Trish Milburn - The Cowboy Takes A Wife

THIRD TIME’S A CHARM?

Retired bull rider Cole Davis was much more successful in the ring than in his relationships. Twice divorced, he’s come home to work on the family ranch and build his budding art career—and steer clear of anything serious when it comes to women. But when he overhears Devon Newberry being bullied by her pushy mother, he comes up with a plan to help the pretty shopkeeper.

Though Devon hates lying, the blue-eyed cowboy’s proposal of a fake relationship is working perfectly…until her feelings become all too real. She knows Cole’s heart isn’t available, but she can’t help hoping she can change his mind!

“Trust me when I say there are way worse things than pretending to date a pretty woman.”

Had Cole just called her pretty? Even if he wasn’t thinking romantic thoughts toward her, that simple comment filled her with a joy that wasn’t wise but which there was no stopping.

“Well, I better get home,” she said as she reached for the door handle.

“Wait,” he said. He hopped out of the truck and hurried over to her side to open the door.

“This isn’t necessary,” she said when she allowed him to hold her hand as she slipped out of the truck. “No one is around.”

He glanced beyond her for a moment then started to lower his head toward her.

Oh, my God! He’s going to kiss me. Her heart thumped hard.

But in the next moment, he whispered in her ear, “Your parents just walked out of La Cantina.”

“Oh,” she managed, perhaps a bit too disappointed.

Who was she kidding? She was disappointed. What had she gotten herself into?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

Welcome back to Blue Falls, Texas, and another tale of happily-ever-after. The more I build and populate Blue Falls with characters, the more I grow to love it. These cowboys and ranchers and the women who love them while living amazing lives of their own are so real to me, and I hope it’s the same for you, the reader.

While The Cowboy Takes a Wife finally brings to fruition Blue Falls’s new Arts and Crafts Trail, which you’ve been reading about in the past few books, there are so many more stories of love in this Hill Country town to tell. As I write this letter, I’m already brainstorming new Blue Falls stories. I hope you are eagerly awaiting reading them as much as I am writing them.

I love to hear from readers. Let me know what you like about Blue Falls, maybe even whose story you’d like to see next. You can email me through my website at trishmilburn.comwith your comments. And as always, thanks to the moon and back for your support.

Trish Milburn

The Cowboy Takes a Wife

Trish Milburn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

TRISH MILBURN writes contemporary romance for the Harlequin Western Romance line. She’s a two-time Golden Heart® Award winner, a fan of walks in the woods and road trips, and a big geek girl, including being a dedicated Whovian and Browncoat. And from her earliest memories, she’s been a fan of Westerns, be they historical or contemporary. There’s nothing quite like a cowboy hero.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text THIRD TIME’S A CHARM? Retired bull rider Cole Davis was much more successful in the ring than in his relationships. Twice divorced, he’s come home to work on the family ranch and build his budding art career—and steer clear of anything serious when it comes to women. But when he overhears Devon Newberry being bullied by her pushy mother, he comes up with a plan to help the pretty shopkeeper. Though Devon hates lying, the blue-eyed cowboy’s proposal of a fake relationship is working perfectly…until her feelings become all too real. She knows Cole’s heart isn’t available, but she can’t help hoping she can change his mind!

Introduction “Trust me when I say there are way worse things than pretending to date a pretty woman.” Had Cole just called her pretty? Even if he wasn’t thinking romantic thoughts toward her, that simple comment filled her with a joy that wasn’t wise but which there was no stopping. “Well, I better get home,” she said as she reached for the door handle. “Wait,” he said. He hopped out of the truck and hurried over to her side to open the door. “This isn’t necessary,” she said when she allowed him to hold her hand as she slipped out of the truck. “No one is around.” He glanced beyond her for a moment then started to lower his head toward her. Oh, my God! He’s going to kiss me. Her heart thumped hard. But in the next moment, he whispered in her ear, “Your parents just walked out of La Cantina.” “Oh,” she managed, perhaps a bit too disappointed. Who was she kidding? She was disappointed. What had she gotten herself into?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright , Welcome back to Blue Falls, Texas, and another tale of happily-ever-after. The more I build and populate Blue Falls with characters, the more I grow to love it. These cowboys and ranchers and the women who love them while living amazing lives of their own are so real to me, and I hope it’s the same for you, the reader. While The Cowboy Takes a Wife finally brings to fruition Blue Falls’s new Arts and Crafts Trail, which you’ve been reading about in the past few books, there are so many more stories of love in this Hill Country town to tell. As I write this letter, I’m already brainstorming new Blue Falls stories. I hope you are eagerly awaiting reading them as much as I am writing them. I love to hear from readers. Let me know what you like about Blue Falls, maybe even whose story you’d like to see next. You can email me through my website at trishmilburn.com with your comments. And as always, thanks to the moon and back for your support. Trish Milburn

Title Page The Cowboy Takes a Wife Trish Milburn www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author TRISH MILBURN writes contemporary romance for the Harlequin Western Romance line. She’s a two-time Golden Heart® Award winner, a fan of walks in the woods and road trips, and a big geek girl, including being a dedicated Whovian and Browncoat. And from her earliest memories, she’s been a fan of Westerns, be they historical or contemporary. There’s nothing quite like a cowboy hero.

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Devon Newberry placed the skein of bright orange yarn and a dozen vanilla-scented candles in the paper bag and handed it across the counter to Merline Teague.

“Thanks so much,” Devon said as she smiled at the older woman, the mom of local sheriff Simon Teague and his two brothers.