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A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy
Judy Duarte
HER CHALLENGE? TRANSFORMING FROM TOMBOY TO KNOCKOUT.HER PRIZE? THE COWBOY OF HER DREAMS.Outroping and outriding every man in Blossom was something Cindy Tucker could do with her eyes closed. But cooking, flirting and wearing high heels? Those were skills of a different kind–the kind she'd surely need to lasso a r husband. And the one person she trusted to teach her was Blake Gray Feather. He was the only man who'd ever made her lose her breath, who haunted her dreams, who hadn't yet figured out his childhood friend had grown up.But now, with their late-night sweet talk and soft kisses, she was seeing a different look in Blake's eyes…and that gave Cindy a newfound confidence in her womanly abilities. Because he fully intended to put Blake's "lessons" to use to win the heart of the only cowboy she'd ever loved…
Blake was way out of her league.
But boy howdy, that man was a looker, Cindy thought as he sauntered toward the porch.
He’d inherited the absolute best his German and Comanche bloodlines had to offer. And eight years on his own, riding the rodeo circuit, had made him more handsome than ever.
He carried himself with that lean, cowboy swagger, looking like a buckle bunny’s dream come true. And Cindy’s, too, if her pillow could talk.
Blake looked at Cindy with a heart-stopping grin. “Hey, aren’t you going to give me a welcome-home hug?”
She fought the urge to give him a great big hug—like she’d always done when she was younger. Because now she wanted him to see her as a woman.
A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy by Judy Duarte
Flirting with Fireworks by Teresa Carpenter
The Sheriff Wins a Wife by Jill Limber
Her Gypsy Prince by Crystal Green
Dear Reader,
It’s two days before Christmas, and while the streets of New York City are teeming with all the sights and sounds of the holiday, here at Silhouette Romance we’re putting the finishing touches on our July schedule. In case you’re not familiar with publishing, we need that much lead time to produce the romances you enjoy.
And, of course, I can’t help boasting already about the great lineup we’ve planned for you. Popular author Susan Meier heads the month with Baby Before Business (SR #1774), in which an all-work Scrooge gets his priorities in order when he discovers love with his PR executive-turned-nanny. The romance kicks off the author’s new baby-themed trilogy, BRYANT BABY BONANZA. Carol Grace continues FAIRY-TALE BRIDES with Cinderellie! (SR #1775), in which a millionaire goes in search of the beautiful caterer who’s left her slipper behind in his mansion. A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy (SR #1776) introduces Silhouette Special Edition author Judy Duarte to the line. Part of the new BLOSSOM COUNTY FAIR miniseries, this romance involves a tomboy’s transformation to win the cowboy of her dreams. Finally, Holly Jacobs continues her PERRY SQUARE miniseries with Once Upon a Prince (SR #1777), featuring the town’s beloved redheaded rebel and a royal determined to woo and win her!
Happy reading!
Ann Leslie Tuttle
Associate Senior Editor
A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy
Judy Duarte
Blossom County Fair
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Books by Judy Duarte
Silhouette Romance
A Bride for a Blue-Ribbon Cowboy #1776
Silhouette Special Edition
Cowboy Courage #1458
Family Practice #1511
Almost Perfect #1540
Big Sky Baby #1563
The Virgin’s Makeover #1593
Bluegrass Baby #1598
The Rich Man’s Son #1634
* (#litres_trial_promo)Hailey’s Hero #1659
* (#litres_trial_promo)Their Secret Son #1667
Their Unexpected Family #1676
* (#litres_trial_promo)Worth Fighting For #1684
* (#litres_trial_promo)The Matchmakers’ Daddy #1689
Silhouette Books
Double Destiny
“Second Chance”
JUDY DUARTE
An avid reader who enjoys a happy ending, Judy Duarte always wanted to write books of her own. One day she decided to make that dream come true. Five years later, she sold her first book to Silhouette Special Edition.
Her unpublished stories have won numerous awards, and in 2001, she became a double Golden Heart finalist. Judy credits her success to Romance Writers of America and two wonderful critique partners, Sheri WhiteFeather and Crystal Green, both of whom write for Silhouette.
When she’s not at the keyboard she enjoys traveling, spending romantic evenings with her personal hero and playing board games with her kids.
Judy lives in Southern California and loves to hear from readers. You may write to her at: P. O. Box 498, San Luis Rey, CA 92068-0498. You can also vist her Web site at www.judyduarte.com (http://www.judyduarte.com).
To Chad Duarte, who has been a good sport about his mother’s writing career—most of the time. In spite of what you might occasionally think, Mom doesn’t love her computer more than she loves you.
Contents
Chapter One (#u410015c0-c85c-58bb-adc3-9d482613bd22)
Chapter Two (#u00c7915f-0ea9-5bb7-bbda-0a6c43c26b51)
Chapter Three (#u03817f4a-ee81-5de2-a5c0-e62b2ab39a87)
Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
When Blake Gray Feather agreed to compete in the upcoming rodeo, the Blossom County Fair Board had practically danced in the town square.
After all, Blake’s fame and his local-boy status would bring in the crowd—and the revenue—they desperately needed. And since the rodeo was the kick-off to the fair, they hoped the community enthusiasm and attendance would carry over.
But Cindy Tucker had her own reasons to be excited. The good-looking cowboy with the rebel grin would be staying at the Tumbling T with her and Grandpa for a couple of weeks. And that’s all she needed to put her plan into motion—a plan that had been stewing since the first of the year. Or maybe even beyond that, if truth be told.
Several times throughout the morning, she’d wandered into the living room, peered out the big bay window and searched the long graveled driveway that led to the ranch house.
But Blake had yet to show up.
She really ought to be helping Grandpa fix the south fence, but she’d been so eager to see Blake that she’d puttered around the house all morning, doing the odd jobs she’d been neglecting. But at least she’d finally fixed that leaky valve in the toilet tank and replaced the lightbulb in the hall closet. And now she was removing the cracked P-trap under the kitchen sink.
As she adjusted the wrench, Shep, the cattle dog barked, then got up from where he’d plopped onto the kitchen floor and trotted into the living room.
Had Shep heard Blake’s truck?
Cindy set down the tool and climbed out from under the sink.
Yep. That was definitely an approaching vehicle. She brushed her hands against her denim-clad hips and hurried to the front door, where she spotted a black truck pulling a fancy horse trailer and kicking up dust as it headed toward the house.
Recognizing the driver, she blew out the breath she’d been holding. Gosh, it was good to have Blake home in Blossom. And for more than a quick visit.
Ever since he’d come to live on the ranch as a teenager, he’d become part of the family.
Of course, as a ten-year-old who’d had her grandpa to herself for five whole years, Cindy hadn’t been too happy when fourteen-year-old Blake had first arrived. He’d been a surly adolescent in need of her grandfather’s guidance and a real thorn in her backside. But over the next few months, he’d evolved into a friend. And by the time he was ready to move on, he’d become the occasional romantic lead in the midnight dreams of a goofy preteen.
But that was just between Cindy and her pillow.
Blake, who’d always been a ladies man, was way out of a tomboy’s league—at least, in a romantic sense.
But Cindy had a big favor she intended to ask of him, a favor she’d cooked up right after finding out he was coming home to stay for a while. And she wasn’t beyond begging, either. Unless, of course, he teased her about it. Then she’d be fighting mad.
She swung open the front door, letting Shep dash outside with his tail a-waggin’ like crazy and barking to beat the band. But Cindy stood just inside the house, watching as Blake got out of a black, dual-axle Chevy pickup wearing a white shirt, black Wranglers and an expensive pair of boots.
Boy howdy, that man was a looker. The kind that made a girl or a woman take a second gawk.
And a third.
He’d inherited the absolute best his German and Comanche bloodlines had to offer. And eight years on his own, riding the rodeo circuit, had hardened the boy right out of him and announced him all grown-up and more handsome than ever.
As he shut the driver’s door, he adjusted his black Stetson, allowing the afternoon sunlight to glisten off coal-black strands of hair.
Shep howled, and when Blake glanced at the doorway and spotted Cindy, he slid her a heart-stopping grin. “Hey, Sprout. What’s up?”
“Not much.” She stood rooted in the doorway, fighting the urge to race outside and give him a great big hug—like she’d always done when she was younger. But now that she had reached the ripe old age of twenty-two and gotten a new attitude about a few things, she wanted him to see her as a woman, and not the awkward little red-haired girl of his youth.
He carried himself with that lean, cowboy swagger and sauntered toward the porch, looking like a buckle bunny’s dream come true. And hers, too, if her pillow could talk.
Blake gave Shep a hearty rubdown, then looked up at Cindy. “Hey, aren’t you going to give me a welcome-home hug?”
“Sure.” She pushed open the screen door, letting it slam behind her, and met him halfway.
As she tiptoed and wrapped him in a warm embrace, she savored the feel of his arms around her, the musky masculine scent of cologne that smelled as brisk and fresh as a mountain stream.
She couldn’t help wondering if Robby Bradshaw’s hug would feel as nice. She hoped and prayed it would, but doubt niggled at her.
Still, she knew better than to let her imagination get away from her. Some crushes, like the ones teenyboppers had on Hollywood movie stars and rock musicians, were just dreams to carry a young girl until someone more suitable came along. Someone who wasn’t out of reach and who would be happy to remain in Blossom and raise a family.
Someone like Robby.
As Blake released her, those whiskey-brown eyes that had always mesmerized her—if she’d let them—glimmered with sincerity. “You’re looking good.”
“Thanks.” But she knew the difference between looking good and being pretty.
Which brought her to the subject she wanted to broach. All she had to do was figure out how to slide it into the conversation as if it belonged there.
As Blake strode toward the fancy horse trailer that looked brand-new, he said, “You have no idea how badly I need a little peace and quiet. I’m really looking forward to my stay here as a much-needed vacation.”
“Good.” She was glad he’d be around for a while. Well, thrilled was more like it. In the past, he’d only come for brief visits. So two weeks seemed like forever to her, and it ought to be plenty of time for what she had in mind.
She watched as he unloaded a chestnut gelding, the kind of mount a skilled cowboy deserved. “That’s a fine-looking horse.”
“Thanks. He’s one of the best cutting horses in all of Texas. His name is Cutter.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip as she tried to rustle up the courage to spring her request on him.
“Blake, I…uh…want to ask you a favor.”
“Sure. What is it?”
That was easy enough. It sounded as if he’d made a commitment to help, and she hadn’t even told him yet.
