Samhain Publishing Ltd, Ebooks and Books in Print

The rodeo lights, noise and action had been exactly what Cathy wanted to celebrate her last night in Dallas before heading home to Boston. Not even the oppressive heat would ruin her fun. Her tight designer jeans bore no stains from hay or dirt or sweat, but they’d serve for one night of rodeo. Even less country, her ostrich-skin boots and white Stetson, under which she’d tucked her hair, screamed their newness, but she didn’t care. Probably a good number of people milling around them had never been on a ranch. At least years in an equestrian club had taught her one end of a horse from the other.

After a rough summer and before a rougher last year of school, Cathy wanted to let loose. So, instead of attending the country club dinner dance to celebrate the end of her summer internship in Dallas, she’d passed up filet mignon and fine wine in crystal for barbeque on a bun and beer from a longneck bottle. For tonight she’d rub elbows with ranchers, rodeo groupies and cowboy wannabees and forget about the importance of networking to a law career.

She had just crowded in at the fence demarcating the ring when the most handsome man she’d ever seen locked eyes with her from the back of a huge, black bull. The sounds and smells of the crowd faded to nothing.

Seven and a half heart-stopping seconds later, the bull tossed the cowboy to the ground like an irritating flea. Less than ninety seconds after brushing off his jeans, she looked up to find him by her side.

He stole her breath, her voice, her very thoughts.

Blue eyes so dark they seemed black shone from beneath thick, charcoal-colored lashes. He tipped back his dusty hat to reveal short dark hair. Dimples bracketed an impish grin. His body was lean and tall, and made even faded blue jeans and a worn denim shirt look good.

“Rafe Walker,” he said by way of introduction, “and you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” If anything, his dimples deepened with the amusement in his voice. “I think I’m in love, little lady.”

“Moira Kennedy.” Her friend hadn’t lost her power of speech. She reached around Cathy to extend her hand. “That was very impressive, Rafe.”

Something inside Cathy stirred at the way Moira said his name. Raaaafe.

“Nothing to it,” he said. “Lots of guys better’n me.”

“Oh, I doubt that,” Moira murmured, moving beside him.

Rafe smiled at her, and then turned his gaze back to Cathy. “And your name is…?”

Somehow, in a practiced move but with calm she didn’t feel, she arched her brows, flashed him a cool smile and held out her hand. “Catherine Fitzgerald.”

He wiped his hands on his jeans, adding as much dust as he removed, and took her fingers in his. Warmth flooded her and her knees threatened to buckle. He used her hand to pull her closer, emphasizing how they fit together.

“Can I buy you a Coke?” Quickly he glanced at Moira. “Both of you, of course.”

Cathy also turned to look at her friend.

Moira correctly read the almost imperceptible shake of Cathy’s head. “No, I have someone to meet.”

“You do? Who?” The two of them had come to the rodeo alone.

Moira smiled and flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. “Don’t know yet.”

“Moira—”

But Moira fled.

Giddy and breathless, Cathy faced Rafe Walker. Without another word, he led her toward the concession stand. When they had Cokes in hand, he guided her to an area at the end of the stables, behind the loudspeakers, where they could hear each other talk.

“Is this your first rodeo?” he asked.

“How did you know?”

He pointed to her legs. “Those aren’t Levis. And those expensive boots don’t look like they’ve been near a cow patty.”

“Busted,” she said with a nervous laugh.

He lifted her hat, releasing waves of hair to tumble over her shoulders and down her back. Rafe caught his breath and stared at it.

“To make your hat look lived in,” he said in a hushed voice, “you need to beat it against your leg a few times. But holy God, why you’d want to cover up that hair with any hat is beyond me.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m going to kiss you, Miss Catherine Fitzgerald. Is that all right?”