Midnight Thunder

The lost cowboy...

Thunder Mountain Ranch was the only place cowboy Cade Gallagher had ever called home. But after he and Lexi Simmons broke each other’s hearts, he left it behind, along with his foster family. Since then, Cade has drifted, looking for something—anything—to call home. Until a call from Lexi changes everything...

Cade has been gone too long. His foster mother is hospitalized, and the ranch is in deep financial trouble. Yet even as his world crumbles, Cade’s hunger for Lexi is almost as tangible as the taste of her lips and the way her body fits deliciously against his. It’s bittersweet surrender. But Lexi isn’t the girl she used to be, and she’s determined to have the hot cowboy in her bed only if she keeps him out of her heart.

Praise for Vicki Lewis Thompson

“Cowboy Up is a sexy joy ride, balanced with good-natured humor and Thompson’s keen eye for detail. Another sizzling romance from the RT Reviewers’ Choice award winner for best Blaze.”

—RT Book Reviews

“Vicki Lewis Thompson has compiled a tale of this terrific family, along with their friends and employees, to keep you glued to the page and ending with that warm and loving feeling.”

—Fresh Fiction on Cowboys and Angels

“Intensely romantic and hot enough to singe...her Sons of Chance series never fails to leave me worked up from all the heat, and then sighing with pleasure at the happy endings!”

—We Read Romance on Riding High

“If I had to use one word to describe Ambushed! it would be charming.... Where the story shines and how it is elevated above others is the humor that is woven throughout.”

—Dear Author

“The chemistry between Molly and Ben is off the charts: their first kiss is one of the best I’ve ever read, and the sex is blistering and yet respectful, tender and loving.”

—Fresh Fiction on A Last Chance Christmas

Dear Reader,

I love beginnings! I especially love beginnings that involve cowboys and the women who love them. Welcome to Thunder Mountain Brotherhood! I’ve been excited about this series from the moment I envisioned a ranch that once housed foster boys. As they learned to ride and rope, they also learned the cowboy code of integrity, courage and loyalty.

Now grown men, they share a love of Thunder Mountain Ranch and a bond stronger than if they’d been born brothers. This summer you’ll meet three of them, starting with Cade Gallagher. I can’t wait for you to meet Cade, and Lexi, the unforgettable woman he left behind.

I can’t wait for you to meet all of them, in fact! None of these guys had an easy start in life, and they have scars both inside and out. That makes them challenging to love, but I have a hunch you’ll end up falling for them as quickly as I did.

For those of you who enjoyed my Sons of Chance series, rest assured that you’ll see glimpses of those characters, because I couldn’t abandon them completely! I predict you’ll have fun watching them pop up now and then. In the meantime, come with me to Thunder Mountain Ranch and let me introduce you to some very hot cowboys. We’re going to have a great time this summer!

Enthusiastically yours,

Midnight Thunder

Vicki Lewis Thompson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A passion for travel has taken New York Times bestselling author VICKI LEWIS THOMPSON to Europe, Great Britain, the Greek isles, Australia and New Zealand. She’s visited most of North America and has her eye on South America’s rainforests. Africa, India and China beckon. But her first love is her home state of Arizona, with its deserts, mountains, sunsets and—last but not least—cowboys! The wide-open spaces and heroes on horseback influence everything she writes. Connect with her at vickilewisthompson.com, facebook.com/vickilewisthompson and twitter.com/vickilthompson.

To Kathleen Scheibling for believing in me and this series. Let it also be noted that she selflessly braved the rigors of a cover shoot with bare-chested cowboys. What devotion to the cause!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Praise for Vicki Lewis Thompson

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Prologue

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

CARRYING THEIR BOOTS, Cade Gallagher and Damon Harrison crept out of the ranch house’s front door as the grandfather clock in the living room struck twelve. Breaking the house rules was serious, but in this case it was necessary.

After shutting the front door carefully, Cade avoided the porch board that squeaked as he walked over to the steps and sat down to put on his boots.

Damon lowered himself to the top step. “You got your knife?” His voice cracked a little because it was still changing.

“Yep.” Cade’s voice had changed months ago, and he had to shave every two days now. “You got the matches?”

“Yep.”

Cade pulled on his boots and stood. “Ready?”

“Yep.”

After taking the steps slow so he wouldn’t make too much noise, Cade started toward a grove of trees beyond the main corral. They’d picked out the spot a week ago but had waited for the full moon. It was playing hide-and-seek with the clouds tonight, but the clouds hadn’t dumped any rain, thank God.