The Courage of a Cowboy

Book 2: Elk Heights Ranch

by Kristin Vayden

Genres: Women's Fiction

Synopsis

Nothing like a wedding to get a girl dreaming of happily-ever-after . . .

Kessed Ling’s best friend’s big day is finally here. It’s especially exciting because it’s Kessed’s chance to show her childhood crush she’s not just a young bridesmaid, she’s a full-grown woman—with red hot desires. But when her long-awaited prey barely blinks an eye at her, Kessed retreats right back into her deeply guarded heart. Doesn’t matter that chivalrous Jasper Matthews steps in and offers a shoulder to lean on. Kessed is no longer in the market for a man, despite how unsettled the strong, silent groomsman makes her feel . . .
 
As a veterinarian, Jasper better understands a skittish filly than he does willful Kessed Ling. But when fate finds him playing ranch hand alongside the raven-haired beauty, Jasper realizes she’s a woman running scared—and he’s just the man to tame her. So with soothing words and bold kisses, Jasper sets out to show Kessed how good it can be between a man and a woman.  Especially when the man is falling hard and fast in love . . .
 
“Obsessed. That’s how I felt while reading this book, like every page was better than the previous. Just try to put this down, I dare you.”

--#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken on Heart of a Cowboy

Release date: April 17, 2018

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Print pages: 320

Sample

CHAPTER ONE

“It could be worse.”

Kessed narrowed her eyes at her best friend. “How exactly?”

Laken bit her lip, a sure sign she was fighting a smile—the traitor. “It could be too big?”

“Instead, it makes my boobs look like I’m about to have a wardrobe malfunction. At your wedding. Classy,” Kessed replied with heavy sarcasm.

“Sterling won’t mind.” Laken lost the battle and started giggling.

“Why are you my best friend? Seriously.” Kessed closed her eyes, pinching her nose with her thumb and finger. “Your wedding is tomorrow. How in the hell did we not get this dress sooner?”

“It was on backorder.” Laken sighed, walking up to the three-way mirror and gently touching the creamy yellow fabric. “It really isn’t that bad. I promise. You just look a little sexier than usual.”

“For a family event,” Kessed snapped.

“Wear stickers, just in case.” Laken circled her chest area and smirked.

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. Whatever happened to the bridezilla disorder? You’re immune? What is this?” Kessed sliced a hand through the air, popping her hip.

A few stiches snapped.

“Of course. So I can’t move either. Fabulous.”

“I’ll see if they have anything else. You’re the maid of honor, and if you’re in a different dress, it won’t be weird.”

“Why are you so calm? You should be freaking out!” Kessed called after her best friend, who disappeared to the sales floor. “Hell, I’m freaking out.” She sighed, wincing as the fabric bit into her sides as she tried to get a full breath. This was not going to work.

At all.

So much for stealing Sterling’s attention. She snorted. Yeah, she’d steal it all right, just not the way she wanted. Biting her lip, she glanced to the floor. It had been a constant struggle from day one.

Sterling was Laken’s brother. A marine, hard-core, fit, and a smile that could make a girl forget her name. But he’d never seen anything past the friend zone with Kessed; rather, he’d pestered her, teased her about being in love with him—which was too accurate for comfort—and then left to go and save the world, again.

His love was the military; it was his mistress and addiction.

And Kessed didn’t know how to compete with that.

“What about this one?” Laken strolled into the room, holding up a midnight-blue gown.

“It’s blue,” Kessed stated as she took in the shimmering fabric.

“You’re so observant. Yes, it’s blue. Which is one of my other colors. Yellow, blue, and gray. You can get away with wearing blue as the maid of honor. Now try it on. Hurry. I’ve got other things to do than argue with you, and I’m about fifteen minutes from flipping the switch to the bridezilla you’re fearing,” Laken replied with a grin.

“You can’t threaten me like that then smile. It totally voids your attempt.” Kessed sighed with contempt and took the dress into a private room. “Wait, I think you might need the Jaws of Life to get me out of this thing, if the zipper hasn’t already popped loose.”

“Dramatic much? Seriously. Chill. Hold on—sit still for crying out loud!” Laken scolded but pulled down the zipper, and Kessed breathed deeply, thankful for small blessings.

“Air.” She sighed longingly.

“You sure talk a lot for being oxygen-deprived,” Laken shot back.

“It’s a talent.”

“Or a curse.”

“For you.”

“Are you ever going to stop talking?” Laken asked in an irritated tone.

“Shh, I’m changing.” Kessed tried not to laugh as she imagined Laken’s reaction.

Laken muttered, “Pain in my ass.”

“All the best maids of honor are!” Kessed replied, slipping into the new dress. It flowed freely, accentuating each curve of her almost nonexistent hips, and showing off the swell of her breasts without making them indecent. The blue hue highlighted her jet-black hair, giving it a bluish sheen that made her hazel eyes almost navy-tinted. “Whoa.”

“That good?” Laken asked from outside the door.

“I’m never taking it off.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Laken waited a moment. “Do I get to see it, or are you going to just stare at yourself all day?”

“Stare,” Kessed answered, turning to see the back.

“Gah, killing me over here!” Laken banged on the door.

“Shh, I’m having a moment.”

“Really? Hello? Bride over here. Out. Now!”

Kessed grinned, opening the door and watching as Laken’s eyes widened then squinted with the power of her smile. “Yes!”

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Breathtaking. Sterling’s jaw will hit the floor.”

“That will be interesting.”

“For both of us. I’m so good. Damn, I impress myself. I picked it out, you know.” Laken walked a circle around Kessed, studying the dress.

“Full credit given.”

“Thank you. Now quick, change. I gotta go and meet Cyler at the ranch. And you have a shift starting in a half hour.”

“I know. I know.” Kessed offered her back to Laken, who unzipped the dress with a soft touch, and soon Kessed was hanging it back up, studying it longingly.

“Did you apply for the management position?” Laken asked, pulling her back from her thoughts.

“Yes! I’ll find out in a few weeks when the position opens. It would almost double my income because of the increase in hours.”

“Call me when you know,” Laken requested.

Kessed pursed her lips. “Yes, because that’s what best friends do. Interrupt the other one’s honeymoon. As if you’re going to want to get out of bed.”

“It’s Hawaii. We’ll be getting out of bed.”

“To have ocean sex,” Kessed called back, opening the door.

Laken blushed, grinning. “It still counts because we’re technically out of bed.”

“And we’re done. Don’t want to know.” Kessed held up a hand and walked to the front of the store.

“You started it.”

“And I’m ending it.”

“Wait, where’s the dress?” Laken paused.

“Shit.” Kessed ran back to the dressing room, grabbed the dress, and caught up. “I’ll take care of this. You head back home. I’ll call you later. You know what? Scratch that, I’ll see you at eight a.m. sharp tomorrow. Enjoy your last night as Laken Garlington. Tomorrow you’re Laken Myer.” Kessed reached out and pulled her friend into a hug, careful not to wrinkle the dress she held between them.

“I can’t wait,” Laken breathed.

“Fine, go. Don’t let that handsome cowboy of yours wait. He’ll blame me.”

“He always blames you.”

“Yeah, well… he’s usually right.”

“True story.”

“I’ll be at the ranch at eight on the dot. I don’t want to drag your ass from bed, so do me a favor and save me the trouble. Set an alarm,” Kessed insisted, walking to the door.

“As if Cyler would let you in the house.”

“I have a key.”

“Damn, you do….” Laken snickered, pausing. “That would be funny.”

“For you. I’d be visually violated. Cyler’s got a nice ass, but I don’t exactly want to see it in all its naked glory.”

“Whatever.” Laken lifted a hand in surrender. “By the way, thanks for housesitting. I’m glad someone will be at the ranch. Margaret—”

“That horse is spoiled.”

“With love! And sugar. Don’t forget to give her some, okay?”

“Gah, fine. And I’m happy to housesit for you while you’re gone. Just as long as you swear the only animal I have to care for is the horse.” Kessed leveled a stare at her friend.

“Pretty sure any other animals would suffer a fate worse than death if you had to take care of them,” Laken teased. “But I know Cyler is really glad you’ll be there. With him getting the ranch back up and going, he didn’t want it left alone the whole time we were gone. Even if the steers aren’t arriving till a few weeks after we return, he was still all uptight about it.”

“Men.” Kessed shrugged.

Laken gave her head a quick shake. “See you. Be good, and I’ll be waiting to see your bright and shining face in the morning!”

Kessed waved. “I won’t be bright, and I won’t be shining. I’ll be grumpy and demanding, but I will have coffee….”

“Then we’re still set.”

Laken walked out the door, and Kessed watched her friend leave. Tomorrow would be a huge day for sure, and it was long overdue.

While Cyler and Laken hadn’t let grass grow under their feet, they’d also had a harrowing year. Cyler’s father had died not three months ago, and the grieving process had been difficult for both of them. Though Jack, Cyler’s father, would always get credit for bringing the two of them together, it had been hard on Cyler, finally forgiving his father only to lose him.

But that was history, and Cyler and Laken’s future was beautiful, and they did a great job focusing on that, rather than the pain of the past.

As Kessed glanced at the garment bag, she sighed in relief. Maybe miracles did happen—finding a quick replacement dress was proof. Now if she could only conjure up another miracle….

That maybe, just maybe, Sterling would, for once, see her.

Really see her.

Tomorrow would tell.

CHAPTER TWO

The wedding day dawned without a cloud in the sky, the crisp fall air promising to warm up nicely by afternoon. Kessed had spent all morning helping Laken prepare for the big day and chasing Cyler away. Stubborn guy, he was relentless in trying to sneak a peek at his bride.

Of course, he might just have been doing it to piss Kessed off, too.

They’d had a true love/hate relationship from the start. Of course, to Cyler’s credit, Kessed had told him she wasn’t afraid of prison if he hurt her best friend.

But that’s what friends did, right?

“Kessed, what time is it?” Laken asked, pulling Kessed from her thoughts.

“Almost noon. Are you hungry yet?”

“Yes, and no. Why in the hell am I so nervous? Seriously!” Laken sighed, sitting down on the bed, earning a glare from Kessed when she sat on the corner of the veil.

“It’s a big deal, and it’s perfectly normal to be nervous.” Kessed gently tugged the veil from under Laken’s ass and set it aside. “Pizza?”

“No! Sorry. I mean, no thanks,” Laken corrected, taking a deep breath. “How about something that won’t sit in my stomach like a rock.”

“Hamburger?”

Laken glared. “What is it with you and fast food?”

“It’s my love language.” Kessed shrugged.

Laken shook her head. “What about a salad? You know, something that won’t make me all bloated?”

Kessed giggled. “Fine. As long as I don’t have to order a salad.”

The rest of the afternoon passed in a whirl of activity till they were finally on their way to Suncadia Resort. Laken was quiet most of the thirty-minute drive. They were scheduled as the last to arrive. The rest of the bridal party as well as the groom’s party were supposed to be at the resort in the early afternoon to finish the setup.

The resort was situated between the Cascade Mountains, with big blue sky meeting rugged peaks and green trees, broken up by flowing streams in the distance. It was lovely and made it easy on the guests, having the venue as their hotel.

As they wound around Bullfrog Lane, they entered the dense forest that led to the conference center that doubled as the wedding site. Cars were lining up in the parking area, signaling that the time was getting close, and Kessed’s stomach leapt in anticipation and nerves.

“You okay?” she asked Laken, who gave her a slight smile in return.

“Yeah, I’m ready for being married. The wedding I can survive,” Laken teased.

Kessed reached over and held her hand. “It will be fine. Sterling’s here. He’s giving you away. It’s going to be amazing,” Kessed assured her.

“I know. Let’s do this.”

As they walked to the venue, Kessed watched as the door swung wide, revealing emerald-green eyes and a dove-gray suit.

“Ladies, I’m here to escort you to your dressing room and protect you from the prying eyes of the groom.” His grin widened, and Kessed gulped slightly. Who the hell is he?

“Thank you.” Laken answered but Kessed didn’t miss the way she glanced around the hall, apparently, for Cyler.

“Stop it. You’re worse than he is.” Kessed groaned, tugging on Laken’s arm.

“Kessed, right?” the stranger asked.

“And you are?” Kessed held out her hand, unable to stop the suspicious pinch in her forehead. Hot or not, she didn’t like it when people had an advantage over her.

“Jasper Matthews.” He nodded kindly, grasping her hand with his warm one and shaking it.

“So, you’re Jasper? Nice to put a face with the name.” Laken’s face lit up with familiarity.

Kessed glanced to her friend, arching a brow as if to say “How do you know, and I’m still in the dark?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m honored to be a part of your special day.”

Kessed narrowed her eyes in suspicion. People, especially grown men, don’t say ma’am, do they? And who is he, and how does Laken know about him but I don’t?

“So, you’re taking over for Vince?” Laken asked as they started to walk down the hall.

“Yeah.” He turned to Kessed. “My uncle is the vet around here but is retiring. I’m taking over. He’s all but done, and so I’m swamped.”

“Oh, so you know Cyler from…” She let the question linger.

“I grew up in Ellensburg. We played football together in high school and got into more than our share of trouble.” He winked, his chestnut hair distracting her with the rich color and the way it appeared so soft.

Easy girl. Think of Sterling.

Kessed wanted to roll her eyes. “Sounds fun.”

Jasper paused in front of a door, knocking once. Kessed heard a few squeals before the door opened, and several of their other friends enveloped Laken in hugs.

“That’s my exit cue.” Jasper chuckled. “But, Kessed, if you wouldn’t mind, I think Cyler wanted to speak with you.”

Kessed patted Laken on the back and walked off with Jasper, her tension slowly releasing. Why am I so uptight? It wasn’t her wedding, but Laken was closer than a sister and, well… she wanted it perfect.

“A vet, huh?” Kessed asked, making conversation as they strode down the hall and out into the sunshine.

“Yup. What do you do for a living?”

Kessed groaned inwardly. It wasn’t that she was ashamed of her job. She served coffee! She saved lives! It just didn’t sound grown-up, and twenty-four was plenty grown-up. “I’m a barista at Starbucks.”

“This is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship. I can feel it.” Jasper nudged her with his elbow, and she released a pent-up breath.

“Coffee?”

“It’s survival.”

“I know how you feel,” she answered as Cyler waved them down.

He was already in his tux, his light brown hair cut with a hard part that made him look like a cross between Scott Eastwood and David Beckham.

“Kess, so don’t tell Laken because she’ll kinda freak, and I don’t want her to deal with this today, all right?” Cyler held his hands up in defense as if he was expecting a blow.

“Shit, what is it?” Kessed asked, glaring at her best friend’s almost-husband.

Basically family.

Cyler sighed. “The livestock broker emailed me this morning, and I guess there’s an issue with the timeline of delivery.”

“Meaning?” Kessed prodded.

“Meaning that the steers might not be on schedule. They might be early,” Jasper clarified, tucking his hands in his suit pants.

Kessed sent him a wary glance. “I don’t know anything about cows.”

Cyler choked back a laugh then sobered when she glared. “Don’t worry, I’m well aware of that. Chances are I’ll get it all sorted out, and it won’t be an issue, but since you’re housesitting while we’re gone, I wanted you to be aware.”

“So, it won’t happen?” Kessed asked, nervous.

“Nope. But if it does, Jasper will be on deck to help you.” Cyler gestured to his friend, who smiled widely.

“It looks like we should probably get to know one another, just in case,” Jasper replied with a grin.

Kessed wanted to roll her eyes. Is that a line? If so, is that the best he can do?

“Let me get your number—”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. I mean, if the worst happens—”

“Kessed, a few steers are not the worst that can happen,” Cyler interrupted.

She glared. “For you. Be thankful I like your damn horse. Anything else is on its own.”

Cyler chuckled. “You’ll be fine. You’re tougher than you think.”

“Damn straight, I am,” Kessed replied.

“So, since that went so well…” Cyler sighed heavily, rocking back on his heels. “Jasper, how’s my almost-wife?”

“Say nothing.” Kessed pointed to Jasper, and he lifted his hands in surrender.

“I’m saying nothing.” Jasper arched a brow then turned to her. “Happy now?”

“Yes,” Kessed answered. “You? You I’m not so happy with.” She pointed to Cyler. “You get forever with her. You can wait an hour. It’s worth it.”

“Oh, I know it’s worth it. But it’s so entertaining to see you get all bent out of shape.”

“Pain in my ass,” Kessed replied.

“Ah, someone called my name?”

Kessed froze, her body tingling with awareness at the sound of the familiar tone of Laken’s brother, Sterling.

“Yup, Kessed was just complaining—”

“About Cyler.” Kessed finished, glaring at Cyler.

“Ah, and here I thought she reserved the sweet talk for me.” Sterling winked at her.

Kessed’s insides fluttered, and she took a silent breath. “What can I say? My heart beats for you, Sterling.” She spoke with sarcasm and added an eye-roll for good measure, even though the words were too close to the truth for comfort. But that was the way of it, the give and take, the teasing and banter that only danced around the truth…

But never actually landed on it.

“That’s what I love about you, Kess—your sarcasm. Like the sister I never had.”

“Your sister is the one getting married,” Kessed reminded him dryly.

“The other sister, the one I didn’t like,” Sterling articulated with a joking grin.

Yet even as he said it, Kessed died a little inside, because it reminded her of the truth.

He didn’t see her romantically.

At all.

“I’m off to go check out the other bridesmaids. I’m in town for two more days on leave, then I’m gone. Let’s see what trouble I can get into.” He winked at the group, then left.

A cricket chirped in the distance.

Cyler cleared this throat. “Well, that was awkward.”

Jasper whistled lowly.

Kessed glared at them both then groaned. “Tell me it wasn’t that obvious.”

Cyler glanced to the ground.

But Jasper met her gaze with a direct one of his own. “He’s as dense as concrete. You can do better.” He shrugged then patted Cyler on the shoulder. “I’m going to go and check on the dance floor setup.”

Cyler nodded, and Jasper turned to Kessed. “In case you’re interest. . .