Love knows no season: Cowboy of Her Heart

Cowboy of her Heart

Cowboy for the Holidays, 1

 

by Honor James

Valentine’s Day should be about the emotion, the love between two people, not spending money. And that is the philosophy Grant Franklyn lives by. It would be more effective if he had that special someone in his life, but unfortunately the only woman he wants nothing to do with him.

Jacqueline Hunter is all for falling in love and has already lost her heart. Unfortunately the object of her affection doesn’t realize she exists—unless he is trying to get on her last nerve. 

When she's stuck at Grant Franklyn’s farm after a freak snow storm, whatever is a girl to do? Jacqueline has some naughty ideas, but can she get Grant on board? 

 

Excerpt:

Jackie had been having the worst morning of her life.  Valentine’s Day was less than a week away, and she had to fend off yet another setup from one of her friends.  She didn’t want to be set up, didn’t they get that? But oh, no, everyone saw her as a single woman in Texas, heaven for-freaking-bid that she remain single.  So far this morning she had fended off three match-making attempts and one idiot who brought her flowers and a ring, someone she didn’t even freaking know!

Gripping the steering wheel so hard her knuckles were white, she spoke into her truck’s Bluetooth receiver.  “Listen, Marilyn.  I really appreciate you trying to ensure that I don’t spend the rest of my life alone.”  She was only thirty for the love of God!  “But having Dale Buck come by today and ask me to marry him? That was low,” she said. 

“He did what?” The woman’s voice came through the phone, shock evident.  “I’m gonna beat that boy with a horse whip,” she muttered. 

“He did,” Jackie said as she whipped into a parking space and then groaned.  Of freaking course! Of course, Grant, too freaking hunky for his own good, Franklyn was there, parked in the only spot open on the street near her shop.  “Gotta go, Marilyn.  Please, please tell your bridge partners, players, whatever they are, that I’m over the being set up.  I can find my own love interests, thank you very much.”  She turned off the truck and added, “Gotta go.  Dawn Merlot is stopping by today for color and cut and you know how she is if I’m not on time.”  Without waiting another moment, she disconnected the phone. 

Tapping her forehead on her steering wheel, she sighed and shook her head.  “God bless America,” she grumbled as she opened the door, and in her frustration, flung it open far harder than she had intended to.  “Crap on a freaking cracker,” she said as she heard the distinctive crunch of metal on metal.  “Son of a bitch, he’s going to have a kitten.” Everyone and their brothers knew that Grant Franklyn thought more of Matilda than any other thing in the world, even if she was a freaking truck. 

Grabbing a notepad, she wrote a quick note and stuck it under the windshield wiper and ran for her shop.  She was ever so hopeful that he would just let it go since it was her.  Another thing everyone and their brother knew was that she was his least favorite being in the entire world.  The word hate often came up when people linked their names together.  She bet the bridge crew that was trying to set her up would have heart attacks if they knew she had the hots for the ranch owner.  Yep.  Best to keep the word hate between them or someone would try to get the two of them together, and that was something she didn’t want.  Not that she didn’t want him, but she didn’t want him to be forced.  Yep, she was a weirdo. 

After getting everything set up, she greeted Dawn as she entered, and the woman immediately began to gush the latest gossip, to which Jackie gave the necessary nods and sounds of agreement.  Yeah, wonderful. 

Jackie paused and looked at Dawn.  "Hold the phone, sugar.  Mind repeating that last bit there?” she asked with a distinct sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.  She had to have heard wrong, prayed she had heard wrong. 

“I was just saying that everyone is trying to figure out why you aren’t married yet.  The only thing anyone has been able to come up with so far is that maybe you’re gay.  It’s okay.  We will still love you, but don’t be surprised if some of the older women don’t come back to your shop.  You know,” she leaned in and whispered, “The older ones that aren’t as hip with today’s young people.”

Her temper was simmering and getting ready to boil.  She was ready to cuss those old bitches out, and if she did, her momma would roll in her grave.  So instead Jackie counted backwards from ten, in Latin.  When she was a little calmer, she politely said, “And I keep telling everyone that my love life is none of their concern.  Please make sure to pass that around?”

Pulling off her gloves, Jackie finished the styling for Dawn and then groaned when none other than Grant freaking Franklyn walked into her salon.  “Hang on a sec, Sug,” she said and patted Dawn’s shoulder.  Walking toward Grant, she asked, “Can I help you, Mr. Franklyn?”

 

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing |  Amazon US  |  Amazon UK  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Bookstrand

 

About the Author

Honor James was born in the United States 30+ years ago. She is married with two teenagers, one of which is getting ready for the next step in life, college! By day she works as a Customer Service Representative while under the cover of darkness she delves into the realm of the paranormal. In September 2012 her first book was accepted by Siren Bookstrand and published November 2012.

Still writing and getting along in life Honor has now joined the Evernight family with her first book due out with them in February 2014.

 

 

Find Honor Here:

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Giveaway

In honor of Honor James' new series with Evernight Cowboy For The Holidays, tell us your favorite holiday!  Leave an email contact.   Contest ends Feb. 28, 2014 midnight.