Cowboy Roomie: The Hot Cowboys, #7

By Lexi Banks

I'm Cash Ogden, and just because I'm a cowboy don't mean I'm slob. Riding a horse and running a ranch don't mean that I like rolling around in the mud.

I love living in Wyoming, and I love nature, but when it comes to my house, I like things tidy. I also like my people distant and quiet.

But everything changed when Hailey showed up. 

She was supposed to just stay a few months and do some research for a cowboy novel she was writing. 

It's a good deal for both of us. She gets the real deal: a Wyoming cowboy, and I get a bunch of money just to do what I do.

It would be easier to hate her. I should hate her. She's messy, disorganized, and clueless about country life.

But damn it, if she ain't beautiful and sweet. Maybe I should kick her back to New York before we both do something we regret.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DM
• Release date: Jul 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393989769

Book preview

Chapter One

Cash – July, Early Evening

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I ran my hand down the long nose of my only remaining quarter horse, whispering under my breath to him while he stamped his feet in the hay. I had a stable that could hold 20 horses, but only had 12 left, not to the mention the cattle I lost, culling a quarter of the herd, all of it happening over the course of two terrible weeks that shook both me and my business to the core. I had to have money to live, but I cared more about these animals than what they could do for my wallet. I’d raised them and tended to them for years in most cases, and only wanted what was best for them, profit be damned if need be.

Eric was at the other end of the barn, spraying down one of the empty stalls. Losing horses had made it a little easier to muck out the stables. We could play musical stalls with the horses, moving them from one place to another. We were about finished with the work out here, having fed and watered the horses out in the corral before giving them a light brushing. Tomorrow they’d need cleaning for real with shampoo and water, meaning a full day of work for me since Eric wouldn’t be coming up from town, but I didn’t worry over that right now.

Eric came over as soon as I finished with the quarter horse, smiling like all get out, the way he had since we first ran into each other back in grade school. People in town called us opposites—he was always grinning, and I always looked like my best horse died. Right now, that was true. I’d lost more horses last month than I had in all the years I’d owned the ranch. Hell, in all the years I’d been riding and tending horses, which had been since I learned to walk. The losses were still stuck in my craw, but there wasn’t a damned thing I could do about it except keep moving forward like I had my whole life.

You see those fireworks on the Fourth? Eric asked, still grinning.

Yup, I said, and meant to let that be the end of the conversation, but Eric had other ideas.

What’d you think of ‘em?

I liked ‘em okay, I replied. I gave Dusty, the quarter horse, one more rub from the top of her head down to the tip of her nose and turned to face my best friend. He hadn’t been able to wipe the smile from his face all damned day.

Just okay? Eric shot back. They were the best Jackson has ever had! Did you see the big booming ones at the end? He shook his head, his eyes far away, like he was still seeing that fireworks display. I had to smile at the look on his face.

You’re like a little kid, Eric, I said, and it wasn’t the first time I’d accused him of it. No grown man should take such pleasure in a bunch of fireworks.

Eric’s high mood couldn’t be spoiled that easily. He just shrugged his broad shoulders and then reached to give old Dusty a scratch behind the ears. You’ve been an old man since the day you were born, Cash. Don’t begrudge another man his fun just ‘cause you aren’t capable of enjoying anything.

I snorted but didn’t respond, turning my back so I could take a halter off one of my two remaining appaloosas.

You been worse than usual over the last month, he said, picking up speed as he went on without interruption from me. I’m like to stop talking to you altogether.

I clenched my teeth rather than answer back. His comment pissed me off, mostly because he knew how hard the last several weeks had been since I lost all those horses and cows. The worst part had been watching them drop one right after the other from sickness, but the aftermath wasn’t great either—the loss of several thousands of dollars that put my business in jeopardy. If I’d lost more livestock, I’d have flat out lost the ranch. I had to work even harder now to make sure it didn’t happen again.

I mopped the sweat from my brow with the handkerchief in my back pocket, then let my cowboy hat drop back over my head before I responded to Eric. The last month ain’t been good for me, and you know why. I haven’t felt much like joking lately.

That sobered Eric up a little, wiping the smile from his face, though his dark eyes were still shining the way they did when he had something funny to tell you. There wasn’t nothing you could do about that. You take good care of your animals here. Your ranch is the best in the county.

I clenched my jaw even harder. The only thing worse than the fact that so many of my animals had fallen ill and died was that I’d let it happen. Not that I’d just sat there. And not like I mistreated my horses and cattle. I did the opposite, caring for them from morning until night and making regular appointments for the veterinarian to come out to the ranch to look them over. This sickness had come out of nowhere and raced through several animals before I even knew what was happening. I couldn’t help but take their deaths as some kind of commentary on me as their owner. I should have seen the signs and done better somehow. No one that I’d talked to over the last few weeks since the tragedy blamed me—even the vet, who said she’d never seen such a sudden and acute outbreak—but that sure as hell didn’t stop me from blaming myself.

I grumbled a response, turning away to tidy up another part of the barn that didn’t really need tidying. I kept this place in good order—everything cleaned and put back where it belonged. I’d been this way as far back as I could remember, but I was extra careful now, after what had happened.

As always, Eric kept going on without me. That boy could listen to himself speak for hours. As long as he had someone to talk at, he was good to go.

Everything’s gonna work out in the end; just you wait, he said, the certainty in his voice rubbing me the wrong way.

You ain’t the one lost thousands of dollars you didn’t have to lose in the first place, I replied.

But I am the one who knows you’ll get back on your feet, Cash.

That drew another snort and shake of the head from me. I turned to glare at him but was tired too. It’d been a long day, and I was ready for a cold beer, something to eat, and a few hours of good sleep.

Maybe if you were a little more flexible and open to other ideas, you could come up with some more ways to boost your income. Eric lifted his light eyebrows that were a shade or two darker than the honey-colored hair on his head. You know? Just for a few months or so until you get back on your feet.

I didn’t like the sound of that. Eric was a fan of get-rich-quick schemes, while I was a fan of putting in the work to reap the reward. It was just how I was brought up.

I mean, this is the modern age, Eric continued, though I hadn’t said a word yet in response. The digital age. You know, technology? That shit everyone else talks about?

I have access to a computer and a cell phone, asshole, I shot back, grinning myself, and he laughed. Of course, the computer in question was the one down at the county library in town, and the cell phone was prepaid and sat mostly unused in a drawer in my bedroom.

Do you know there are people in town that are making their living by being rideshare drivers? They just answer requests for rides whenever they get them and rake in money. He snapped his dirt-smeared fingers. Just like that.

I pressed my lips together, squeezing away what was left of my small grin. I have no intention of being anything but a rancher. Leave the internet taxi driving game to those that don’t want to put in a hard day’s work.

Being an internet taxi driver’s not all bad. His smile widened and that glimmer sparked in his eyes that had meant trouble for me going years back. You might meet some folks if you actually set foot off your property longer than it took to go back and forth from the feed and supply store.

He was all about annoying the hell outta me this afternoon. I don’t want to meet any damned people. I leaned against the stall, giving the little appaloosa a good long scratch along her neck the way she liked. She was strong and healthy, which was its own blessing after all that’d happened. If I cared to be surrounded by people on all sides, I’d live in town, not out here on the ranch.

Eric had a good long laugh at that.

You ever think I’m happy out here on my own? That I don’t actually want people around all the time?

He shrugged as he wiped the sweat and dirt from his face with his handkerchief. People means women, Cash. Ain’t you interested in having a woman around? It’s been a long damned time since you’ve been with one.

You’re the last person who needs to give advice about women, I huffed. He didn’t quite have a reputation around town for his dating habits, but he was close to it. He’d been crazy for the opposite sex as far back as I could remember, and it had gotten him in plenty of trouble throughout the years. He always seemed to recover in time to date the next pretty face that passed by, but I was exhausted just watching him, no way did I want to join in.

I think my job as your best friend is to push you out of your comfort zone as much as I can, Eric said, hooking his thumbs in the pockets of his dusty jeans. He wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat, said they cramped his style. He’d always worried about his hair and clothes much more than I thought a man should. As long as I could get dirty working in whatever I was wearing, I was good to go.

Oh, you think so? I challenged.

He nodded, his grin cranking up. That’s a friend’s job, ain’t it? To make sure you don’t get stuck in a rut out here in the middle of nowhere?

I’m not sure why I’m even listening to you. When the hell have you ever known what you’re talking about?

When it comes to women, I’m pretty much the authority.

We both had a laugh at that, Eric slapping his thigh. Just past the open doors of the barn, the light was fading from the sky quickly. I had to get supper going before it got too late. I’d been up at 4 am this morning and was looking to be up at the same time tomorrow.

I started off towards the house and Eric followed, not saying another word until I’d slid the alleyway door shut to the barn, closing the horses inside for another night. The cows were out in the far field—I’d checked on them before stabling the horses, looking them over for signs of the disease that’d moved through the herd so quickly. Everything was fine, but I couldn’t help the worry that crept in on me when I worked with my animals.

I’m gonna find you a woman, Cash, Eric said, tailing me up to the house. I’d told him he could stay for supper, which I was regretting right about now. Just you wait.

I shook my head as we climbed the porch steps and went inside. Mind your own goddamned business, will you? The only help I need from you is tending to the animals.

He laughed. You got beers in the fridge?

Of course.

He went to grab a few, but I couldn’t get my mind off what he’d brought up. It had been a long time since I’d been with a woman longer than the few minutes it took to check out at the supply store. The vet was a woman, but she was about 50, and married besides. I didn’t want to add any unnecessary complications to my life. I already had all the trouble and responsibility of the ranch. But I couldn’t help thinking that I was missing something important. Not that I’d ever let Eric know any of that.

Chapter Two

Hailey – July, Early Evening

My phone was ringing, but I couldn’t find the damned thing. I’d already missed the initial call—the bare floors and high ceilings in my apartment created an echo effect, and I couldn’t tell where the hell the noise was coming from—but, luckily, whoever was on the line was calling again. My place was a disaster, as usual—boxes overflowing with interesting things I found on my travels, piles of books and periodicals, some of which had fallen over onto the floor, dishes from meals eaten at my desk stacked on every available surface, and papers strewn everywhere, looking a little like I’d taken a few reams and simply thrown them in the air to land however gravity decided. I had working drafts of a few novels spread out everywhere, too.

I dashed around my living room like a madwoman, tearing through piles of crap until I finally found my purse and, inside it, my phone. It was my agent, who definitely knew what to expect where I was concerned. If I’d missed this call, she’d have called at least two more times. I lost my phone inside my own house on a daily basis.

Hi, Andrea, I said, and collapsed on the only empty cushion on the couch, a little out of breath from the ordeal. I’d been both looking forward to and dreading this phone call for days. Andrea had spent the week pitching my newest idea for a novel-length project to my editor. Everything depended on how well that had gone.

Hello, Hailey, Andrea replied, and it was impossible to tell by the sound of her greeting how the conversation was going to go.

My stomach was in knots, but I didn’t want to pounce on her. She’d called for a reason, and I didn’t mean to rush her, no matter how anxious I was.

I have good news. She paused, and my stomach relaxed a little, though the knots were still there. The pitch for your cowboy novel went great with the editing team at the publishing house. They are definitely on board and stated that they already have the early workings of an advertising campaign. They even hinted at the possibility of making this into a series.

My brain was taking a long time to process the things she was telling me. This was better than I’d expected, and it was a bit of a shock after so much time spent worrying. When I didn’t respond, Andrea just continued, all business, as she explained the rest of the meeting.

The editors praised the authenticity of your earlier novels, even the ones that didn’t do as well where sales were concerned. They know that you’re a solid writer who can deliver beautifully written content, dynamic characters, and engaging plotlines.

I was still too stunned to speak. I knew I was a good writer—I’d been doing it since I was in elementary school in one way or another—but it was amazing to hear professionals in the field deliver such high praise. Finally, the words came loose, and I spoke them through a rush of relieved giggles.

Too bad that authenticity isn’t helping me sell more novels, I replied, and I had to consciously put a lid on the giggles to get them to stop. Once I got started, it could go on for several minutes at a time, much to the chagrin of whoever I was talking to.

Your sales are steady, Andrea reminded me. With the rise of the digital market, many up and coming writers felt the squeeze, but the cowboy genre is a trend that’s only been getting more popular. The editing and marketing team at the publisher have a great feeling about the idea you’ve come up with. So do I, for that matter.

That means a lot, Andrea, I said.

I wouldn’t say it unless it was true.

I’m so excited to get started! I rose from the couch, and a pile of books tumbled onto the ground next to my feet. I stepped over them to get to my desk and the computer sleeping on top of it. When do they want the first draft?

By February, at the latest.

That was more than doable and left plenty of time for research. I had no idea why a novel about cowboys out on the range had appealed to me so much. I’d never even been on a damned horse, let alone out West.

That’s perfect. I can spend a few months on research, maybe on a ranch someplace rugged and picturesque. Really live the life, you know? As I was saying it, I realized how ridiculous it sounded, but I’d find a way to make it work. I always did. I hadn’t known anything about being a captain on a dive boat in the Bahamas either before I spent four months down there diving and working on the water.

Keep me updated, kid, Andrea said, which was her way of signing off.

I hung up with her and fired up my computer, sliding a few magazines off the chair so I could sit down at the desk. I pushed my glasses up my nose and started hunting around on the internet, looking for some opportunities out West. I could find an extended Airbnb or look into one of those dude ranches where they let you come live the life of a cowboy for a week or two. That might be a great start while I looked for something more long-term.

I opened several tabs in my browser, each with a separate opportunity that was available, but not quite right. I was ready to quit for the afternoon when I landed on a page advertising a room for rent on a ranch outside of Jackson, Wyoming. I read through the details and looked over the picture accompanying the ad—a wooden barn in the middle of a grassy plain, with cows in a field and, in the background, a breathtaking mountain range overlooking it all. Everything about this location was perfect and, most importantly, the rate was reasonable.

The ad listed a man named Eric Matthews as the contact. I shot an email off to him, introducing myself and asking how soon I could move in.

Chapter Three

Cash – Early July, Afternoon

After finishing up the morning’s chores and rustling up something for lunch, Eric and I each picked our favorite of the horses left on the property—I had Dusty and Eric chose one of the bigger pintos that I’d named Lettie. We got the horses tacked up properly and hit the trails just past the far rear border of my property, going along at an easy canter. It was warmer today, about 80 degrees already, so I didn’t want to work the horses too hard. I was just itching to get out on the land with a horse beneath me and the fresh air hitting me in the face. Nothing beat this feeling or this view. I hadn’t traveled much in my life, but what little I’d seen didn’t compare to what I had right here in my own backyard. Eric talked a lot about going over to the East Coast one day, but I didn’t see a reason to ever leave Jackson County, let alone Wyoming.

A new bar just opened up in Jackson, Eric said, bringing his horse around so we were only riding a few feet apart. I was out there last night. You should come check it out some night. Might be a good place to meet some ladies. He lifted his eyebrows a few times when I turned to shoot him a dry look.

I got no interest drinking in town when I have plenty of my own alcohol up here. Not to mention those places are loud.

You sound like an old man, Cash. Women don’t find that attractive.

I pulled the reins a little, moving Dusty around a small hole in the ground. The wind was kicking this morning, rushing through the grass. Nothing beat the feeling of being out on this land. I didn’t understand anyone who couldn’t find whatever they were looking for out here, with the mountains in the distance and the wind sweeping in, seemingly from all sides.

I don’t give a good goddamn what women find attractive. That wasn’t exactly true, but I really wasn’t looking to start a relationship right now. I had a lot of work to do on the ranch to recoup the money I’d lost. Things were hanging by a string around here. And you know exactly how I am.

I do, he agreed, much too easily. Which is how I know that you need to loosen up before you snap.

I didn’t peel my eyes from the scenery around me to glance over at Eric. I already knew the look on his face, anyway. Why interrupt a beautiful ride?

You’ve been telling me to loosen up since we were in kindergarten together, Eric. More than 20 years. If it hasn’t happened yet, it ain’t gonna happen. You need to make peace with how I am, same as I’ve made peace with how you are.

What’s that supposed to mean? he asked.

I lightly tapped Dusty’s sides with the heels of my boots, encouraging her to go a little quicker. Eric did the same to Lettie, and she kept pace easily. The sun was blazing over our heads but, thanks to the wind, it was a pleasant day for a ride. And I had the good sense to wear a cowboy hat to shade my eyes. Eric had sunglasses and no hat, looking like the city mouse that he was despite having grown up in Jackson, same as I had.

You can’t let things lie, I replied simply, not meaning to go further. There were quite a few things that bothered me about Eric, but I didn’t see the point in trying to change them. He’d been basically the same since we met in our kindergarten class, and so had I. Nobody really changed, when it came down to it, like our minds could only reach so far without snapping right back to the way they were.

That’s the truth, he said, sounding proud of it as he puffed his chest out.

People can’t change who they are. Not really. Even if I wanted to loosen up, which I don’t, it wouldn’t happen. So, pushing the issue doesn’t end up doing a damned thing. You try to change me every which way while I grumble and tell you to leave things be. But neither one of us can change the other. I think we’re only friends ‘cause we’re so damned different to begin with. That was a hearty mouthful. I settled back in the saddle, letting Dusty slow to an easy canter. We’d need to turn back soon. I had more chores waiting for me on the ranch, and Eric had to get back to whatever the hell he did all day in town.

That’s some deep shit right there, Cash, Eric said, laughing