Her Fated Cowboy: Harland County Series, #1

By Donna Michaels

L.A. cop Jordan Masters Ryan has a problem. Her normal method of meeting a crisis head-on and taking it down won't work. Not this time. Not when fate is her adversary. Having kept her from the man she thought she'd always marry, the same fickle fate took away the man she eventually did. Thrown back into the path of her first love, she finds hers is not the only heart fate has damaged.

Widower and software CEO, Cole McCall fills his days with computer codes and his free time working the family's cattle ranch. Blaming himself for his wife's death, he's become hard and bitter. When his visiting former neighbor sets out to delete the firewall around his heart, he discovers there's no protection against the Jordan virus. Though she understands his pain and reawakens his soul, will it be enough for Cole to overcome his past and embrace their fated hearts?
 

~HARLAND COUNTY SERIES~

Book 1: Cole – HER FATED COWBOY
Book 2: Conner—HER UNBRIDLED COWBOY
Book 3: Kade—HER UNIFORM COWBOY
Book 4: Kevin—HER FOREVER COWBOY
Book 5: Jace—HER HEALING COWBOY
Book .05: Jen & Brock—HARLAND COUNTY CHRISTMAS (prequel novella)
Book 6: Tanner—HER VOLUNTEER COWBOY 
Book 7: Jesse—HER INDULGENT COWBOY
Book 8: Logan—HER HELL YEAH COWBOY
Book 9: Keiffer—HER TROUBLED COWBOY
Book 10: Lincoln—HER HELL NO COWBOY
Book 11: Sawyer--HER DOGGONE COWBOY
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donna Michaels
• Release date: Dec 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483907574

Book preview

What they’re saying...

ABOUT HER UNIFORM COWBOY:

Ms. Michaels pens a tale with pure heart and true grit! This story will hit so many readers close to home there is not one part of the plot that will feel foreign. No super models here, just true, down to earth servicemen and woman getting back to their place in the world. The characters and plot have a wonderful arc and the laughter, tears and emotional ride readers get to take on this journey will not disappoint.

—InD’tale Magazine, Crowned Heart of Excellence 4.5 Stars

—Voted BEST COWBOY in a Book/Reader’s Choice-LRC

—1st Place BTS eMag Book Award/Reader’s Choice-Best Romance

—2nd Place BTS eMag Book Awards for Best Book

About Her Forever Cowboy:

Ms. Michaels has done it again! Book four in this series is another great success. The author knows how to lure her readers in by telling them a wonderful story that’s wrapped around characters we get to know and love as if they’re real people. This book was no exception. I highly recommend this book and this author!

—Night Owl Reviews, Reviewer Top Pick

—July Read of the Month—SSYL

—Honorable Mention BTS eMagazine Red Carpet Book Award/Reader’s Choice-Best Romance 2014

-2015 RONE Award Honorable Mention Winner InD’tale Magazine/Cops, Jocks & Cowboys

—Finalist 2016 BTS eMag Red Carpet Book Awards/Reader’s Choice/Best Erotic

About Wyne and Dine:

I love this series. Can't wait for the next one. They are always thoughtful and I love that I can't put the book down until I am finished. The author always puts everything together and completes the story and leaves you waiting for the next published book. I am so happy I have found this author and can't say enough about this book and her others.

—Reviewer- Amazon Customer

A note from Donna

Thank you for purchasing Her Fated Cowboy. The characters in this story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I hope they have the same effect on you.  Previously released as Fated Hearts through The Wild Rose Press, this novel has had several scenes deleted, over 10,000 words added, including new scenes, a new ending, new characters, and the heat factor was upped to hot, and a series was created. This is the first book in a series about hot, hard-headed cowboys and the strong, sexy women who make them better men.

Cole McCall is one of the cowboys who fits the bill. Handsome and stubborn, he’s also the most damaged, which makes him mean. Even I wanted to haul off and punch him once or twice. But, I like to keep the characters real, and his grief and guilt would cause him to react, well...miserable. It was going to take a special woman to drag his butt back into the light.

Jordan Masters Ryan is just such a woman. Strong and tenacious, but she’s more than that. She went through the same suffering as Cole. She knew all the signs, knew all the tricks, and knew when to leave him alone and when to push. Given that her childhood crush on him has grown into something much stronger, no way would she give up on her fated cowboy.

This is another hot, heartfelt, sexy read in this series involving some series regulars, and introducing some new ones.

Thanks for reading,

~Donna

www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

Also by Donna Michaels

~Harland County Series~

Harland County Christmas (Prequel)

Her Fated Cowboy

Her Unbridled Cowboy

Her Uniform Cowboy

Her Forever Cowboy

Her Healing Cowboy

Her Volunteer Cowboy 

Her Indulgent Cowboy

Her Hell Yeah Cowboy (KW)

Her Troubled Cowboy (Citizen Soldier Crossover)

Her Hell No Cowboy (KW)

~The Citizen Soldier Series~

(Harland County Spinoff Series)

Wyne and Dine

Wyne and Chocolate

Wyne and Song

Wine and Her New Year Cowboy

Whine and Rescue (KW)

Wine and Hot Shoes

Wine and Scenery

~The Men of At Ease Ranch Series~

~Entangled Publications~

In An Army Ranger’s Arms

Her Secret Army Ranger

The Right Army Ranger  

Army Ranger with Benefits   

The Army Ranger’s Surprise - 07/09/18

~Related~

Cowboy-Fiancé (formerly Cowboy-Sexy)(being hand drawn into a MANGA, avail. 10/16)

Cowboy Payback (sequel)

Visit my website for:

~New Releases~

~Military~

~Romantic Suspense~

~Time Travel~

~Paranormal~

~SEALs~

~Novels~

~Novellas~

DonnaMichaelsAuthor.com

Her Fated Cowboy

Harland County Series

Book 1: Cole

By

Donna Michaels

NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author

HER FATED COWBOY

Harland County Series/Cole

Copyright © 2013 Donna Michaels

Cover Art by Donna Michaels © 2018

Excerpt from Her Unbridled Cowboy Copyright © 2013 Donna Michaels

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without written permission from the author—except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web. For information, please contact the author via email at [e-mail]

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

ISBN-13:  978-1483907574

ISBN-10:  1483907570

Print edition March 2013

Book One in Harland County Series

Dedication

To Donna Michaels’ Minions-my wonderful Street Team, thank you for your continued support!

To my husband Michael and my family, JT, the HOODS. And finally, Harland County fans who embrace my cowboy world.

Prologue

...Something’s not right.

Heading down the aisle at the corner store, unease bit into Jordan’s spine like a swarm of bees. She quickly scanned the area.

Where’s Eric?

There—over by the row of coolers. Heat from his gaze lessened her apprehension. What did I do to deserve him for a husband?

Staring at her through an opened cooler door, rapidly fogging from the California heat, he raised a can of whipped cream as a mischievous grin claimed his lips.

Rogue! No need to ask if he was ready for round two of their all-nighter.

Her sigh rustled miniature bags of chips on a nearby shelf. It’d been so long since their time off coincided.

Unable to contain a spark of devilment, she winked and raised two fingers. They’d need the extra one for what she had in mind.

Sexy grin broadening, he grabbed a second can, then glanced back at her. His smile suddenly faded.

What’s wrong?

Throat dry, swarm of bees re-attacking her back, she slowly glanced down at her hands.

The loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter she had been holding turned to cold steel warmed under her grip as she aimed a loaded 38 Magnum at the man she loved...

Jordan Masters Ryan vaulted upright in her sheet tossed bed, waist-length hair violently jerking forward. She swiped the brown mass from her eyes and bounced her gaze from the cherry armoire to the oversized matching dresser. Damn! She drew in a shaky breath while reality returned. That dream again.

Wet and firm, an eager nose nudged her dangling arm and brought a quiver to her lips.

Oh, Bullet. She slid to the floor and hugged the big German Sheppard to her sweat-soaked body. I thought they’d stopped.

A whimper tickled her ear. She drew back from his comforting warmth and raised her gaze to compassion-filled, chocolate-brown eyes.

I know, boy. You miss him, too. She rubbed Bullet’s thick, black head and sighed. No sense in trying to go back to bed.  There’ll be no sleep coming after that nightmare.

Jordan rubbed her eyes and stood, deciding to get ready for her morning flight a few hours early. Maybe she’d have better luck with sleep in Texas.

Nate Masters stowed his cell phone and didn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face.  They’re on the plane, he informed, and a collective sigh echoed around the McCalls’ den. That was their friend, Megan.  She said she’d just dropped the girls at the airport and is sure they don’t suspect a thing. Their plane is scheduled to arrive in Houston around one-fifteen. That should put them here around two-thirty.

Great, his buddy, Alex McCall, exclaimed from across the room.

I sure hope this works, Alex’s wife, Leeann, said, a frown marring her brow. If I wasn’t so worried about my sons, especially Cole, I would never have agreed to this scheme. She paced in front of the window overlooking the sprawling south Texas ranch.

Nate understood her tension. Didn’t matter if your children were grown and had lives of their own, you always worried about them and wanted to see them happy. Heck, he wanted the best for his daughters, too. That’s just how it was.

Alex got up to hug his wife, dwarfing the concerned woman by at least a foot.

"Now, Leeann, don’t you worry none about this. You’re right, those boys need to do more than work themselves to death, and I believe—no, I know Nate’s daughters are perfect for them. He gazed down at her and smiled. Don’t you remember how those two girls were never put off no matter what Cole and Connor said or did?"

Yes.

A smile softened her face for the first time that morning.

I always thought Cole and Jordan were the perfect match. I just hope it’s not too late and she can bring him back to the land of the living. She’s our last hope. Despair crept into Leeann’s voice as she continued, "He’s become so mean and unfeeling since Bess’ death. It’s been two years. It has to stop, Alex. It just has to stop."

Nate shared a look with his wife, Hannah. They’d gone through the same thing with their daughter, but she’d snapped out of her reckless despair after a year. His heart twisted. This scheme had to work. He shared their hope that his oldest daughter would be the key to Cole’s cure. Their children were just too young to be going through such heartache.

Well, if anyone can get through to Cole, it’s our Jordan, Hannah chimed in, echoing his thoughts as she stopped in front of Leeann and touched her arm. Besides, being near Cole just might benefit Jordan, too. She hasn’t fully embraced life either since her loss. I’m praying this reunion helps them both.

She nodded and pulled Hannah into a hug. Let’s hope so.

All right, then. Alex filled four flutes with champagne, handed them out, then raised his glass. Here’s to the McCall boys and the Masters girls.

Nate grinned. Let the fireworks begin!

Chapter One

Cole McCall shot to his feet and shoved a hand through his hair, careful not to loosen the band at his nape. With a thousand and one projects, programs, and outlines on his plate, he didn’t need a setback. He needed competence—like his team put forth. CEO of McCall Enterprises, software specialists, he employed over one hundred twenty-five people, all of whom did their job. He wasn’t used to ineptitude.

I don’t care if it is Saturday. That shipment was due in yesterday, and it hasn’t shown up yet, he snapped into the phone. McCall Enterprises has never had any trouble with your company before, but I have my own deadlines to meet, and I can’t achieve them with this kind of incompetence. If it means finding someone else who can get the job done, then so be it.  He silently counted to ten. It didn’t help. You have until Monday at noon to deliver. If the equipment isn’t here by then, I’ll be on the phone with a new supplier at one minute past. The slamming phone echoed in his otherwise quiet office.

He sucked in a breath, trying to get a handle on his annoyance. It didn’t help. Why was the world full of lazy people?

Exhaling, he eyed the iPad on his desk, glaring the day’s agenda. Great. On top of the mess with this supplier, he had three other projects in the works he himself headed. But could he give them the time they deserve this weekend? No. Why? Because he had to entertain—no, baby sit—the Masters sisters from California. Christ. The last thing he needed.

Muttering a curse, he strode to the window and gripped the metal sill. Anger prevented him from enjoying the breathtaking view of Houston’s skyline. Today, he didn’t witness the myriad of skyscrapers vying for the top position against the cloudless blue horizon, or the beautiful spring morning. Instead, he stared blindly at the one-thousand-foot Texas Commerce Tower, his mind in turmoil over the promise he’d made to his mother, and how it was already interfering with his deadlines.

He hadn’t seen those girls in what, ten, almost eleven years now? Kerri had always been sweet, but Jordan? Her favorite past-time had been to try to pull one over on him.

A genuine smile, foreign for so long, twitched his lips. Three years younger than him, a beauty with brown hair, brown eyes, a quick wit, and one hell of a backbone, she’d always proven to be a challenge. One thing for sure, life had never been dull with her around.

But times have changed...I’ve changed.

Smile gone, he stiffened and pivoted from the window. That teenage boy who tolerated the carefree antics of a cute but annoying tomboy was long gone. Life had crushed his rose-colored glasses, forcing him to see the harshness of reality, and lay his childhood fancies to rest.  His outlook on life dimmed, he no longer sought companionship or warmth from people. People meant feeling, and feeling equaled pain. Therefore, he took people right out of the equation. Life was unpredictable and cruel, and the only way to get through it was to work, and work hard. Predictable and constant, work was now his life.

When he wasn’t at the office running his multi-million dollar corporation, he’d physically exhaust himself by helping out at the Wild Creek Ranch, his family’s property. He didn’t have time for frolicking little girls right now.

Feeling claustrophobic, he strode to his massive mahogany desk and saved the lines of gaming codes he’d been working on when his supplier had called. With concentration completely shot, Cole switched gears.

Time for open-spaces.

He packed up his laptop and left his office. The hum of his secretary’s computer tower was the only noise emanating from that floor. Since it was the weekend, only he and a few security guards graced the halls of McCall Enterprises. A routine he found both preferable and profitable.

When his father had retired three years ago, he’d handed Cole a very lucrative business. Since then, he’d added PC games to their list of marketable software. Between that addition and his almost constant work ethic, Cole took pride in the fact he’d increased the holdings and net worth of McCall Enterprises by almost a third.

He was young, successful...and miserable.

Cole stopped dead. Where the hell had that thought come from?

Shaking his head, he stepped into the elevator. Must be from lack of caffeine.

To clear the unwanted thoughts, he focused his attention on his Masters problem. By the time he reached the garage, he’d reasoned out a solution. Another smile cracked his lips. He’d promised his mother he’d be there when the girls arrived, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t work around the ranch.

Something always needed mending or a chore needed attention. Connor, his older brother by one year, ran the Wild Creek Ranch. The two thousand plus acres were not only home to the McCalls, but housed over a thousand  head of cattle, five prize winning bulls, and twenty horses ranging from Quarter to Stallions. And even though his brother employed full-time ranch hands, Connor always welcomed the help.

Feeling slightly better, Cole left the underground parking garage and began his daily sixty-minute southern commute over familiar roads to the ranch. Slipping his sunglasses on, he made a mental list of the things he wanted to accomplish and, visitors or not, he would get them done. Then at least the day wouldn’t be a total waste. He’d make it to the ranch by noon and, with any luck, he’d be dirty and grimy by the time the girls arrived.

That should be enough to keep them out of my way.

Jordan shook her head at the familiar, southern Texas scenery, her long French-braid grazing her shoulder blades as she turned off the highway and onto McCall property. Speeding down the two mile-long dirt driveway, bordered by bluebonnets and wild daisies, she shifted her glance from the road to the dashboard clock. Two-fifteen. They’d made good time.

Feels like we’re driving down the déjà vu trail.

Kerri nodded from the passenger seat. Yeah, it’s hard to believe it’s been ten years. I can honestly say I didn’t expect to ever come back.

Jordan spared her sister a glance. Come back? We’re only here for two weeks to help the McCalls prepare for their fortieth wedding anniversary party. Staying? Her grip tightened around the steering wheel. Hell, no. They weren’t staying. You make it sound permanent.

Oh, jeez no. Kerri shuddered before smoothing the violet linen skirt of her spaghetti strapped sundress. I’m back on that plane to California the day after the party.  I hate leaving my kitchen—well, our restaurant—in someone else’s hands for that long. I mean, we’ve only been open a year and a half, what if—

Jordan grabbed her sister’s knotted fingers and gave a gentle squeeze.  Relax. It’ll be fine. Mario is more than capable of handling the kitchen for that short period of time. You’ve trained him well. And I have faith that Leon will take care of all my managerial duties while I’m stuck here, too.

Heck, the guy had practically been doing that since the place opened. A fulltime L.A. police officer, Jordan wasn’t always able to be at the restaurant. She worked around her shifts. The man had more than proved himself. She squeezed her sister’s fingers one last time before returning her hand to the wheel.

"Believe me, if I could’ve gotten us out of this visit, I would have. Hell, I was all set to give Mom and Dad the ‘our restaurant is too new, we can’t leave it’ speech, but they’d already talked to Megan."  Her lips twisted. Too bad, too. Jordan had rehearsed that line for three days. She was golden.

You know, sis...I realize Megan has been your best friend since we moved to California as teenagers but, no offense, I hate her right now, Kerri grumbled, smoothing her unwrinkled skirt for a second time.

She blew out a breath. Yeah, me, too.

Her sister’s phone rang out the first few chords of Beethoven’s Fifth. They locked gazes and, together, chimed, "Dad."

Smiling, Kerri flipped open her cell. Hello, Dad. Yes. We’re on the dirt drive. We’ll be there shortly. Okay, bye.

That’s the second time he’s called since we landed. Mom and Dad have only been here visiting a week, so it can’t be because they miss us. Jordan chewed her lip. Intuition poked at her like her captain’s agitated finger. What do you think he’s up to?

Kerri twirled a smooth strand of shoulder-length, brown hair around her finger and turned to her with wide brown eyes. Up to? Wh-why would you think he’s up to something? You don’t think it has to do with Cole and Connor, do you?

Heart suddenly lodged in her throat, Jordan pulled to the side of the road and jammed the rented car in park. The last thing she needed was her parents playing matchmaker just because she’d once had a crush on the younger McCall. Okay, more like an obsession, but that was years ago. She’d long grown out of her Cole-worshipping ways.

"Oh my gosh. You do think this has to do with the boys... Kerri gripped her skirt and twisted the thin material tightly. Turn around, Jordan. We’re going back to California."

Whoa, wait a minute. Calm down. She placed a settling hand on her sister’s bare shoulder. We don’t know what Dad’s problem is...or if he has one. There might be another explanation. There’d better be another explanation. Besides, the guys are probably married with two point five children...well, except Connor—I bet he’s multiplied like a rabbit...

Expecting Kerri’s whimsical laugh to echo throughout the closed confines of the car, Jordan’s ears met with silence. She glanced at her sister’s dazed expression.

What is up with her?

She hadn’t been right lately.  The divorce had really messed up her sister.  When she opened her mouth to ask, Kerri shook her head and reached for her bottled water.

"No. The world’s safe from mini McCalls for now. Mom said Cole wasn’t dating, and Connor was in between engagements."

Jordan’s heart stopped. Mom said? When did Mom say this?

Last month when we went shopping for the...trip. Kerri choked on a swallow. Oh, no. It never occurred to me, she sputtered between boughts of coughing.

Jordan patted her sister’s back. Don’t worry about it. I doubt the guys would be interested. We’ve always been like pesky younger sisters to them anyway.

You really think so? Kerri wiped the tears from her face, leaned back in the seat of their idling car, and closed her eyes. "Good, because I want to enjoy my career man-free."

Amen, sister. She laughed. Man-free was definitely the best way for both of them to go this time in their lives, especially with their new profession still in its infancy.

Not long after her husband had died, Jordan needed a distraction and jumped at the offer her newly divorced sister made of opening a restaurant together. Comets—the thriving new business they’d poured their hearts and souls into—took up every waking moment. There was no room in their schedules for a social life...or a need.

Any romantic ideas her parents had for them and the McCall brothers were a waste of time. They were barking up the wrong pair of females.

I wonder if the guys are fat and bald? Kerri mused.

She snorted. I doubt it.

Yeah, you’re probably right. And it really wouldn’t be bad seeing them again if I weren’t so darned embarrassed by the things we used to do.  Kerri snapped a hopeful glance her way, brushing aside a sweep of dark bangs. Maybe they won’t remember.

Are you kidding? She chuckled. They’ll probably throw it in our faces as soon as we step out of the car.

Her sister tossed her hands in the air and turned pink. Oh, that’s just great. I mean for goodness sakes, we once stole their clothes when they were skinny dipping!

Ahh. I forgot about that. Jordan slapped a hand to her chest and played with the scooped neck on her sleeveless, navy dress. Grinning, she recalled the whole event clear as day. Boy, were they mad. I didn’t see what the big deal was, though. We gave their clothes back.

Kerri’s face headed for crimson.  Yeah, but not before they stalked out of the water buck naked after us.

So true. Wearing only mischievous twinkles in their dark eyes, the two teenage brothers had stalked boldly toward them. She still remembered in detail the way the water glistened and glided off their tanned bodies and dripped from places not so tan. What an introduction to the male anatomy! Her adolescent body had tingled with an unknown excitement.

Well... She cleared her suddenly dry throat to repair her present day body’s reaction to the memory. "I would’ve given the clothes back, but no, they got out knowing we’d turn tail and run. Jordan’s grin broadened. I can still hear them laughing half a mile up the field."

Yeah, we sure did get an eyeful.

Kerri keyed right in to her thoughts, and together their laughter reverberated throughout the stationary car.

Elbowing Jordan’s arm, her sister continued, Remember that time Cole was in the barn making out with that well endowed cheerleader? It sure was mysterious how those horses got in there and chased her down the road.

She raised her brows in mock innocence. Wasn’t it though? I never could figure out why the horses decided to take a stroll through the barn all at the same time. Snickers trickled from their lips, and she slapped Kerri’s knee. "And you’re one to talk. I seem to recall an episode with

Reviews for Her Fated Cowboy

[theyodamom · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Slow build up, second chance romance, with some hot sheet wrangling.Enjoyable, not knock me off my feet. Cole is a broken man, closed off and sparky towards others. His wife died,years ago and he blames himself and doesn't want to experience any happiness out of guilt. He is so prickly I was hoping for a good section of the book that she'd just tell him to rot all alone in Hades. But the patience of a strong woman, got those sticks pulled out and he became something wonderful.Jordan, is a cop and a restaurant owner in LA. She is also grieving, she lost her husband to a bullet during a robbery 2 years earlier. She has gone through her stages and is climbing back up the hill to be with the living. These two grew up together, she has a school girl crush on Cole which ended when she left for college. When their parents called her to come for a party she couldn't say no. The she saw her old friend, well the shell of him, she had to help him move on. Of course the parents set the whole thing up. So begins the fight, win or draw she will not lose.I didn't find really any humor in this read. I would have liked some to lighten up Cole's darkness. he really was a jerk in the beginning. The sex was steamy and made me swoon for that spiky cowboy. I liked it but not enough to read more in the series.