Dear Reader,
The very first of my novels published by Harlequin Books was a rodeo story, so I was thrilled when invited to write another one. Whether itâs the hero or the heroine climbing onto the back of a bucking animal, or trying to tie down a calf in a matter of seconds, a rodeo setting always raises the stakes for the relationship and makes the book that much more fun. Speaking of fun, Iâve greatly enjoyed my chance to work with the other writers in this seriesâRebecca, Marin, Cathy, Pam and Trisha. Coming up with story ideas was easy with such talented partners, whether we were âbuildingâ the town of Markton or decorating the luxurious accommodations on the Cottonwood Ranch. Reading their stories provided important insights into their characters and my own in this family called the Codys. Thanks for the help, ladies!
I hope youâve had a chance to read all the books in the First Family of Rodeo set. And I hope you enjoy Janie and Jesseâs story as the conclusion to the Harlequin American seriesâ first multi-author continuity. Let me know what you think with a note at my website, www.lynnettekentbooks.com, or a letter to P.O. Box 1012, Vass, NC, 28384.
Happy reading!
Lynnette Kent
Ten days. Ten go-rounds. One National Finals Rodeo Championship.
Jesse Cody needed to stay focused on his training in order to win the bull-riding championship. He didnât need this.
âPlease,â he said, staring at his father, who glared right back at him. âTell me I didnât just hear what I think I heard.â
His mother responded, instead. âWe invited the Hansens to stay with us at the hotel. Your dad and I will be arriving on Wednesday. But we told Janie you would fly her and Abigail to Las Vegas Tuesday afternoon.â
Jesse disconnected from J. W. Codyâs flinty gaze and turned to face his mom. âAre we one big, happy family now? Kind of sudden, isnât it?â
âItâs taken thirty damn years,â J.W. growled.
âWe have to adjust, son.â Anne Cody put her hand on Jesseâs arm and looked up into his face. âMark Hansen is your fatherâs son. I think the best way to deal with the situation is to accept the facts and move on.â
âIââ Jesse shook his head and tried again. âWeââ Speechless with frustration, he stepped away from his momâs touch and walked to the wall of windows in his dadâs office, which looked out across the sprawling Cottonwood Ranch. Winter had descended on Wyoming, bleaching the prairie grass, defrocking the cottonwood trees of every last leaf and sending the tender plants in the gardens around his parentsâ house deep underground. The Thanksgiving holiday had ended and Christmas was just around the corner.
The holidays would come after the National Finals, of course, where he fully expected to win the championship in bull riding. That would mean defeating Mark Hansen, his archrival since they were in high school and, it seemed, his older brother. His bastard older brother.
Without turning around, he said, âI donât think Mark and I can live practically on top of each other while weâre competing at the Finals.â
Again, his mother answered. âYou donât spend that much time in the room. I doubt youâll see each other.â
âThe Hansens actually accepted this invitation?â
âYour father and I had a long talk with Mark and Nicki at the Denver rodeo this past weekend, and they agreed this would be the best solution.â
âI bet they did.â Who wouldnât want to trade some cheap motel on the Vegas strip for rooms on the concierge floor at a first-class resort? Jesse wasnât surprised that Mark would agree to everything he could get out of becoming a Cody, but his wife, Nicki, had been Jesseâs best friend since they were kids. Marrying Hansen had apparently put her solidly on the other side.
His tone of voice must have hinted at his thoughts. âDonât jump to conclusions, Jesse.â His mother walked up behind him, took hold of his shoulder and urged him to face her. âAs things stood, Janie would have had to stay home to take care of their mother. This way, we can hire a caretaker to keep an eye on Abigail while Janie gets to have fun and watch the Finals. You know sheâll want to see Elly race.â
âNot to mention Mark,â Jesse pointed out. âSheâll be rooting for him to win.â
Anne grinned. âShe canât always be right.â
The best Jesse could do in reply was a snort. He looked over at his dad. âAnd youâre okay with this plan? Youâre ready to welcome Mark into the fold?â