Michelle Major - The Taming of Delaney Fortune

MEET THE FORTUNES!

Fortune of the Month:Delaney Fortune Jones

Age:24

Vital Statistics:A petite and perky spitfire.

You’ll never see her without her cowboy boots.

Claim to Fame:The youngest of Jeanne Marie Fortune Jones’s children, Delaney always calls ’em as she sees ’em.

Romantic prospects:She is currently being courted by Miami native Cisco Mendoza. But she is doing her best to resist …

“Maybe every girl in town has had her head turned by Cisco Mendoza. But I refuse to be swayed by his city-slicker swagger and his sophisticated ways. I’m in search of a solid cowboy, not a tourist. So what if he makes my stomach do a two-step? I’m not going to be roped in by chocolate-brown eyes and sweet nothings. But what if … what if I could wrangle Cisco’s heart for real?”

The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country:Lassoing hearts from across the pond!

The Taming of Delaney Fortune

Michelle Major

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MICHELLE MAJORgrew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.

To the Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country team—Susan and Marcia, Judy, Cindy, Marie, Nancy and Allison. Thanks for being so welcoming!

Contents

Cover

Introduction MEET THE FORTUNES! Fortune of the Month: Delaney Fortune Jones Age: 24 Vital Statistics: A petite and perky spitfire. You’ll never see her without her cowboy boots. Claim to Fame: The youngest of Jeanne Marie Fortune Jones’s children, Delaney always calls ’em as she sees ’em. Romantic prospects: She is currently being courted by Miami native Cisco Mendoza. But she is doing her best to resist … “Maybe every girl in town has had her head turned by Cisco Mendoza. But I refuse to be swayed by his city-slicker swagger and his sophisticated ways. I’m in search of a solid cowboy, not a tourist. So what if he makes my stomach do a two-step? I’m not going to be roped in by chocolate-brown eyes and sweet nothings. But what if … what if I could wrangle Cisco’s heart for real?” The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country: Lassoing hearts from across the pond!

Title Page The Taming of Delaney Fortune Michelle Major www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author MICHELLE MAJOR grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com .

Dedication To the Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country team—Susan and Marcia, Judy, Cindy, Marie, Nancy and Allison. Thanks for being so welcoming!

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

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

Delaney Fortune Jones was a romantic at heart. She loved Valentine’s Day as much as she loved weddings. But it took a bit of work to convince herself that the tears she’d shed today, watching four of her siblings get married, were only the joyful kind.

Of course she was happy for Jude, Liam, Christopher and Stacey. They’d each found the love of their lives, and Delaney had been thrilled and honored to stand up as a bridesmaid while they said their vows. The ceremony had taken place earlier on the beautiful Parthenon-inspired stage that had been built next to the barn on her parents’ ranch. Each couple’s vows had been personal to their relationship, but when the ball of emotion wedged in Delaney’s throat as she listened, there was a wistful edge to it.

Only she and her brother Galen were single now. Delaney would be the last of Deke and Jeanne Marie’s children still living on the ranch after today. Her world had shifted, and she knew it would never be the same.

But Delaney was a romantic and an optimist. She believed she’d find true love someday. It was only a matter of time until the right cowboy came along to share the small-town life she treasured. Horseback Hollow, Texas, wasn’t big or fancy, but it was the only home she’d ever need.

Shaking her head, she took a breath and then a deeper breath. Her parents had transformed the barn for the reception, but underneath the flowers and candles, Delaney could still smell the comforting scent of hay and horses. The barn was her happy place, and looking around at all of the people she loved gathered together tonight chased away her brooding thoughts.

She tapped her cowboy boot along with the rhythm to a popular song, watching her family and friends on the dance floor. She’d changed from heels after the ceremony, but the pink shell inlay of the boots still matched her silk bridesmaid’s gown. Her young nieces and nephews ran around the edge of the dance floor, stopping to wiggle their hips as the tempo increased. Delaney laughed out loud but didn’t move to join them. She was good at a lot of things. Dancing wasn’t one of them.

However, the bar was set up on the far side of the barn, so she made her way through the crowd as the music ended. A woman turned as Delaney went to slide past her, and Delaney blinked several times. Shannon Singleton, who Delaney had known since they were girls, looked stunning in her black lace dress. The light in her eyes made her even more gorgeous.

“Delaney,” Shannon said as she gave her a quick hug, “Wasn’t it a beautiful ceremony?”

“The most beautiful,” Delaney agreed, but Shannon had already turned away, pulling a man forward.

“Delaney, have you met Cisco Mendoza?” Shannon asked. “He’s one of Gabi’s handsome brothers.”

“The most handsome,” the man murmured with a deep chuckle.

“Absolutely,” Shannon agreed with a bright laugh. “But don’t tell the rest of them I said so. Cisco, this is Delaney Fortune, the baby of the family.”

“Not quite a baby,” Delaney muttered, feeling her cheeks flame.

Handsome was an understatement for Cisco Mendoza. He was several inches taller than Delaney, with broad shoulders under his dark jacket and crisp white shirt that tapered to a lean waist. His eyes were the richest brown she’d ever seen, and his thick dark hair looked like it had been styled for a photo shoot. She tugged at her bouncy blond curls, which had taken an hour in hot rollers to create but suddenly felt too girlish.

“You two get to know each other.” Shannon looked over Delaney’s shoulder. “I owe Galen the next dance.”

Before Delaney could argue, Shannon had disappeared toward the center of the dance floor.

“It’s lovely to meet you,” Cisco said, his voice smooth like the finest whiskey. Delaney didn’t actually drink whiskey, but that’s how she imagined it. Smooth with the subtlest hint of sin.

She realized he was staring at her, waiting for her to answer. One side of his mouth quirked, as if he could see how flustered she felt standing in front of him.