The Trouble With Cowboys Read online

  Acclaim for Denise Hunter

  “A fun weekend read with equal parts spunk and spice, Denise Hunter’s The Accidental Bride will keep readers lassoed up tight ’til the cows come home.”

  –USA TODAY

  “The best kind of love story—completely believable, wonderfully real, with a Sleepless-in-Seattle-esque vibe that just makes you want to cheer for love’s ability to be reborn.”

  –SUSAN MEISSNER, AUTHOR OF LADY IN

  WAITING, REGARDING A COWBOY’S TOUCH

  “ . . . a romantic adventure about unconditional love and forgiveness.”

  —LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW OF SURRENDER BAY

  “[In Surrender Bay] Denise has turned the spotlight on the depth of God’s love for His children in a story that will remain with you long after the last page is read.”

  —RELZREVIEWZ

  “No one can write a story that grips the heart like Denise Hunter . . . If you like Karen Kingsbury or Nicholas Sparks, this is an author you’ll love.”

  —COLLEEN COBLE, BEST-SELLING

  AUTHOR OF THE LIGHTKEEPER’S BRIDE

  “In Finding Faith Denise Hunter once again brings me to tears with her thought-provoking story. For depth and emotion, this author always hits her mark.”

  —KRISTIN BILLERBECK, AUTHOR OF

  WHAT A GIRL WANTS AND SHE’S ALL THAT

  What Readers Are Saying

  “Thank you for being faithful with the talents God has given you. Your Nantucket Island series has really opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of God’s love for me. I love being reminded that God’s love is steadfast and undeserved. I can’t begin to fathom it, but your books do help scratch the surface.”

  –TANYA

  “I just read Sweetwater Gap, and I wanted to say that it was such a powerful and compelling novel. I LOVED IT. I finished and just cried myself to sleep because that’s how much of an impact it had. It was amazing! I thank you for writing such a novel.”

  –KELSEY

  “I just read Surrender Bay, and I loved it! I’m 16 and I hate to read, but I just couldn’t set the book down. I’m so excited to read more of your books!”

  –DESTINY

  “I finished The Accidental Bride at 3:00 in the morning. I loved the story. I wished it could go on and on.”

  –LORI

  “I’m so thankful that I ran across one of your books one day at the book-store a month ago. I do not like to read, but you’ve got me hooked now! I’ve got just about all your books in a short amount of time. My favorite ones are the Big Sky Romances.”

  –MARTINA

  “Thanks for being fabulous! I am an avid reader and have worked at a book-store for seven years. Finding authors and books that I love sometimes seems impossible even with the thousands that get released every year! I picked up Seaside Letters and could not put it down. Now I am in the middle of The Convenient Groom and cannot get through it fast enough. Keep ‘em coming!”

  –A READER

  “Just wanted to know how much I loved The Accidental Bride, I woke up last night at 2:00 a.m., and started reading it. I read it all the way through and am now trying to face the day with very little sleep, but a wonderful story rattling round in my brain. Thank you so much for your wonderful work.”

  –A READER

  “I am about thirty pages away from the ending of Sweetwater Gap and I am in the middle of a dilemma . . . I am so scared to finish it . . . because then it will be over! I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed your book. [I’ve] become closer to God by realizing that he is always there!”

  –CARRA

  “A friend gave me Surrender Bay to read. I could not put the book down! It kept me up until 2:00 a.m. one night, and past 1:00 the next! I’ve never read a book so quickly in my life!”

  –EMILY

  “There are no words to explain how amazing your book Surrender Bay was. I read it in two days because I couldn’t stop reading. You have to be my favorite author of all time. I am going to read all your books because I am sure they are all amazing.”

  –DAISY

  “I just cannot put your books down. Your novels are contemporary, humorous, and moving to tears. I am such a fan now.”

  –LANA

  “Was in a local store and picked up a copy of A Cowboy’s Touch . . . and I ABSOLUTELY loved it. I have been reading romance novels since I was a teenager, and this one is one of my favorites. Thanks for such a well-written and inspiring book.”

  –A READER

  “I just read A Cowboy’s Touch, and I enjoyed it so much. I am so amazed at the gift God has given for you to bring forth such a beautiful work.”

  –CATHY

  “Oh my goodness, I just wanted to stop by and say that you are truly amazing! I just finished reading Surrender Bay; I’ve never read a Christian based novel before, but I am SO glad I decided to read your book. It was so touching!”

  –A READER

  “I’m a librarian . . . I read A Cowboy’s Touch and was hooked. I started searching for every book I could find by you. I’ve read all the Nantucket series and loved every one. I highly recommend your books to all my patrons. Thank you so much for writing such good Christian books.”

  –JOY

  “Why haven’t I discovered you sooner! I read Seaside Letters and am finishing up Driftwood Lane! Headed to get The Convenient Groom and Surrender Bay tomorrow! Then A Cowboy’s Touch! Keep the books coming! I’m trying to catch up!”

  –BRENDA

  “I have fallen in love with your books. I work in a high school media center . . . I try to point all the young girls and teachers your direction.”

  –BILLIE ANN

  “I must admit that I never used to like romance novels, but your books have changed my mind! Keep writing, and I’ll keep reading!”

  –BETHANY

  “A friend introduced me to your books a couple of months back, and I have not been able to put them down since! I read the entire Nantucket series first, then went on to Sweetwater Gap. I also especially loved your metaphor in the Nantucket series of God’s love for us, by using the characters to show His love the way Jesus would. AWESOME stuff!”

  –JEN

  “I just finished Seaside Letters . . . WOW! This is definitely on my favorite books list. I loved every aspect of this story! I am looking forward to reading more of your books. You have a devoted reader in me!”

  –ERICA

  The

  Trouble

  with

  Cowboys

  Also by Denise Hunter

  THE NANTUCKET ROMANCE SERIES

  Surrender Bay

  The Convenient Groom

  Seaside Letters

  Driftwood Lane

  THE BIG SKY ROMANCE SERIES

  A Cowboy’s Touch

  The Accidental Bride

  Sweetwater Gap

  “All Along” in Smitten

  The

  Trouble

  with

  Cowboys

  A

  Big Sky

  Romance

  Denise Hunter

  © 2012 by Denise Hunter

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

  Thomas Nelson, Inc., books may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ ThomasNelson.com.
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br />   Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Hunter, Denise, 1968-

  The trouble with cowboys : a big sky romance / Denise Hunter.

  p. cm.

  ISBN 978-1-59554-803-0 (trade paper)

  1. Ranch life--Montana--Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3608.U5925T76 2012

  813’.6--dc23

  2012022635

  Printed in the United States of America

  12 13 14 15 16 QG 5 4 3 2 1

  Contents

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  29

  30

  31

  32

  33

  34

  35

  36

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Dear Pushover,

  Horse temperaments differ by breed and personality. A stallion requires a firmer hand. Don’t be afraid to let him know who’s boss.

  1

  Annie Wilkerson was sitting in the Chuckwagon, minding her own business, when he mosied in. He was with a crowd, of course. He always traveled in a pack—him and his handful of ardent admirers.

  Annie opened the menu, propped it on the table, and slouched behind it. The Silver Spurs belted out some country-and-western tune her sister probably knew by heart. The clamor in the crowded restaurant seemed to have increased twice over since Dylan and company walked in. But maybe that was her imagination.

  The chair across from her screeched against the plank floor. Finally. John was already ten minutes late. She lowered her menu, smiling anyway.

  An instant later the smile tumbled from her lips.

  Dylan Taylor plopped his hat down and sprawled in the chair like he owned the table, the restaurant, and half of Park County besides. His impertinent grin slanted sideways, calling his dimple into action—a fact of which he was no doubt aware.

  “Annie Wilkerson. Why’s the prettiest filly in Moose Creek sitting all by her lonesome on a Saturday night?” Dylan’s Texas drawl had followed him north, sticking with him like a stray dog.

  Ignoring the heavy thumps of her heart, Annie tilted her head and deadpanned, “Well, Dylan, I was just sitting here waiting with bated breath for you to come rescue me.”

  He put his hand to his heart, his blue eyes twinkling. “Aw, Annie, don’t tease me like that. It smarts.”

  She scowled at him and settled back in her chair, propping the menu between them. “What do you want, Dylan?”

  “Maybe just the pleasure of your company.”

  “Maybe you should find another table.”

  He tsk-tsked. “So cruel. You wound me with your hurtful words.”

  If Dylan had a heart, she was sure it was unwoundable. Made of something springy and elastic that sent oncoming darts bouncing off. Typical cowboy.

  She skimmed the menu, unseeing. “That seat’s taken.”

  “Your sister joining you?”

  Like she couldn’t possibly have a date? “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  His hands went up in surrender. “I was hoping to join you.”

  “I have a date.”

  His head tipped back slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Ah . . . who’s the lucky guy?”

  “What do you want, Dylan?”

  He tilted the chair onto its back legs, and she found herself wishing it would fall. But that kind of thing never happened to men like Dylan.

  “I have a proposition,” he said, his eyes roaming her face.

  Her cheeks grew warm and she hated that. Cursed Irish blood and fair skin. She swore he said things like that on purpose. She focused on the menu. On the photo of barbecue ribs that were actually better than they looked.

  “Not interested.”

  “Now, come on, give me a chance to explain. It’s business—not that I’d have any problem picking up socially where we left off last time . . .”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “There was no last time.”

  “Whatever you say, sugar.”

  She gritted her teeth and slumped until she could no longer see him over the menu.

  “In all seriousness,” he said, his voice dropping the teasing tone, “I got a horse that needs help. Wondered if you’d drop by next week and take a look at him.”

  Oh no. She wasn’t stepping foot on Dylan’s property again. Not after last time. “I’m busy next week.”

  “It’s my best horse—Braveheart. He’s got moon blindness.”

  “I’m not a vet—have Merle look him over.”

  “He did.”

  There was something in his voice she couldn’t define and didn’t care to try.

  “He thinks I ought to put him down.”

  Annie lowered her menu. Dylan’s dimple was long gone. “Is he blind?”

  “Not completely. But he will be. Started bumping into things in the spring, and by the time it was diagnosed, it was too late. He’s not himself now. Spooks easy, won’t let anyone near, not even me.”

  His eyes pulled her in. She’d never seen him without that cocksure grin, much less with that sober look in his eyes.

  Careful, Annie.

  She looked away, toward the dance floor where her best friend, Shay, was dancing with her husband. They moved like two pieces of the same puzzle. She wondered how long it would take that cowboy to erase the pretty smile from her friend’s face. In her experience, it wouldn’t be long.

  “Annie . . . ?”

  She pulled her eyes from the couple. “There’s a trainer over in Sweet Grass County, Roy Flint. He’s supposed to be really good. I’ll get his number for you.”

  “I don’t want him. I want the best. I read your column; you know what you’re doing.”

  Brenda Peterson appeared tableside, flashing a bright smile. “You two ready to order?”

  “We’re not together.”

  “Large Coke, please.”

  They spoke simultaneously, and Annie glared at Dylan as Brenda walked away with her menu—never mind that she hadn’t ordered yet.

  Dylan propped his elbows on the table. “I can’t put Braveheart down, but he needs a lot of work, and I don’t have the time or expertise.”

  Annie leaned back, putting space between her and those puppy dog eyes. She was a sucker for a horse in distress, but if she was at Dylan’s place for days on end, she’d be the one in distress. Besides, getting him to pay up last time had been like collecting pollen from the wind.

  “You’re right,” Annie said. “It is going to take a lot of time— time I don’t have right now.”

  He leaned in, trained those laser-precision eyes right on her. Heaven have mercy, it was easy to see why he made women lose their wits. What was God thinking, combining all those rugged good looks with cowboy charm and tossing in dimples for good measure?

  “I want you,” he said.

  The double meaning—intended or not—was a needed reminder. She pulled the napkin from the table and spread it across her lap. “Roy can help him, I’m sure of it. I’ll get his number for you Monday.”

  Someone nearby cleared his throat. John Oakley had somehow arrived unnoticed, thanks to Dylan’s annoying habit of usurping her every thought.

  “Hello, Annie.” John bent and pla
ced a kiss on her cheek.

  “Hi, John.” Annie couldn’t tear her eyes from Dylan, whose left brow had shot up.

  “Oakley.” Dylan nodded, coming slowly to his feet. He towered over John, who looked out of place at the Chuckwagon in his banker clothes.

  “Dylan. Thanks for keeping my date company.” His flat smile and flaring nostrils said otherwise.

  “Anytime, Oakley, anytime.” Dylan’s gaze held hers for a beat too long, the corners of his lips twitching in a way she was sure annoyed John. “Annie, talk to you Monday.” He pointed at her, winking. “And don’t think I’ve given up.”

  Warmth flooded her face as John sank into the chair and jabbed his glasses into place with his index finger. She watched Dylan amble away and told herself the feeling spreading through her limbs was relief.

  Dear Spooked,

  Horses often spook when the rider is fearful. You will both feel more confident if you have a safe place to go when things go awry.

  2

  Annie knew something was amiss the minute she entered the Mocha Moose the next week. For starters, it was too quiet— there were only a few patrons. Even the music whispering from hidden speakers was all wrong. A soft classical tune, not a blaring rendition of “Ladies Love Country Boys.”

  She looked behind the bar where the owner, Tina Lewis, was stacking fresh cups beside the coffee carafes. Her short brown hair swung forward.

  She gave Annie a chagrined look. “Hey, Annie.”