True-Blue Cowboy Read online

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  True-Blue Cowboy copyright © 2018 by Sara Richardson

  Excerpt from Hometown Cowboy © 2017 by Sara Richardson

  Saved by the Cowboy copyright © 2018 by A.J. Pine

  Cover design by Elizabeth Turner Stokes

  Cover photograph by Rob Lang

  Cover copyright © 2018 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Forever

  Hachette Book Group

  1290 Avenue of the Americas

  New York, NY 10104

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  twitter.com/foreverromance

  First Edition: July 2018

  Forever is an imprint of Grand Central Publishing. The Forever name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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  ISBNs: 978-1-5387-1225-2 (mass market); 978-1-5387-1224-5 (ebook)

  E3-20180612-DANF

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  A Note from the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  An Excerpt from Hometown Cowboy

  Chapter One

  Acclaim for Sara Richardson's Previous Novels

  About the Author

  Also by Sara Richardson

  Saved by the Cowboy

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Newsletters

  To Miz Carolyn Brown

  For teaching me everything I need to know about cowboys.

  I want to be just like you when I grow up.

  Dear Reader,

  I almost can’t believe True-Blue Cowboy is my tenth book! These last few years have been an incredible adventure, and it has been such a joy sharing it with you. I have to admit, this book has a special place in my heart. Not only is it number ten, I’ve also decided that Everly is living my dream life.

  I based her charming little farm off a farm in the small mountain town where my parents live. We have many wonderful memories of visiting their pumpkin patch with our kids in the fall and stopping by during the summer to buy produce. There is something so appealing about the thought of simplifying your life and coming to rely on the natural world for sustenance and healing. And I love the idea of having goats and ducks and chickens as pets. (Unfortunately my husband doesn’t!) I hope the scenes on the farm are as fun for you to read as they were for me to write and imagine.

  I also hope you fall in love with Mateo and Everly the way I did. Like many of us, they both have a painful twist in their past, but they’ve learned to cope with it in two very different ways. It’s amazing what happens when they realize what is holding them back and work to overcome the obstacles standing in the way of their happily ever after. It’s not easy for them—just like it’s not easy for any of us! But I hope you will find their journey inspiring and uplifting.

  This book is the result of countless hours of work and dedication—not all of it mine. I am incredibly blessed to work with the creative, talented, and professional team at Grand Central / Forever. Specifically, I have to thank Amy Pierpont, my editor on this project, for helping me get to the heart of the tension and conflict in this story. I consider myself very lucky to have the privilege of working with you! I so appreciate the efforts of my publicist, Estelle Hallick—thank you for all of your work on my behalf. There are many others who don’t get enough credit for everything they do—the sales and marketing staff, cover designers, and assistants who are so wonderful to work with. You are all my heroes. I wouldn’t even be able to write more books if it wasn’t for my dedicated agent, Suzie Townsend. Thank you for keeping my dream alive.

  An author would never survive without writing buddies. Elaine and Kimberly, you two keep me going. I can’t wait for our next retreat! I’m also so thankful to friends and family who keep me anchored. You know who you are. To my three VIPs: Will, AJ, and Kaleb—“thank you” will never be enough for all you’ve given me. I wouldn’t know anything about love if it weren’t for you. Thank you for teaching me more about it every single day.

  And thank you, dear reader, for opening your heart to my stories. I love sharing this journey with you.

  All the best,

  Sara

  Chapter One

  I have a surprise for you.”

  Everly Brooks tried not to visibly cringe, but ever since her friend had surprised her with a penis cake for her birthday last year, she happened to be a little gun shy when it came to Darla Michaels and surprises. The cake artist her friend had hired had gotten a little too carried away with the details, for Everly’s taste. God, when Darla had cut the masterpiece into neat little squares revealing the red velvet cake beneath the layers of frosting, Everly had to excuse herself so she could go out and get some air.

  “It’s not my birthday.” Thank the powers that be. This year, she would make sure to take a vacation so no one could ambush her with frosted body parts. She popped a truffle into her mouth and took a sip of the deep, rich merlot that had already warmed her stomach. “Even if it was my birthday, I don’t like surprises.” She’d had far too many of them in recent years, and not the good kind. Thus the reason she was sitting here at the Chocolate Therapist—Darla’s incredibly successful wine and chocolate bar on Main Street—soothing the ache of past wounds before she and Darla attended an engagement party.

  Though she would much rather stay here at the bar with its warm ambiance and sleek, reassuring décor, she’d promised her friend Kate Livingston she would join her and Jaden for their big celebration. Regardless of how many memories it would bring up of her own botched happily ever after, she had to be there.

  “I know it’s not your birthday, silly.” Darla swiveled her barstool and nudged Everly’s should
er. “That’s in February. Wait until you see what I have planned for you this year.”

  “Actually, I’m going out of town that week.” Not that she had any clue how she’d be able to get away when she had a farm to run.

  Her friend smirked. “Great, then I’ll send the surprise wherever you are.”

  Wouldn’t that be lovely? A penis cake showing up at the door of her hotel room? Everly wouldn’t put it past her.

  “Trust me, you’ll like tonight’s surprise.” Darla bounced off the barstool and smoothed down her chic tunic. Crazy how put together the woman could look after a full day of working. Her cropped black hair still had shape and style. Though she didn’t need it, her makeup still looked as fresh as if she’d put it on ten minutes ago. Her unsmudged silvery eyeliner happened to perfectly complement her indigo eyes, which always flashed with a lively energy.

  Everly, on the other hand, didn’t hold up so well. Her days involved cooking breakfast and lunch in the warm kitchen of her café before heading out to harvest produce and clean the animal pens on her small farm. At least she’d managed to shower and change before meeting Darla. Though she’d regretted choosing this dress the second she’d put it on. The soft red fabric swishing against her skin had sparked a flashback to when Andrew had bought it for her in Venice. He’d been so thoughtful…sneaking back into the store while she waited in line for their gelato. The next morning, she’d found the delicate package sitting on the dresser of their hotel room.

  Her stomach turned. Three years later, she still couldn’t seem to reconcile those good memories of him with the bad ones, with the betrayal. How could she have loved someone so corrupt?

  Everly reached for the wine bottle and helped herself to a refill. One glass wasn’t going to be enough to get her through tonight.

  “Finally.” Darla darted away in the direction of the door. “Your surprise is here.”

  Everly swiveled her barstool so she could see what Darla was up to. Her friend opened the door and ushered in two men off the street. Wait. Was that—

  “Ty Forrester and Mateo Torres.” Darla put an arm around each of them in grand presentation. “Surprise!” She prodded the two rodeo stars closer. “I knew how much tonight would suck for you, so I set us up on a double date!”

  A double date? Everly knew she should say something, but her jaw seemed to be stuck open. Just when she’d thought it couldn’t get worse than a penis cake…

  “Ty has been begging me to go out with him for months anyway,” Darla said with an affectionate roll of her eyes.

  The man on her left wore the cocky grin of a decorated bull rider. “I knew you’d come around eventually.”

  Darla ignored him. “And Mateo here”—she patted his bicep fondly—“is always good for helping a woman take her mind off the past. Am I right?” Her elbow dug into his ribs.

  “That does happen to be a specialty of mine.” He eased a step closer to Everly. Everything about the bronc rider was dark—from his eyes to his clothes to the cowboy hat he wore tipped forward on his head. Mystery wrapped itself in the shadows of his face, hiding secrets he likely didn’t want to share. The tattered jeans he wore gloved his lower body, but somehow he still had room to swagger. And he didn’t have to try. Mateo Torres was a man who could swagger without moving a muscle.

  Studying him, Everly finally understood why the women in town referred to him as Zorro. The lustrous dark hair, the tanned skin, and seductive eyes made him appear downright dangerous, but his irresistible smile fooled his prey into thinking he was harmless.

  “Everly?” He reached out his hand. “I don’t think we’ve formally met. I’m Mateo Torres. It’s a pleasure.”

  He seemed to wait for her to offer her hand, but shock and indignation and—okay, sure, maybe a smidgeon of lust—iced her body over and she couldn’t seem to move. “We have met, actually.” Not that he would remember with the sheer number of women he’d likely talked to in his lifetime. “At the café. A few times.” Instead of shaking his hand, she directed a searing gaze to Darla. “Can I see you for a moment?”

  Uttering a long-suffering sigh, her friend trudged over. “You two can wait by the door,” she said to Mateo and Ty. As soon as they sauntered away, Everly spun her stool to face the bar and took a gulp of wine.

  Darla leaned in next to her. “Is there a problem?”

  Problem didn’t even begin to touch it. “You set me up on a pity date!”

  “It’s not a pity date,” her friend corrected. “I didn’t have to bribe Mateo at all. When I asked him if he’d go on a date with you, he said, ‘You mean the hot farmer chick?’” Her friend grinned. “So there. He was dying to take you out on a date.”

  Everly peeked at Mateo over her shoulder. He leaned against the wall and flashed her an annoyingly confident smile.

  She turned back around before he could see the blush rise to her cheeks. She hadn’t dated. Not once since she’d left San Francisco. She wasn’t ready. She might never be ready. “I’m not looking for a relationship.”

  “Trust me, honey. Neither is he.” Darla eased onto the stool next to her, a familiar intensity brewing in her eyes. “That’s what makes this so perfect. Instead of wallowing in sad memories, you can have a night of uncomplicated fun. You don’t have enough fun in your life, Everly.”

  The woman had a point. Don’t get her wrong; Everly loved the new life she’d built in Topaz Falls, but between keeping things up on the farm and running the Farm café, she didn’t have a lot of time for fun.

  “You can’t tell me he’s not tempting.” Darla looked over to where Ty and Mateo stood, her gaze lowering. “I mean, look at that ass.”

  Everly already knew Mateo’s ass was close to perfect. She wasn’t blind. But if she was going to go through with this, she couldn’t let herself develop any real attachments to the man. The less she looked at his ass, the better off she’d be. “So, what? We go to the party and hang out, have a few drinks, maybe dance, and then call it a night?” At least that would help her keep her mind off of her ex.

  “What you do after the party is completely up to you.” Darla’s eyebrows peaked the way they always did when she had a naughty thought. “But, darlin’, this is Mateo Torres. I have a feeling he’s open to pretty much anything.”

  Mateo had to wonder if the free chocolate Darla had promised him for this favor would be worth it. Not that she would’ve had to bribe him to go out with Everly Brooks. Hell, spending the evening with a sexy woman happened to be one of his favorite pastimes, but Everly sure didn’t seem excited about the prospect of spending the evening with him. That could ruin his perfect track record. He’d never ended a date with an unhappy woman. He’d made sure of that. Tonight he might have his work cut out for him.

  He glanced at the bar again. Surprise, surprise, Everly’s back was no longer turned. In fact, she stood up and walked toward him.

  “Wonder if she’s gonna skip out on you.” Ty seemed to be enjoying the fact that Everly hadn’t exactly lit up at the prospect of going on a date with Mateo.

  “She won’t.” At least he hoped she wouldn’t. He’d never hear the end of it from Ty. Mateo moved to stand in front of the door in case she tried to make a fast escape. He did have a reputation to uphold.

  Instead of pushing past, the woman stopped in front of him, her gaze unsure. “Sorry about that. Let’s start over.” She cleared her throat as though she was nervous. “It’s nice to meet you, Mateo.”

  “Nice to meet you, too.” He checked her out as he took her hand. Her face had that pristine look—almost untouched by age or the sun, which made sense since he’d rarely seen her without the wide-brimmed straw hat she always wore around her farm. He’d rarely seen her without that bulletproof expression either—full, curved lips frozen into a polite indifference. She wasn’t unfeeling, though. Her eyes gave her away. They were gentle and perceptive, the perfect shade of brown to reflect the soft light of the dim bulbs that hung overhead. He’d noticed her around town, but had
never gotten this close. From what he’d seen, not many people did get close, except for her few female friends.

  Whenever he did happen to see her, she didn’t look like this either. She always seemed to dress in dusty jeans and a flannel shirt, not a low-cut dress that showcased those curves he’d never noticed before. Tonight, they were on full display.

  Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  “We should get going.” Darla flicked off the lights. “We’re already late.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll drive.” Mateo opened the door and waited for Everly to go outside first. Before he could follow her, Darla snagged his elbow. “Make sure you show her a good time,” she whispered. “She needs this.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  An hour later, though, it was obvious his best wasn’t good enough. He’d done everything required of a good date—helped her in and out of his truck, played the charming sidekick as she mingled with her friends and congratulated Kate and Jaden. He’d gotten her a drink—vodka and tonic—and had even snagged a couple of chocolate-covered strawberries for her before they were gone. But her smile hadn’t reached her eyes all night. She wasn’t having fun. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying themselves. The party had taken over the main restaurant at the ski resort where Jaden worked. The place was impressive—high ceilings and log beams, an open bar and a generous-sized dance floor where a live band played country favorites. That’s where Ty and Darla were, tearing up the floor with some of their other friends. That’s where Mateo should be, too. Not backed up against the wall watching the action.

  All right, time for plan D. He slipped the empty glass out of Everly’s hand and set it on a nearby table. “You want to dance?” That was pretty much all he had left in his bag of tricks. If that didn’t get her loosened up, nothing would.

  “Not really.” She looked around. “Actually, I could use some air.” The woman slipped past him, leaving him in the dust. Mateo glanced at the dance floor again. Darla gave him a crazy-eyed glare. Follow her, she mouthed. He might’ve flipped her off and headed for the bar for another beer instead if it hadn’t been for Ty’s smirk. His friend was usually the one getting ditched by a woman, not Mateo.