Clay's Rules

By Missy Harper

Arriving in Montana to find she's been lost in a poker game does little to calm Abbra's fears about spending two entire weeks with a bunch of cowboys. Romance author, Abbra Truelove, finds herself in a predicament when her editor offers a promotion no fan can resist. A promotion that will intentionally thrust Abbra back into rural life while she researches a book she doesn't even want to write. As if to add insult to injury, this insane promotion requires she be a house guest of the winning fan! After one too many bad experiences with rough and rowdy cowboys, Abbra is reluctant to say the least!

Clay Benson, son of Abbra's number one fan and loser of last night's poker game, begrudgingly shows up to collect his house guest, expecting to find an older, overweight, unattractive city slicker that talks too much. What he finds is a shapely, gorgeous woman with a sweet side and a past full of secrets. After Abbra steals a horse, is involved in both a shoot out and a fist fight, then goes on to show some fancy footwork following an incident with a faulty bottle of baby oil, Clay finds it necessary to impose a list of rules to keep Abbra safe. When her ex husband show up, Clay faces losing the woman he's come to realize he can't live without and discovers she needs protection from more than just her past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477252819

Missy Harper

Missy Harper grew up in a small Louisiana town, dangerously close to the east Texas boarder. Her formative years were filled with cowgirls, cowboys and an abundance of farm boys. She came to an early love and understanding of the country way of life. Although Missy loves her country roots, life intervened and dragged her away to the big city. It was here Missy met the love of her life, and to everyone's astonishment, he was a city slicker to the core! Missy now resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her wonderful husband David, their three trying teenagers and one incredibly demanding cat named, George.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Nettie’s Wish

Nettie Benson sat in her kitchen checking all her favorite web sites on her computer. She was eagerly awaiting Abbra Truelove’s next book, and was checking to see if there was a release date or any other information online about her newest novel. Nettie loved a good romance novel, like any other woman, but she was an avid fan of Abbra Truelove’s work.

It wasn’t that she was a dissatisfied homemaker or anything. It was more that she had spent her life on a Montana ranch with her husband, Rex and their three sons. They were all wonderful men, but all four of them were total cowboys and cowboys don’t talk about feelings and the like. She had long ago turned to romance novels to supplement her girlie needs, as her husband called them.

Four years ago she read a book written by a new author named Abbra Truelove. Her books were packed full of realistic situations and all had a tender love story flowing through to the end. They weren’t your usual dirty romance books. Her books had substance, in Nettie’s opinion.

Woman! Get off that computer and fix me some breakfast. Rex demanded as he entered the kitchen.

Don’t you take that tone with me, Rex Benson. You know better! She answered him as she turned to see a sly grin spread across his face. Rex liked for everyone to believe that he was a grumpy old man, but he was really just a big old softy.

Okay, Sweetness. I’ll give you anything you want if you’ll stop that surfin’ and fix me something to eat. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. I got to get to the north pasture right quick. Rex continued to correct himself by rubbing his wife’s shoulders.

Oh! Oh my gosh, Rex! Would you look at this? Nettie exclaimed as she pointed to the computer screen before rising to head toward the stove. Abbra Truelove is writing a new book and it’s gonna be set on a Montana ranch! And . . . She held up her finger for emphasis. And, she’s askin’ if any of her fans have ranches out here that she can visit and do some research for the new book. She covered her mouth with her small hand in excitement.

Wonderful, darlin. Rex mumbled, making his way to the table.

That’s what I want, Rex! Her blue eyes sparkled.

Woman, you got to be kiddin’ me! We ain’t havin’ no romance writin’ female running around this ranch. Rex put his foot down.

Rex Benson! You just told me, two minutes ago, that I could have anything I wanted if I fixed your sorry old butt something to eat. She scolded him as she finished fixing the breakfast she had begun before he ever came into the kitchen. Are you gonna honor your word or are ya plannin’ on starvin? She asked as she withheld his breakfast while she waited for his answer.

Fine, Sweetness. Invite that woman writer if ya want. I know she’s your favorite. Rex grumbled as she sat his plate down in front of him on the table.

Oh thank you so much, Rex! Nettie hugged him from behind as he took the first bite of his breakfast.

Humph . . . Rex growled taking another bite.

Two whole weeks with my favorite author! Rex darn near choked on the eggs he had just put into his mouth.

He finished his breakfast as Nettie rattled on and on about this woman. He kept his mouth shut and his head down the entire time. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t learned anything in his thirty-five years of marriage.

As he drove out to the north pasture he wondered which one of the boys would already be there. Most likely not Clay, he’d still be taking care of the animals, and definitely not Kyle. That boy probably just got home a few minutes ago. It would most likely be his oldest son, Craig. He was always an early riser. It really didn’t matter, whichever one it turned out to be was gonna be real unhappy with him.

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Craig, does your wife read them romance books like your momma does? Rex asked his oldest son when he got to the north pasture.

Na, she don’t much like that kinda stuff. She don’t have much time for reading with two little one’s to chase after, anyhow? She’s got better things to do with her spare time. Craig grinned over at his father.

Well son, I’ve got some news for you. Rex pulled down the front of his cowboy hat so that his son couldn’t see the smirk spreading across his face.

Don’t tell me you caught Mary Beth gonin’ through momma’s stash of books. Craig joked.

No. No, that ain’t it, son. Rex looked up at the sky and squinted his green eyes against the sun.

"See Craig, your momma’s gone and invited some woman writer to visit us for a while. She’s writing some kinda romance book about a ranch and needs to do some research. Rex added quotation marks around the last word with his gloved fingers. Don’t know exactly what she thinks she’s gonna find romantic about ranchin’, but she’s comin’ just the same." Rex went on in a bit of wonder at what some people would want to read about.

Really? How long’s she gonna be here? Craig couldn’t quite keep the chuckle out of his voice. It made Rex feel just a little bit more justified in saying what he was planning to say next.

Two weeks. Rex said without much emotion as Craig erupted in laughter.

You gonna have some city slicking, research gettin’, woman writer following you around for two weeks, Dad?

No, son. I really think her research would be better served if she had the complete ranchers experience. You know, the rancher, his wife, maybe a couple of kids, too. Might make it a little more realistic for an outsider than bein’ cooped up with a couple old folks like your momma and I, you know?

Oh no you don’t, Dad. Craig shook his finger at his father as his smile quickly disappeared. You got yourself into this mess and your . . .

Gonna get myself out of it, too! That’s right son. That lady writer ain’t stayin’ at my house! Your momma won’t get a thing done the entire time she’s here. She’s stayin’ with you and Mary Beth and that’s final!

Bull shit! Craig huffed as his father eyed him from under the brim of his hat. Why me, Dad? Why not Clay or Kyle? Craig threw up his hands in aggravation.

Because Clay ain’t got a wife and Kyle would just try to sleep with her! Besides, you showed up first. Rex muttered the last part.

This is ridiculous, Dad! No way. I’m not doin’ it! Craig said effectively putting his foot down. No way was he bringin’ some other woman home if it wasn’t Mary Beth’s idea. He had two kids and intended to stay married!

Fine, son. I understand. You can tell your momma, then. Rex said as he continued to work on fixing the fence in front of him. He waited a few long moments then stopped and looked up from under the brim of his cowboy hat.

Well, what cha waitin’ on? Go on and call your momma and tell her to call that woman writer back and tell her she can’t come. Rex went back to work as his son stood staring at the top of his father’s hat.

This ain’t right, Dad. I either have to deal with my wife or with momma and ain’t either one of those options gonna work out all that great for me! You ain’t playin’ fair, Dad. Craig stood shaking his head with his hands on his hips.

Who said I had to play fair? Rex stood up and pointed at his son. Anyway, it wasn’t fair all those nights you kept your momma from sleepin’. It wasn’t fair them shitty diapers I had to change or how about all them times I told ya not to out grow your boots and ya did it anyway. You sure you want to talk about unfairness, boy? Rex argued back with his son in his continued effort to justify his actions.

You ain’t never changed a shitty diaper in all your miserable life, old man! Craig called his father on his fib with a chuckle in his voice.

Yeah, but that bit about the boots was true . . . more than once, I might add. Rex argued with a big grin on his weathered face.

If it were me, I’d upset Mary Beth before I’d upset your momma. She brought ya into this world and mad enough, she might just be willin’ to take ya out.

Craig shook his head in agreement. Nettie Benson might be a tiny little thing, but she had been known to be hard to handle on more than one occasion. The Benson men had learned young that it was far healthier not to make momma mad. She gave life to the phrase, ‘If Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.’

"Ya know, you could have your brothers over for a poker game tonight. Maybe have a ‘lets-see-who-gets-the-shaft-in-order-to-keep-momma-happy’ game. Maybe you could pawn this off on one of your brothers.

Thought you said Clay wouldn’t do because he ain’t married and Kyle . . . well, we know what would happen there. Craig grumbled.

Well, if you insist on concernin’ yourself with things like that then I guess she’ll be goin’ home with you. Rex challenged his oldest son as Clay and Kyle rode up. Craig turned to his brothers as they got off of their four wheelers.

Mornin’ guys! Ya’ll interested in a little poker tonight?

Chapter 2

Back To The Farm!

Abbra sat in her home office staring at the walls. Her mind was still reeling from the phone call she had just received from her editor. Someone had actually called and invited her to come to their ranch for two entire weeks! What kind of psycho invites a stranger to live with them for two weeks? What kind of publisher puts out an ad like that to begin with? For that matter, what kind of idiot agrees to take part in something like that?

Oh, that would be you, Genius!

Hadn’t life thrown her enough curve balls? First she had to be born on a farm to a father that wanted nothing but sons, of which she obviously wasn’t. Then he named her Abbra! Yes, as in Abracadabra! Next came her mother’s death soon followed by her being expected to take over all of her mother’s responsibilities at the ripe old age of seven. Then her father, just a few short years before his death, had arranged a marriage between her and a neighbor. A neighbor that she couldn’t stand to begin with, and had barely survived in the end. She was now left with one over protective brother, one excessively controlling brother and an editor that was determined to force her back to the farm and make her write a book about it. The injustice! Surely, her life would be made into one of those Lifetime movies someday!

Abbra’s mental pity party was interrupted by the ring tone from her cell phone. She checked the caller ID to insure it wasn’t her oldest brother, Jeb. This day had been bad enough! There was no reason to volunteer for more misery. Noting that it was her editor, she had much the same temptation to avoid the call altogether.

What do you want, Margot? Abbra barked into the phone. She and Margot had been friends for the past few years, but she could be one of the most irritating people on the planet! The woman mainlined caffeine on a constant basis. To say that she was a bit hyper was an insult to all the people struggling with ADHD.

I’ve got your flight number and contact info. Aren’t you excited? Margot sounded as if they were planning some exotic vacation and not a two week trip to hell!

No, Margot. I’m not excited at all. For starters, I do not want to write a book about a cowboy!

Oh why not? Cowboys are seriously hot right now. With all those John Wayne movies being remade, anything cowboy is going to be totally hot! This book is going to fly off the shelves! You are going to make a fortune, Abbra! Margot did her best to keep up her enthusiasm. This unusual behavior should have screamed at me, but I was so ticked off about having to go to rural Montana that I missed it.

I already have a fortune, Margot. And I’ve already had one too many cowboys in my life. Please do not make me do this. Abbra all but begged.

This is what the House wants, Abbra. Look, they’re willing to play hard ball with you to get what they want so please just be a good girl and go to Montana. All kidding and excitement had left Margot’s voice. Abbra knew that the Publishing House could be ruthless in order to get what it wanted from their authors.

What do you mean they told you they were willing to play hard ball with me?

Look Abbra, I’ve been coddling you since you were nineteen. It’s time to grow up and start sitting at the adult table. The bottom line is that if you don’t write this book, they are going to stop all further releases. Margot leveled with her.

What does that mean? Abbra sat forward in her seat.

It means that until I get a decent manuscript from you, about a cowboy, all your finished work is on hold.

So, your saying that if I don’t do this they won’t publish anymore of my work! Is that what you’re telling me? Abbra felt her anger beginning to boil.

Yes.

They can’t do that, Margot! I have a book ready and scheduled for release in three weeks! Abbra shouted into the phone.

They most certainly can, and your release date has been put on hold until I receive the first three chapters of the cowboy book. I’m sorry, Abbra. I don’t like doing this to you, but I really have no choice in the matter. Besides, it’s time you grew up, kid. Margot sounded like she really didn’t like being placed in this position, but Margot was Margot. She would do whatever she had to do to get the job done, even if it meant steam rolling over a friend.

That’s like literary extortion or something! Abbra yelled into the phone as she slammed her fist down onto the top of her desk.

Look kid, I’m going to be brutally honest with you. The publishing house wants more racy stuff from you. Your stories are great, but sex sells. You’re not a nineteen-year old kid anymore. Go to Montana, Abbra. Find some good-looking cowboy, let him ride you in his bedroom rodeo and write me a book about it. Have a little fun, live a little! God knows you need it!

Yes, that’s exactly what my life needs . . . a cowboy! Just give me the info so I can go back to the fifth circle of hell and get this over with! Abbra barked into the phone.

Abbra had left her family’s farm years ago and had no intention of going back to it or any other for that matter. She had moved to Baton Rouge after college and bought a small horse ranch on Antioch Road. Sure, it could be argued that if was a farm, but it was actually within the city limits. Montana was like B.F.E. compared to her little ranch . . . located in a city . . . near shopping centers . . . and restaurants . . . and entertainment and such.

Fine. Margot sounded as put out with Abbra as Abbra felt about her at the moment.

The fan’s name is Nettie Benson. You’ll be staying with her son and his wife, Craig and Mary Beth Benson on the Benson Brother’s Ranch. You’ve got two weeks to get your research and two more weeks to get me those first three chapters. I put you on a flight first thing in the morning. If you get your attitude right, and don’t take the full two weeks to write those few chapters, you can still make your original release date. Margot spoke quickly so that Abbra had no time to interrupt her.

This was the first time that Margot had ever sounded like the cold hearted bitch she was often accused of being. Usually she was always kind and friendly toward Abbra. Now she was all business and it sounded as if she really didn’t care if Abbra was comfortable with the situation or not. She wanted to make her bosses happy and it didn’t matter what she had to do to get it.

You’ll leave Baton Rouge at 7:50 in the morning and you arrive in Billings, Montana at 1:30 in the afternoon. It’s a direct flight so there shouldn’t be any problems. A rental car will be waiting for you at the airport. The name of the town you’ll be staying in is Paradise Valley . . . Emigrant Point to be exact. Apparently they’re like one in the same or something. I hear it’s one of the most beautiful places in Montana. She sounded like the Margot that had been her friend for the past five years.

Well, at least the view will be nice. Abbra sounded resigned to her fate.

Buck up, Cowgirl! There’s bound to be more to look at than just mountains and big skies. You need to get a life, Abbra. It’s time, honey. Find a man, let him buy you dinner, have some fun . . . have sex! It’s time for you to start living again, Abbra. Life is passing you by! Margot tried to reason with her.

Don’t worry, Margot, you’ll get your book. And don’t call me Cowgirl! Abbra threw the phone in the general direction of the desk and went to pack her bags.

Chapter 3

Return To The Fifth Circle Of Hell

Abbra collected her bags and rental car at the Billings airport then began her drive to the Montana town of Paradise Valley. She was shocked when she drove into the town. It looked just like her home town! Okay, so the scenery was better. Let’s admit it, there aren’t many mountains in Louisiana.

This place was small town USA. Main Street looked like something straight out of an old Western movie. The stores were housed in connected wooden buildings, mostly two stories with flat roofs and tall signs extending up from the rooftops. One match could take out the entire town! You could almost see the townsfolk lined up with buckets full of water trying to douse the fire.

Cars were allowed to park at an angle directly in front of the stores. There were no big parking lots, except for the gravel one outside the local honky tonk. There were also none of the big chain stores that went along with the big parking lots. Every business in town was individually owned and definitely a mom and pop operation.

The locals seemed to be friendly enough, but were a bit stand offish when there was an outsider around. When she stopped to fill up the gas tank of her tiny rental car and asked about the Benson Brother’s Ranch . . . well, lets just say that pulling teeth would have been easier. One other thing that she noticed immediately was that she was the only person not driving a truck. She wondered if this should concern her since she was driving a small compact car.

Abbra stayed on I-90 until she reached