Only a Cowboy Will Do: The Cowboys of Whisper Colorado

By Melissa Keir and D’Ann Lindun

What happens when two best-selling Contemporary Western authors decide to write in each other's worlds? A Couple of Amazing Romances. Only a Cowboy Will Do, features sexy cowboys, independent women, and happy endings. The perfect recipe for romance.

 

Addicted to the Cowboy- Melissa Keir

Eight seconds changed his life.

 

Zane Tyler was on top of the world, doing what he loved—bull-riding, when one ride put him in the hospital for thirty-six days. Coping with the pain, Zane became addicted to fentanyl, sending his life spiraling out of control.

 

Jurnie Hemple dealt with her many problems by trying to escape them, but she's determined to do better. Caring for her disabled brother, working the night shift, and avoiding the temptation, she doesn't need another damaged person in her life, especially one who tempts her like Zane does.

 

As the two dance along the line of addiction and recovery, they fall in love, but is their love one that will last when they come out on the other side, or are they only grasping a lifeline during a tumultuous time?

 

SAFE IN HER COWBOY'S ARMS- D'Ann Lindun

As the victim of a brutal attack, Sage Pelletier moves to a new town to start over. Filling her days helping children at a therapeutic riding program is enough. All she wants is to forget. To her surprise, a man from her past is determined to break down her walls.

 

Russ Walton never felt like enough growing up poor. When a chance encounter brings him face-to-face with the woman he's always wanted, but could never have, can he alone heal her? Will his love convince her she can trust again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Melissa Keir
• Release date: May 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201049140

Book preview

Only a Cowboy Will Do

Melissa Keir

D’Ann Lindun

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, or events is coincidental and not intended by the author.

If you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher. In such case the author has not received any payment for this stripped book.

ONLY A COWBOY WILL Do

Addicted to the Cowboy- Melissa Keir

Safe in Her Cowboy’s Arms- D’Ann Lindun

Copyright © 2021

All rights reserved.

Cover By: Kay Covers

THIS BOOK, OR PARTS thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The copying, scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. 

Addicted to the Cowboy

Melissa Keir

Addicted to the cowboy

Eight seconds changed his life.

Zane Tyler was on top of the world, doing what he loved—bull-riding, when one ride put him in the hospital for thirty-six days. Coping with the pain, Zane became addicted to fentanyl, sending his life spiraling out of control.

Jurnie Hemple dealt with her many problems by trying to escape them, but she’s determined to do better. Caring for her disabled brother, working the night shift, and avoiding the temptation, she doesn’t need another damaged person in her life, especially one who tempts her like Zane does.

As the two dance along the line of addiction and recovery, they fall in love, but is their love one that will last when they come out on the other side, or are they only grasping a lifeline during a tumultuous time?

Dedication

To D’Ann who gave me a chance which propelled me on this ride...

And to the man who has always believed in me...

Chapter One

Zane Tyler gingerly picked himself up off the ground and brushed the dirt from his jeans. A barrage of pain shot down his leg, forcing him to grit his teeth. All right, class, now that you’ve seen how to release the rope, I want you to try. He pointed to the young woman clad in a bright-pink camo Western shirt. Perri, you go first. He glanced over his class. All promising young bull riders. They came to Cody’s school to learn bull riding from the best. Too bad it wasn’t him. Cody Utah was a legend on the circuit. He’d risen to the top of the standings and left after winning the NFR. He’d been tired of the grind and decided to open this school where he could give back to the community, just like he’d been helped as a kid.

Cody had been Zane’s idol. Zane had followed his career and studied his moves. He grew up wanting to be just like him. Too bad Zane let a bull get the better of him.

Great Job, Perri. He clapped as the young woman stood. If you didn’t notice, she made it look effortless with her release. Who’s next? Hands rose immediately as voices called pick me. Zane glanced over the group then nodded at a smaller boy who hardly ever raised his hand. Julius’ shyness kept him from showing his mad skills, but the kid would be a name to reckon with in a few years. Let’s see. Julius. You show us how it’s done.

Absentmindedly massaging his hip, Zane watched the students, providing encouragement and redirection as each took their turn. Pain was a constant in his life since that career-ending ride on Ole’ Diablo. Twenty broken bones, a shattered pelvis, ruptured spleen, thirty-six days in the hospital then another four months in rehab. All so he could walk normally. But not without constant pain.

Everyone did wonderfully today. We will continue to practice releasing the rope. It could mean the difference between a winning ride and your life. He moved toward the group of students.

Like you, a voice broke through.

Zane searched the group of students. Looking each in the eye. He swallowed and brushed his hand through this hair. Weren’t his own demons enough? Now he had to hear doubts from the peanut gallery. Of course, most people forgot the awards he’d earned before that fateful ride. They only focused on his failure. Yes, like me. My career ended when my glove became caught in the rope and I couldn’t get out.

"My dad said you were crushed beneath the hooves and doesn’t understand why you are teaching us. He said you’re a washed-up loser," Marcus called out. The kids’ voices climbed as they talked about that horrible night. Zane had heard the kids’ dads’ comments over and over again and not just from him. Zane’s inner voice had as much to say as Marcus’ dad and every PBR commentator. He clenched his jaw.

My mom worries I’ll get hurt like you. She wants me to stop taking the class. Julius’ soft voice cut through the din.

What your mom worries about is real, but every bull rider worth his stuff knows falls are a part of our jobs. It’s what happens when you fall that matters. Do you get back up? Or do you let the crash define your life? Cody Utah stepped into the corral. Mistakes happen to policemen, teachers, lawyers, and, yes, bull riders. What you do with those mistakes defines the person you are.

The commanding man strode over and clapped a hand on Zane’s back. This guy here didn’t let the fall keep him down. He’s here sharing his knowledge with you, and I couldn’t be more proud to have him in my school.

Zane slowly released the breath he’d been holding. He straightened his back and pushed the weight off his shoulders. The negative comments he’d heard a million times, but having Cody come to his defense... that was amazing.

Now, I know there are a bunch of parents ready to pick you all up. So, let’s thank Mr. Tyler and head out to them before they worry we’re keeping you tied up in here. He chuckled.

The two men watched as the kids filed out. Zane turned to his boss. Thanks. It means a lot to me...what you said. He was glad his voice hadn’t cracked with emotion. Cody’s support meant a lot.

It’s simply the truth. I had my own share of falls, and getting up was sometimes the hardest thing I did, but each time, I came away smarter and stronger. He took a step toward the gate. Since this was your last class of the day, my wife invited you over for steaks tonight. She’s got it in her head to celebrate, and I’m happy to oblige her. Happy wife, happy life. Dinner’s at 6:30.

Zane stretched out his hand. Thanks...for everything. Without bull riding, I’m nothing. After I got back on my feet, I didn’t know what I’d do. You’ve given me a home. He ducked his head, dropping his gaze to the ground.

You’ve earned it. Cody shook the other man’s hand.

See you tonight.

After his boss wandered away, Zane dug a small plastic bag out of his pocket, removed a small blue pill, and popped it into his mouth. Closing his eyes, he waited for it to work its magic.

It took longer each day for the pain to get under control. When he got out of rehab, he’d only needed the fentanyl on really rough days when the pain felt like hot pokers shooting through his legs. Now, he’d needed them daily. Learning to stand, walk, ride, and run all took a toll on his body. The pins and rods holding his body together ached. Changes in weather, in temperature, and in position sent his bones pulsating.

While the pain hadn’t increased, it hadn’t decreased, either. Zane hated how he felt if he didn’t take one. Oh, he’d tried. Each day, he vowed to not need them, but the shakes would start. Ants crawled under his skin. He twitched and paced. Unable to work like that, he gave in. It’s only for today, he’d promise himself. Only until the pain stops. But it never did.

Zane pasted a smile on his face as he headed back to his cabin. He didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire if he ran into a student or give a reason for his boss to have doubts. Cody offered him the job as a teacher at the school after he completed his rehab. Supposedly, his boss had watched in horror on the day Ole Diablo rearranged his insides and had vowed to help him. The job came with a place to stay and occasional dinners like tonight. Zane had been included as family. Teaching was easy. The kids were mostly fun when they or their parents didn’t talk about his past.

Shit. Zane lurched off the couch and glanced at the clock on the wall. One thirty a.m. He’d missed dinner. Shit, shit, shit. His stomach lurched. What a fuckup. He rubbed his hand over his head and down his face. How could he make this right? His boss would want a reason for his skipping out. What could he say? Zane gritted his teeth. Lying had become second nature these days. He lied about how he felt and lied about his pain. Now, he would lie to Cody about what happened. He couldn’t lose this job.

He spied his cell phone on the coffee table, scattered among the bottles of pills. Zane picked it up and cringed at the fifteen missed calls from Cody. Gritting his teeth, he pushed play. The first couple of voicemails were simply reminders about the dinner, but as they continued, the calls grew more urgent. The last two were demands to answer or his boss would come over. Zane heard the worry in Cody’s voice and hated that he’d caused it, especially after Cody had stood up for him to the kids earlier. Zane’s hands shook.

He dropped the phone on the couch and rubbed at his hip. The pain throbbed once again. Zane surveyed the room, hoping his boss hadn’t come by. The room looked like a homeless man had been squatting. Clothes lay strewn over the floor and couch. Empty pizza boxes, beer cans—Wait! Were those his dirty boxers on the dining table? God! I hope Cody didn’t come by to check on me. It had to be only a threat. If not, he had some explaining to do. Big-time.

He glanced once more at the time. Too late to head over to talk to his boss. Better make good use of my time.

Zane strode around the room, grabbing various items, cleaning up. Wired, he filled two garbage bags full of trash, ran a load of laundry, and started the dishwasher. He scooped up the spilled pills, popping two before putting the rest back in the bottles, then stuffed them under his couch cushions. He knew the two would barely hold the pain at bay when it hit him in full force but, after last night’s screw up, he didn’t want to take a chance of fucking up again. Out of sight, out of mind.

Stopping short of cleaning the tub and toilet, he decided the place looked so much better. Maybe he should have Cody over for dinner one night to apologize. Nah, with his cooking skills, it’d be wiser to take Cody out to dinner. No sense being accused of poisoning his boss.

Speaking of food, he grabbed his stomach as it growled loud enough to wake the dead. When had he eaten last? Opening his fridge, he winced at the bright emptiness inside. Too early for the diner. They had the best breakfasts. Not trusting himself not to drink, Zane decided against the pub. Looked like it was fast food. Stuffing his wallet and keys into his pocket, he headed out into the crisp night.

Chapter Two

Jurnie wiped down the empty tables. The restaurant had been so dead, she’d let her coworker leave early. The poor fella had a sick child at home and had been up over twenty-four hours with his little girl. No sense in both of them watching the clock. Besides, as manager, she couldn’t leave. Letting him go home early had lightened her heart. Helping someone out always made her smile.

The piped-in music promising a good night filled the dining room of Burgers To Go. Glad to know someone is having fun somewhere, she grumbled. Only one hour left until I can shut this place down. She dropped into the booth she’d been cleaning, laid her head against the backrest, and closed her eyes. Only for a minute. Desperate for a nap, she covered her mouth to hide her yawn.

Working the night shift allowed her more time to care for her brother, take him to his rehab and doctor’s visits, and attend her own weekly recovery meetings, but it cut into her sleep. With her full schedule, she was dozing on her feet most nights.

Sadly, not many places considered hiring someone with her track record. Grateful to her bosses for taking a chance on her, she put on her big girl panties and sucked it up. Being the night manager of the small Colorado Burgers To Go paid the bills. And life could be worse. In fact, she’d seen worse. Lived it.

The bell on the door clanged as a customer came in. Jumping up from her seat, Jurnie grabbed the cloth from the table and pasted a smile on her face. Her smile turned to confusion when she saw the middle-aged woman striding toward her.

Hi, Nayomi. What are you doing here? Is Mason okay? Jurnie hated having to rely on someone to be with her older brother when she worked. He was the only family she had left, and he couldn’t be alone. His dementia had been getting worse. Thinking it was the late 90s, Mason was determined to get back to the big-city party scene he’d been a part of before the cocktail of alcohol and drugs irrevocably changed him. Her job afforded her time with Mason, since her late-night hours were mostly while he slept.

Hey, Jurnie. I asked my husband to stay with your bro so I could catch you. Between your busy schedule and my own, I didn’t get a chance to chat with you earlier.

Nayomi’s tone didn’t bode well for Jurnie. When the older woman got something on her mind, it was best to let her say it. Anger flashed across Jurnie’s face before she tamped it down. Was she angry at Nayomi? Mason? Or her own sad and troubled life? She’d heard over and over that God didn’t give people more than they could handle, but when she finally got to meet him face-to-face, she’d punch him in the nose for all the stress and pain she’d dealt with. Motioning toward the booth where she’d been resting, Jurnie waited