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Falling For The Cowgirl
Tina Radcliffe
She won the job…Can he win her heart?Hiring Amanda “AJ” McAlester as his assistant at the Big Heart Ranch isn’t foreman Travis Maxwell’s first choice—but his sisters insist she’s perfect for the job. And AJ’s determined to prove she’s just as qualified as any man. But with money on the line, AJ and her innovative ideas could put him at risk of losing everything…including his heart.
She won the job...
Can he win her heart?
Hiring Amanda “AJ” McAlester as his assistant at the Big Heart Ranch isn’t foreman Travis Maxwell’s first choice—but his sisters insist she’s perfect for the job. And AJ’s determined to prove she’s just as qualified as any man. But with money on the line, AJ and her innovative ideas could put him at risk of losing everything...including his heart.
TINA RADCLIFFE has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from Western New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her past careers include certified oncology RN and library cataloger. She recently moved from Denver, Colorado, to the Phoenix, Arizona, area, where she writes heartwarming and fun inspirational romance.
Also By Tina Radcliffe (#ue58ecb26-a199-55ff-ad07-375b9102dcf5)
Big Heart Ranch
Claiming Her Cowboy
Falling for the Cowgirl
The Rancher’s Reunion
Oklahoma Reunion
Mending the Doctor’s Heart
Stranded with the Rancher
Safe in the Fireman’s Arms
Rocky Mountain Reunion
Rocky Mountain Cowboy
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Falling for the Cowgirl
Tina Radcliffe
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08436-9
FALLING FOR THE COWGIRL
© 2018 Tina M. Radcliffe
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
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www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
“Putting out fires is getting mighty old.”
“Let me put out the fires.” The words rushed from AJ’s lips before she could stop them.
“Sounds like you think you can do that.”
“Yes, sir. I can.”
Travis narrowed his eyes.
“I mean, Travis.”
He paused as if considering her words. “All right, then, let’s go find Rusty.” His eyes met hers and he smiled.
One smile and her pulse started a gallop that she fought to control.
When Travis nudged Midnight into a canter and took off toward the stables, she sat in the saddle for a moment staring at his retreating form.
For the first time, someone was giving her a chance to prove she could do the job. And it didn’t hurt that he was smiling at the time.
AJ urged Ace forward, her spirit soaring as the wind whipped past. Travis Maxwell held her future in his hands. She’d have to be very careful he didn’t hold her heart, as well.
Dear Reader (#ue58ecb26-a199-55ff-ad07-375b9102dcf5),
Welcome back to Big Heart Ranch. Big Heart Ranch is located in the fictional town of Timber, Oklahoma, located near the real city of Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
In this second book you’ll meet even more of the staff and children of this ranch for orphaned, abused and neglected children, where love and the Lord reign. The ranch is owned and operated by the orphaned Maxwell siblings, Lucy, Travis and Emma.
Travis Maxwell and AJ—Amanda—Rowe have both faced devastating disappointment and heartbreak. It takes a leap of faith for these two characters to trust the path God has set before them. But stepping out in faith and partnering with each other is the only way they can achieve the fullness of what He has prepared for them.
It’s much the same for us. Faith is a walk in the dark. The first step is always the hardest.
I hope you’ll come back for more stories from Big Heart Ranch. Do drop me a note and let me know if you enjoyed this book. I can be reached through my website: www.tinaradcliffe.com (http://www.tinaradcliffe.com).
Sincerely,
Tina Radcliffe
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
—Proverbs 3:5–6
Acknowledgments (#ue58ecb26-a199-55ff-ad07-375b9102dcf5)
This book came to life as the result of the prayers of the Sisters Writing Groups. Many thanks, ladies.
As with the first book in the Big Heart Ranch series, this book is dedicated to the staff and children of Big Oak Ranch. Big Oak Ranch is a Christian home, located in Alabama, for children needing a chance.
I’d like to thank Reba with the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce for taking the time to patiently answer my email and mail me information on Pawhuska.
A shout-out goes to my newsletter subscriber Jo-Ann Toth, who named Travis Maxwell’s mustang stallion, Midnight. Wonder Woman thanks goes to Rogenna Brewer (she knows what she did). Additionally, I would have starved during deadline if not for my very own hero, Tom, who gets a trophy buckle for outdoor grilling. The judges all give him an eight-point-five.
Thank you to my agent, Jessica Alvarez, for her wisdom and guidance. Thank you, as well, to my editor, Giselle Regus, who helps me grow as a writer, even when I’m certain I can’t dig any deeper.
Contents
Cover (#u32ca1e54-61b5-56f9-98c2-7906e7ac8d88)
Back Cover Text (#u4f6a3b9b-c80c-5002-b3cc-b2bfc8b6b338)
About the Author (#u9eb191a4-d307-5bd5-b9bf-f3f0b8e04cce)
Booklist (#u61153139-ab02-584e-bb90-f911a7948938)
Title Page (#u2662ea6e-4ea6-58b2-ad7b-3bc65b183271)
Copyright (#u0530f56f-0877-50d6-8b56-7ef92d97ab39)
Introduction (#u08e75286-e404-5d5a-b437-d8470f096108)
Dear Reader (#u92438f16-cea3-5dde-82c9-dd4b78883dbc)
Bible Verse (#u44cc5f92-5557-5fc1-b0a3-2efcfb51bf0d)
Acknowledgments (#u7ce619b8-cde6-5a0c-8bd5-dad4883c04e9)
Chapter One (#u12e8e804-252a-5605-9f90-0ea8c31e9551)
Chapter Two (#u327fef5a-6a9e-52d4-b433-551ce2185627)
Chapter Three (#u12985e7f-8d56-5202-acbb-bcbef1f4a2a1)
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 Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ue58ecb26-a199-55ff-ad07-375b9102dcf5)
“I like Zeb Turner for the assistant ranch foreman position.” Travis Maxwell looked across the conference table at his sisters, Lucy and Emma, hoping for confirmation, and then shoved another cinnamon roll into his mouth.
“Hey, you ate the last one,” Emma said, grabbing the tin for the crumbs.
“I’m a growing boy.” Travis patted his flat abdomen. He glanced at his older sister, who continued to scribble notes on a pad. “What do you say, Lucy?”
“Turner isn’t even in my top three,” she returned.
“What are you talking about? He passed the background check and the fingerprint check, and his résumé is top-notch,” Travis said.
“That’s true for all of the final candidates, Travis,” Lucy stated.
“The point is that Zeb and I go way back. I can work with this guy and get the program off the ground and file for that grant. We’d meet the ninety-day deadline for that state funding faster than a bronc out of the chute.”
Emma groaned. “Spare us the hyperbole, please.”
“I’m telling you, my gut feeling is no to Zeb,” Lucy said. “Now stop annoying me. I’m not feeling well.”
“Lucy, are you all right?” Emma asked.
“Something I ate, I imagine.”
“Excuse me, but with all due respect, Madam Ranch Director, I’m pretty sure the Fair Hiring Practices and Job Discrimination laws do not include your gut in the guidelines.”
“Perhaps they should,” Lucy shot back. “I asked you not to hire Rusty Parnell, remember?”
“I’ve written Rusty up and he is aware he’s one boot away from being let go.”
“Travis,” Lucy said, “you and Rusty have known each other since high school and he’s taking advantage of your friendship. Please, let’s not make the same mistake by hiring Turner.”
