Count On A Cowboy

WAITING...TO FALL IN LOVE

Stepping onto her estranged father’s Colorado ranch, Brooke Harper hopes to find the missing piece of the puzzle that’s left a hole in her heart—her long-lost sister. But the Bucking Q Ranch is deserted...except for the tall and rugged cowboy, Trent Landry, who is taking care of the place while the owners are away. She’s determined to wait until the family she’s never met returns home...

And Trent will keep an eye on the mysterious Brooke until he finds out if she is telling the truth about finding her sister. Spending time alone with her, watching her take to ranch life as if she’s a natural, he realizes she is definitely not a threat—except maybe to his heart.

Always an early riser, Brooke was up and dressed by seven.

After finding Trent’s note from under her door, telling her to come to the Quinns’ kitchen for breakfast, she realized she was anxious to see him again. Of course, it was only to find out if he’d heard from Rory. Maybe the family was coming home today. Maybe she’d be meeting them in a few hours.

She drove the short distance up the driveway to the house and parked her car. She hated imposing on Trent Landry again, but he was her only connection to the Quinns.

“Come in,” the familiar voice called.

Once inside, she immediately smelled bacon cooking and her stomach growled in anticipation.

Standing at the stove, Trent was dressed in faded jeans and a snug black T-shirt. Oh, boy. The man was handsome, maybe not in a traditional way, but definitely in a rugged cowboy way. If you liked the cowboy type.

He tossed her a half smile. “Good morning.”

Her insides fluttered. “Morning.”

“Coffee’s on the counter.” He nodded toward the large coffeemaker.

“Oh, thank you.” Maybe the caffeine would bring her to her senses.

Dear Reader,

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about my new home with Mills & Boon American Romance. There’s nothing I love more that writing my Western stories, and Colorado is one of my favorite places, along with Texas, Montana and Wyoming.

This new Western series, Rocky Mountain Twins, is close to my heart since twin sisters Brooke and Laurel’s mother, Coralee, suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

In the first story, Count on a Cowboy, Brooke discovers she has a twin sister, Laurel, who’s been raised by their father, Rory Quinn. Brooke goes to search for her in the small town of Hidden Springs, Colorado. Her mother’s wish is to see the daughter she gave away.

When Brooke arrives at the Bucking Q Ranch, she meets handsome neighbor Trent Landry, and discovers her sister has gone to Denver. He convinces her to stay and makes her feel at home. Brooke can’t help but wonder if her father and her sister will be as welcoming and include her in their family.

This story is all about finding that place to belong. I hope you enjoy it.

Count on

a Cowboy

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

PATRICIA THAYER was born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, the second in a family of eight children. She attended Ball State University before heading west, where she has called Southern California home for many years. There she’s been a member of the Orange County Chapter of RWA. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When not working on a story, she might be found traveling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while enjoying time with her husband, Steve. Together, they have three grown sons and four grandsons and one granddaughter, whom Patricia calls her own true-life heroes.

I’ve been blessed with a large, wonderful family and many good friends who’ve stood by me and cheered me on. You’ve given me your love and acceptance freely, and I hope to return the favor.

And to all those families and caretakers who live with Alzheimer’s disease. Bless you.

And always, Steve.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Brooke Harper drove along winding Interstate 70 that bordered the powerful Colorado River. It seemed as if the road was carved out of granite. Through the driver’s-side window, she saw miles of lush green hillsides dotted with the rust-and-golden shades of the aspen trees that bordered the magnificent Rocky Mountains.

The scene took her breath away. Hidden Springs, Colorado, was so different from the southern Nevada landscape she’d been used to. And soon she’d be going back there. This was a short visit, so she didn’t need to get used to anything. Once she was finished with her business, she’d be on her way back to Las Vegas.

Brooke slowed her seven-year-old compact, but not her heart rate, as she approached the turnoff that led to her destination. Following the GPS’s directions, she took a side road, then after a few miles, another turn onto a gravel lane. She drove even slower through the grove of trees and was about to turn around when she came to a clearing, and the voice on the GPS announced, “You’ve reached your destination.”