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Rodeo Family
Mary Sullivan
GOOD INTENTIONSJournalist Nadine Campbell set out to write a feel-good piece on Rodeo’s own rancher-Rembrandt, Zach Brandt—not a sensational expose. She’d come back from New York to heal, not hurt. And Zach and his adorable twin boys were helping more than she’d ever dreamed possible! But a feel-good piece wasn’t about to save her job.Zach didn’t want to be interviewed. But he did want Nadine. Always had, ever since high school. Back then, he couldn’t compete with the journalistic ambition he knew would take her away. Now that she’d returned, he had a second chance – and he wasn’t about to squander it. Opening up to her was a risk worth taking. Or so he thought…
GOOD INTENTIONS
Journalist Nadine Campbell set out to write a feel-good piece on Rodeo’s own rancher Rembrandt, Zach Brandt—not a sensational exposé. She’d come back from New York to heal, not hurt. And Zach and his adorable twin boys were helping more than she’d ever dreamed possible! But a feel-good piece wasn’t about to save her job.
Zach didn’t want to be interviewed. But he did want Nadine. Always had, ever since high school. Back then, he couldn’t compete with the journalistic ambition he knew would take her away. Now that she’d returned, he had a second chance—and he wasn’t about to squander it. Opening up to her was a risk worth taking. Or so he thought...
MARY SULLIVAN has a fondness for cowboys and ranch settings. She grew up in the city, but found her mother’s stories about growing up in rural Canada fascinating. Her passions include time spent with friends, great conversation, exploring her city, cooking, walking, traveling (including her latest trip to Paris!), reading, meeting readers and doing endless crossword puzzles. She has been told that her writing touches the heart. Mary loves to hear from readers! To keep up with her releases, sign up for her newsletter on her website, marysullivanbooks.com (http://www.marysullivanbooks.com), or follow her on Facebook: Facebook.com/marysullivanauthor (http://www.Facebook.com/marysullivanauthor).
Also By Mary Sullivan (#u1d471d90-c6d1-5dd6-ba3b-17b5fe89ffc4)
Rodeo, Montana
Rodeo Father
Rodeo Rancher
Rodeo Baby
Rodeo Sheriff
Cody’s Come Home
Safe in Noah’s Arms
No Ordinary Home
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Rodeo Family
Mary Sullivan
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
ISBN: 978-1-474-08474-1
RODEO FAMILY
© 2018 Mary Sullivan
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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“Don’t you get it, Nadine? I like you.”
She couldn’t breathe. How tall was this mountain? Was it high altitude or something? What had happened to all of the oxygen in the air?
“And this.” Zach kissed her, his mouth meeting hers before she could turn away, hard and soft, cool and hot. Or maybe she didn’t want to turn away.
She sank into him, curled into his arms, delved into his mouth with her tongue and savored him in this private little cocoon of theirs.
Nadine had wanted this. For a long time, she had wanted this. How had she not realized that she’d wanted him?
A tendril of reason, the finest filigree of common sense, tickled her judgment, and she pulled her lips away from Zach’s beautiful, ravenous mouth.
No, ravenous wasn’t right. He hadn’t demanded. He hadn’t lost control. He had savored and adored her lips.
She traced his finely sculpted mouth with her finger, met his passion-hazed gaze and said, “No.”
Dear Reader (#u1d471d90-c6d1-5dd6-ba3b-17b5fe89ffc4),
More and more, with each new story I set in Rodeo, Montana, this miniseries becomes my favorite. I delight in the characters and the caring women who want to bring their town back to life with the revival of their local fair and rodeo. If along the way they find love...even better!
In New York City, Nadine Campbell had a busy career as a journalist and no time for love. Recently, her career suffered a harrowing setback and she has come home to lick her wounds.
Zach Brandt has appeared throughout this series as a landscape artist. His paintings grace many of the establishments in and around Rodeo. First and foremost, though, he is a rancher. His love of the land moves him to create his artwork and sustains him through hard times.
In high school, he had a crush on Nadine Campbell and is happy that she is back in town. Could he have a second chance with her? She has come home a changed woman.
A divorced father of seven-year-old twin sons, Zach uses their cute antics to his advantage to get Nadine out onto his ranch as often as he can. He shows her all of his love and compassion to help her to heal and to win her heart.
Of course, the road to a happy ending is never smooth!
I hope you enjoy this latest story about Rodeo.
Mary Sullivan
To Jennifer Hayward and Stefanie London, thank you for your friendship, your brainstorming and our fabulous weekly walks and talks!
Contents
Cover (#u987f4b6e-0093-5d5c-b02f-51b1ab85c093)
Back Cover Text (#u0529dce8-5b9a-5a41-be85-e950b439cf84)
About the Author (#ubb3ee4e6-99dd-5cd2-9437-e9e5a8c77333)
Booklist (#ua43ed270-b27e-577f-b5d6-e8f82f37280e)
Title Page (#u70ac5ddb-e14e-5103-8e94-feaa01520f61)
Copyright (#ub9142edd-be07-5668-9a8e-dbd563541ef8)
Introduction (#u50b9d82b-dba3-5a2b-8ba4-da09d5fd5b9e)
Dear Reader (#u7880ab59-358e-54c9-a7f6-224f4788593a)
Dedication (#u96034a77-986c-517d-8486-b9ca1beea850)
Chapter One (#ubdbdcb15-c286-54dc-b2ab-de9987e1cc2b)
Chapter Two (#uc55537f4-9e23-536f-8727-1779a27d9e24)
Chapter Three (#ufe642fc2-95b8-5b6a-bb08-ed2911b706ec)
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)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One (#u1d471d90-c6d1-5dd6-ba3b-17b5fe89ffc4)
Zachary Brandt wasn’t a coward.
Not usually.
He hovered behind a curtain at the picture window that looked out onto his front yard as Nadine Campbell drove her sporty little black car onto his ranch.
In rural Montana on the outskirts of small-town Rodeo, home of dusty, domestic, practical pickup trucks, Nadine scooted around the countryside in her spotless, foreign car.
He should be out on his porch in full view to greet her, not hiding here inside, building up his resolve.
She parked, adjusted her rearview mirror and fiddled with her makeup, the gesture speaking of insecurity he’d noted in the past.
Even way back in high school, before she’d left town for those eight or so years, she’d been self-conscious about her looks. Zach couldn’t imagine why, or what she was doing to makeup that was never less than perfect.
She smoothed her long, red hair, as glossy as glass. Nadine belonged in Rodeo about as much as a racehorse might, an elegant, refined filly among a bunch of stolid workhorses.
“Whatcha doin’, Dad?”
Zach startled. No wonder. He’d just been caught spying on a visitor rather than stepping outside to welcome her. He glanced over his shoulder. His twin sons stood in the living room doorway. They weren’t the only ones who’d caught him; Zach’s father had, too.
Dad raised an eyebrow. Ryan and Aiden watched him with Maria’s deep brown eyes and wide, full-lipped mouths. She might not have left Zach with much, but she’d given him these two treasures and for that he would always be grateful.
They stepped forward and crowded him at the window. Staring out at Nadine, Aiden whispered, “Pretty.”
Understatement. Nadine could give lessons in pretty to the Montana countryside, and Zach thought that was damned stunning.
“Who is she, Dad?” Ryan asked.
“Her name is Nadine Campbell, and she’s a reporter for the newspaper.”
“I saw her before in town,” Aiden said. “She’s got red hair.”
As red as red could be.
“What’s she doing here?” That was Ryan, as curious as ever.
“She’s going to interview me.”
Ryan looked up, not as far as he used to. His kids were growing too fast. Seven years old already. “What about? Our ranch?”
“Partly. She wants to talk about my paintings, but they wouldn’t exist without the ranch. Right?”
“Right,” Ryan answered. He’d heard it all from his dad before, about how his paintings were an outward expression of his love of his land. Then a knowing smile lit his face. “But you’re gonna get her to talk about the ranch!”
Zach ruffled his hair. “You’re too smart to be a kid. Are you an adult in disguise?”
Ryan pressed into his hand.
Zach’s quiet son, Aiden, stood in front of him, leaning back against his legs. Zach settled a hand on his shoulder.
Nadine’s car door opened. He didn’t want to be caught staring. “Come away from the window.” He tried to herd them from the room, but Dad stepped brazenly in front of the window with a mischievous smile hovering on his lips.
“Nadine Campbell.” Zach’s father pretended to think, but his eyes sparkled. “Hmm. Name sounds familiar.”
“Of course it’s familiar,” Zach snapped. “You know everyone in town.” His dad’s feigned ignorance didn’t fool him. The man knew who Nadine was. Did he realize what she used to mean to Zach?
Did he realize what she could still mean to him if Zach had his way?
