Mary Sullivan - Rodeo Rancher

A FAMILY HOUSEWARMING

Visitors are rare at widower Michael Moreno’s Rodeo, Montana, ranch. When Samantha Read and her two sons turn up, seeking shelter in a snowstorm, his kids are ecstatic. Michael is less enthusiastic. Sammy’s sophisticated city vibe seems out of place in his country home. But even he can’t deny that the bubbly beauty lights up the whole house.

Though Sammy doesn’t know much about ranching, she recognizes an aching heart when she sees one. Michael and his kids could use some cheer, and she’s determined to make the most of their time together. But as the heat between Sammy and Michael threatens to melt the snow, Sammy wonders if Michael’s heart could be thawing, as well...

“You going to quit talking anytime soon?” Michael grumbled.

Sammy caught her breath and stared at him.

Michael hadn’t meant to sound harsh. He was making a joke. He might not want her here, but he didn’t willingly hurt others. He was about to open his mouth to apologize when she burst into laughter.

“Travis says that exact same thing to me all the time. He says I’m long on air and short on content.”

Her smile, like the heavens bursting forth with a hundred Jacob’s ladders, turned his guts to pudding.

Careful that he didn’t touch her, he sidled past, feeling her heat nonetheless. Strange that he hadn’t noticed that he’d missed the scent of a woman.

He didn’t even know her. She was a stranger and yet she was turning him inside out.

It was going to be a long night.

Dear Reader 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 Extract Copyright ,

Welcome to my second Harlequin Western Romance, Rodeo Rancher! What a wonderful opportunity to have free rein to write about cowboys, ranchers, children and babies, my favorite topics, to my heart’s content!

I am intrigued by how much we show of ourselves to the world, but even more by how much we hide. Samantha Read is a beautiful, fun, loving woman who hides her insecurities behind chatter and busyness. Michael Moreno, on the other hand, keeps an ironclad fist clenched around his heart since the death of his wife two years ago. How can he possibly open himself to more heartache by ever loving again?

He dishes out his affections to his young children...and that’s all. From now on he will live a lonely, but safe life...until Sammy and her two boys come along to steal his heart. Sammy is determined to give Michael’s children the pure unadulterated fun they deserve. When she learns they didn’t celebrate Christmas, her favorite holiday, she gives them a Merry Christmas-in-February Day. They love it! To Michael’s horror and delight, so does he. In turn, salt-of-the-earth Michael offers Sammy a rock-solid steadiness she’s never known in her life.

I hope you enjoy this, my second Western Romance, which I loved writing. These characters are near and dear to my heart.

I’m thrilled when readers contact me! You can reach me through my website, marysullivanbooks.com.

Best wishes,

Mary Sullivan

RODEO RANCHER

Mary Sullivan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARY SULLIVAN has a fondness for cowboys, even though she was raised as a city girl! She’s had many careers, including working as a darkroom printer, which she loved, and photographing knitting books and folk CD covers. She has also worked as a caterer, but her favorite and smartest career choice was to become an author. Her passion is writing romance novels.

Her other passions include music and puzzles of any kind, but she especially loves cryptic crosswords and jigsaw puzzles. She is a walker. In the winter, she will gladly walk four to five miles to her favorite chocolate shop for the pleasure of sipping a cup of hot chocolate after a cold walk.

She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at marysullivanbooks.com, or via her Facebook author page, Facebook.com/marysullivanauthor.

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To my lovely daughter who inspires me every day, and who makes me a better person.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A FAMILY HOUSEWARMING Visitors are rare at widower Michael Moreno’s Rodeo, Montana, ranch. When Samantha Read and her two sons turn up, seeking shelter in a snowstorm, his kids are ecstatic. Michael is less enthusiastic. Sammy’s sophisticated city vibe seems out of place in his country home. But even he can’t deny that the bubbly beauty lights up the whole house. Though Sammy doesn’t know much about ranching, she recognizes an aching heart when she sees one. Michael and his kids could use some cheer, and she’s determined to make the most of their time together. But as the heat between Sammy and Michael threatens to melt the snow, Sammy wonders if Michael’s heart could be thawing, as well...

Introduction “You going to quit talking anytime soon?” Michael grumbled. Sammy caught her breath and stared at him. Michael hadn’t meant to sound harsh. He was making a joke. He might not want her here, but he didn’t willingly hurt others. He was about to open his mouth to apologize when she burst into laughter. “Travis says that exact same thing to me all the time. He says I’m long on air and short on content.” Her smile, like the heavens bursting forth with a hundred Jacob’s ladders, turned his guts to pudding. Careful that he didn’t touch her, he sidled past, feeling her heat nonetheless. Strange that he hadn’t noticed that he’d missed the scent of a woman. He didn’t even know her. She was a stranger and yet she was turning him inside out. It was going to be a long night.

Dear Reader Dear Reader 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 Extract Copyright , Welcome to my second Harlequin Western Romance, Rodeo Rancher! What a wonderful opportunity to have free rein to write about cowboys, ranchers, children and babies, my favorite topics, to my heart’s content! I am intrigued by how much we show of ourselves to the world, but even more by how much we hide. Samantha Read is a beautiful, fun, loving woman who hides her insecurities behind chatter and busyness. Michael Moreno, on the other hand, keeps an ironclad fist clenched around his heart since the death of his wife two years ago. How can he possibly open himself to more heartache by ever loving again? He dishes out his affections to his young children...and that’s all. From now on he will live a lonely, but safe life...until Sammy and her two boys come along to steal his heart. Sammy is determined to give Michael’s children the pure unadulterated fun they deserve. When she learns they didn’t celebrate Christmas, her favorite holiday, she gives them a Merry Christmas-in-February Day. They love it! To Michael’s horror and delight, so does he. In turn, salt-of-the-earth Michael offers Sammy a rock-solid steadiness she’s never known in her life. I hope you enjoy this, my second Western Romance, which I loved writing. These characters are near and dear to my heart. I’m thrilled when readers contact me! You can reach me through my website, marysullivanbooks.com . Best wishes, Mary Sullivan