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A Rancher's Redemption
Ann Roth
Mr. Right-There-All-AlongSince she was a teen, there's been one guy that restaurateur Dani Pettit can always count on–her best friend, Nick. Their relationship is purely platonic…that is until a single kiss changes everything. Now Dani is falling hard for the one man she shouldn't fall for–the one who can truly break her heart.Although rancher Nick Kelly knows he's to blame for his string of failed relationships, Dani is the only woman he ever trusted. Nick doesn't want to be just another guy who lets her down, but his new feelings for Dani are too strong to resist. Do they dare risk their lifelong friendship for a once-in-a-lifetime love?
Mr. Right-There-All-Along
Since she was a teen, there’s been one guy that restaurateur Dani Pettit can always count on—her best friend, Nick. Their relationship is purely platonic…that is until a single kiss changes everything. Now Dani is falling hard for the one man she shouldn’t fall for—the one who can truly break her heart.
Although rancher Nick Kelly knows he’s to blame for his string of failed relationships, Dani is the only woman he ever trusted. Nick doesn’t want to be just another guy who lets her down, but his new feelings for Dani are too strong to resist. Do they dare risk their lifelong friendship for a once-in-a-lifetime love?
“We haven’t spoken in a couple days. Are we okay?” Nick sounded concerned.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” Dani said, not feeling at all okay.
“You sure about that? You seem tense. The other night—”
“We shared a few kisses,” she interrupted, proud of her nonchalant tone. “They didn’t mean anything.”
Only long, sleepless nights and the irritating problem of not being able to forget the feel of his lips on hers. Hot and soft…
His relieved breath was loud and clear. “That’s good, because those kisses didn’t mean anything to me, either. I don’t want things between us to change because of them.”
He had a funny way of showing it. “Me, either,” Dani admitted.
During another long beat of silence, Dani racked her brain for something else to say, something to prove that she was fine.
Before she could think of anything, Nick spoke. “How about we forget those kisses ever happened.”
“Consider them forgotten.”
Liar, liar, pants on fire. Dani touched her lips, which even now tingled a little.
Dear Reader (#ulink_198d1549-b8e3-5d28-b351-c080622713af),
In this second book in my Prosperity, Montana miniseries, Dani Pettit is the heroine. You met Dani briefly in A Rancher’s Honor, the first book in the miniseries. But don’t worry if you haven’t read it yet. This is her story, and you’ll get to know her very well. Dani helps run Big Mama’s Café and has high hopes of taking over the reins—if her mother retires.
Nick Kelly is a sexy rancher working hard to make his ranch profitable. Nick and Dani have been best friends since high school. They’re happy as friends. But when they step over the line one night…
This is a romance you don’t want to miss!
Enjoy!
Ann
I always appreciate hearing from readers. Email me at ann@annroth.net, write me c/o P.O. Box 25003, Seattle, WA 98165-1903, or visit my Ann Roth Author (https://www.facebook.com/AnnRothAuthorPage) Facebook page. And please visit my website at www.annroth.net (http://www.annroth.net), sign up for my newsletter and enter the monthly drawing to win a free, autographed book! While you’re there, be sure to visit the Fun Stuff page, where you’ll find recipes and other fun stuff.
You can also follow Ann Roth (https://twitter.com/Ann_Roth) on Twitter.
A Rancher’s Redemption
Ann Roth
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (#ulink_b14b62f0-7ef4-53c9-9db0-cec37bd54ff5)
Ann Roth lives in the greater Seattle area with her husband. After earning an MBA she worked as a banker and corporate trainer. She gave up the corporate life to write, and if they awarded PhDs in writing happily-ever-after stories, she’d surely have one.
Ann loves to hear from readers. You can write her at P.O. Box 25003, Seattle, WA 98165-1903, or email her at ann@annroth.net.
Recipe (#ulink_42617c66-7c6b-56ed-9890-bbb060da8dc4)
Dani’s Instant Cocoa Mix
Makes approximately 12 servings
(Note: for smaller batches, mix 2 tbs. each of sugar and cocoa
per cup of powdered milk, then add a pinch or two of salt.)
Ingredients:
3 cups instant nonfat powdered milk
6 tbs. sugar
6 tbs. dry, unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp. salt
Combine and mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
To Prepare Cocoa:
Put ⅓ cup of cocoa mix in a 12-ounce mug. Stir in a little boiling water and mix until blended into a paste. Fill mug with boiling water. Stir or whip until blended. Add marshmallows if you like them.
Contents
Cover (#uf8f27fa5-3fe1-59d0-8321-ccc1980a57f4)
Back Cover Text (#u9f6ee5e7-f028-5523-8fcc-74acd75f0f5d)
Introduction (#u1d522df3-4d3c-5add-bc2b-8b2635c41690)
Dear Reader (#ulink_19eade3b-2702-5331-8392-571b834545b7)
Title Page (#ua42d1be9-4419-5a7b-88a4-4516bec6e188)
About the Author (#ulink_fc82682c-54b8-5d49-993b-9685a340a40a)
Recipe (#ulink_286c5cdc-d5de-5bdf-b2a2-41719505febf)
Chapter One (#ulink_8607ebd6-438e-55a9-98cf-4232ee5f0728)
Chapter Two (#ulink_8e2f2ffa-3b6e-56f5-9405-cd6c6469699c)
Chapter Three (#ulink_19f7f1e4-90f6-56e6-ab6e-3f97eaed86cf)
Chapter Four (#ulink_575dedb4-df79-5aba-b5d0-45801adb44e3)
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)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#ulink_a5cc825d-94c3-59b6-8b1c-4c69758e2a2d)
Dinner was starting to smell so good that Dani Pettit’s mouth watered when Nick Kelly knocked at her door. Only a few short minutes ago, she’d buzzed him into the building.
Although they talked and texted regularly, she hadn’t seen him in a while. But tonight she really needed to be with her best friend.
“He’s here,” she told Fluff.
The tomcat meowed and trotted daintily toward the door. Which was funny because at twenty pounds and half a ton of white fur, Fluff wasn’t exactly tiny. But he’d never let Dani down, and so she stifled the urge to laugh at him. There weren’t many true-blue males in her life—just the cat, Nick Kelly and Dani’s oldest brother, Sly. She dearly loved all three.
To prevent Fluff from darting out, running across the hall and shamelessly begging food from Mrs. Detmeier, Dani scooped him up before she opened the door and managed a smile. “Hi, Nick.”
The handsome rancher flashed his pearly whites at Fluff, then gave Dani a gentler grin. “Hey.”
In his large hands he cradled a bottle of wine and a white bag bearing the Lannigan’s Ice Creamery logo, which was, bar none, the best ice creamery in Prosperity. Although the central Montana town of sixty thousand people boasted at least a half-dozen ice cream specialty shops, several much closer to her house than Lannigan’s, Nick had chosen well. He sure knew how to brighten a girl’s spirits.
Dani eyed the bag. “I hope that’s rocky road.”
“A whole gallon of the stuff.”
“You sweetheart!” She rubbed her hands together.
Nick chuckled. “Nothing but the best for Dani Pettit.”
He kissed her cheek, then set his things down to shrug out of his leather bomber jacket. He hung the jacket on the doorknob of the coat closet, just as he always did, his navy flannel shirt stretching across his strong, broad shoulders.
He was a beautiful man—tall and muscular without an ounce of extra fat, thanks to the physical demands of running a ranch. His long legs did wonders for the loose, faded jeans he favored.
Yet as gorgeous and sexy as he was, theirs was a strictly platonic relationship and always had been. Dani adored him—as a friend.
Nick stuck his fingers into Fluff’s thick fur and scratched behind the cat’s neck. “Howdy, Big Fella.”
He refused to use the name “Fluff,” which he considered too sissy for a tomcat.
Fluff didn’t seem to mind. He was too busy purring and batting Nick’s hand for more. A moment later, sated and content, he jumped out of Dani’s arms and strolled off.
“I brought a couple of DVDs for later,” Nick said. “Unless you’d rather catch a movie out. It is Saturday night.”
Date night. Only twenty-four hours ago, Dani had assumed that she and Jeter would be out dancing tonight at the Bitter & Sweet Bar and Grill in downtown Prosperity, where the live music and great dance floor made the bar a happening place.
Now, dateless for the first time in three months—Dateless in Prosperity, she thought wryly—she shook her head.
After last night’s painful breakup and an especially irritating day, she wanted only to relax and hang out with her best friend. “Would you mind if we stayed here? I’m not in the mood to go out.”
“Staying in works.”
Nick shot her a sympathetic look, and tears she refused to shed gathered behind her eyes. Jeter had never exactly treated her well, and over the months they’d been together, she’d done more than enough crying.
“I’ll bet you could use a hug,” Nick said. “I know I could.”
Which reminded her that she wasn’t the only one hurting. Earlier in the week he’d broken up with Mandy, a woman he’d seemed to really like—at least for a while. Nick had commitment issues. He claimed that he didn’t want to settle down with anyone, ever, didn’t want to marry or have kids. They weren’t just words, either. He meant it.
Dani stepped into the warm, comforting embrace she’d needed since Jeter had dumped her. She smelled Nick’s sandalwood shaving soap and fresh Montana air. And underneath both, his own “Nick” scent.
For a few long moments they held each other tightly. When they let go and stepped back, Dani felt better.
Nick sniffed the air, rubbing his belly and licking his lips, making her smile for real. “Man, that smells amazing. I’ve been dreaming of your mac and cheese all day.”
“Even while you worked on the barn roof in the freezing rain? You’re lucky it didn’t snow.”
