Catching the Cowboy: A Small-Town Clean Romance (Summer Creek Book 1) Page 27

  Jossy knew she’d been rude, but she couldn’t bring herself to apologize. Not when the man’s expensive cologne teased her nose and the warmth of his presence beside her made every nerve ending in her body prance to attention. His arm accidentally rubbed against hers, and she nearly dropped the glass in her hand.

  Openly, he studied her, his gaze holding hers captive, his eyes growing dark until the hue reminded her of the leaves of a cottonwood tree cast into twilight shadows. Unable to look away, she watched his jaw tighten as he appeared to battle an inner debate.

  Suddenly, he set the pan he held on the counter with a clang and turned to her. The ludicrous notion that he was about to kiss her caused Jossy to moisten her lips instead of step away from him. Regardless of her head shouting for her to turn tail and run, her feet seemed rooted to the floor. Slowly, his head dipped toward hers and Jossy began to lower her eyelashes, anticipating his kiss.

  Nell chose that moment to hurry back into the kitchen, oblivious to whatever craziness was happening between Jossy and the attorney. “Great news! The pastor and church are both available for the wedding.” She looked around, realizing only Jossy and Nathaniel remained in the room. “Where’s Hud and Emery?”

  “Hud walked out with Parker. He’s probably taking care of the evening chores. Emery is still helping Cricket pack.” Jossy hastily stepped away from Nathaniel, grateful her grandmother had made such a timely appearance. If she hadn’t, Jossy might have lost every last speck of sense she possessed and allowed the attorney to kiss her.

  Stunned by the realization of what had almost happened, she released a sigh of relief when Emery and Cricket returned. Cricket ran over to Jossy, wrapping her arms around her legs. “I’m so glad I get to spend the night at your house, Aunt Jossy. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, baby girl. Shall we get going?” Jossy set the last clean pan in the drainer to dry.

  “Yep!” Cricket ran over to Nell and kissed her cheek, hugged Emery, then waved at Nathaniel. “It was nice to meet you Mr. Knight.”

  “You as well, Cricket. Have fun with your aunt.”

  “I will!” Cricket grabbed Jossy’s hand before she finished drying them on a dish towel and began tugging her toward the back door. “Let’s go, Aunt Jossy. I wanna see the babies.”

  “We’ll catch up with everyone at church tomorrow,” Jossy said, giving the occupants of the kitchen a parting glance before she walked outside with her niece.

  Once Cricket was buckled into her booster seat and chatting a mile a minute, Jossy started her pickup and drove across the road to her ranch. As she passed beneath the Lazy J Ranch sign that hung from a solid timber frame, she thought about how nice it was Hud had given her the sign for Christmas the year before last. He’d helped her clear and pave the road after Richard had died, creating an entry to the ranch that was not only closer to her house, but much more convenient to both the main road and Summer Creek Ranch where Hud and Nell lived.

  Life had certainly changed since Richard passed away two years ago, leaving her a widow at twenty-seven. Often, she worked from well before dawn to far past dusk just because she hated being alone in the quiet house with nothing but her thoughts and guilt to keep her company.

  Tonight, though, Cricket would be there to bring much needed joy to her heart.

  After they spent an hour with the horses, the two of them watched a Disney cartoon, and ate ice cream sundaes. Finally, Cricket rubbed her eyes and yawned so widely, Jossy laughed at her niece as she tried to force herself to stay awake.

  “Bedtime, baby girl,” she said, carrying Cricket to one of three guest rooms located upstairs. She helped Cricket get ready for bed, then listened to the child’s prayers.

  “Thank you, God, for Emery. I’m so happy she’s gonna be my mama now. I knew you sent her here to love us. And thanks for my daddy, and Grammy, and Aunt Jossy, and our friends, and the horses, and my kitty, Luna, and the dogs, and cows, and the good food we had to eat, especially ice cream. Please bless us and hold us in your hands. And thanks again for my new mama. Amen.”

  Jossy smiled as she lovingly tucked Cricket beneath the covers of the big bed. “I get the idea you’re pretty happy about Emery agreeing to marry your daddy.”

  “I am, Aunt Jossy. I just knew she came to be my mama. We’re gonna have tea parties and play dress up and ride horses, and have the bestest time ever.” Cricket’s eyes, the same rich cobalt color as Jossy’s, glittered with excitement.

  “Do you think I can join you for any of that fun you’re planning?” Jossy asked as she kissed Cricket’s cheek.

  The little girl threw her arms around Jossy’s neck, squeezing tight. “Yep! You’re my favorite auntie. You have to come to the tea parties, too.”

  Jossy chuckled softly. “I’m your only aunt, but I appreciate the invitation.”

  “I’d still love you best if I had ten aunties.” Cricket noisily smacked her cheek then flopped back against the pillows. “Love you, Aunt Jossy.”

  “And I love you, Cricket. Have sweet dreams, baby.”

  “I will. Night-night.”

  Cricket sighed and rolled onto her side, one little hand beneath her cheek as her eyes drifted shut. Jossy stood by the bed and watched her for a moment, brushing Cricket’s unruly black curls away from her face, wishing, not for the first time, for a child of her own. Before her thoughts tumbled in a direction she hated for them to go, she bent down and pressed a light kiss to Cricket’s forehead. Quietly, she walked out of the room, leaving the door partially open so the nightlight she’d plugged into an outlet in the hallway would make it easy for Cricket to find the bathroom if she awakened in the night.

  On silent feet, Jossy made her way to the kitchen. She fixed a cup of passionflower tea, hoping it would help her relax enough to get a few hours of sleep, then curled into the soft cushions of the couch, not bothering to turn on a light.

  The darkness swirled around her as she sipped the tea, letting memories and emotions wash over her. Livid at herself for allowing Nathaniel Knight to stir her emotions, she hoped the man was long gone before she met her family at church in the morning. Good riddance to him.

  She had no use for a handsome hotshot from Portland, especially not one who left her lips tingling at the very thought of his kiss.

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  Read more about Ty and Lexi Lewis and the Rockin’ R Ranch in

  Learning the Ropes!

  All he wanted was a job . . .

  He didn't plan on a beautiful boss, a crazy dog, or a ranch in the middle of nowhere

  In a moment of desperation, homeless and unemployed auto mechanic Ty Lewis responds to a classified ad for a job in Harney County, Oregon. Offered the position on a remote ranch, he bids goodbye to his life in Portland and heads to the tiny community of Riley to jump into a new adventure. He encounters a behemoth dog that rules the ranch, a crusty old cowboy full of legendary wisdom, and a beautiful woman who can’t possibly be his new employer.

  After the untimely death of her father, Lexi Ryan leaves behind a successful career in the city to return home to the Rockin’ R Ranch. As the new owner of the ranch, it doesn’t take long for Lexi to discover her father did many odd things during the last few months of his life, like hiding half a million dollars somewhere on the place.

  Ty and Lexi are both in for a few surprises as he begins learning the ropes of country life in this sweet romance brimming with laughter and love.

  Available now!

  Books by Shanna Hatfield

  FICTION

  HISTORICAL

  Baker City Brides

  Tad’s Treasure

  Crumpets and Cowpies

  Thimbles and Thistles

  Corsets and Cuffs

  Bobbins and Boots

  Lightning and Lawmen

  Dumplings and Dynamite

  Pendleton Petticoats

  Dacey

  Aundy

  Caterina

  Ilsa

  Marnie
>
  Lacy

  Bertie

  Millie

  Dally

  Quinn

  Evie

  Hardman Holidays

  The Christmas Bargain

  The Christmas Token

  The Christmas Calamity

  The Christmas Vow

  The Christmas Quandary

  The Christmas Confection

  The Christmas Melody

  The Christmas Ring

  Gifts of Christmas

  Gift of Grace

  Gift of Hope

  Gift of Faith

  Hearts of the War

  Garden of Her Heart

  Home of Her Heart

  Dream of Her Heart

  CONTEMPORARY

  Learning The Ropes

  Love at the 20-Yard Line

  QR Code Killer

  Rose

  Summer Creek

  Catching the Cowboy

  Rescuing the Rancher

  Protecting the Princess

  Grass Valley Cowboys

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan

  The Cowboy’s Spring Romance

  The Cowboy’s Summer Love

  The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall

  The Cowboy’s New Heart

  The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye

  Holiday Brides

  Valentine Bride

  Summer Bride

  Easter Bride

  Rodeo Romance

  The Christmas Cowboy

  Wrestling Christmas

  Capturing Christmas

  Barreling Through Christmas

  Chasing Christmas

  Racing Christmas

  Keeping Christmas

  Friendly Beasts of Faraday

  Scent of Cedar

  Tidings of Joy

  Boughs of Holly

  Wings of an Angel

  Romance by Chance

  Taste of Tara

  Saving Mistletoe

  Silverton Sweethearts

  The Coffee Girl

  The Christmas Crusade

  Untangling Christmas

  Welcome to Romance

  Blown Into Romance

  Sleigh Bells Ring in Romance

  The Women of Tenacity

  Box Set with Bonus Prelude

  Heart of Clay

  Heart of Hope

  Heart of Love

  CHILDREN’S BOOKS

  Steve the Mule

  NONFICTION

  A Cowboy Christmas

  Farm Girl

  Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller

  Recipes of Love

  Savvy Entertaining

  Savvy Autumn Entertaining

  Savvy Holiday Entertaining

  Savvy Spring Entertaining

  Savvy Summer Entertaining

  About the Author

  PHOTO BY SHANA BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY

  USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.

  When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller, at their home in the Pacific Northwest.

  Shanna loves to hear from readers.

  Connect with her online:

  Website: shannahatfield.com

  Facebook: Shanna Hatfield’s Page

  Shanna Hatfield’s Hopeless Romantics Group

  Pinterest: Shanna Hatfield

  Email: shanna@shannahatfield.com