Her Outback Cowboy

By Annie Seaton

The last thing advertising art director Lucy Bellamy wants is to go home to the Outback, but duty to family calls. At least there’s one bonus—her first love, sexy cowboy neighbour Garth Mackenzie, is there, and the attraction between them is still explosive. But Lucy has no intention of getting stuck in this two-bit town, and she counts down the days until she can go back to her real life.

After an engineering degree and working in the mines of Western Australia, Garth has returned to the Outback and is home to stay. His goal is to settle down, start a family, and work his beloved land with the girl he’s always loved. But if it comes to Lucy choosing between the glamour of the city or making a home with him in the Outback—he’d lose, hands down.

Each book in the Prickle Creek series is STANDALONE:

* Her Outback Cowboy
* Her Outback Surprise
* His Outback Nanny
* His Outback Temptation

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Jun 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640631335

Annie Seaton

ANNIE SEATON lives near the beach on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Her career and studies have spanned the education sector for most of her working life, including a Master's degree in education and working as an academic research librarian, a high school principal and a university tutor until she took early retirement and fulfilled a lifelong dream of a full-time writing career. Annie's books have been very well received and she has won several awards, including Book of the Year, Ausrom Readers' Choice Awards 2018, for Whitsunday Dawn, which was also a finalist for ARRA romantic suspense. Annie has been a finalist in the New Zealand KORU award in 2018 and 2020, and was a finalist for Book of the Year, Long Romance, for Kakadu Sunset, at the Romance Writers of Australia Ruby Awards in 2016. Annie has four times been longlisted for the Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards. Each winter, Annie and her husband leave the beach to roam the remote areas of Australia for story ideas and research. She is passionate about preserving the beauty of the Australian landscape and respecting the traditional ownership of the land. For those readers who cannot experience this journey personally, Annie seeks to portray the natural beauty of the Australian environment - its spiritual locations, stunning landscapes and unique wildlife. Readers can contact Annie through her website, annieseaton.net or find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Photo credit: Tim Hollister for Coastbeat

Book preview

Table of Contents

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Epilogue

Glossary of Australian Terms

Acknowledgments

About the Author

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2017 by Annie Seaton. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

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Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Bliss is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC. For more information on our titles, visit http://www.entangledpublishing.com/category/bliss

Edited by Erin Molta

Cover design by Liz Pelletier

Cover art from iStock

ISBN 978-1-64063-133-5

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition June 2017

To my wonderful family.

There is nothing more important in life.

Prologue

Sebastian Richards put down his camera and pulled the buzzing phone from his pocket. You can take a break, kids. He forced a smile to his face as he gestured to the mother of the small children he was shooting for the department store catalogue. The little boy poked his tongue at Sebastian as he ran past, and he thanked his lucky stars for the call that had interrupted the photo shoot from hell. The little fiend’s sister aimed a kick at Seb’s ankles and stood there and stared at him.

God, I hate working with kids.

He was so preoccupied watching for the kicking feet of the child from hell, he didn’t look at the screen before he pressed answer. Seb Richards.

His blood ran cold as he listened to the voice on the other end.

The last person he would expect to call him. He turned away from the small girl, not caring if he got kicked to kingdom come. It would be preferable to talking to his grandmother.

Sebastian.

Hello, Gran.

I want you all to come home.

All who?

Don’t be smart, boy. You and your cousins.

Sorry, Gran. I’m at work. I’ll call you back. He disconnected before she could reply and shoved the phone back into his pocket.

Sorry, Mrs Armitage. That was…er, business. I have to go. Take your kids out for some lunch and we’ll meet back here at two o’clock.

He grabbed his camera and tripod and ran down the stairs. If he was quick he could get to the office on the next floor before the old bat called Lucy.

…

Across town, Jemima Smythe ignored her ringing phone as the stylist touched up the last of her makeup. She sat straight, the clinging blue silk of the formal dress whispering against her bare legs. The fashion parade was at the famous Sydney Opera House, and everyone was on their best behaviour. This was her chance to get to New York; she’d heard there was a talent scout from the Ford agency in the crowd today.

You’re next up, Jemima, Roger called. Next on the catwalk, and if she answered this call, she’d miss her cue and Roger, the volatile stage manager, would go berserk. Normally Jemima worked on being serene and presenting a calm exterior to the world. It was amazing how many favours—and indeed extra jobs—she’d picked up because of her reputation as an easy-to-get-on-with model, not a prima donna, no matter how hard the shoot or the day on the catwalk was.

The stylist put his makeup brush down. You’re right to go. Perfect as usual. And listen, the word is the guy from New York is in the front row. Kill ’em, babe.

Jemima glanced down at her phone and all serenity fled as a familiar number flashed onto the screen.

Oh, bloody hell, why is Gran calling?

Not now. She had to be calm. This was her chance to hit the big time.

…

The high-pitched chorus of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody shattered Liam Smythe’s sleep. He jerked awake and fumbled for his phone in the dark. He glanced at the green digital figures of his watch sitting on the bedside table as he lifted the phone to his ear.

What the—3:00 a.m.? And where was he? Another bloody hotel in what town? Liam had to think for a minute before he remembered he was in London. In his own bed in his apartment.

God, he hated calls that came in the middle of the night. Always bad news.

Liam Smythe. He cleared his throat, his voice gravelly from the one too many drinks he’d had when the news desk staff had wandered down to the West End after last night’s shift.

Is that my favourite grandson? A sweet voice chimed over the line, all the way from Down Under; all the way from the Pilliga Scrub in the Australian outback, to be precise.

Over ten thousand miles away from his safe and quiet apartment on the bank of the Thames river in London.

But Liam wasn’t fooled. That sweet little voice belonged to a woman with a backbone of steel. He sat up straighter and ran a hand through his hair, as if she could see him.

Hey, Gran. He leaned back against the bedhead and reached for a cigarette. Before he remembered he’d given them up last month. What’s new?

…

Lucy Bellamy rested the phone between her chin and shoulder, keeping both hands on the computer keyboard before she answered the incoming call beeping on her mobile. Her eyes were focused on the large screen as she put the final finishing touches on her project. She leaned forward, adding a bright red swirl to each corner of the graphic.

There. All done! she muttered quietly.

And the bloody best work she’d ever done, even if she did say so herself. Caleb was going to love it. Lucy smiled with satisfaction before she let go of the mouse and hit the answer button on the phone, looking up as heavy footsteps caught her attention.

No, Luce, don’t do it. Don’t pick up. Her head flew up as Seb—her colleague, cousin, and best friend in the whole world—ran into the small booth tucked into the back corner of the large open-plan office. The office building was sleek and ultramodern. Caleb Grech, their trendsetter boss, said it was important everyone have their own creative space. Yeah, sure, what it meant was he could watch everyone work from his office up in the loft above the large floor. And boy, was he a slave driver. But it worked for Lucy, and usually she didn’t mind the lack of privacy—or the close supervision. All he wanted was a fair day’s work from his staff. And he got it from her. Lucy loved her job and she loved living in the city, even though her current apartment was old and tacky.

When she hit the big time—and this current campaign was the one that was going to get her there—she would buy herself a luxury unit on Sydney Harbour and drink champagne on the balcony every night.

Sure, and pigs might fly.

But damn it, all she wanted to do was finish off the portfolio for this campaign, and all afternoon there had been interruptions, ringing phones, and now bothersome cousins bursting in full of instructions. She lifted her chin, tempted to poke her tongue out at bossy Seb as she answered the call.

Lucy Bellamy. Her tone was perky and bright, just as it should be for an up-and-coming graphic designer in one of the top agencies in the city.

Seb shook his head and put his hands over his face. With a groan, he slumped into the chair on the other side of her desk.

Chapter One

Lucy hung up the call and crossed her legs, clad in her favourite, red-polka-dotted tights. She pretended to ignore Sebastian, and he frowned as she flicked an imaginary speck of dust from her matching knee-length red leather boots.

You are the softest touch, Luce. I cannot believe you! And correct me if I’m wrong but you agreed with her? Bloody hell.

Oh, are you still here, Seb? She would play the cranky card. She’d seen his eye roll when she’d disconnected and had decided that ignoring him was the best strategy. Sweetness didn’t work in their family; they’d all learned that very early. And Seb could be a spoiled brat.

You know full well I’m here, Lucy. Don’t be a little smart-arse.

So not Luce anymore? I’m Lucy now, am I? She clicked the mouse and turned back to face him. All six foot six of her cousin, dressed in black, as usual. Okay, so what’s your problem this time, Sebastian Richards? You’re always trying to boss me around, and it’s way past time that you accept we’re equal employees here at the agency.

It’s nothing to do with work, as you well know. He gestured to the phone. "I heard you talking to her. I told you not to answer it."

Lucy leaned back and folded her arms, her voice rising. And since when do I listen to you?

Not when you should, that’s for bloody sure. Seb ran his hand through his long hair, and Lucy softened. He really was upset.

Did I really hear you agree to go out to the Pilliga Scrub and visit the old battleaxe? Seb dangled his large hands between his knees and didn’t look at her.

You did. And don’t call my grandmother an old battleaxe. Lucy injected primness into her voice.

"Our grandmother." He lifted his head, and his eyes were sad as he forced a smile.

And you can’t talk. You’re as hard as nails. Lucy pointed at her cousin and ignored his plastered-on smile. She’d seen any sympathy he’d had for her disappear the instant she’d agreed to go home to see Gran and Pop.

Of course I’ll come, Gran. I hate to think of you out there by yourself. A note of worry had crept into her voice. Pop is okay, isn’t he?

Y…e…es. He’s fine.

But?

Nothing.

Really?

Sebastian shook his head when Lucy told him Gran had been teary. The old battleaxe has you sucked in as usual.

Sebastian. Stop it. We’re all they’ve got left. Do I have to remind you of that?

No, of course you don’t, but the old cow will use us for whatever purpose she has in mind. And you fell for it, baby. Hook, line, and sinker.

Bugger off, Seb. There are times when I don’t like you very much.

But instead of leaving, her cousin stood and crossed to the window overlooking Sydney Harbour. Lucy followed his gaze out over the harbour; she’d been so busy all day she’d paid scant attention to the day outside. When she’d left her apartment this morning, the weather had been clear and bright and it had put her in a good mood for the work she’d had ahead of her. But she always carried an umbrella in this fickle coastal weather.

As she’d walked through the Rocks this morning, the doormen of the five-star hotels she passed doffed their hats and smiled at her. She knew them all by name, and most mornings when she got off the bus at the end of George Street she would linger to chat, and was often late to work, much to Caleb’s displeasure.

Morning, Miss Lucy.

Morning, Erwin, has that daughter of yours had her baby yet?

Morning, Lucy.

Hey, Reggie, how was the football game last night?

The friendly chats made Lucy feel as though she belonged in the city—this was her place in the world—and the walk always put a smile on her face before she arrived at the office.

Love those red polka dots. Erwin’s grin had been wider than usual this morning as he’d looked at her outfit. Lucy liked to make a statement with her dress. It made her feel as though she was a part of the vibrant city and that she belonged to the arty graphic design community at the top of town.

Thank you, Erwin. She’d smiled back at him and waved her frilly umbrella. My tights match my umbrella.

He’d chuckled as she twirled around, the frills on the edge of the red-spotted umbrella fluttering in the stiff breeze.

I noticed.

In her teens, Gran’s neighbour’s son—Garth Mackenzie—had teased her about the colourful, zany clothes Lucy had worn to school every day. It hadn’t taken long for her to realise he’d only teased her so he had an excuse to talk to her. She smiled: he’d never realised she’d chosen the crazy outfits so he would take notice of her. Last she’d heard, Garth had married a girl from the outback and moved to a cotton farm. He’d been her first love and the guy who had stolen her teenage heart. Lucy had pushed away the little feeling of sadness that had rippled through her.

As she’d walked along the harbour, she’d hummed one of the country and western songs she and Garth had sung together when they were a couple.

And I’m hazy, crazy in love with you, she’d mouthed the final words of the song as heavy clouds had scudded across the sky over the harbour, matching the blue mood that had suddenly descended on her. The threatening rain—she could smell it in the strong southerly wind snapping the colourful banners on the Museum of Contemporary Art across the square—was very different to the dry and dusty outback.

Lucy! Sebastian’s voice broke into her daydreaming. Just because her own kids are gone doesn’t give her rights to the next generation. You know what a controlling witch she is. She wants something from us and you know it. That’s why I wouldn’t talk to her when she rang. I tried to warn you. He stared at her, his dark brown eyes narrowed in a frown. "Come on, Lucy. Think about it. The farm! The sticky flies that crawl into your nose and into your mouth, the smelly cattle, the cat’s head prickles, and that red dust

Reviews for Her Outback Cowboy

[cathygeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Her Outback Cowboy by Annie SeatonPrickle Creek #1Four phone calls are made to cousins requesting they return to Prickle Creek. Two men and two women who have found their way into the world and have successful jobs are called back to see their grandfather in hospital. The four are faced with a huge decision presented by their grandmother and my guess is that there will be four books in this series that will star Lucy Bellamy (first), Sebastian “Seb” Richardson, Jemima Smythe and her brother Liam. All have fond memories of time spent with their families on their grandparents’ ranch. All lost their mothers at the same time. All have ties to their ancestral land. But, are those ties strong enough to draw them from their jobs and lives and take on the responsibilities of country life on a large tract of land? That is the first question. But, as that question is dealt with in the series the next question I Lucy’s and it deals with the fact that she believes she is a city girl unable to live happily in the country. She might go back for a short period of time to help out but to live there and not in the city? Not likely. Even meeting up with her old flame Garth MacKenzie might not be enough to lure her back to her roots. It takes some time and angst and pain for the two to work things out but eventually they do get their HEA AND I am eager to find out which one of the three remaining cousins will have their story told next. It was a thrill to have my wish granted by Entangled Press LLC! I hoped when requesting this book on NetGalley that I would have my wish granted so was stoked to find out that I did indeed have the opportunity to read and review this first book in what will be a great series. Why did I want to read and review this book? Because I have read a few other books by this author, enjoyed them and wanted another crack at a book she has written…especially since they are not in local bookstores. 4 Stars