for vicious retaliation afterward.

For a lot of riders, drawing Rotten was their worst nightmare. To Seth, he was just another bull that needed riding, and nobody had managed to do that—yet. An eight-second dance with this partner could score more than ninety points. Enough to give Seth the win today and ramp up his earnings to third, or maybe second place, in the overall standings. Yeah, he was ready for this ride!

Seth wrapped the rope taut around his gloved hand, then shifted forward, rope hand tight against his crotch. He popped in his mouthpiece, clamped his teeth hard and nodded to the gatekeepers.

The gate swung wide. With a wild snort and bellow, Rotten exploded into the arena, jackhammering his front feet into the ground with bone-jarring jolts. Bull snot flew in wide arcs as the animal launched into another gyrating buck, then whipped into a spin to the right. Perfect, Seth thought. Piece of cake. What he loved best in the world, this unbridled exhilaration.