Judy Duarte: Roping In The Cowgirl

The path to true love lies deep in the heart of Texas!

As a child, the Rocking C was Blake Darnell’s home away from home. Now it’s a place for former rodeo cowboys to hang up their spurs...and the LA attorney is back in Texas to stop his uncle from making the biggest mistake of his life! Until he locks horns with Shannon Cramer, the sexy RN in charge of the place.

Blake thinks his uncle is falling for a gold-digger, but Shannon believes it’s love even if the gorgeous, jaded lawyer doesn’t. Agreeing to disagree gets complicated as their attraction heats up. But the born-and-bred cowgirl’s digging in her boot heels—she’ll settle for nothing less than this city slicker’s heart!

Rocking Chair Rodeo: Cowboys—and true love—never go out of style!

He could see the wheels turning in her mind, no doubt going over those blasted questions he’d been asking himself ever since that last kiss.

And he sensed the yearning in her eyes, the desire.

“What are we going to do about this?” he asked finally.

“I know what I’d like to do,” Shannon said. “But you’ll be leaving soon. Right?”

She bit down on her bottom lip, a pensive reaction that sent Blake’s blood racing. He suspected she was about to agree to the suggestion he hadn’t actually spelled out.

That was, until she looked up, caught his eye and said, “Believe it or not, I’m an old-fashioned girl.”

Which meant what? That before making love she wanted a ring, a white lace gown, a walk down the aisle to the altar and a vow that would last forever?

He supposed he couldn’t blame her for that. But that wasn’t something he could offer her.

They sat quietly for a while, but her words still hung in the air. And so did his desire for her.

He reached for her hand. “I’m afraid that, under the circumstances, I can’t give you any kind of commitment. But I can give you tonight.”

* * *

Rocking Chair Rodeo: Cowboys—and true love—never go out of style!

Roping in the Cowgirl

Judy Duarte

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author JUDY DUARTEhas written over forty books for Mills & Boon Cherish, earned two RITA® Award nominations, won two MAGGIE® Awards and received a National Reader’s Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books at her website, www.judyduarte.com, or at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist.

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To J. Frank Astleford, Emily Itzaina, George Johnston and Emelie Kuehn, who taught me to love and value the older generation and all they had to offer.

Your stories about your own grandparents and the “good old days” made history come alive for me. You will live in my heart and my memories forever.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text The path to true love lies deep in the heart of Texas! As a child, the Rocking C was Blake Darnell’s home away from home. Now it’s a place for former rodeo cowboys to hang up their spurs...and the LA attorney is back in Texas to stop his uncle from making the biggest mistake of his life! Until he locks horns with Shannon Cramer, the sexy RN in charge of the place. Blake thinks his uncle is falling for a gold-digger, but Shannon believes it’s love even if the gorgeous, jaded lawyer doesn’t. Agreeing to disagree gets complicated as their attraction heats up. But the born-and-bred cowgirl’s digging in her boot heels—she’ll settle for nothing less than this city slicker’s heart! Rocking Chair Rodeo: Cowboys—and true love—never go out of style!

Introduction He could see the wheels turning in her mind, no doubt going over those blasted questions he’d been asking himself ever since that last kiss. And he sensed the yearning in her eyes, the desire. “What are we going to do about this?” he asked finally. “I know what I’d like to do,” Shannon said. “But you’ll be leaving soon. Right?” She bit down on her bottom lip, a pensive reaction that sent Blake’s blood racing. He suspected she was about to agree to the suggestion he hadn’t actually spelled out. That was, until she looked up, caught his eye and said, “Believe it or not, I’m an old-fashioned girl.” Which meant what? That before making love she wanted a ring, a white lace gown, a walk down the aisle to the altar and a vow that would last forever? He supposed he couldn’t blame her for that. But that wasn’t something he could offer her. They sat quietly for a while, but her words still hung in the air. And so did his desire for her. He reached for her hand. “I’m afraid that, under the circumstances, I can’t give you any kind of commitment. But I can give you tonight.” * * * Rocking Chair Rodeo: Cowboys—and true love—never go out of style!

Title Page Roping in the Cowgirl Judy Duarte www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author JUDY DUARTE has written over forty books for Mills & Boon Cherish, earned two RITA® Award nominations, won two MAGGIE® Awards and received a National Reader’s Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books at her website, www.judyduarte.com , or at Facebook.com/judyduartenovelist .

Dedication To J. Frank Astleford, Emily Itzaina, George Johnston and Emelie Kuehn, who taught me to love and value the older generation and all they had to offer. Your stories about your own grandparents and the “good old days” made history come alive for me. You will live in my heart and my memories forever.

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

He’d been...fired? Seriously?

Blake Darnell bent forward in his tufted-leather desk chair and studied the legal document he’d just received in the afternoon mail. He was so caught up in reading what his great-uncle’s new attorney had drafted and filed with the Texas court that he only now heard someone speaking to him.

“Did you hear me?” the law firm’s administrative assistant asked, her voice rising a decibel.

He glanced at his open office door, where the efficient older woman stood. “I’m sorry, Carol. What did you say?”

She crossed her arms, her expression of curiosity morphing into one of concern. “I asked if there was anything else you needed me to do before I leave, but you were a hundred miles away. Is something wrong?”

Apparently she’d been standing there for a while, long enough to notice the furrow in his brow, the frown on his face. But he shrugged off her question and his penchant for honesty. “No, everything’s fine.”