Cowboy Masquerade

By Tori Scott

Dr. John Marshall has spent most of his life moving from town to town, following the rodeo circuit to patch up injured cowboys. Now he's ready to retire, open a practice in a small town somewhere, and enjoy life. His only real regret is that his lifestyle never gave him the chance to marry and have kids. At forty-five, he thinks he's too old to do so now. If he followed in his parents' footsteps, he didn't have too many good years left. There's a certain young widow he wouldn't mind making his own, but why would someone young and vibrant want a broken down, old cowboy?

Susan Hunt is a young widow with three children. Her husband died on the back of a bull three years earlier, and Dr. Marshall has been her rock ever since. He's been there for her through the grieving, the acceptance, he helped her get back on her feet and make a new life for herself and her kids. But now, when she needs him the most, he's nowhere to be found.

It's going to take some ingenuity and a little help from the Triple S crew to bring these two back together and help Dr. Marshall see where his future lies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tori Scott
• Release date: Jan 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310914492

Tori Scott

Best Selling and award-winning author Tori Scott has been writing for 12 years and is a former Golden Heart finalist in the prestigious RWA writing contest. She won a Colorado Gold contest, was a finalist in numerous other contests, and lists several publications among her accomplishments, including a featured Christmas story in Woman's World magazine.She's naturally curious about everything, which has led her to change careers often. As soon as she's learned all she can about one occupation, she's ready for the next. She's been a high school English and history teacher, a school principal, a child care director, a car salesman, a portrait consultant, and an insurance salesman.Tori believes in love. She met her husband, Tony, on her first day of college at the age of 17 and knew the moment she met him that he was the one she was supposed to marry. She did, and they now live on 5 acres in the country with their dog Blue. They have 4 grown children and 5 grandchildren spread from Massachusetts to southern California.Tori loves reading, swimming, photography, traveling, and especially writing. She sets most of her books in Texas because she was born in West Texas, raised in North Texas, and now lives in East Texas. She's spent the last five years traveling the entire state for work, and even taught Texas history for a few years. She tries to write what she knows...and loves.A Notice To My Readers: Four Houses is not one of my books.

Book preview

Cowboy Masquerade

By

Tori Scott

Copyright 2015 Tori Scott

All rights reserved

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or reproduced in any form without the express permission of the author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to your retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

With thanks to Ade Ratna for the cover art,

to my fans who've been asking for another Lone Star Cowboys books, and to my husband for his never-ending patience. Life with an author is never easy.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Cowboy Masquerade is the eighth book in the Lone Star Cowboys series.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Excerpt from Carter Country: Cade

About the Author

More Books by Tori Scott

Cowboy Masquerade

CHAPTER ONE

Doctor John Marshall used to love his job. He'd spent most of his life involved with the rodeo in one way or another, first hanging out behind the scenes while his father wrestled steers in hopes of a little prize money, and now as the main--and in some cases only--doctor to the bull riders, calf ropers, and other competitors on the rodeo circuit.

His trailer was getting old, showing its age in the fading paint and sagging awning. As he opened the door and climbed inside, Doc realized the trailer wasn't the only thing growing older. His aching back, nagging shoulder pain, and creaking knees reminded him with every movement.

He passed through the examining room and into his private quarters. He needed to rest before the evening round of competition, but before he could pull the covers back on the bed, someone knocked at the trailer door. With a sigh, he pulled his boots back on and went to see who was there.

Susan! What a surprise. I didn't think you and the kids were going to make it up for a visit this weekend.

Susan Hunt was the widow of bull rider Dillon Hunt, who'd died of an aneurysm during a bull riding event nearly three years earlier. Doc had done everything he could to save him, but there was really nothing anyone could have done to change the outcome. Still, he'd carried the weight of guilt ever since that awful night.

He'd watched over Susan and the kids since then, making sure they had everything they needed, trying to be a substitute father for the kids, even though he had no experience to qualify him for the job. They came to visit whenever the rodeo was nearby, and he drove down to Amarillo to see them whenever he had a chance.

The student I was supposed to tutor cancelled at the last minute, so we decided to come on up. I hope that's okay.

Susan looked pretty as a picture in her bright yellow sundress, her hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her daughter Christy was dressed in a similar outfit, but in bright pink. Matt and Damon both wore jeans and boots, western shirts, and cowboy hats. They hadn't lost their cowboy roots.

Of course it's okay. Come on in. Doc opened the screen door and let them in, closing the door behind them. Pardon the mess. I wasn't expecting you.

He hurried to pick up the remains of his breakfast, dropping the dishes in the tiny sink.

Susan put a hand on his arm. Don't worry about it. She looked him over with a critical eye. You look exhausted, John. Are you feeling okay?

Other than feeling my age, I'm fine. I didn't get much sleep last night. There was an accident in the arena.

Susan paled. Anyone I know?

John shook his head. I don't think so. Young kid, barely out of high school, got his hand caught in the rope. He'll be okay, but he has a nasty break that will take a while to heal. I stayed at the hospital until he got out of surgery around three this morning.

You poor thing. Why don't you go take a nap? The kids haven't had lunch yet, so I'll take them over to the snack bar and get them something to eat. I'd like to visit with some of my old friends, anyway. We'll come back in a couple of hours.

He should say no, since they'd driven three hours just to come see him, but he was so tired. Are you sure? I do need to get some sleep before tonight's events.

Absolutely. We'll see you later.

After they left, Doc crashed on the bed, falling asleep almost immediately. His last thought before sleep claimed him was how young Susan looked with her hair pulled back like that. Almost young enough to be his daughter.

When he awoke two hours later, the trailer was still empty. He dressed and headed to the arena to look for Susan and the kids. They weren't in the concession area or the stands, so he headed to the staging area. Susan was talking to Dusty Ballard, an up and coming steer wrestler. He was leaning against a post, his arm above her head as he leaned forward. She laughed at something he said, her cheeks pink.

Doc felt like he'd been kicked in the gut. He shook off the feeling. This was what he wanted, right? For her to find someone to love again, for her to get married and give the kids a father. Dusty was about Susan's age, he had a successful career that was on the rise. He was a good man. Everything John wanted for Susan.

So why did he feel like punching the guy out for standing so close to her, for making her laugh?

Susan's children sat at her feet, blowing bubbles from brightly colored containers. Damon tried to catch the bubbles as they floated into the air. Doc wanted to go sit with them, but he didn't want to interrupt Dusty and Susan. With a sigh, he turned and headed for the bull pens.

***

Susan turned just in time to see John striding toward the exit. I'm sorry. I have to go. She gathered the children and hurried after him, leaving Dusty without a backward glance.

John, wait!

He stopped and waited for them to catch up.

What was that all about? Why didn't you let us know you were here?

The scowl on his face told her all she needed to know. He was jealous.

You were busy. I thought I'd go see what was going on out back and catch up with you later.

We came here to see you, silly. Dusty is a bore. He talks about himself incessantly. I was hoping you'd rescue me.

John gave her a skeptical look. You didn't look like you were in need of rescuing. Besides, it's good for you to socialize with people your own age.

You make it sound like I'm ten years old. I like hanging out with you, thank you very much. Besides, I've about had my fill of rodeo cowboys.

You and me both, John mumbled.

Susan stopped and looked up at him. You seem different. What's wrong?

John sighed and looked toward his trailer. What you said about having your fill of rodeo cowboys? That's me, lately. Don't get me wrong. They're great guys for the most part, but I guess I'm ready for something different. I've been thinking of either retiring or settling down somewhere with a normal practice. Something with regular hours and a variety of patients, instead of all broken bones and concussions, with the occasional STD thrown in.

Whoa, Susan said. I always thought you'd stay with the rodeo until you died. Are you really thinking of quitting?

Yeah, I am. I'm getting too old for this life.

You're not old, John. But if you want a change, go for it. We'd love to have you in Amarillo where we could see you more often. The kids miss you.

John ruffled Matt's hair. I miss them, too. Amarillo may be too big for me, though. I'm not sure I'd like city life. I was thinking maybe a small town. The rural areas have a hard time getting good doctors.

There are plenty of those in West Texas. Just don't settle too far away, okay?

I won't. Texas is my home. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. My brothers are getting older, too, so I'd like to be close enough to visit them often, as well. John led them around the cars beginning to stream in for the evening rodeo. I have to be on hand for tonight's competition. Are you and the kids going?

Of course. We may hang out in the back some, too. We'll probably see you there. Susan followed John to the trailer. Would you mind if I put Damon down for a quick nap? He'll be cranky if he doesn't get one.

Not at all. Make yourself at home. I'm going to grab a shower.

Susan settled Damon on the bed and stretched out beside him. Christy and Matt sat at the table with their hand-held games, talking quietly. She missed times like these. Her life with Dillon had been one rodeo after another, living in a travel trailer, trying to keep the kids quiet while he slept. Some rodeo wives hated the life, but she had loved being with her husband, seeing her friends in each new town.

She didn't think she could do it again, though. She loved her home in Amarillo, loved coming home at night, knowing