Cedarwood Cowboy

By Megan Slayer

FROM POPULAR AUTHOR OF LGBTQI ROMANCE, MEGAN SLAYER

Book twelve in the Cedarwood Pride series

Two men, one crush and a circumstance they can't ignore.

Evan Conley left Cedarwood with dreams of fame and fortune. Twenty-five years and one hit song later, he's now Evan James. He sings songs and electrifies crowds, but he's got to come home. His grandmother is dying. To make matters worse, the man handling his grandmother's estate is none other than his high school crush, Mick Ryan.

Mick Ryan wasn't thrilled to see Evan James return to Cedarwood. He never got over his crush on Evan and isn't sure being thrown together will do them any good. But Evan isn't the man he seems and Mick's desire hasn't extinguished with time. Can these two men, seemingly opposites, find their mutual attraction is more than enough to make their love grow?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Oct 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781839430756

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Author

Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer

Single Books

Constant

Permanent

Vaulting

Drive my Car

We Belong Together

Finding Michael

Must Love Dogs

The One I Want

You and Me Again

The Real Me

My Other Half

Cedarwood Pride

Home to Cedarwood

Ripples in Cedarwood

Scoring in Cedarwood

Rainbows over Cedarwood

Rocking Cedarwood

Cedarwood Manny

Together in Cedarwood

Doc Cedarwood

Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Silver Fox in Cedarwood

Anthologies

Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

Out of Bounds: Making the Play

Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

Rules of Summer: Summer Stock

Collections

What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

Cedarwood Pride

CEDARWOOD COWBOY

MEGAN SLAYER

Cedarwood Cowboy

ISBN # 978-1-83943-075-6

©Copyright Megan Slayer 2020

Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright October 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 eleven in the

Cedarwood Pride series

Two men, one crush and a circumstance they can’t ignore.

Evan Conley left Cedarwood with dreams of fame and fortune. Twenty-five years and one hit song later, he’s now Evan James. He sings songs and electrifies crowds, but he’s got to come home. His grandmother is dying. To make matters worse, the man handling his grandmother’s estate is none other than his high school crush, Mick Ryan.

Mick Ryan wasn’t thrilled to see Evan James return to Cedarwood. He never got over his crush on Evan and isn’t sure being thrown together will do them any good. But Evan isn’t the man he seems and Mick’s desire hasn’t extinguished with time. Can these two men, seemingly opposites, find their mutual attraction is more than enough to make their love grow?

Dedication

For all those chasing your dreams. Never stop.

For RB, because you wanted a cowboy.

For JPZ

Chapter One

Mick, you’re the one I trust. If anyone can get Evan to come home, it’s you. Martha Conley held his hand. I know it.

Mick Ryan nodded to his client. He loved Martha Conley like a grandmother and he’d do his best to take care of her estate, but calling her grandson? How could she be sure he’d get through? The last he’d been told, Evan Conley—better known as Evan James—was famous. He might not take Mick’s call. Everyone in Cedarwood knew Evan James. He was the singing cowboy and he was currently on tour.

I don’t have much time left. Martha smiled, albeit weakly. I’m sorry.

Have you tried calling him? There’s a good chance he won’t answer my call. Mick was good with facts and figures, but not people. I tend to push guys away with my attention to my job. He might not talk to me.

But you can get through to his people and tell them, she said.

Won’t he…if he’s worth his salt, he’d be checking with you, Mick said. He wasn’t wild about Evan. He didn’t fault the man for chasing his dreams, but he could be less hard to find.

He works hard and keeps getting close to breaking through. Martha closed her eyes and sighed. But I won’t lie. I want you to call him because I want him to settle down and I want you to date him.

Martha. He wasn’t sure he liked her plan now that he knew the truth. He wasn’t a pawn and nor was he a fan of Evan. What if Evan wasn’t even gay?

What? You can’t blame a lady for trying. She opened her eyes. Just do it.

Fine. I’ll be back. He shook his head and left the hospital room. The cancer was taking its toll on Martha. She’d grown paler with each passing day. Her cheeks weren’t full and her eyes didn’t shine any longer. She appeared tired. She’d opted for pain medication only and to be comfortable. He could swear she kept hanging on to give Evan time to come home.

Mick strolled into the hallway and dialed the number he’d been given for Evan. He doubted the singer would answer. He hadn’t the three previous times.

The ringing stopped. Hello?

Mick froze. Someone had answered. Holy shit. He needed to regain his composure. Hi. May I speak to Evan Conley?

Who is this?

My name is Mick Ryan and I’m calling on behalf of Evan’s grandmother, Martha Conley, Mick said. I would like to speak to Evan.

Grandma?

Yes. If that was what they wanted to call her, Mick would go along with it. May I speak to Evan? It’s vitally important. He’d gotten through. He couldn’t let this opportunity vanish without telling Evan the grim truth. She’s been diagnosed with cancer and wants him to come home. I’m afraid she doesn’t have much time left.

My grandmother?

Evan? Really? He’d expected to be speaking with a manager.

Yeah, Evan said. It’s… I thought she’d last forever.

I’d hoped she would, too. She and my grandmother, Ethel Brinks, were good friends. Martha was devastated when my Memaw passed, Mick said. Look, Martha wants to see you. If you’re considering coming home, make it snappy.

I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon, Evan said. I’m booking a flight right now.

Do you need to be picked up? I can collect you from the airport. He wanted to get Evan to his grandmother as soon as possible.

I’ll text you the info. Thank you. Evan’s voice caught. Why didn’t she call?

She’s too weak to call and she said she’s tried. I tried, too, Mick said. I’m sorry.

Me, too.

I’ll see you tomorrow. Text me and I’ll be there to get you.

Thanks.

You’re welcome. He listened to the silence on the other end of the line as Evan hung up. What an odd guy. He didn’t understand the relationship between Evan and Martha, but the way they conducted themselves wasn’t his business. He stepped back into her room. Martha?

Mick. She’d closed her eyes.

He’s coming. He’ll be here tomorrow. Mick resumed his spot on the plastic chair. I’ll collect him when he flies in.

Good. She sighed. Now we can all get some rest.

Yes. He stayed in the room until the nurse returned. He needed to get some sleep and recharge for tomorrow. If he had to drive into Cleveland, then he should be rested up. God, he hated traffic.

His phone pinged with a new text. He checked the screen. Evan had indeed texted him with his flight number, arrival time and gate number. Well, color me shocked. Part of Mick had expected Evan to stand him up. He hadn’t.

Mick sent a reply.

Thanks. Will be waiting in the baggage claims area.

He’d done what Martha had wanted and rounded up Evan. He couldn’t help but be intrigued. He vaguely remembered Evan from school and hadn’t been impressed. Evan had been self-absorbed and devoted to his music.

He’d also been very straight.

Mick paused.

If Evan was straight, why would Martha be trying to fix him up with Mick? He didn’t know and wasn’t going to try to figure it out.

He tucked his phone into his pocket. Before he went home, he needed to stop by his office. The paperwork had piled up and he hated being at the hospital. He should get work done and catch a nap. According to Evan’s text, he’d be on the last red-eye flight. If the plane was on time, then he’d have to get up early to be at the airport to drive Evan home.

He was too nice a guy. That was his problem. He helped too much for too little in return. Being nice wasn’t getting him anywhere or doing anything for his career. Sure, being the good guy and saving the day fulfilled him, but sometimes it seemed like he spent more time on things for others than on himself.

He left the hospital. If nothing else, he hoped Evan would do right by his grandmother and be an adult. There was no time to coddle him through the estate process. Martha didn’t have much time left and Evan would have to take over—whether he liked it or not.

Mick massaged his forehead and settled behind the wheel of his car. What have I gotten myself into?

* * * *

Evan fiddled with his overnight bag. He wasn’t used to taking planes and his concert schedule demanded he drive from venue to venue. He ate, slept and showered on the bus. The situation wasn’t great, but his damn career wasn’t going anywhere. The fans loved him and claimed he put on fabulous shows, but he couldn’t get traction anywhere else.

His father had said he’d spun his wheels. His mother had said he should’ve come home. Music was a good hobby, but nothing to last forever.

Farming wasn’t in his blood, though. Music stirred his soul. He came alive on stage and fed off the energy of the crowd. But the venues weren’t as good as they’d once been and the crowds were now smaller. People wanted to hear poppy versions of country music. His trademark gruffness didn’t work well with the popular sound. He wasn’t in vogue. Either he’d have to change his sound from gritty to something more streamlined or give up on his dream.

God damn it.

Now a Mr. Mick Ryan wanted to come home. After his mother and father had succumbed to lung cancer, he’d sworn his grandmother would live forever. She hadn’t smoked two packs of cigarettes a day like his parents. She didn’t drink and she took care of herself. She’d backed him in his dreams of being a famous musician. She cared when others didn’t and she knew he was gay. She hadn’t been shocked when he’d come out to her and she hadn’t pushed him to out himself to anyone else.

According to Mr. Mick Ryan, his grandmother, his biggest fan, was fading.

Damn.

He held on to the armrest as the plane descended. He’d never unbuckled his belt. Instead, he sat still and tried not to be scared. His thoughts wandered. He’d known a Michael Ryan in school, but Michael was three or four years younger than him. Could Michael be Mick? Probably not. Anyone with any sense got the hell out of Cedarwood. Nothing was happening there and they tended to hate the gay community.

But if Mick was