New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery creates the small-town destination for romance in charming Fool’s Gold, California—where a loner cowboy finds the one woman who can capture his heart
After Phoebe Kitzke’s kind heart gets her suspended from her job in LA, she swears off doing favors—until her best friend begs for help on the family ranch in Fool’s Gold. Unfortunately, sexy cowboy Zane Nicholson isn’t exactly thrilled by the city girl’s arrival.
Thanks to his brother’s latest scheme, Zane has been roped into taking tourists on a cattle drive. What Phoebe knows about ranching wouldn’t fill his hat, but her laughter is so captivating that even his animals fall for her. One slip of his legendary control leads to a passionate kiss that convinces him she’s exactly the kind of woman a single-minded loner needs to avoid.
In his arms, Phoebe discovers she’s a country girl at heart. Yet no matter how much the small town feels like home, she can’t stay unless Zane loves her, too...but is this cowboy interested in forever?
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery
“Susan Mallery is one of my favorites.”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
“The wildly popular and prolific Mallery can always be counted on to tell an engaging story of modern romance.”
—Booklist
“This book is a dynamite read filled with humor, compassion and sexy sizzle.”
—RT Book Reviews on Three Little Words, Top Pick!
“Mallery has again created an engrossing tale of emotional growth and the healing power of friendship as these three ‘sisters’ meet life’s challenges.”
—Library Journal on Three Sisters
“Both smile and tear inducing. Mallery is one of a kind.”
—RT Book Reviews on Two of a Kind, Top Pick!
“Mallery delivers another engaging romance in magical Fool’s Gold.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Just One Kiss
“Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor, and small-town shenanigans, and readers...will enjoy the connection between Heidi and Rafe.”
—Publishers Weekly on Summer Days
“Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.”
—Booklist
Kiss Me
Susan Mallery
This book is dedicated by one of my favorite readers:
To my girlfriends—you add the flavor to my life and laughter to my days. Here’s to friends sharing fun, flowers and fabulous food. They say warm friendships are a ticket to a longer life...maybe we’ll all push 100!!!
Love,
Nancy
Contents
ZANE NICHOLSON BELIEVED in listening to his gut. At nine fifty-five that morning, it was telling him that today wasn’t going to be a good day.
He glanced out the window at the rolling hills that made up the Nicholson Ranch and wondered if being a farmer would have been easier. Crops didn’t break through fences in the night and wander away. Crops didn’t try to be born breech. He could be growing corn. Or wheat. Wheat was patriotic. All those amber waves.
He turned his attention back to his paperwork and shook his head. Who was he kidding? He was a fifth generation rancher. The closest he would come to farming was the vegetable garden the ranch cook grew out behind the bunkhouse.
“Hey, boss.”
Zane watched his foreman step into his office. Frank Adelman took off his worn cowboy