Colton: Rodeo Cowboy
A Change Of HartAfter years of tearing up the rodeo circuit—and shirking his family duties—Colton Hart shouldn’t be surprised that his return to Thunder Ranch has been a bit thorny. His plan to put the Harts' prize stallion, Midnight, back into dangerous rodeo competition doesn’t help.Colt’s stirring up trouble off the ranch as well, especially in Leah Stockton’s heart. Recently divorced, Leah is determined to make a new life for her two kids. The last thing she needs is a man who acts like a child himself. And Leah doesn’t even know about the biggest mistake of Colt’s life.When his shameful secret is revealed, she'll never look at him the same way again. But Colt also realizes it’s past time he acts like the man Leah deserves…whether she wants him or not.
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A Change Of Hart
After years of tearing up the rodeo circuitâand shirking his family dutiesâColton Hart shouldnât be surprised that his return to Thunder Ranch has been a bit thorny. His plan to put the Hartsâ prize stallion, Midnight, back into dangerous rodeo competition doesnât help.
Coltâs stirring up trouble off the ranch as well, especially in Leah Stocktonâs heart. Recently divorced, Leah is determined to make a new life for her two kids. The last thing she needs is a man who acts like a child himself.
And Leah doesnât even know about the biggest mistake of Coltâs life. When his shameful secret is revealed, sheâll never look at him the same again. But Colt also realizes itâs past time he acts like the man Leah deservesâ¦whether she wants him or not.
Leah touched Coltâs arm, under the guise of checking out the soft chambray fabric of his shirt
But really it was the rock-hard muscles of the man who was wearing the shirt that impressed her.
Colt sandwiched her hand with his. âThat feels nice. Your hand on my arm.â
She had to admit it did. More than just nice. Colt was different than she remembered and not just in appearance. Maybe she wasnât the only one who had gone through some hard times and matured these past few years.
âLeahâI just want to be real clear on one point. Youâre not married anymore, right?â
âThatâs right.â
âGood. Iâve never kissed a married woman before, and I was hoping this wasnât going to be the exception.â
Dear Reader,
If I could wish one thing for you as you read this book it would be that you get swept away. Swept away by Colt Hart, the rodeo cowboy whoâs been carrying a secret so long that the weight of it is crushing his heart. Swept away by Leah Stocktonâa single mom doing her best in trying circumstances, who doesnât need the complication of falling for another cowboy wedded to the road. Or even swept away by Midnight, the stallion the Hart family acquired in a heated bidding war in book one of the series, who may not be worth all the money they paid for him, after all. As the author, I have been enthralled by all of itâthe whole world of the Harts of the Rodeo series.
This book was such a pleasure to write, and I want to thank Senior Editor Kathleen Scheibling for creating the Hart family and for setting the story in the most perfect ranching town possible: Roundup, Montana. Thanks also to my editor, Johanna Raisanen, for believing in me and inviting me to contribute to this series. And mega thanks to the other talented authors who also contributed stories. It was so much fun building the world of the Hart family with Cathy McDavid, Roz Denny Fox, Shelley Galloway, Marin Thomas and Linda Warren.
Maybe when youâve finished this story youâd like to know more about how I developed the characters for this book. If so, please visit my websiteâwww.cjcarmichael.comâwhere Iâll be posting bonus information about Colt and Leah, as well as contests to win copies from my backlist. You can also keep the dialogue alive by visiting my Facebook page or following me on Twitter. Iâd love to hear your feedback about this story.
And finally, donât forget that the Hart family saga continues next month with Roz Denny Foxâs Duke: Deputy Cowboy.
Happy reading!
C.J. Carmichael
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hard to imagine a more glamorous life than being an accountant, isnât it? Still, C.J. Carmichael gave up the thrills of income tax forms and double-entry bookkeeping when she sold her first book in 1998. She has now written more than twenty-eight novels for Harlequin Books, and invites you to learn more about her books, see photos of her hiking exploits and enter her surprise contests at www.cjcarmichael.com.
For Natalie and Caroline with love
Thanks to
The mastermind behind the Hart family series: Senior Editor Kathleen Scheibling;
My own amazing editor, Johanna Raisanen;
And the creative and talented Cathy McDavid, Roz Denny Fox, Shelley Galloway, Marin Thomas and Linda Warren.
Contents
Chapter One
Clouds were rolling over the hot afternoon sun as an exhausted Colton Hart pulled up to Thunder Ranch in his brand-new Dodge Ram truck with his weathered 22-foot Airstream in tow. A big party was going on at the Hart ranch house this evening, and Colt was late. Not just a few minutes late, but hours. And it wasnât just any party, but a wedding celebration.
His older brother, Ace, had married local ranching girl Flynn McKinley that afternoon. They were madly in love and already expecting a baby. Well on their way to having a perfect life. Something Coltâdespite all the rodeo buckles he kept winningâwould never have.
He should have cut out early from the rodeo in Central Point and been here. He knew that. The five thousand dollars heâd won simply wasnât worth the priceâthough he did need that money in his checking account before the first of the month. No running from that cold, hard fact.
