Big Sky Summer Part 27

Lucy trailed after her as she crossed the wider expanse of her bedroom and paused at one particular window, for reasons she couldn't have explained, to look over at Boone Taylor's place just across the field and a narrow finger of Big Sky River.

She sighed, shook her head. The view would have been perfect if it wasn't for that ugly old trailer of Boone's, and the overgrown yard surrounding it. At least the toilet-turned-planter and other examples of extreme bad taste were gone, removed the summer before with some help from Hutch Carmody and several of his ranch hands, but that had been the extent of the sheriff's home improvement campaign, it seemed.

She turned away, refusing to succ.u.mb to irritation. The girls were as good as on their way. Soon, she'd be able to see them, hug them, laugh with them.

"Come on, Lucy," she said. "Let's head for town."

Downstairs, she took her cell phone off the charger, and she and the dog stepped out onto the back porch, walked toward the detached garage where she kept her sporty red Mercedes, purchased, like the farm itself, on a whimsical and reckless what-the-h.e.l.l burst of impulse, and hoisted up the door manually.

Fresh doubt a.s.sailed her as she squinted at the car.

It was a two-seater, after all, completely unsuitable for hauling herself, two children and a golden retriever from place to place.

"Yikes," she said, as something of an afterthought, frowning a little as she opened the pa.s.senger-side door of the low-slung vehicle so Lucy could jump in. Before she rounded the front end and slid behind the steering wheel, Tara was thumbing the keypad in a familiar sequence.

Her friend answered with a melodic, "h.e.l.lo."

"Joslyn?" Tara said. "I think I need to borrow a car."

ISBN: 9781460313206.

Copyright 2013 by Linda Lael Miller.

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The "First Lady of the West," #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller, welcomes you home to Parable, Montana-where love awaits.

With his father's rodeo legacy to continue and a prosperous spread to run, Walker Parrish has no time to dwell on wrecked relationships. But country-western sweetheart Casey Elder is out of the spotlight and back in Parable, Montana. And Walker can't ignore that his "act now, think later" pa.s.sion for Casey has had consequences. Two teenage consequences!

Keeping her children's paternity under wraps has always been part of Casey's plan to give them normal, uncomplicated lives. Now the best way to hold her family together seems to be to let Walker be a part of it-as her husband of convenience. Or will some secrets-like Casey's desire to be the rancher's wife in every way-unravel, with unforeseen results?

Dear Reader, Welcome to Parable County, Montana, whether you're new in town or not.

Big Sky Summer is the story of Walker Parrish, rodeo stock contractor and all-around cowboy in the "s.e.xy" division, and Casey Elder, country music superstar and red-hot redhead! These two have a history, but it's a tumultuous one, that's for sure, including a couple of rapidly growing secrets. And you know how the truth is-it will come out, for better or worse.

Can these two hardheaded independent types make it work? A lot of people wouldn't give their on-again, off-again love, tough and durable as it is, the proverbial s...o...b..ll's chance. But, as you and I both know, there's magic in Parable County, and love is its favorite trick.

In addition to this brand-new story, I'm delighted to announce that I have teamed up with Montana Silversmiths, the legendary makers of championship belt buckles and fabulous Western jewelry, to create a piece I call "Casey's necklace." You'll read all about it in the book, and might even find yourself wanting one of your own. Just go to www.montanasilversmiths.com/two-hats-one-heart. And know that 100 percent of my share of the profits will go toward establishing perpetual funding for my Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, in the hope that generations of deserving ladies of all ages will continue to benefit from the program.

Meanwhile, stop on by www.lindalaelmiller.com for my (almost) daily blog, excerpts from my books, videos of some very s.e.xy cowboys, scholarship news and fun contests, along with a few surprises now and then.

Happy trails, and thanks for the listen.

With love.

Praise for #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller.

"Miller's name is synonymous with the finest in Western romance."

-RT Book Reviews.

"Linda Lael Miller creates vibrant characters and stories I defy you to forget."

-#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

"Miller's down-home, easy-to-read style keeps the plot moving, and she includes...likable characters, picturesque descriptions and some very sweet pets."

-Publishers Weekly on Big Sky Country.

"After reading this book your heart will be so full of Christmas cheer you'll want to stuff a copy in the stocking of every romance fan you know!"

-USATODAY.com on A Lawman's Christmas.

"Miller once again tells a memorable tale."

-RT Book Reviews on A Creed in Stone Creek

"A pa.s.sionate love too long denied drives the action in this multifaceted, emotionally rich reunion story that overflows with breathtaking s.e.xual chemistry."

-Library Journal on McKettricks of Texas: Tate.

"Miller's prose is smart, and her tough Eastwoodian cowboy cuts a sharp, unexpectedly funny figure in a cla.s.sroom full of rambunctious frontier kids."

-Publishers Weekly on The Man from Stone Creek.

"Strong characterization and a vivid Western setting make for a fine historical romance."

-Publishers Weekly on McKettrick's Choice.

Also available from Linda Lael Miller and Harlequin HQN.

The Parable series.

Big Sky River

Big Sky Mountain

Big Sky Country

McKettricks of Texas.

An Outlaw's Christmas

A Lawman's Christmas.

McKettricks of Texas: Austin

McKettricks of Texas: Garrett

McKettricks of Texas: Tate.

The Creed Cowboys

The Creed Legacy

Creed's Honor