Catching the Cowboy
A Small-Town Clean Romance
Summer Creek Book 1
by Shanna Hatfield
Buy on Amazon
She’s fresh out of jail . . .
He’s fresh out of luck.
Spoiled billionaire heiress Emery Brighton indulges in one mimosa too many, attempts to steal a horse, and winds up in jail. A sentence of community service leaves her at the mercy of strangers on a remote ranch near a small town in Oregon. Adjusting to country life is hard enough, but she has no idea how to handle her growing affection for a surly cowboy and his adorable daughter.
Steady and dependable as the day is long, rancher Hudson Cole just wants to raise his little girl and be left alone. When his grandmother invites a lawbreaker dressed in Louis Vuitton to Summer Creek Ranch, Hud is convinced Grammy has lost her ever-loving mind. Determined to detest Emery, he instead finds himself doing the one thing he vowed would never happen again: falling in love.
With one foot out the door, will love be enough to convince Emery to stay?
This sweet romance offers a funny, delightful happily ever after adventure in a quirky small town. One-click to read about a meandering goat named Ethel, meddling matchmakers, and a community that feels like home in a story filled with heart, humor, and hope. The book includes a Reader's Guide with questions perfect for Book Club meetings.
EXCERPT
“Hi, Daddy!” She beamed at him, showing off a recent gap in her smile. She’d lost her first baby tooth last week. Grammy had saved it in a little jar and tucked it in with the other mementos of Cricket’s childhood Hud wanted to keep. It seemed like just yesterday she was learning to crawl. He hated how fast she was growing up. In the time it took him to blink, she’d be driving a car, then off to college. Pain clawed at his chest at the thought of his daughter someday leaving him and making her own way in the world. He picked her up and held her close.
“Daddy! You’re smuffering me,” Cricket said on a giggle, squirming to be set down.
He kissed her cheek, then set her in her chair at the table. Nell placed a glass of milk in front of Cricket and a mug in front of his plate. Steam curled upward, carrying the delicious aroma of rich, black coffee.
“Everything is ready,” Nell said, taking a seat across from Hud.
“Sit by me,” Cricket said, snagging Emery’s hand and pulling on it.
Jossy feigned a pout. “I’ve been displaced as the favored seatmate.”
Emery glanced from Jossy to Hud. “I don’t want to steal anyone’s seat.”
“You’re fine,” Jossy said, giving Emery a welcoming smile, then settling into the chair on the other side of Hud. “This looks and smells fantastic, Grammy. Thank you for making my muffins.”
“Of course, sweetie. It’s a treat to have you join us,” Nell said, lifting Jossy’s and Cricket’s hand in hers. “Let’s hold hands while I offer a word of thanks for this food and beautiful day.”
Hud would rather pet a rabid porcupine than hold Emery’s hand in his, but to appease his grandmother, he reached out and clasped it. Unprepared for the wild jolt of electricity that zipped from the point of contact up his arm, he would have dropped her hand and left the room if it wouldn’t have created a flurry of questions from his grandmother and Jossy.
This giveaway is now over. The lucky winner is: Alicia Haney
