Austin (New Horizon Ranch Book 8) (13 page)

“What?” everyone asked at once.

“Oh, sorry,” she looked back at them. “That handsome devil Riley Calhoun just walked by all decked out in dress jeans and a ocean blue shirt to match those eyes of his. Took my breath away for a moment. That cowboy is something. He needs a wife—” She pulled the door open and Esther Mae came barreling in cutting off Norma’s words.

Jolene smiled because she wasn’t sure that hunky Riley would agree with the idea of a wife. He was a handsome cowboy and had been nice to her, but she didn’t think he was the settling down type. At least not yet.

“Are we about to have a wedding or what?” Esther Mae laughed, causing the daises she too wore on her hat to dance. “I’ve got a church full of folks and a cowboy sweating bullets standing up there waiting on his bride.”

Everyone looked at Jolene. Her heart thundered like a thousand horses stampeding. And she smiled. Even her parents were here, and for that she was grateful that they were supporting her in this beautiful moment of her life. Maybe there was hope that they’d overcome their fears for her and things could be better between them. Austin was determined to help her heal that bond between them. But right now all that mattered was that he was waiting for her out there.

And she was ready.

She smiled. “Open that door Esther Mae. And tell Adela to play that wedding march. I’m ready to marry my man.”

And she was. Oh she was so, so ready.

More Books in the New Horizon Ranch Series

HER TEXAS COWBOY
(Book 1)

Five ranch-hands inherit a Texas ranch from their boss. These cowboys and cowgirl vow to honor their beloved boss by making the New Horizon Ranch the success he envisioned when he chose to leave his legacy in their care. Along the way they each find the love of a lifetime. You’ll fall in love with these fun, sweet, emotional love stories.

Cowboy Cliff Masterson saw a woman in need and stepped in—because Maddie was too stubborn to ask…

Cowgirl Maddie Rose has never belonged anywhere but she’s just inherited part of New Horizon Ranch—along with her partners, four handsome, extremely capable cowboys… Maddie’s trying to adjust to her new life and her new partners she’s still unable to believe she’s an owner of this fabulous ranch. Not sure why she was included, she’s out to prove herself worthy of the honor of the inheritance. Loving her new life in the small Texas town of Mule Hollow, she’s determined that, for the first time in her life, she’s going to finally belong somewhere…

Professional Bull Rider Cliff Masterson has been chasing his dreams for years—or has he been running from his past? He’s searching for more in life and ready to dig in his spurs and put down roots deep in the heart of Texas. Rescuing a beautiful cowgirl from being trampled by a bull has him dreaming of romance, home and hearth.

But Maddie’s had enough people in her life leave and she’s not willing to risk her heart on him—Sparks fly as he’s determined to prove to the feisty cowgirl that the only think he’s chasing now is wedding bells with her…

Can the Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow help this couple find their happily ever after?

RAFE
(Book 2)

When runaway bride, Sadie Archer’s car breaks down on the outskirts of Mule Hollow, Texas, she’s not exactly dressed to fix the blown tire. Then again, she hadn’t planned on this road trip or her life falling apart a week before her wedding. But now that she’s hit the road, destination unknown, Sadie’s decided it’s time to disappear for a while and find out exactly what it is she wants out of life. But first she needs to change her flat tire and that is easier said than done when one is wearing…

A bunny suit!

Ex-cowboy star Rafe Masterson thinks he’s seeing things at first but yes—that is definitely a female head sticking out of the furry white bunny suit, tangling with a spare tire. A cowboy who guards his heart carefully, he’s still always willing to help someone in need…even one wearing white fur from top to bottom. Completely captivated by the unusual woman, Rafe senses she’s in trouble in more ways than the flat tire. He’s part owner of the New Horizon Ranch and offers her a job as cook—even though they don’t need a cook.

Sadie accepts even though she can’t really cook but this is the perfect answer to her needs right now…and how hard can it be anyway?

These two might be down-on-love but love hasn’t given up on them and the Matchmaking Posse of Mule Hollow has just gotten them in their sights...

CHASE
(Book 3)

Being a bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding in the sleepy town of Mule Hollow Texas is the perfect place for Amber Rivers to lay low to avoid a stalker hot on her heels back in Houston. She loves her job and her city life and isn’t looking to stay long in the country-but she’s blindsided by her attraction to the self-assured rancher, Chase Hartley…

Chase agrees to watch over socialite Amber while his partner heads off on his honeymoon but despite the high voltage sparks lighting up between them he has no intention of getting any closer to Amber than necessary to keep her safe. But he soon realizes there’s a whole lot more to Amber than he first assumed and keeping his distance is becoming harder with every passing moment they’re together.

An outside threat plus a little friendly tampering from the meddling Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow puts this couple on high alert as they try not to fall in love.

TY
(Book 4)

Best friends forever…happily ever that is…Christmas wedding bells will be ringing if the Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow can get this stubborn cowboy and cowgirl together under the mistletoe for the most anticipated kiss of the holiday.

Will Ty Calder, mild mannered partner in the New Horizon Ranch, get his secret Christmas wish and heal his lonesome heart this season? Find out in Book 4 of the New Horizon Ranch/Mule Hollow series.

Horse trainer Ty Calder did the right thing four years ago and sent his best friend, Mia Shaw off with a hug and best wishes in her quest for her rodeo dreams to come true. But now she’s back for the Christmas holiday and he’s not sure he can send her off again without revealing his true feelings…

Mia is back in Mule Hollow healing up from an injury that could end her run for the championship. But, lately her heart’s not been completely committed to her rodeo dreams and Ty has her thinking he might just be the reason.

Suddenly, tensions are running high between Mia and Ty…sparks are flying and have been spotted by the Matchmakin’ Posse. Now these two are dodging mistletoe, matchmakers and the kiss they’re both fighting to avoid and longing for.

But Ty can’t believe Mia is ready to give up on her dreams when she’s so close…he knows it means more to her than most people realize. No matter how much he wants a life with Mia he refuses to stand in the way of her dreams even if it means losing her forever…

It may take his four partners at the New Horizon Ranch and the town of Mule Hollow to get these two believing Christmas is especially the time that love can conquer all.

This is going to be one Christmas these two will remember forever…

DALTON
(Book 5)

Dalton Borne is a cowboy who keeps his past closed up inside. He’s watched his partners at the New Horizon Ranch find love and he’s happy for them and even envious. But his past prevents him from believing he deserves a future that includes a love of his own. But then one stormy night he rescues a very pregnant Rae Anne Tyson from floodwaters and ends up delivering her baby on the side of the road. Suddenly Dalton’s life is turned upside down and no matter what he believes he does or doesn’t deserve—he can’t walk away from helping Rae Anne.

TREB
(Book 6)

Former special ops soldier Treb Carson has returned to his ranching roots joining up with the New Horizon Ranch. Afghanistan and the loss of his brother have him ready to move forward into happier times–he’s looking for love and to start a family. He’s not expecting to be captivated by Megan Tanner, the completely wrong woman for his plans. The workaholic, new veterinarian in town doesn't have marriage on her agenda and she’s made that clear, but he can’t get her or the kiss they share off his mind.

Megan Tanner has her personal reasons for not believing in happily-ever-after, but now she’s moved to the hometown of the Matchmakin’ Posse of Mule Hollow. Avoiding their antics is easy for now, it's calving season and that means no time for anything but work and building her vet practice. But then she’s blindsided by the smokin’-hot, ex-military cowboy and the immediate sparks she can’t deny or the kiss she can’t forget.

Treb knows all the reasons why Megan isn’t the woman for him…but he can’t seem to stop himself. Now he’s determined to find out why Megan is so against falling in love and proving to her that she can trust him with her heart.

And he’s got a certain three nosey ladies on his side…can the “Posse” help this couple find their happily-ever-after?

MADDIE’S SECRET BABY
(Book 7)

Keeping a secret has never been so hard—all Maddie wanted to do was let Cliff be the first to know they were expecting a baby!

But getting caught in a hold up at the Sip-N-Go with the Matchmakin’ Posse (aka the grapevine of Mule Hollow) and two teenagers, has Maddie fighting to keep chaos from breaking out inside the convenience store. And now just getting everyone out alive is Maddie’s goal. But Maddie’s used to wrangling cattle and bulls into line and doing what it takes to get the job done…now, keeping three feisty, old ladies from driving the robbers to shoot them just to shut them up is proving to be a rodeo of a new kind.

Keeping her baby secret, fighting robbers, the Posse and morning sickness has Maddie unsure if she’ll ever see Cliff again, much less share her secret baby news.

Don’t miss story #7 in the New Horizon Ranch series. A short story involving Maddie and Cliff from book #1 in the series. If you’ve been hoping for baby news for them during this series you’ll enjoy this quick fun read.

(If you haven’t read the series, ebook #1, Her Texas Cowboy is free.)

For the complete list, visit Debra’s website
www.debraclopton.com

About the Author

Bestselling author Debra Clopton has sold over 2.5 million books. Her book OPERATION: MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS has been optioned for an ABC Family Movie. Debra is known for her contemporary, western romances, Texas cowboys and feisty heroines. Sweet romance and humor are always intertwined to make readers smile. A sixth generation Texan she lives with her husband on a ranch deep in the heart of Texas. She loves being contacted by readers.

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Austin,
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Austin

Copyright © 2016 Debra Clopton Parks

This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please contact the author through her website:

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