ACCIDENTAL FAMILY?
For one crazy night, Annabeth Upton lets loose to forget her worries: Grandma Flo’s medical bills, little Cody’s stutter, the challenges of being a school principal and a single mom. Then Ryder Boone steps in to protect her from a rowdy bar patron...and in a hot half hour they create the biggest worry of all. Two of them, actually!
Ryder was always the rebel of the Boone family, but he does the right thing and proposes. Annabeth says yes—but thinks the marriage is temporary, meant to save her from scandal. The last thing she wants is to force Ryder into a loveless marriage forever, so she gives him an opt-out clause. The only problem is that as they grow even closer, she doesn’t want him to leave!
“Hot chocolate?” she asked, her voice sounding hollow.
Ryder attempted a cocky grin even though his skin was an alarming shade of white.
“Or something stronger?” Annabeth asked, nodding at the test on the bathroom sink. There was no mistaking the bright blue plus mark in the test window. “Definitely something stronger.”
He was staring at her, his blue eyes so piercing it was hard not to cringe away. But she didn’t. She met his gaze, refusing to buckle or fall apart. When he pulled her into his arms, she couldn’t decide whether to brush him off or melt into him.
“It’s late.” Ryder’s voice was soft, his arms slipping from her. “You... I... I should let you get some sleep.” He glanced at the test. “I better go.”
Keep it together, Annabeth. This is best. At least she knew what to expect. The biggest surprise was how devastated she felt when he pulled the front door closed behind him, leaving her with two steaming mugs of cocoa and one bright blue pregnancy test.
Welcome back to Stonewall Crossing!
If you read A Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion, you know that Stonewall Crossing is a small town built on tradition and full of lively characters. I grew up in places like this. With corner stores and soda fountains, beauty salons and town-wide holiday celebrations. Where Friday nights meant packed high school football games or rodeo arenas. In a place like this, no one is a stranger for long—and no one has secrets.
Ryder Boone is the black sheep of the Boone family. He was a lot of fun to write—inspired by one of my all-time favorite bad boys: Dean Winchester from Supernatural. He loves cars and women. His devotion to his family is unwavering even if “it’s complicated.” And let me tell you, things get all kinds of complicated for Ryder.
Annabeth Upton is a widow, mother to a young son and the principal of Stonewall Crossing Elementary School. Life hasn’t been easy on her, but she finds a way to take things in stride and make lemonade out of even the bitterest lemons. But scandal in a small town isn’t easy to survive, and she’s facing the worst kind of scandal. Unless she can learn to trust her heart.
I love exploring the dynamics in a large family. In my experience, nobody is normal or perfect. But that’s part of being a real family, working through hard situations, finding the humor in things and holding on to one another. Ryder and Annabeth have a lot to learn in this book.
I hope you enjoy visiting Stonewall Crossing, and I look forward to seeing you again real soon!
Happy reading!
Sasha
Twins for the Rebel Cowboy
Sasha Summers
SASHA SUMMERS is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel. Whether it’s an easy-on-the-eyes cowboy or a hero of 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 world she creates, forgetting those everyday tasks like laundry and dishes. Luckily, her four brilliant children and her hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and helpful.
To the lovers of bad boys and those hoping to reform them.
Writing is hard work. But I have an amazing team! I am so thankful for my brainstorming (and “focus”) team: Allison, Marilyn, Patricia, Joni, Storm and Jolene. To the best agent, Pam Hopkins, and my wonderful editor, Johanna Raisanen, who make my books better. To cowboys, for your infinite hero inspiration. And for the love and support of my wonderful, funny and inspiring kids!
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