The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 1): Billionaire Brothers, #1

By Jenn Roseton

**On sale for a limited time**

What happens when a runaway bride meets a wealthy cowboy?

Realizing her wedding is a sham, curvy Maddie Stanton takes to her kitten heels and escapes the ceremony - still dressed in her bridal gown!

Stranded on the Wyoming highway with a flat tire, rescue appears in the form of Garrett Trask. When the handsome cowboy hires her to work on his ranch, Maddie jumps at the offer, grateful to leave her past behind her.

She never counted on falling in love…

But when she discovers a secret from Garrett’s past, her newfound happiness is shattered.  Can this sexy cowboy convince Maddie he loves her, and her curves?  Or will she forever remain the runaway bride?

This is a sexy contemporary romance novella of approximately 27,000 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jenn Roseton
• Release date: Feb 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781498966863

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Maddie puffed, out of breath, forcing her legs to slow down to a fast walk. Her ivory silk-and-taffeta gown rustled in the gentle afternoon breeze as she strode down the Wyoming highway. She couldn’t believe it - escaping from her own wedding and her car had a flat tire!

Maddie chided herself on not realizing what was really behind Howard’s proposal. Although they’d been dating for a few months, she’d been totally surprised when he’d asked her to marry him. A curvy twenty-eight year old, she hadn’t exactly been inundated with men wanting to date her. And since her parents had been hinting for some time now that she should find a nice man and get married, she'd thought, why not?

Why not ...

When Howard had shown her the itinerary for their honeymoon, he’d scheduled everything down to the last hour - including sex. Maddie’s lips tightened. A whole five minutes for sex on her honeymoon. That’s how much her bridegroom desired her. Oh, he had penciled in museum visits, expensive restaurants, viewing the botanical gardens and getting up at the crack of dawn so he could watch a rare bird in its natural habitat, but had allowed only a measly five minutes for sex. Just looking at the timetable made her feel tired. Even if Howard assumed they would consummate their marriage in just a few minutes, Maddie didn’t think she would have the energy or even the desire to do so. That had been the first straw.

She could count on one hand the number of times they’d had sex so far. Howard had explained that he respected her too much to take advantage of her before they were married. Since she could count on her other hand the number of boyfriends she’d had (without including her thumb), at first she’d taken his statement at face value. Until she realized sex with Howard wasn’t exactly earth-shattering.

And that made her question her feelings for him. Could she really marry a man who didn’t excite her in the bedroom? Every day, she’d had doubts leading up to the wedding. And this morning, her jitters had intensified.

Grimacing, she looked down at the full-skirted designer creation she wore. It might be a bit of a meringue, especially combined with her generous figure, but did she really look pregnant? Howard’s great-aunt had asked her that question an hour ago. That had been the second straw.

And then came the final straw ...

Maddie stomped along the highway. Why couldn’t she find a man who would fall in love with her? Who desired her, curves and all? Who was incredible in the bedroom and who would totally ruin her for all other men for the rest of her life? Who wanted to marry her for one reason only - because he loved her, and couldn’t live without her?

Stumbling over a rough patch of road in her ivory kitten heels, she told herself to slow down. So far, nobody had come after her. It appeared Howard hadn’t yet noticed that his bride was missing. Maddie paused, taking note of her surroundings for the first time. Wyoming was beautiful. She could see snow-capped mountains in the distance, although it was June, and cows grazed on lush pasture bordering both sides of the highway. The warmth of the sun caressed her face, a gentle breeze trying to ruffle her up-do.

Distracted by her surroundings, it took her a few seconds to realize that a vehicle had pulled up beside her.

Are you okay?

Startled, Maddie whipped her head around, fine strands of chestnut hair that defied hairspray falling around her face. A ruggedly handsome man in his mid-thirties gazed at her in concern from the open window of a large, black SUV. His short dark hair emphasized his molten-brown eyes, while his straight nose and firm, sensual lips made Maddie aware of her quickening pulse. It never quickened when she was with Howard.

Does it look like I’m okay? She gestured ruefully to her wedding gown.

Did you break down further back?

She nodded. I got a flat. And there isn’t a spare. Tightening her fingers on a tiny, ivory purse that looked like it was barely big enough to hold a lipstick, she added, I forgot my cell phone.

You can use mine. Here. He rummaged for a second and held out his phone. His strong, tanned fingers curled around the sides of the cell. Call the rental car company and tell them you’re sixty miles from Elk View Corner.

Maddie bit her lip before taking the phone from him, careful not to touch his fingers. Thanks. She stood there, indecisively. The last thing she wanted to do was go back to that fiasco of a wedding. But if she made that phone call, isn’t that what would happen?

What’s wrong?

She gnawed her lip. I don’t want to go back.

Back where? He frowned.

Maddie clutched his phone. To my wedding.

He scrutinized her, his eyes traveled over her slightly disheveled figure. Are things that bad?

She nodded, feeling the warmth of his gaze. Maybe I could call my maid-of-honor and have her come pick me up. Maddie started dialing the number. Luckily, numbers were easy to memorize and her friend’s cell phone number was one she had been calling for the last couple of years. Then she hesitated. Would Lyndsey pick her up or would Howard or her parents weasel the information out of her and turn up instead? The last thing she could deal with at that moment was facing her ex-fiancée and her parents.

What’s wrong, sweetheart? The concern in his tone nearly undid her. When was the last time anyone had truly cared about her thoughts or feelings in the build-up to the wedding?

I can’t, she whispered, holding out the phone to him, her shoulders slumping.

I can’t leave you here. He raked his hand through his hair, rumpling it. How about I take you to Elk View Corner and you can figure out what to do next? Call your friend and tell her I’m giving you a ride. A second later he’d dug out his wallet and handed her his drivers license. I’m Garrett, by the way.

Maddie. She took his license, her fingers brushing his in the process. A ripple of awareness ran down her spine at the slight contact.

Make sure you give her the license plate as well. When she frowned questioningly, he added, For your own peace of mind.

Maddie looked at him. He seemed genuine. And sexy. Don’t even go there, she warned herself. She’d just jilted her groom at the altar. The last thing she needed was another man in her life. Besides, when was the last time a totally sexy guy had been attracted to her?

She made her decision. Okay. As long as we don’t go to Meadow Flower Resort.

He quirked an eyebrow, then nodded. Deal.

Maddie dialed her friend’s number. A large truck sped past, its driver looking at the two of them with mild curiosity before turning his attention back to the road.

As soon as she heard her maid-of-honor’s voice, she rushed to speak. Lyndsey, it’s me.

Maddie, where are you? Everyone’s frantic! Are you all right?

I’m fine. But I need you to find a pen and paper.

You’re not in any trouble, are you?

No. But I need you to write down something. She waited, conscious of Garrett being able to hear her every word, although he wasn’t obvious about it.

Okay. Lyndsey sounded breathless.

Write down Garrett Trask, and this license number. Maddie walked around to the back of the luxury SUV and read out the license plate.

Got it. But Maddie, what’s this all about? Are you coming back? What about the wedding?

Maddie's knuckles tightened on the phone. There is no wedding. I’ll call you tonight to let you know I’m okay—

But Maddie, are you really going to leave Howard at the altar?

Maddie closed her eyes at

Reviews for The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride (BBW Romance - Billionaire Brothers 1)

[Terri Braun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story. The concept waz excellent, but the length kept it from becoming what it could have been. The suspense and emotional tension was good but again being a novella kept it from being great instead of good. Overall, it's a very enjoyable quick read and I do recommend it.