Vicki Thompson - Riding Hard

Sometimes a cowboy needs a second chance…

Some mistakes can’t be undone. After making the absolute worst decision of his life, horse veterinarian Drake Brewster will do whatever it takes to make amends with his best friend. And it starts with a summer at the Last Chance Ranch. But not everyone is thrilled about it…especially bartender and psych student Tracy Gibbons.

Tracy sees the world in shades of right and wrong—and what Drake did was Very Definitely Wrong. Worse yet, her promise to babysit a horse sanctuary means relying on Drake. And that’s where Tracy finds herself in a serious dilemma. He’s the one person she can’t trust, but she wants Drake something fierce…and the feeling is fiercely mutual! But if she climbs into the saddle, will she be ready for the ride?

What could be hotter than a cowboy in June?

How about a cowboy in July, August

and under the mistletoe, too!

New York Times bestselling author

Vicki Lewis Thompson is back in the

Mills & Boon Blaze lineup for 2014,

and this year she’s offering her readers even more….

Sons of Chance

Chance isn’t just the last name of these rugged Wyoming cowboys—it’s their motto, too!

Dear Reader Contents Dear Reader , Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Epilogue Extract ,

When the editors and I first settled on this title, I wasn’t sure that it fit the story. I’ve changed my mind. Drake Brewster might be my most troubled hero so far. He’s loaded down with guilt, and he’s very hard on himself.

Ah, but he’s a charmer, with his Rhett Butler accent and his bad-boy appeal. Those very charms are what got him into hot water, and now he’s working to regain the trust of his best friend, Regan. While doing that, he meets Tracy Gibbons, bartender and temporary house sitter for Regan and Regan’s fiancée. Tracy is not a Drake Brewster fan.

I’ll admit right up front that the folks at the Last Chance Ranch are not enamored of the guy, either. He wronged one of their own, and they’re not inclined to be friendly under those circumstances. But you have to hand it to Drake. He sticks it out because that’s the only way he’ll be able to respect himself as a man.

Welcome to midsummer in Wyoming! The weather is gorgeous, and so is Drake Brewster. Tracy thinks she can resist him, but let me tell you, I couldn’t. Come along on another Sons of Chance adventure and see if you can resist this Southern scoundrel! Betcha can’t!

Scandalously yours,

Vicki

Riding Hard

Vicki Lewis Thompson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson’s love affair with cowboys started with the Lone Ranger, continued through Maverick and took a turn south of the border with Zorro. She views cowboys as the Western version of knights in shining armor—rugged men who value honor, honesty and hard work. Fortunately for her, she lives in the Arizona desert, where broad-shouldered, lean-hipped cowboys abound. Blessed with such an abundance of inspiration, she only hopes that she can do them justice. Visit her website, www.vickilewisthompson.com.

To everyone who has ever made a mistake and wronged a friend. It’s tough to go through life and not do that at least once, so I figure this dedication applies to all of us. Let’s forgive ourselves and each other for being human. Oh, and to my dad, from whom I took Psych 101. It was an eye-opener.

Contents

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Dear Reader , Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Epilogue Extract , When the editors and I first settled on this title, I wasn’t sure that it fit the story. I’ve changed my mind. Drake Brewster might be my most troubled hero so far. He’s loaded down with guilt, and he’s very hard on himself. Ah, but he’s a charmer, with his Rhett Butler accent and his bad-boy appeal. Those very charms are what got him into hot water, and now he’s working to regain the trust of his best friend, Regan. While doing that, he meets Tracy Gibbons, bartender and temporary house sitter for Regan and Regan’s fiancée. Tracy is not a Drake Brewster fan. I’ll admit right up front that the folks at the Last Chance Ranch are not enamored of the guy, either. He wronged one of their own, and they’re not inclined to be friendly under those circumstances. But you have to hand it to Drake. He sticks it out because that’s the only way he’ll be able to respect himself as a man. Welcome to midsummer in Wyoming! The weather is gorgeous, and so is Drake Brewster. Tracy thinks she can resist him, but let me tell you, I couldn’t. Come along on another Sons of Chance adventure and see if you can resist this Southern scoundrel! Betcha can’t! Scandalously yours, Vicki ,

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Extract

Prologue

July 20, 1990

ARCHIE CHANCE WISHED he could be anywhere but here, sitting on a barstool at the Spirits and Spurs. Or, if he had to be here, he wished he hadn’t invited his son Jonathan to have a beer with him while the women went shopping at the Shoshone General Store.

The bar was mostly empty, which allowed Archie to hear two strangers at a table about ten feet behind them. Jonathan’s tight expression indicated that he could hear it, too. One of the men was reminiscing about a one-night stand he’d enjoyed in Shoshone many years ago with a woman named Diana, a woman who sounded a hell of a lot like Jonathan’s ex-wife.

Archie pushed away his half-empty beer glass. “Let’s shove off.”

Jonathan shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Look, does it really matter what—”

“Yes.”

Archie understood. In Jonathan’s shoes, he would have wanted to know, too. Diana had abandoned Jonathan and their young son, Jack, ten years ago and had severed all ties with the family. Archie wouldn’t be surprised if she’d also had affairs during their unhappy marriage.

Archie had heard enough. Way too much, in fact. The woman named Diana had mentioned being married to a surly cowboy whose family owned a big spread outside of town.

Archie sipped his beer and stared straight ahead, because he didn’t know what else to do. After what seemed like years, the two men left.

When Jonathan finally spoke, his voice was husky. “I was, you know.”

Archie turned, not sure what his son was admitting to. “You were what?”

“Surly.”

“Well, you had good reason to be, damn it. She was a difficult woman. Probably still is.” Archie wasn’t supposed to overreact to things and get his blood pressure up, but he couldn’t help it.

“She was unhappy. I had no patience with her.”

“Because you didn’t love her.” None of us did.

“I...” Jonathan picked up his glass, then put it back down. “No, I didn’t love her. I realize that now, because of Sarah. I’m still not very patient, but when she reminds me of that, I don’t get mad. I try harder. I’m lucky to have her, and I don’t want to mess up a good thing.”

Archie’s eyes grew moist. He’d developed an embarrassing tendency to get choked up over his family lately. Nelsie assured him that grandpas were allowed, but he thought it was unmanly. He cleared his throat. “You’re lucky to have each other.”