Cowboy Strong Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  The Cowboy's Secret by Allison Merritt

  Other Books by Allison Merritt

  The Cowboy's Secret Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  About the Author-Allison Merritt

  Saving Cowboy by Leslie P. Garcia

  Other Books by Leslie P. Garcia

  Saving Cowboy Blurb

  Dedication

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author-Leslie P. Garcia

  Bidding for the Cowboy's Heart by Melissa Keir

  Other Books by Melissa Keir

  Bidding for the Cowboy's Heart Blurb

  Check out the rest of The Cowboy's of Whisper, Colorado

  The Heartsong Cowboy Excerpt

  About the Author-Melissa Keir

  Not the End...Cowboy by Autumn Piper

  Other Books by Autumn Piper

  Not The End...Cowboy Blurb

  About the Author- Autumn Piper

  Welcome Home, Cowboy by Sara Walter Ellwood

  Other Books by Sara Walter Ellwood

  Welcome Home, Cowboy Blurb

  About the Author-Sara Walter Ellwood

  Her Taylor Made Cowboy by D'Ann Lindun

  Her Taylor Made Cowboy Blurb

  Other Titles by D'Ann Lindun

  Check out more stories by D'Ann Lindun

  About the Author-D'Ann Lindun

  Other Books in the Cowboy Up Series

  www.autumnpiper.com

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  The Cowboy's Secret by Allison Merritt

  Other Books by Allison Merritt

  The Cowboy's Secret Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  About the Author-Allison Merritt

  Saving Cowboy by Leslie P. Garcia

  Other Books by Leslie P. Garcia

  Saving Cowboy Blurb

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author-Leslie P. Garcia

  Bidding for the Cowboy's Heart by Melissa Keir

  Other Books by Melissa Keir

  Bidding for the Cowboy's Heart Blurb

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Check out the rest of The Cowboy's of Whisper, Colorado

  The Heartsong Cowboy Excerpt

  About the Author-Melissa Keir

  Not the End...Cowboy by Autumn Piper

  Other Books by Autumn Piper

  Not The End...Cowboy Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  About the Author- Autumn Piper

  Welcome Home, Cowboy by Sara Walter Ellwood

  Other Books by Sara Walter Ellwood

  Welcome Home, Cowboy Blurb

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  About the Author-Sara Walter Ellwood

  Her Taylor Made Cowboy by D'Ann Lindun

  Her Taylor Made Cowboy Blurb

  Other Titles by D'Ann Lindun

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Check out more stories by D'Ann Lindun

  About the Author-D'Ann Lindun

  Other Books in the Cowboy Up Series

  Cowboy Strong

  Allison Merritt,

  Leslie Garcia, Melissa Keir, Autumn Piper,

  Sara Walter Ellwood

  D’Ann Lindun

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, or events is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  If you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher. In such case the author has not received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  Cowboy Strong

  Copyright © 2017 Allison Merritt, Leslie Garcia, Melissa Keir, Autumn Piper, Sara Walter Ellwood, D’Ann Lindun

  All rights reserved.

  Cover art By RM Duffy

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The copying, scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  The Cowboy’s Secret

  Allison Merritt

  Other Books by Allison Merritt

  The Treasure Hunter’s Lady

  The Sky Pirate’s Wife

  The Turncoat’s Temptress

  The Convict and the Cattleman

  Wildwood Spring

  The Wrong Brother’s Bride

  Reclaiming Her Heart

  Hell & A Hard Place (The Heckmasters)

  Hell & Back (The Heckmasters)

  Hell & Gone (The Heckmasters)

  Her Heart’s Surrender

  Her Heart’s Desire

  The Cowboy’s Secret

  Copyright © 2017 Allison Merritt

  All rights reserved.

  The Cowboy’s Secret

  Austin Locke is a devoted dad, an all-around cowboy, and…a total fool. Stuck on his self-absorbed ex-girlfriend for far too many years, he’s given up on finding true love. His little girl could use a mother, but they get by, depending on one another as they travel from rodeo to rodeo. A chance meeting with breakaway roper Natalie Corbin opens Austin’s eyes. She offers the kind of attentiveness and openness that’s been missing in his daughter’s life. Not to mention Natalie is sexy and funny, which sweetens the deal, even though they both know with their hectic rodeo lives, they
can’t make any kind of relationship a permanent thing.

  Natalie knows broody-natured guys are often heartbreakers, but she’s drawn to Austin and his adorable, lonely daughter. When she meets his ex, she can immediately see why he built a wall around his heart. Neither of them are looking for a serious commitment, but it would be easy to fall for the handsome cowboy and his daughter. Even as she gets to know—and care for him—there seems to be some kind of trouble resting on his shoulders. As their time at the rodeo draws to a close, they either have to make a move toward happiness or the weight of Austin’s secret will force them apart.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Austin Locke shut off the engine of the old mini school bus remodeled into a motorhome. It died with a clanking sound that made him flinch. The thing had two hundred thousand miles on it. Who knew how much longer the patched-up engine would last?

  In the seat behind him, Casey laid down her magazine. She pushed her glasses up her nose. “We’re here?”

  Here was the Tulsa Expo Center for a week-long rodeo. “We’re here, Princess. We should let the horses stretch their legs for a bit.” They’d stopped every six hours since leaving Phoenix to let his horse and Casey’s pony out. Here, they could set up the panels to make a small round pen so they wouldn’t have to stay cooped up so long in the trailer.

  She folded down one corner of the magazine into a dog ear, then unfastened her seatbelt. Thin as a string bean, Casey unfolded her legs, then rose in a stretch. Mousy blonde hair fell over her shoulder, streaming from the low ponytail they’d fashioned at twenty till six this morning when they hit the road after a couple hours of sleep in a campground. She was tall, like him, even for a seven-year-old. Not the petite, fine-boned build like her mama.

  Austin swallowed hard. Alaina would be here this week. Serving her duties as Miss Rodeo USA. Would she come find them, or would he have to hunt her down as usual?

  “After we let Tiny and Jacko out, can we get something to eat? I’m starving, Daddy.” Casey tugged at the too-short sleeves of her flannel shirt.

  “Sure, we’ll find something soon.”

  They had to get some shopping done while they were in Tulsa. She was way overdue for a wardrobe upgrade. He knew better than to think Alaina would want to take Casey for an afternoon. Saddled with that chore again. Casey seemed okay with whatever clothes he picked out for her, but that wouldn’t always be the case. Someday she’d probably want something besides jeans and sweatshirts.

  He opened the motorhome door and stepped out into the warm Oklahoma afternoon. The horse trailer shifted as Tiny and Jacko moved around, anxious to be out again.

  Casey darted around him to unlock the trailer. “Hi, guys.”

  Tiny made a little whickering sound in his throat.

  Austin untied the pony first, then backed him out of the trailer. He handed the gelding off to her and went back for Jacko. The big blue roan gelding nuzzled at his pockets in search of a treat, but Austin didn’t have anything to share beyond scratching the quarter horse’s ears.

  While Casey held the leads, he set up the panels. It would’ve been easier to do with two adults, especially getting the first two connected, but he’d had enough practice that given a little time, he managed.

  In less than twenty minutes, he’d gotten the pen together, had Casey fetch fresh water, and had hay hanging from one of the panels for them.

  “They’ll be okay here, right?” Casey slipped her hand into his. “Nobody’ll bother them?”

  He’d padlocked the panels together, but judging by the amount of stock trailers pulling in around them, sooner or later someone they knew from the circuit would get here and set up too. Nobody would mess with his stock. “They’ll be fine. Let’s go get some dinner.”

  Up until about a year ago, he would’ve slung her up onto his hip and carried her back to the motorhome. She’d grown a lot during the spring. Holding Casey’s hand would have to do. He was grateful she wasn’t mulish and sarcastic like some kids her age were starting to act. Hopefully his sweet little girl would stick around a lot longer.

  She climbed into the motorhome at the same moment a pink Hummer pulled into the lot. A big diesel truck pulling a fancy horse trailer followed it. In swirly script across the side, the trailer read, Alaina Rey.

  His heart jumped into his throat. He gave a feeble wave, but it was doubtful she saw it. Alaina would never even glance toward something as old and ugly as his motorhome. For all the good she did with charity work and rodeo advocating, she seemed oblivious to what was right in front of her.

  “C’mon, Daddy.”

  Casey’s call yanked him away from a hundred memories of Alaina. “Coming.”

  He drove them to a buffet where at least the food seemed fairly healthy for a growing girl and they could sample desserts that they’d each picked out. They’d spent a lot of time on the road, eating fast food, which made it hard to get the right vegetables into Casey’s hands. Sometimes he felt like the worst parent in the universe. Eventually, he might have to give up traveling the circuit to give her a permanent home. She didn’t make friends easily in this lifestyle and someday, she might even resent him for dragging her across the country all the time.

  They got their drinks, then scooted their tray toward the front of the line. He reached for his billfold and his hand slid into an empty pocket. Panic flared to life. He reached into the other pocket, but came up empty.

  “One adult, one child? That’s twenty-three dollars and seventeen cents.” The cashier, probably still in high school, sounded bored. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger as she stared at him.

  “Um...give me a second.” He tapped his other pockets, but his wallet was gone. “Case, you seen my wallet?”

  “No.” She squinted at him through her glasses. “Did you leave it in the motorhome?”

  “Oh, yeah. I bet I did. Run out and look for me?” He handed her the keys, then gave the cashier an apologetic look. “Sorry.”

  Casey took the keys, then bolted out the door.

  She arched an eyebrow at him. “I need to check out those other people.”

  Half a dozen other patrons waited for their turn.

  “Sure.”

  He waited for Casey to return while the cashier rang up another couple. Racking his brain for the wallet didn’t help. He’d had it when they stopped for gas on the interstate in Stroud. But he hadn’t checked when they arrived at the Expo Center.

  What if he’d dropped it out there? Would someone turn it in?

  Casey jogged back into the restaurant. “I couldn’t find it, Daddy.” She held out the keys to him. “I’m sorry.”

  “I guess we’ll have to look in the horse trailer. Sorry, Princess. We have to go.” His heart sank. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “Oh-kay.” She cast a wistful glance at the food bar.

  He could practically hear her stomach growling.

  “Excuse me, sir?” A woman in jeans, boots, and a straw cowboy hat stepped out of line.

  “Yeah?” He was anxious to get back to the Expo Center.

  “I’d like to pay for your meals if I can. Your little girl looks hungry.” The woman gestured to them. “You can pay me back sometime. We’ll swap phone numbers or something.”

  Austin looked down at Casey. She wore a worried frown.

  They were already here. Casey was hungry. His hunger had turned to worry, but he couldn’t neglect her needs. “That would be okay. As soon as I find my wallet, I’ll get you the money.”

  The woman smiled, then extended her hand. “I’m Natalie Corbin.”

  Austin nodded and took her hand. Her grip was strong and firm. “You do breakaway roping.”

  “You’ve heard of me. Wow.” She laughed. Her blue eyes sparkled. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Austin Locke. This is my girl, Casey.”

  “Casey and Austin.” She pointed at him. “Team roping, right?”

  He smiled. “Yeah. My brother is coming across the state to meet us tom
orrow. We’ve been roping together since we were kids. I do saddle broncs too. We’re aiming for all-around cowboy this year, aren’t we, Case?”

  She nodded. “He’s pretty good. I’m going to be a barrel racer someday.”

  “Are you?” Natalie nodded approvingly. “Don’t limit yourself, though. You join the WPRA and do whatever events you want.”

  “My mom does barrel racing,” Casey whispered. She looked down at the carpet.

  Austin rested his hand on her shoulder. “She does. We appreciate you getting dinner. We’ve been on the road all day with just a couple of breaks for the horses.”

  “It’s no problem. I hope someone would do the same for me.” She pulled a wallet from her purse, gave the cashier her debit card, and purchased the meals. “You guys want to join me? I’m traveling by myself, which I don’t usually do, but I’d like the company.”

  “I’m good with that. You okay with it?” He nudged his daughter.