The Cowboy's Christmas Bride

By Laurie LeClair

Rising country music star Cassidy James McCall is living her own version of a bad country song. After undergoing vocal chord surgery, her future is uncertain. To escape the constant presence of tabloid reporters, she accepts an invitation to celebrate Christmas with her McCall cousins. But her idea of a quiet and peaceful holiday comes to a screeching halt the moment she crashes into her former boyfriend, the tough yet noble cowboy that she's never gotten over.

Widowed, single father and ex-rodeo bull rider, Ryder Hadley, longs to raise his precious little girl in his safe, secure small hometown of Honor, Texas while bringing his ranch back to life. It’s a simple wish that goes haywire when the mega country sensation and the woman who stole his heart years ago gallops back in to town, igniting a firestorm of emotions in her wake.

As Ryder tries to protect his heart from falling once again under Cassidy's spell, he soon learns he's not the only one who can't resist her–his daughter wants Cassidy as a bride for her daddy. With the help of some Christmas magic, will Ryder and Cassidy get the second chance that they've always wanted?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tule Publishing
• Release date: Oct 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781947636347

Laurie LeClair

Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes about love, laughter, and happily ever after in her contemporary western romances, romantic comedies, sweet romances, contemporary romances, and contemporary women’s fiction books. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim, who thankfully appreciates her sense of fun and love of travel. (Not so much the endless picture taking while hanging out the passenger window!) She loves to hear from readers!You can connect with me online:www.laurieleclair.comhttps://twitter.com/LeClairbookshttps://facebook.com/laurieleclair.75Books by Laurie LeClair:Once Upon A Romance Series (Romantic Comedy; Fairy tale retelling)If The Shoe Fits – Book 1Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2Taming McGruff – Book 3The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5Tangled At First Sight – Book 6Finding Mr. Just Right – Book 7Making A Splash – Book 8Hoodwinked By A Wolfe – Book 9Baking From The Hart – Book 10Melting Her Heart - Book 11Princess In Hiding - Book 12Her Frog Prince - Book 13Forget Me Not - Book 14Three Wishes - Book 15Her Brave Heart - Book 16His Tiny Dancer - Book 17***A Very Charming Wedding Series (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)The Bachelor And The Bride – Book 1The Boss And The Bride – Book 2The Bodyguard And The Bride – Book 3***Once Upon A Royal Wedding Series boxed set (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)His Beloved Princess - Book 1Her Forever Prince - Book 2***The Cormac Family: Billionaire Sweet Romance (clean and wholesome, sweet romance)CEO Billionaire - Book 1Boss Billionaire - Book 2Best Friend Billionaire - Book 3Bride Billionaire - Book 4Bachelor Billionaire - Book 5***The McCall Brothers Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Cowboy’s Rebellious Bride - Book 1The Cowboy’s Renegade Bride - Book 2The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride - Book 3The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride - Book 4***Cupid’s Corner Series (romantic comedy, clean and wholesome, sweet romance)Dear Cupid - Book 1Picture Perfect Bride - Book 2Falling For Her - Book 3***Wanted: Fairy Godmother (Romantic Comedy)***The Sweet Spot Series (Romantic Comedy)The Dating Dilemma – Book 1***Tempted By A Texan Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Callahans – PrequelTravis – Book 1Cassie – Book 2***The Heart Series (Contemporary Romance)Secrets Of The Heart – Book 1Crimes Of The Heart – Book 2Lies Of The Heart – Book 3***The Bounty Hunter Series (Romantic Suspense)Murphy’s Law – Book 1Riley’s Rules – Book 2***The Long Journey Home (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Runaway Wife (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Sweet Summertime (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***An Angel Mountain Novel (Holiday Romance; Contemporary Romance)The Heart RemembersThe Gift Of HopeIf you enjoy my books, please leave a review.

Book preview

Author

Chapter One

Crash!

The forceful impact of her vintage truck slamming into the other vehicle thrust Cassidy James McCall forward—her forehead thwacking against the steering wheel—and then back. The ancient seat belt barely restrained her as it dug into her from shoulder to hip. Metal crunched and reverberated. Glass shattered.

Welcome back to Honor, Texas, y’all. At least she hadn’t lost her sense of humor along with nearly everything worth a darn she’d possessed. So much for my peaceful and quiet stay.

Horns honked. Townspeople outside yelled.

For a moment, shock and adrenaline shot through Cassidy’s veins, saddling up beside the crushing betrayal and mind-numbing turnaround her life had taken recently.

Bandit? Her scratchy voice—still unrecognizable two months after her vocal cord surgery—rose an octave. Not a good thing to do.

Her sweet basset hound poked his head up from where he sat on the floorboard. His pitiful brown eyes tugged at her heartstrings. It was as if he said, Another mess you’ve gotten us into.

Reaching out, she patted his head. I know, boy. My life is a bad country song.

Lied to, my manager doing me wrong, most all bank accounts wiped out, my record label threatening to drop me and then maybe never getting my voice—singing or otherwise—back.

Worst of all, losing my sweet momma seven months ago to lung cancer.

What else could go wrong?

The clatter of boots hitting metal and the jostling of her truck jerked her gaze to one determined cowboy climbing on and then over the adjoined twisted metal and smashed vehicles.

You hurt? The man jumped down and rushed to her. Standing on the other side of her half rolled down window, he rapped on the glass. Were you even looking where you were going?

In the distance, she heard the sirens pierce the crisp, cool air.

Lightheaded, Cassidy turned to look straight at him, frowning against the late November afternoon sun, streaming in around the man’s frame. She focused on the face that blasted her back in time.

He stood there.

Her mouth grew parched, like she’d swallowed a bucket full of sawdust.

Ry-der. It wasn’t a question.

No, the tall, lean cowboy looked as stunned as she felt. Maybe even more so; at least she had an idea she might run into him weeks from now at Christmastime. After all, this was where he’d grown up.

His eyes—a haunting green—caught hers and widened in recognition. Her heart thudded. Under his tan cowboy hat, his sandy blond hair curled slightly at the ends.

Can’t breathe when he looks at me like that. Or at all.

His jaw—scruffy with a five o’clock shadow—clenched like it always did when he got ticked off. Cass, you could have killed the both of us. And you’re supposed to be hiding out in some exotic location while you recuperate.

Two things rushed through her mind.

First, Ryder Hadley aged like a fine wine—emphasis on the fine. Gone were the boyish good looks and in its place was stunning rugged appeal as if seasoned and honed like a masterpiece sculpture—perfect lines and angles.

Second, he’d followed her rising country music career, otherwise he wouldn’t have known about the planted stories her team of pricey lawyers fed the tabloids to get them off her track for the next four weeks over the holidays as she hid out in her cousins’ small hometown.

Honor’s not exotic enough? Hmm… must have a word with my travel agent. Yeah, like I can afford one of those!

Something warm trickled down her hairline. Cassidy lifted her hand.

You’re bleeding. He tugged out a handkerchief from his back pocket and pressed it to her head.

She hissed at the sting.

Hold this while I get you out of there. Any other injuries?

The sirens grew louder. Tires skidded to a halt. Doors popped open and then slammed shut. Men in orange with yellow striped safety vests arrived, dragging out equipment.

Bandit woofed and then hobbled up to the seat, half-jumping half-dragging himself to plop across her lap. More worn out than protective at this point.

My guard dog. Yep, about the only one I can trust lately.

Ryder yanked at her door. It stuck. He tried again and succeeded.

Cassidy shoved back when he drew near. It was purely a defense mechanism. After all, it wasn’t every day she gazed into the intense, captivating stare of her former boyfriend.

Sweet agonizing torture, slay me now!

Her heart rate leapt at the heat blasting off his solid shoulders and wide chest now intimately close as his fresh, outdoorsy scent assailed her senses and he patted Bandit’s head. Easy, fella. No one’s going to hurt her, understand? Ryder searched her face.

And Cassidy’s heartstrings plucked at the flash of tenderness in his gaze. It disappeared just as quickly. A tiny ache sparked and she sucked in another shaky breath.

I… can move. She gasped for air in the suddenly cramped cab. Dang it! Could she ever be normal around him?

Within moments, she slid out with his assistance and her booted feet hit the ground hard. She wobbled and Ryder—his long fingers curling around her upper arms—righted her. Heat from his hands warmed her.

Whoa, girl. I got you.

His gentle voice washed over her and she swore the feeling left her legs. Was that from the accident? Or from being near him again?

She tumbled back in time. He’d said that to her when she missed a beat or cue while rehearsing for a show as he stood offstage watching. He’d been on the rodeo circuit riding bulls. She’d crisscrossed the country at county fairs and honky-tonks, colliding into him in offbeat places and reminiscing about Honor, Texas and both of them having family still there.

They’d hung out—knowing mutual friends and people on the circuit—at the different stops.

Ryder’s quiet, laidback ways were a sweet, welcome reprieve from the brash, cocky riders who were full of themselves. Ask any girl around. He’d made quite the impression. Especially on me.

Within seconds, she, along with Bandit, sat on the back of the ambulance while some volunteer firefighter slash EMT slash rancher patched up her head and then pressed the ice pack to the lump forming.

Laceration. No stitches needed, honey.

’Preciate it.

A few yards away, Ryder stayed with the deputy—scribbling with a pen on a small hand held pad—giving his statement. The tow guy from the Rust Bucket screeched to a halt in his rig. In seconds, the three men inspected the crinkled metal. The way Ryder yanked off his cowboy hat and slapped it against his leg spoke volumes. It wasn’t good news.

Cassidy? Sheriff Caleb McCall’s voice reached her as he parted the highly interested bystanders. Give her some air, folks.

Well, hey, cuz. Don’t I get a hug or anything? She grinned as he pushed back his hat and she noted the relief crossing his usually stern features.

He leaned down and gave her a swift embrace, patting her on the back. You causing trouble already?

How else am I going to get the good sheriff of Honor to come greet me? Her gravelly voice sounded strange even after trying it out the last few weeks after her month long mandatory vocal rest. For once, Caleb didn’t point out the obvious—she wasn’t the same after her ordeal—vocally and other ways.

All you have to do is ask. I could give you a police escort all the way to the McCall ranch, if that’s what you want.

Might give Gramps another heart attack and we wouldn’t want that. First panic and then fear gripped her when she’d gotten that call a few months back. Thankfully, Gramps received the best medical treatment and surgery. She wouldn’t know what to do if anything happened to her oldest and dearest cousin—once or twice or even three times removed.

The tenderhearted man still grieved for his darling late wife, Winnie.

So, mind telling me what happened? Caleb scratched his chin.

About how my life went off the rails? Trying to live my daddy’s dreams of being a country star because he wasn’t here any longer to do it? She couldn’t lose this for them. A thick lump formed in her throat and she blinked back a sting of tears.

My bad. Turned the wheel one way and I kept looking back the other—at the Dive-In Diner, wondering if they still had the best pies in these parts—when I hit him. Breathe, girl, Ryder’s looking.

They do. Ryder sauntered up, joining the conversation. Sheriff. The men shook hands.

She says it’s her fault. That so?

Seems to be. Ryder shrugged and winced. I could have hit the brakes hard to avoid her if I hadn’t been rushing to get where I was going.

We’ll leave that up to the insurance companies.

For now, my truck’s being taken in. Busted axle. May have to total it. Grim words added to his dark expression.

Cassidy swallowed hard when he glanced her way, sizing up her condition. Lucky I’m sitting down for that intense green-eyed stare. Yeah, the one that still makes me moan deep inside.

Caleb whistled low. That bad? He shook his head. Sometimes the worse ones can be driven away and others, not so bad, total it. For your sake, I hope it’s just a repair bill.

Which I’ll pay for. Cassidy had been in the wrong and wanted to settle up.

She’d had enough of people giving her flak lately—like the tabloids—for things she wasn’t even responsible for. At least she could fess up when it was her fault. She’d scrape deep in her last stash of money to right this one.

What she needed was her voice coming back steady and strong, sooner rather than later. How else could she finally get that number one spot on the charts and crack the brick wall holding back her music career?

In the meantime, how in the world could she agree to a charity event, private parties, or more if she couldn’t even be certain she’d be able to sing again? But people didn’t see it that way. Their obligations were pushed off on her and everyone argued with everyone else.

She’d had it with all of them, especially that ex—emphasis on the ex—manager. Big mistake hiring him right after momma died. Now I’m paying dearly for it.

If you’re fit, you can give me a lift since yours is only dented. Ryder’s gaze took her in, lazily sliding over her.

Cassidy’s cheeks warmed. Fit as a fiddle. She shrugged, but her neck ached. Putting her hand to her throat, she swallowed hard, testing the movement.

Habit.

Ever since her voice hadn’t held up months back, rushed to the specialist, and then the ensuing vocal nodule surgery, she’d done that. Just checking. As if that would matter since nothing was wrong on the outside and some pretty important things were healing on the inside.

Or maybe I should be the one driving. Ryder held up the keys to her truck and jingled them. I just need to transfer some things from mine to the back of yours and make a pit stop at the church.

We’ll get statements, check paperwork, and if the guys medically clear you, Cassidy, you can head out. Caleb nodded to his deputy, scooting along the growing crowd. I’ll be right back. Ryder, stay with her.

Bandit nudged her leg with his snout. You okay, boy? Cassidy leaned down and rubbed one of his long ears. A pain shot through her head. Owie!

Her dog turned to lick her hand. He forgave her.

You haven’t changed. Ryder tried to chuckle. It came out raw and strained. He captured her stare.

Spots of heat burned high on her cheeks. And there you go again, not able to swallow a lick of spit!

Rescue?

Is there anything else? She ducked her head. He hadn’t forgotten her soft, tender spot for strays. Like me. No place to call home.

Cassidy’s rules of life book.

A smile tugged at the corner of her lip. A tiny thrill rushed through her. He remembered her silly rules. You say that as if it’s a bad thing.

Can’t recall if leave no animal behind was number one or if hightail it out of sight for six years after your boyfriend asks you to marry him shot to the top of that chart.

A beat of silence drummed between Ryder and her.

Her lungs stopped working. Her heart wrung, aching.

She’d done it for both their sakes. Only, he never understood that then, maybe he never would…

Chapter Two

Ryder Hadley’s day just got a whole lot worse. Never mind he was running especially late this fine afternoon, but his one and only truck was smashed—that never going to be right again kind of broke—and his onetime girl, Cassidy James McCall, drove into town and straight into him.

Wreck. Yeah, that was what she made him feel when she cast her beautiful blue-gray eyes his way.

He could still read her like a book. Her eyes changed shades right along with her moods. The darker the flecks of gray—the expanding ones—meant shock and then anger rushed through her.

But, oh, the times the blue took over like when he’d drawn close to her after the accident, slammed his heart smack into his ribcage. That look still rocked his world. And he hated it.

Her perfume—not even a scent really—fresh and pure and all her—assailed his senses and dragged him back in time.

Innocence. Joy.

They were young—she was twenty and he twenty-three—and full of hope then.

Full of dreams a mile high.

And her music had come between them…

She’d caused enough damage in her wake ages ago. He wasn’t about to let her do it again.

Ryder had a different life now. One he desperately needed to protect… at all costs.

*

The serene interior of the quaint little church—awash in streams of sunlight through stained glass—settled deep inside Cassidy. For the first time in months—maybe even years—she let out a pent-up breath. The sigh bounced off the beams and settled to a reverent hush.

Calm. Quiet.

The complete opposite of what her life had been like for her since seriously pursuing her music career.

Chaos had reined. The feeling like being on the back of a bucking bronc out of control right out of the chute came fast and hard. She’d done everything and more that was asked of her, playing little arenas and traveling all night

Reviews for The Cowboy's Christmas Bride

[samantha100_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Cowboy's Christmas Bride is the heartwarming story about second chances, the strength of family and knowing what really matters. The characters are believable and likeable. Their past plays an important part in the narrative in that it helps provide a way to a hopeful future. I found this to be an engaging story. Highly recommended.I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[sandralb-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My review will not include a description or plot of the book. I believe it has already been done by the publisher. I have enjoyed the forth book in this Cowboy series by Laurie LeClair. She writes other genres but I believe the Western or Cowboy ones are my favorite. This is a great story of second chances for love and romance. We often return home to something familiar when we have lost our way. That is what Cousin Cassidy does returning home to Gramps and family. I enjoy series because I always want to learn more about the previous characters from the other books in the series. Laurie did not disappoint. All of the brothers (Cassidy's Cousins) make an appearance in this novel. I found this Christmas story to be a fast but exciting read.

[schmapp_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was a heartwarming Christmas story about love. If followed two people that thought they had lost love. I love the how the whole Christmas theme played during the book.

[lillian9maddocks9389 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Can love be that simple? Cassidy had no choice but to come back home to rest and hopefully get her voice back again. She just never expected to run into her ex Ryder so soon. Cassidy broke his heart when she left him to live her dream and seeing her brings it all back. But he has more important things to worry about. He needs to finish building his house and keep on trying to be a better Dad to his daughter Molly. Cassidy is shocked to find out that he has a daughter and who he married but then she realizes that she left him and gave him no real reason why?Molly wants a new Mom and her hero is Cassidy so she works her magic and hopes that everything works out. But can Cassidy & Ryder move forward from the past and get a second chance together?A good read I received a copy in exchange for my honest review via Tule.