The Untameable Texan

By Janice Maynard

A second chance leads to sudden pregnancy in USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard's epic TEXAS CATTLEMAN'S CLUB: AFTER THE STORM  prequel novella….

Texas financier Jed Farrell always gets what he wants—except when it comes to the one who got away, Kimberly Fanning. Now he's here to settle old scores with his high school sweetheart at their ten-year reunion. But when they end up back between the sheets, the man with a plan soon gets an unplanned baby surprise.

Will old doubts and differences scuttle their second shot at a future together? The time for answers is running out, as a storm literally brews on the horizon….

The story continues in Stranded with the Rancher by USA Today bestselling author Janice Maynard, only from Harlequin Desire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Oct 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781488749780

Janice Maynard

USA TODAY bestselling author Janice Maynard loved books and writing even as a child. Now, creating sexy, character-driven romances is her day job! She has written more than 75 books and novellas which have sold, collectively, almost three million copies. Janice lives in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains with her husband, Charles. They love hiking, traveling, and spending time with family. Connect with Janice at www.JaniceMaynard.com and on all socials.

Book preview

A second chance leads to sudden pregnancy in USA TODAY bestselling author Janice Maynard’s epic Texas Cattleman’s Club: After the Storm prequel novella...

Texas financier Jed Farrell always gets what he wants—except when it comes to the one who got away, Kimberly Fanning. Now he’s here to settle old scores with his high school sweetheart at their ten-year reunion. But when they end up back between the sheets, the man with a plan soon gets an unplanned baby surprise. Will old doubts and differences scuttle their second shot at a future together? The time for answers is running out as a storm literally brews on the horizon....

The story continues in Stranded with the Rancher by USA TODAY bestselling author Janice Maynard, only from Harlequin Desire!

THE UNTAMEABLE TEXAN

Janice Maynard

www.millsandboon.com.au

Dear Reader,

I married my high school sweetheart, so I have a soft spot in my heart for stories where the hero and heroine knew each other in school. Jed and Kimberly go way back in the town of Royal. But their lives have taken very different tracks.

I hope you enjoy this prequel, and I really hope you’ll enjoy the latest installment of the Texas Cattleman’s Club!

Happy reading,

Janice Maynard

Dedication

For Charles Griemsman, who oversees

these continuities with a sharp editorial eye.

I enjoy working with you. :)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JANICE MAYNARD

is a USA TODAY bestselling author who lives in beautiful east Tennessee with her husband. She holds a B.A. from Emory and Henry College and an M.A. from East Tennessee State University. In 2002 Janice left a fifteen-year career as an elementary school teacher to pursue writing full-time. Now her first love is creating sexy, character-driven, contemporary romance stories.

Janice loves to travel and enjoys using those experiences as settings for books. Hearing from readers is one of the best perks of the job! Visit her website, www.janicemaynard.com, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Contents

One

Two

Three

Four

Excerpt

One

Late August... Royal, Texas

Jed Farrell didn’t believe in ghosts. But being haunted? That was another story. He looked in the mirror and straightened his crimson and navy tie, trying to ignore the sizzle of anticipation that made his hands shake. Tonight he was going to exhume the past. He wanted answers to questions. Answers he should have asked for long ago. And he wanted to see the woman who had once broken his heart.

The organ in question was far tougher now; in fact, it was almost impervious to feminine manipulation. But once upon a time he had been a naive kid without defenses. Fortunately, he’d gotten over the girl. But her memory danced through his dreams now and again.

His most recent romantic relationship had crashed and burned, leaving him to ruefully acknowledge that he’d never been involved with a woman for longer than six months.

There had to be a reason for that.

He had a sinking feeling he knew what it was. Tonight’s high school reunion was the perfect setting for rehashing the past and seeking clarity. She would be there. And so would he.

His white dress shirt and dark gray suit were appropriate for his role as businessman, but he would have been just as happy in the jeans and cotton shirt he’d worn earlier today.

The ostensible reason for this trip from Dallas was to help his brother, Drew. The two siblings owned Willowbrook Farms jointly, although Jed was mostly a silent partner. He came home on a regular basis to visit and help make decisions about the ranch when necessary. The high-end horse farm produced thoroughbreds for well-heeled buyers worldwide.

Jed was proud to be a part of the endeavor. By virtue of his role as co-owner, he was a member of Royal’s Texas Cattleman’s Club, the historic venue where old Texas families socialized and struck business deals. But he spent far more time at the Dallas branch.

The ranch was several miles from civilization, which suited Jed just fine. Even during trips home, he avoided Royal proper as much as possible. The town held a lot of good memories, but one bad one that tied a knot in his gut. During the festivities this weekend, he planned to deal with that situation once and for all.

Class reunions were notorious for making people uncomfortable. Because this one included multiple years of graduates, Jed hoped the larger crowd would make it possible for him to look for her unnoticed.

Kimberly Fanning. The only woman who had ever seriously dented his heart. Jed wasn’t conceited. He didn’t expect every female he met to fall at his feet. But he and Kimberly had been more than mere acquaintances. A hell of a lot more.

He checked his watch and bent down to give one last buff to his black and gray cowboy boots. He much preferred his well-broken-in everyday pair, but tonight’s event, already underway in the hotel’s ballroom downstairs, was semiformal. Besides, when a man battled demons from the past, it seemed only logical to wear the appropriate armor.

For reasons he wasn’t prepared to examine too closely, he had