The Bull Rider's Valentine
Forever his ValentineIt may be the most romantic time of the year, but Valentine’s Day just brings up bad memories for Nate Truett. Because on that day six years ago, Ronnie Hartman turned down his marriage proposal and broke his heart. Ever since, he’s been avoiding the holiday and her, completely. Now he’s returned to Arizona, with one last chance to set things right.Ronnie hasn’t forgotten that awful day, or why she turned down Nate’s proposal, but six years is a long time. Seeing how easily the he fits back into her life is…interesting. As he is welcomed with open arms by her family, Ronnie realises one thing. Whatever his reasons for coming back, she can’t avoid him or the past, anymore…
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FOREVER HIS VALENTINE
It may be the most romantic time of the year, but Valentineâs Day just brings up bad memories for Nate Truett. Because on that day six years ago, Ronnie Hartman turned down his marriage proposal and broke his heart. Ever since, heâs avoided the holidayâand herâcompletely. Now heâs returned to Mustang Valley, Arizona, for one last chance to set things right.
Ronnie hasnât forgotten that awful day, or why she turned down Nateâs proposal, but six years is a long time. Seeing how easily the former bull rider fits back into her life is...interesting. As he is welcomed with open arms by her family, Ronnie realizes one thing. Whatever his reasons for coming back, she canât avoid him, or the past, anymore...
âYou could have called.â
He laughed out loud. âWhen? Before I hit town? You canât possibly be referring to six years ago. I called you plenty after you walked out on me. Remember? You didnât answer. Not once.â
She stiffened. âWhy are you really here, Nate? And I want the truth.â
âRelax, will you? Iâm just helping out a family friend. Nothing more.â
âFine.â
She appeared unconvinced. Then again, he didnât believe himself, either.
Concern for Samantha might have been the reason heâd initially agreed to his motherâs request. But now that heâd arrived in Mustang Valley, he was suddenly determined to find out what heâd done to Ronnie that was so terribly wrong.
She wasnât the entire reason his life had gone from bad to worse to rock bottom, but losing her had surely launched his downward spiral.
Some years ago, I lived not far from a Western saloon and restaurant with a small rodeo arena built behind it. The saloonâs bull-riding events were a popular weekend attraction, and people would come from hundreds of miles away to both watch and participate. Now, bull riding isnât a sport I would ever attempt, even on an amateur level. I do, however, enjoy watching itâand always cringe when the cowboys are thrown.
I had it in the back of my mind for a long, long time to write a book that included a version of this saloon and restaurant with itâs locally famous bull-riding events. The chance finally came with The Bull Riderâs Valentineâmy first-ever book with a Valentineâs Day element. Nate Truett, a down-on-his-luck cowboy, lands a job as bull-riding manager. His former girlfriend (and love of his life) happens to be in charge of the barrel-racing events. Sheâs also the one who walked out on him six years ago after his botched Valentineâs Day proposal.
Ronnie is the last single Hartman sister to find her happily-ever-after. For me, taking her and Nate from hearts broken to hearts healed was a rewarding journey. Thank you for sharing the ride with us.
Warmest wishes,
Cathy McDavid
Since 2006, New York Times bestselling author CATHY MCDAVID has been happily penning contemporary Westerns for Mills & Boon. Every day, she gets to write about handsome cowboys riding the range or busting a bronc. Itâs a tough job, but sheâs willing to make the sacrifice. Cathy shares her Arizona home with her own real-life sweetheart and a trio of odd pets. Her grown twins have left to embark on lives of their own, and she couldnât be prouder of their accomplishments.
To Pamela, Libby, Connie and Marina.
You not only challenge me to better my writing with
your thoughtful and insightful critiques,
you are my dearest friends.
Your love and support are gifts I truly cherish.
Contents
Nate Truett leaned a shoulder against the knotty pine column, drew in a long breath and braced himself for the sight of Ronnie Hartman. He didnât wait long before she emerged from behind a tall paint gelding.
At that moment, two full days of mental preparation promptly deserted him. Nateâs heart began to hammer inside his chest. Sweat broke out across his skin, defying the chilly temperature and the heavy canvas jacket he wore. A roaring in his ears drowned out all sound.
He dragged the back of his hand across his damp forehead, wondering what the heck was wrong with him. Ask any of his friends, and theyâd say Nate possessed nerves of steel. No one made their living riding eighteen hundred pounds of angry bull into rodeo arenas without them.
Yet where were those nerves of steel now? Weakened, apparently, by the mere sight of an old girlfriend.
The realization that Ronnie still affected him to such a degree was annoying, to say the least. Heâd been trying for six years to put his feelings for her where they belongedâin the past.
Heâd obviously failed, and miserably at that, as his hammering heart and cold sweat proved.
