A DISTRACTION HE DOESN’T NEED!
Archer Boone’s whole life revolves around his work at his family’s ranch and horse refuge. Animals are just so much less complicated than people. But he needs to get the refuge’s financial paperwork in order so he can secure his funding. When Eden Caraway arrives to work on his books, Archer can’t afford to be distracted by the beautiful single mom and her two adorable daughters.
Eden Caraway is really Eden Monroe, and she is determined to earn her father’s respect. So if he wants to pull funding from Archer Boone’s horse refuge, she’ll make it happen. But Eden is falling for Archer, and she dreams of staying at Boone Ranch. How can she reveal her real reason for being there and risk losing her heart?
Miss Caraway’s eyes widened. “I appreciate your concern, Dr. Boone—”
“Good,” he said. “Let me make this clear. Unless I am with them, your daughters need to stay away from the horses. Especially Fester. Is that understood?”
She blinked but didn’t say a word. Ivy was frowning, tears welling up in her big eyes.
“He mad, Momma?” Ivy whispered.
“No, Ivy. He wants to keep you safe.” Eden’s voice was soft and soothing.
Archer didn’t miss the lethal glare Eden shot his way before she headed back to the minivan.
Her anger wasn’t important. He was her boss—his place, his rules. He glanced at Eden. Ivy stared back at him over her mother’s shoulder. Her golden curls danced on the breeze, her huge hazel eyes unblinking. He sighed. Ivy waved, her tiny fingers splayed wide even as her chin quivered. He was a jerk. But he’d never meant to make the little girl cry. A little girl who kept waving.
So he waved back.
Her smile was so bright, he had no choice but to smile in return.
A Cowboy to Call Daddy
Sasha Summers
SASHA SUMMERS grew up surrounded by books. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel. Whether it’s an easy-on-the-eyes cowboy or a hero of truly mythic proportions, Sasha falls a little in love with each and every one of her heroes. She frequently gets lost with her characters in the worlds she creates, forgetting those everyday tasks like laundry and dishes. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and helpful.
To all the cowboy lovers out there!
You know a real hero when you see (read) one!
Contents
After a leisurely drive admiring wildflower-laden fields, open pastures, and acres of cattle and horses, Eden’s morning took a sharp U-turn back into Sucksville. Only this time she wasn’t trapped at work, she was stuck in unknown territory. Boone Ranch Refuge was far off the beaten track, smack-dab in the middle of the Texas Hill Country. Things had been looking up when she turned off the two-lane county road and driven through the impressive wood and stone archway that assured her she’d reached Boone Ranch.
Her sudden flare of nerves wasn’t surprising. She had a lot to do and a limited time to do it. And this time, she was determined to earn her father’s respect. Did she wish there was another way? Yes, definitely. Her mother’s support of Boone Ranch Refuge had been unwavering. And on paper, the work done here was worth funding. But her father insisted things weren’t as on the up-and-up as they seemed. So Eden was here—without her father’s blessing—to look deeper, review every scrap of paper, bill, invoice and ledger. Her father might believe that his word was enough to sway the board’s opinion, but Eden knew better. Before she left, she’d make sure her father and the board were satisfied.
Logically, she needed to start at the refuge. But dropping in on a grantee for a surprise audit was a first. Normally, she’d give her applicants a checklist of what she needed and time to get everything in order. But this was different. She had a job to do and not much time to do it. The infamously prickly Dr. Boone would have to deal with the inconvenience. Still, she suspected he wouldn’t be pleased. But dealing with Dr. Boone would be worth it if she left with information