New York Times bestselling author Susan Malleryâs newest Foolâs Gold story proves that wild hearts cannot be tamed...
Horse whisperer Shane Stryker is done with passion. This time around, heâs determined to meet someone who will be content with the quiet life of a rancherâs wife. And the fiery, pint-size redhead who dazzles him at the local bar definitely does not fit the bill.
Small-town librarian Annabelle Weiss has always seen herself as more of a sweetheart than a siren, so she canât understand why Shane keeps pushing her away. Shane has formed the totally wrong impression of her but only he can help her with a special event for the next Foolâs Gold festival. And maybe while heâs at it, she can convince him to teach her a few things about kissing on hot summer nights, tooâsome lessons, a girl shouldnât learn from reading a book!
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery
âIf you want a story that will both tug on your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone, Mallery is the author for you!â
âRT Book Reviews on Only His
âWhen it comes to heartfelt contemporary romance, Mallery is in a class by herself.â
âRT Book Reviews on Only Yours
âAn adorable, outspoken heroine and an intense heroâ¦set the sparks flying in Malleryâs latest lively, comic and touching family-centered story.â
âLibrary Journal on Only Yours
âMalleryâ¦excels at creating varied, well-developed characters and an emotion-packed story gently infused with her trademark wit and humor.â One of the Top 10 Romances of 2011!
âBooklist on Only Mine
âMalleryâs prose is luscious and provocative.â
âPublishers Weekly
âSusan Malleryâs gift for writing humor and tenderness make all her books true gems.â
âRT Book Reviews
âRomance novels donât get much better than Malleryâs expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.â
âBooklist
CHAPTER ONE
SHANE STRYKER WAS DETERMINED enough to never walk away from a fight and smart enough to know when heâd been beat. The beautiful redhead dancing on the bar might be everything he wanted, but pursuing her would be the worst decision he could make.
Her eyes were closed, her long, wavy hair swayed in rhythm with her body. The sensual beat of the music hit Shane square in the gut. He shook his head. Okay, it hit him lower than that, but he ignored it and the draw he felt. Women who danced on bars were trouble. Exciting, tempting, but not for him. Not anymore.
He might not know her, but he knew the type. Attention-seeking. Deadlyâat least for a guy who assumed marriage meant commitment and monogamy. Women like the one on the bar needed to be wanted by every man in the room.
Slowly, regretfully, he turned away from the woman and headed for the exit. Heâd come into town for a beer and a burger. Heâd thought he could catch the game, maybe hang with the guys. What heâd found instead was a barefoot goddess who made a man want to forget all his hopes and dreams in exchange for a single smile. His dreams were worth more, he reminded himself, glancing over his shoulder one last time before stepping out into the warm summer night.
* * *
ANNABELLE WEISS OPENED her eyes. âItâs easy.â
âUh-huh.â Her friend Charlie Dixon put down her beer and shook her head. âNo.â
Annabelle climbed off the bar and put her hands on her hips. It was her attempt to look intimidating. Kind of a feeble gesture when she considered the fact that Charlie was a good eight or ten inches taller and had muscles Annabelle didnât want to know existed.
She was about to make her case, maybe even throw in a line that it was for the children, when the mostly female crowd broke into spontaneous applause.
âGreat dance,â someone called.
Annabelle spun in a circle. âThank you,â she called. âIâll be here all week.â She looked back at her friend. âYou have to.â
âIâm pretty sure I donât.â
Annabelle turned to Heidi Simpson. âYou talk to her.â
Heidi, a pretty blonde who had recently gotten engaged, glanced up from studying her diamond ring. âWhat? Oh, sorry. I was busy.â
âThinking about Rafe,â Charlie grumbled. âWe know. Heâs wonderful, youâre happy. Itâs getting annoying.â
Heidi laughed. âNow whoâs cynical?â
âItâs not news. Iâve always been cynical.â Charlie grabbed her beer and led the way back to their table. The one theyâd abandoned when Annabelle had offered to show them both the dance of the happy virgin.