Teaching the Cowboy

By J.P. Bowie

A rough rider with a dark past, looking for a fresh start in life, meets a high school teacher with a different kind of lesson in mind.

Jordan Hendricks, trying to put the past behind him, is hired at the Seven Plus, a dude ranch that caters mainly to gay men and women. On his second day there, Jordan meets Blake Cameron, a high school teacher from San Francisco, and attraction sizzles between them. Unfortunately, Seven Plus rules prohibit sexual fraternization between trainers and guests, a rule that Parker Jones, one of the ranch's owners, tells Jordan is set in stone'.

Nevertheless, the two men bond, and on Blake's last night at the ranch, he coaxes Jordan into a goodbye kiss and a promise to meet again outside the ranch where they can explore the possibilities of a relationship.

But Jordan's past, in the form of Grant Svenson, the man who controlled his life for more than three years and who attacked him in a drunken rage and destroyed Jordan's rodeo career, comes back to haunt him. Unless Jordan can stop Grant from wreaking havoc a second time, the chance of a future with Blake will never be realized.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jan 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781913186609

J.P. Bowie

J.P. Bowie: I was born and raised in Scotland. Moved to London and worked in several West End shows before immigrating to the United States. First port of call was Las Vegas where I worked backstage with the Siegfried and Roy Show at the Mirage Hotel as Head of Wardrobe for the legendary stars. Another move more recently took me and my husband Phil to San Diego where we intend to stay! Love sunny San Diego.

Book preview

Pride Publishing books by J.P. Bowie

Single Books

The Set Up

Ride ‘em Cowboy

Ride ‘em Again Cowboy

Personal Trainers

Halloween Angel

The Officer and the Gentleman

With a Little Help from My Friends

Blood Relations

Nowhere to Hide

Trip of a Lifetime

A Ghost Story

Happy Ending

A Highlander in LA

Journey to Hope

Paris Connection

All I’ll Ever Need

Every Breath I Take

Highland Hearts

Evan Sent

Fear and Loving in Las Vegas

Breaking the Habit

Fear of Flying

Love on the Rocks

Murder by Design

My Vampire and I

My Vampire and I

My Vampire Lover

Duet in Blood

Blood Resurrection

Bound in Blood

Blood Lure

Blood Lust

Blood Talisman

Blood Vigilance

The Journeyer

The Journey Begins

The New World

The Fight for Freedom

Into the West

Hot in the Saddle

Vetting the Cowboy

Anthologies

Fabulous Brits: Under the Law

Naughty Nooners: Lunches in Laguna

Friction: Cruising

Saddle Up ‘N’ Ride: Ride ‘em Hard Cowboy

Promoted by the Billionaire: Fly to Him

Heatwave: Summer Bliss

Collections

Christmas Spirits: A Present Christmas

Homecoming: Blueprint for Love

Yule Be Mine: A Special Christmas

Immortal Love: Night Wing

Hot in the Saddle

TEACHING

THE COWBOY

J.P. BOWIE

Teaching the Cowboy

ISBN # 978-1-913186-60-9

©Copyright J.P. Bowie 2020

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright January 2020

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book two in the

Hot in the Saddle series

A rough rider with a dark past, looking for a fresh start in life, meets a high school teacher with a different kind of lesson in mind.

Jordan Hendricks, trying to put the past behind him, is hired at the Seven Plus, a dude ranch that caters mainly to gay men and women. On his second day there, Jordan meets Blake Cameron, a high school teacher from San Francisco, and attraction sizzles between them. Unfortunately, Seven Plus rules prohibit sexual fraternization between trainers and guests, a rule that Parker Jones, one of the ranch’s owners, tells Jordan is ‘set in stone’.

Nevertheless, the two men bond, and on Blake’s last night at the ranch, he coaxes Jordan into a goodbye kiss and a promise to meet again outside the ranch where they can explore the possibilities of a relationship.

But Jordan’s past, in the form of Grant Svenson, the man who controlled his life for more than three years and who attacked him in a drunken rage and destroyed Jordan’s rodeo career, comes back to haunt him. Unless Jordan can stop Grant from wreaking havoc a second time, the chance of a future with Blake will never be realized.

Dedication

I hope you enjoy Teaching the Cowboy, the second in my new series Hot in the Saddle. My thanks to Claire, my publisher, my oh so terrific editor, Rebecca, and to the Pride Publishing family who so generously give their support and encouragement. My thanks also to my hubby, who after twenty-five years together is still hot!

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Addams Family: Charles Addams

Airbnb: Airbnb, Inc

Another Time, Another Place: Bob McDill, Paul Harrison

Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

Gunga Din: Joseph Rudyard Kipling

Jeep Wrangler: FCA US LLC

Jeopardy!: Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

Looney Tunes: Warner Bros. Animation, Inc.

Miller Lite: MillerCoors LLC

Retribution: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Speedos: Speedo International Limited

Stetson: John B. Stetson Company.

Uber: Uber Technologies, Inc.

Valium: F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

Chapter One

Parker Jones watched the black Jeep Wrangler drive through the entrance to the Seven Plus Ranch. He was expecting the driver, a guy recommended by Jed Miller, Parker’s friend and foreman over at the neighboring Double R Ranch.

‘You’ll like Jordan,’ his friend had told him once Parker had set up the appointment. ‘He’s younger but he’s a born horseman. Just what you need, right?’

Parker had agreed. He’d been lucky so far with his hires, and he appreciated that the success of his and Royce’s dude ranch was due in part to the affable and attractive bunch of cowboys who added some spice to the riding and roping lessons his customers came from far and near for. And ‘far and near’ wasn’t an exaggeration. Thanks to his husband Royce Chandler’s imaginative advertising, they’d recently had guys showing up from France and the UK, and last week a couple from Iceland.

Parker walked over to the Jeep pulling to a stop in the guest parking lot. Morning, he greeted the driver. Jordan Hendricks?

That’s me. Jordan unfolded his long legs out of the vehicle and extended a hand to Parker. You must be Parker Jones.

Guilty as charged, Parker said, taking in Jordan’s height and physical attributes. The man was tall and built, with wide shoulders and narrow hips. He had a pleasant face, emphasized by the ready smile he now displayed. His dark blue eyes searched Parker’s for a second or two before he looked around at the ranch’s well-maintained grounds and buildings.

Nice place, he murmured almost to himself.

Come on inside and we can talk some. Parker touched Jordan’s arm then led him toward the rustic timbered ranch house. Like some coffee? I just brewed it fresh.

Thanks, I’d like a cup. He followed Parker into the kitchen and took the mug of coffee Parker handed him.

Anything in it? Parker asked.

Nope, black’s good. You have a nice home.

This is all Royce’s doing. He designed it, helped with the construction and conned friends into helping him with the painting and tiling. Parker followed Jordan’s gaze as he studied the Western prints on the living room walls.

He do these too? Jordan walked over to get a closer look at one depicting a bronco and rider.

From photographs he took at the rodeo. He had them blown up then they go through some kinda process he knows all about, and you get that vintage look.

That rider looks like Jed.

It is. Three or four years back. Last time he competed. Parker chuckled. He said he was getting too old, but Royce says Charles nagged him into retiring from competition. Said he was tired of having to sit with his eyes closed and fingers crossed every time Jed got on a bronco.

That I believe. Jordan grinned. Charles is a force to be reckoned with, despite the fact he’s got to be half a foot shorter than Jed. He traced the walls with an interested gaze. Is there one of you? Reckon there’d have to be.

Oh yeah. In the dining room. C’mon, I’ll show you. There were two prints. One of Parker astride a bucking horse liked he owned it, the second of him being thrown backward off the bronco. Son of a gun just had to have that one done, Parker said wryly.

Jordan grinned. The look on your face is priceless.

Yeah, well I don’t have to tell you what it feels like when you know your ass is gonna hit the ground hard. He joined in Jordan’s deep chuckle. So, you’ve given up the circuit?

Yep. After breaking a leg in two places, thigh and calf. The doctors said I’d have to be real careful in future so I figured I needed to do something else. Can’t afford the hospital bills, for one thing. Jed says you run a good business here and if you’d have me, I’d be happy to work for you.

Parker nodded, liking Jordan’s straightforward approach. Let me show you the stables and you can say hello to a couple of the men there. How are you dealing with people? Mostly gay guys, a few women and the occasional straight couple.

Jordan shrugged. I haven’t had to deal too much with the public. Some groupies at times, but I don’t encourage it.

Well, you’ll get a pretty diverse crowd here. Like I said, most of our guests are gay, some of the hands, too.

No problem there. I’m bi. Though, to be honest, I prefer guys, but I don’t fool around where I work, so your boys are safe with me.

Parker laughed and clapped Jordan on the shoulder. He figured one or two of the ‘boys’ might be disappointed to hear that, but he kept that thought to himself. They walked outside toward the stable. Jed said you were in Fresno last he heard.

Yeah, lived there a few years, but it was time to get out.

There’s a story there, Parker thought, but it had never been his habit to pry—something Royce had kidded him about over the years. ‘How can we get juicy gossip if you don’t ask the right questions?’ he’d complain. Corral and pasture are down yonder, Parker said, pointing. The riding trails start here in the ranch and wind around through the Double R. Jed and Aaron are okay with it, long’s nobody does anything foolish. Of course, Aaron bein’ Royce’s dad gives us more leeway than most.

They had reached the stable and Parker introduced Jordan to the two men working in the stalls. Jordan, this is Bob Jennings, one of our original team, and Gerardo Gonzalez. Jordan shook hands with the older man and the shy Mexican boy.

You a new hire? Bob asked, peering up at Jordan. We could sure use you right now.

Well, I’m hoping to be, Jordan told him. That’s up to Mr. Jones, of course.

Parker. We don’t stand on formality here, Jordan. C’mon, we’ll take a look at the horses in the corral.

Jordan had the feeling that Parker would hire him, but he didn’t want to count his chickens too soon. Life had been a bitch recently, and he wasn’t about to take anything for granted. Parker was a nice guy, or so it seemed, but for sure he’d want to see Jordan ride and interact not only with the horses but with the other men, too. One of those men was leading a horse around the corral. A tall, young blond guy who smiled and waved as they approached. Cute. I might not touch, but nothin’ wrong with looking…

Hey, Boss, just checking out Misty’s gait. She was limping earlier, but I can’t see anything wrong with any of her hooves.

Could be a strained tendon, Jordan said quietly, to Parker.

Let’s take a look. Parker gestured that they should enter the corral. Seth, this is Jordan Hendricks, come to check us out, see if he’d like to work on our ranch.

Jordan chuckled at Parker’s words and held out his hand to Seth. Good to meet you.

Likewise. Seth gazed at him as if he was trying to remember where they’d met before. "Oh, I got it. Jordan Hendricks…I’ve seen your name in Rodeo Rider magazine. You were on the circuit for a time."

I was. I quit it earlier this year, so I’m lookin’ for a job, preferably with horses.

Well, you’ve come to the right place, Seth said, if you’re up for teaching a bunch of wannabe cowboys how to ride a horse, and rope a steer…a very small steer.

Jordan liked Seth’s easy-going nature and smile. I’m always up for a challenge. He glanced down at Parker who was on his knees, running his hands up and down the horse’s legs from hoof to elbow.

Can’t feel anything wrong. Take her round again, Seth. Jordan and me’ll take a looksee.

Jordan had a hard time keeping his eyes on Misty’s gait. Seth’s muscular ass encased in his well-worn, light blue jeans was way too much of a distraction. He grimaced. He’d been celibate for so long he reckoned he’d have forgotten how to do it should the occasion ever arise. Or was it like riding a bike, except more fun?

Yeah, Parker was saying and dragged Jordan’s attention back to the matter in hand. Her gait is definitely off. You better call Mike, Seth. No point in messing about trying to guess what’s wrong. Call in the expert.

Mike? Jordan asked.

"Our veterinarian…and Seth’s husband. Came to us a year ago, not knowing a whole lot about horses. Now,