скачать книгу бесплатно
Sizzling Summer Nights
Debbi Rawlins
She's got this cowboy hot and botheredA week in Montana at the Sundance Ranch is exactly the break Hannah Hastings needs. No dry, dusty Texas. No painful reminders that she's not the son her rancher father wanted. Plus there seems to be no shortage of dead-sexy cowboys in Blackfoot Falls…especially one tall, dark drink of delicious in a Stetson.Hannah was just hoping for a little sexy fun. She never expected Seth Landers to rock her world—or just how much she’d love being in his. But disputes over government land are growing heated in the small Montana town. And Hannah is being drawn into a war she can’t win. One where finally gaining her father’s approval may mean losing the cowboy she can’t help falling for…
She’s got this cowboy hot and bothered
A week in Montana at the Sundance Ranch is exactly the break Hannah Hastings needs. No dry, dusty Texas. No painful reminders that she’s not the son her rancher father wanted. Plus there seems to be no shortage of dead-sexy cowboys in Blackfoot Falls...especially one tall, dark drink of delicious in a Stetson.
Hannah was just hoping for a little sexy fun. She never expected Seth Landers to rock her world—or just how much she’d love being in his. But disputes over government land are growing heated in the small Montana town. And Hannah is being drawn into a war she can’t win. One where finally gaining her father’s approval may mean losing the cowboy she can’t help falling for...
“I should’ve taken you straight to the Sundance.”
Hannah gaped at him. “No way. And miss this?”
“Don’t worry. In a week you’ll see your fill of stars.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Hannah said.
Seth cupped her face with one hand and deepened the kiss, their tongues touching and stroking each other. His hand moved to her neckline, and he toyed with the fabric before dipping his fingers just underneath, just enough to tease.
She trembled when his mouth left hers and his lips blazed a damp path down the side of her neck.
The temptation was there. She could feel his tension, his indecision, his restraint.
Oh, God, how she wanted to touch him. But she didn’t dare. His mouth was hot and hungry, his skin feverish. His warm, rugged scent surrounded her. It was all going to her head.
Stepping just one toe over the line would be all it took. They wouldn’t stop.
And there would be no turning back...
Dear Reader (#u03e99d7c-248d-59b5-a9b4-3e9fd30a920f),
I’m happy to say Blackfoot Falls, a kissing cousin to the Rocky Mountains, is still alive and kicking, and waiting for you to pay a visit. In this story you’ll be bumping into quite a few characters you already know from the Sundance and Whispering Pines ranches, as well as a handful of townsfolk who keep the rumor mill well-oiled. To add to the fun and mayhem, you’ll also meet a new troublemaker who’s mixing it up with the old ones.
After writing sixteen books set in Blackfoot Falls, it’s amazing how attached I’ve become to the town and its cast of characters. Although some of them would tell you otherwise and they’d have a point. When I started writing someone we haven’t seen in a while, I got annoyed with myself. How could I have left Barbara McAllister on the sidelines for so long? Completely unforgivable!
And then we have the hero and heroine—Seth and Hannah. I generally form bonds with all my characters, though on many different levels. When Hannah met Seth, I knew these two were destined for a happy-ever-after, and no interference from me would change their destiny. Not that I wanted to keep them apart. I can honestly say that at the end of the book, I felt as though I was saying goodbye to two very good friends. I didn’t want them to leave. But of course they’ll be with me for a while...making me smile.
I hope they make you smile, as well.
Regards,
Sizzling Summer Nights
Debbi Rawlins
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
DEBBI RAWLINS grew up in the country and loves Western movies and books. Her first crush was on a cowboy—okay, he was an actor in the role of a cowboy, but she was only eleven, so it counts. It was Houston, Texas, where she first started writing for Harlequin, and now she has her own ranch...of sorts. Instead of horses, she has four dogs, four cats, a trio of goats and free-range cattle on a few acres in gorgeous rural Utah.
This is for my editor, Laura Barth, who’s been with me for the whole series, through thick and thin, for better or for worse, and for Oh, my God, I’m never going to finish this book!
And please, no one tell her, but Hannah is a little like Laura in some ways. That’s all I’m saying.
Thanks also to Jo Leigh, my partner in crime and plotting.
Contents
Cover (#u778b6133-bcea-53d6-8409-a0fb944f62e1)
Back Cover Text (#u9f0fa0a1-d4c3-5319-a2d4-11ad1969223c)
Introduction (#u77ecf4c6-68e2-598d-97f9-284690cd220a)
Dear Reader (#u904bba81-23b2-5057-881e-3ce433f8562a)
Title Page (#u7a828fd2-5dcb-5eeb-a919-be76ce666e45)
About the Author (#ue605948f-a710-530d-89df-e57a10c869b7)
Dedication (#u83c29299-4bcf-590b-ad8f-5f2c8fc98e45)
Chapter 1 (#ua56dfca2-7093-598f-a99d-95f8f3f174cd)
Chapter 2 (#u33cc927c-d809-5029-a767-8faf7ad25f71)
Chapter 3 (#u97b8410c-6ea9-5760-a8ba-dc41eafe359a)
Chapter 4 (#u06a4a58c-a946-596e-8164-dc362ee962e2)
Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
1 (#u03e99d7c-248d-59b5-a9b4-3e9fd30a920f)
“I’VE STAYED OUT of trouble for six years,” Hannah Hastings said, shaking her head, resigned and not nearly tipsy enough. “And now you’re going to make me do this, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am.” Rachel grinned at her. “Get up there before someone beats you to the mic.”
“Gee, that would be a shame.” Sighing, Hannah pushed back in the old oak chair. “No pictures.”
“Yeah, right. Okay.”
“I mean it. Put your damn phone away. We’re not stupid college kids anymore.”
“No?” Rachel burst out laughing.
“I haven’t taken a vacation in four years,” Hannah muttered. “And I decide to come all the way to Montana to see you. I’m such an idiot.” She drained the last of her watered-down margarita, then got to her feet, glaring at the small makeshift stage next to the jukebox. “What’s wrong with you people? Who does karaoke night anymore?”
She glanced around at the good-sized crowd crammed into the rustic bar. The Watering Hole was supposed to be a nice, quiet place where they could talk, catch up with what had been happening to each other since their college days. Ha.
Tears from laughing filled Rachel’s eyes. Sitting next to her, Jamie, her sister-in-law, only had a vague idea of what was going on but it seemed that laughter really was contagious.
God help her. Hannah figured she might as well get it over with. She just wished this wasn’t her first night in Blackfoot Falls. She’d only be here a week. Not nearly long enough for these nice people to forgive and forget.
Now, the tall, dark-haired cowboy sitting at the bar? He was the one she really cared about. Since walking in five minutes ago he’d kept his head down and nursed his beer. Bad break-up was Hannah’s guess. Poor guy showed all the signs of love gone wrong. Something she might’ve been willing to help him forget for a while. But what were the odds he wouldn’t turn around to see who couldn’t carry a tune with both hands and a two-ton pickup truck?
Oh, and who had the nerve to get up in front of a roomful of strangers and completely humiliate herself. Sure, he’d be all over her. She wouldn’t be able to fight him off.
Five stupid minutes. Rachel couldn’t have called in her marker before then?
Hannah sat down again. “Is there an expiration date on that coupon? I bet there is.”
Rachel grinned. “Nope.”
“Let me see it.” Hannah stuck her hand out, wiggling her fingers. “Not that I don’t trust you.”
“I’m not giving you this piece of paper. You’ll probably swallow it.”
Hannah sighed. “Jamie, would you mind checking? And make sure it isn’t Rachel’s handwriting.”
“Wow, she really doesn’t trust you,” Jamie said, grinning, as she leaned over for a look. “Sorry. I think it’s legit. Says it was for her twenty-second birthday?”
“Okay, who holds on to something like that for six years? That’s just sick.” Most of the women in their sorority had been too broke to afford gifts, so they’d gotten creative with coupons. Everyone had cashed them in right away. No one would’ve thought to include an expiration date.
“Better get up there before I feel inclined to make an announcement,” Rachel said sweetly.
Hannah hesitated. She had an idea that just might work. “Rachel...listen, you know I’m always up for a challenge, but there’s a guy in here that I—”
“Who?” Rachel sat up straighter. “Where?”
With a pitying look, Jamie shook her head at Hannah. “Are you nuts?”
“She’s still that bad, huh?”
Jamie nodded and signaled for their waitress.
Apparently marriage hadn’t tempered Rachel’s annoying hobby of trying to fix up her single friends. If Hannah had stopped to think about it, she probably would’ve realized that the gold band on Rachel’s finger could never curb her enthusiasm, but only make it worse.
Lord, it was hard to believe Rachel was married. Doing her dad a favor had prevented Hannah from attending the wedding. She hated that she’d missed it. And for what? She was no closer to pleasing the old man than on the day she’d been born the wrong gender. It was a lost cause.
Ignoring them, Rachel surveyed the bar like a hawk circling its next meal. “Just tell me who he is and I might let you off the hook.”
“I’ll take my chances.” Hannah purposely didn’t look in his direction.
With that damn uncanny ability of hers, Rachel whipped her gaze around and hit a bull’s-eye. “Seth Landers?” she asked. “Because you’d like him. Nice guy. Has some issues. Nothing horrible. Just enough to make him interesting.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about. And just so we’re clear, I’m not doing a whole song.” Hannah took a couple of steps, and stopped. “Jamie, please tell the waitress to make my margarita full octane this time.”
“You got it,” Jamie said, and laughed when Hannah made it another foot and stopped again.
“It’s going to get bad, so if you want to step outside for a few minutes, you won’t hurt my feelings.”
“And miss everyone’s reaction?” Rachel said. “Not a chance.”
“I think I’m already missing something.” Jamie’s puzzled frown was aimed at Rachel. “You look positively evil right now.”
“Don’t worry about Hannah. She’s fearless. Just wait.”
Hannah tried not to look in Seth’s direction. Luckily, his mug of beer seemed to be the only thing that interested him.
A perky little blonde finished her rendition of Need You Now, curtsied to the hooting and applause and left the small stage.
Hannah decided she needed this to be over with and hurried to pick up the mic. The song she selected was an oldie. She’d given up karaoke nights right after college and didn’t know which tunes were the current faves. Although, in her case, it really didn’t matter.
She rubbed a sweaty palm down the front of her jeans.
Maybe she should just admit to Rachel that she wasn’t the same daring person she’d been in school. What good was pride if she ended up dying from embarrassment?
