Barbara Daille - Cowboy In Charge

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Single mom Layne Slater thought she’d seen the last of Jason McAndry when he chose the rodeo over her and their unborn son. Now Jason’s back in Cowboy Creek and just as handsome as ever. But Layne can’t give in to those feelings again. She has to protect her children…and her heart.

Jason wants to try to make up for the pain he caused when he left. The least he can do is help Layne while he’s home. Before long, Jason realizes he’s finally ready to be the husband, father and man his family deserves. But can Jason prove to Layne that this time, their love is forever?

“I don’t know how you do it with two of them and only one of you.” Jason exhaled heavily and plopped the paper towels into the cart.

“I manage. Normally, my shopping wouldn’t take this long, but we had a lot of extra food to buy.”

“Told you Scott and I cleaned out the cupboards.” He frowned. “You look about ready to drop.”

“I’m tired,” Layne admitted.

“All right, then let’s get you back home.” He took the cart from her and went in the direction of the checkout counter.

No matter what she had said to her friends about Jason leaving soon, this everyday trip to the store had left her daydreaming of what their life might have been like if he had never left. Their few days together had offered her a taste. But along with the daydreams had come a fear big enough to eclipse all the pleasure she had felt.

She was getting too comfortable with Jason again. Was being reminded much too poignantly of the boy she used to love.

The boy who had stopped loving her.

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 Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved reading series books. I began with mysteries such as The Bobbsey Twins and Encyclopedia Brown, then moved on to The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Once I fell in love with romance, writing a series of books seemed like the perfect fit for me.

Often, my series are tied together by place, and I’ve loved being able to return to my small towns of Dillon, Texas, and Flagman’s Folly, New Mexico. With the Hitching Post Hotel series, I’m thrilled to have many opportunities to come back to Cowboy Creek, New Mexico. But in case you’re wondering, my series are always stand-alone books. Though a hero or heroine may appear in other stories, they reach their happy-ever-after by the end of their book. Because that’s why we read romance, isn’t it?

Whether you’re a frequent visitor to the Hitching Post Hotel or dropping by for the first time, I hope you enjoy your visit. In this story, Grandpa Jed may have run out of granddaughters to marry off, but he’s still in the matchmaking business! And he’s facing his toughest challenge to date with Jason and Layne, who were once married and divorced…from each other.

I’d love to hear what you think of the books. You can get in touch through my website, barbarawhitedaille.com, or mailing address, PO Box 504, Gilbert, AZ 85299. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter.

Until we meet again,

Barbara White Daille

www.millsandboon.co.uk

BARBARA WHITE DAILLE and her husband still inhabit their own special corner of the wild, wild Southwest, where the summers are long and hot and the lizards and scorpions roam.

Barbara loves looking back at the short stories and two books she wrote in grade school and realizing that—except for the scorpions—she’s doing exactly what she planned. She’s thrilled to have published more than a dozen novels, with more in the works, and is grateful for the readers who love her stories. The awards and top reviews her books have garnered are like icing on her favorite dessert: chocolate cake.

As always, Barbara hopes you will enjoy reading her books. She would love to have you drop by for a visit at her website, barbarawhitedaille.com.

To everyone who asked to

come back to Cowboy Creek.

I hope you enjoy your return visit with

Grandpa Jed and his family and friends!

And as always, to Rich.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text TIMING IS EVERYTHING Single mom Layne Slater thought she’d seen the last of Jason McAndry when he chose the rodeo over her and their unborn son. Now Jason’s back in Cowboy Creek and just as handsome as ever. But Layne can’t give in to those feelings again. She has to protect her children…and her heart. Jason wants to try to make up for the pain he caused when he left. The least he can do is help Layne while he’s home. Before long, Jason realizes he’s finally ready to be the husband, father and man his family deserves. But can Jason prove to Layne that this time, their love is forever?

Introduction “I don’t know how you do it with two of them and only one of you.” Jason exhaled heavily and plopped the paper towels into the cart. “I manage. Normally, my shopping wouldn’t take this long, but we had a lot of extra food to buy.” “Told you Scott and I cleaned out the cupboards.” He frowned. “You look about ready to drop.” “I’m tired,” Layne admitted. “All right, then let’s get you back home.” He took the cart from her and went in the direction of the checkout counter. No matter what she had said to her friends about Jason leaving soon, this everyday trip to the store had left her daydreaming of what their life might have been like if he had never left. Their few days together had offered her a taste. But along with the daydreams had come a fear big enough to eclipse all the pleasure she had felt. She was getting too comfortable with Jason again. Was being reminded much too poignantly of the boy she used to love. The boy who had stopped loving her.

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 Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Epilogue Extract Copyright , Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved reading series books. I began with mysteries such as The Bobbsey Twins and Encyclopedia Brown, then moved on to The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Once I fell in love with romance, writing a series of books seemed like the perfect fit for me. Often, my series are tied together by place, and I’ve loved being able to return to my small towns of Dillon, Texas, and Flagman’s Folly, New Mexico. With the Hitching Post Hotel series, I’m thrilled to have many opportunities to come back to Cowboy Creek, New Mexico. But in case you’re wondering, my series are always stand-alone books. Though a hero or heroine may appear in other stories, they reach their happy-ever-after by the end of their book. Because that’s why we read romance, isn’t it? Whether you’re a frequent visitor to the Hitching Post Hotel or dropping by for the first time, I hope you enjoy your visit. In this story, Grandpa Jed may have run out of granddaughters to marry off, but he’s still in the matchmaking business! And he’s facing his toughest challenge to date with Jason and Layne, who were once married and divorced…from each other. I’d love to hear what you think of the books. You can get in touch through my website, barbarawhitedaille.com , or mailing address, PO Box 504, Gilbert, AZ 85299. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter. Until we meet again, Barbara White Daille