His Sweet Ex-Girlfriend: Foster Brothers Ranch Romance, #5

By Kadi James

A rodeo rider who left his ex-girlfriend with dreams of stardom returns to his small town with a new fiancé, only to find who he really needs might be right where he left her. But does she still want him?

Jessica Blackburn was one of the things Austin left behind when he went to pursue his rodeo career. She tried to get on with her life. Even getting her teaching credential, getting married and having a child. But nothing seemed to work out. Now a single mother in Potter Valley she makes the best of her choices by raising her son among friends and family and pretending Austin didn't rip her heart in two when he left.

Austin Foster left Potter Valley with no intention of ever returning. But Tiffany changed his mind. He met her on the rodeo circuit, and she was clearly looking for a place to settle down. He had just the place, Potter Valley. But it wasn't until he got Tiffany home that he realized this glamorous city cowgirl may not be the best fit for a real working cattle ranch. Especially when he sees how well his brothers' girlfriends handle it. He slowly starts to realize, maybe he's on the verge of making the biggest mistake of his life.

But Jessica isn't ready to just be Austin's last choice. She didn't wait years for him to come off the rodeo circuit just to be considered second fiddle to Austin's fiancé. It's when Austin finally comes home that Jessica is able to start healing the wound, he gave her when he left. And that is the time he starts to realize he may have left the most important thing in his life right back at home.

Is it too late for these two to have a second chance romance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Agropoli Publishing
• Release date: Jun 5, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201065621

Book preview

His Sweet ExGirlriend

A SWEET CLEAN COWBOY ROMANCE

KADI JAMES

HIS SWEET EX-GIRLFRIEND

Copyright © 2021 by Kadi James

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or reviews.

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

For information contact :

http://www.kadijames.com

Book Formatting by Derek Murphy @Creativindie 

First Edition: May 2021

10  9  8  7  6  5  4  3  2  1

Books by Kadi

FOSTER BROTHERS RANCH ROMANCE

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His Sweet Boss

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His Sweet Best Friend

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His Sweet Wager

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His Sweet Ex-Girlfriend

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His Sweet Enemy

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GUARDIANS OF COYOTE VALLEY

To Hold a Rancher’s Hand

https://books2read.com/u/bMRMO7

Chapter 1

The dust flew in the air as Austin spun his horse around, cutting off the calf as it tried to race away from the herd. The little beast was nimble though and bounced up a narrow deer trail that zig-zagged up the small cliff.

She’s getting away, Justin called.

Not if I have anything to say about it, Austin said, kicking his horse in the high gear and flinging up more clogs of dirt as he took off to circumnavigate the cliff and grab the calf.

Go get ‘em, tiger. Kevin laughed shaking his head as he moved his horse closer to Mark. Five dollars says he doesn’t get the calf.

Did all the smoke from the fire house destroy your brain? Mark asked. Now I’m a conservative numbers guy, but I reckon Austin catching the calf is a sure thing. Apparently, you don’t remember how he rides.

I remember exactly how he rides that’s why my money is on the calf, Kevin said. He pointed towards Austin Watch, he said.

What is he doing? Mark tipped his hat back to get a better look.

What he does. Kevin smirked.

Austin stood up in the saddle then flung himself off one side of the horse gripping only the pommel and then kicking himself off the ground flying up and over to the other side.

Showing off. Justin’s gaze went to where the calf had disappeared, scampering up the cliff. We better go in as back up. Robb, you, and Kevin stay here and push the herd down to the lower pasture. Come on, Mark, let’s go.

It didn’t matter that Robb was in charge of the ranch, Justin called the shots with the cattle and when he said, Let’s go, Mark knew to hustle.

Austin let out a whooping holler as he flung himself over the horse’s back one more time before finally jumping up and grabbing his seat. He loved riding rodeo. He loved having an audience. He wasn’t a trick rider, but he spent a bit of time with them and was always daring to do something different. Riding a horse was nothing like riding a bull. Bulls were wild whirlwinds of power hurling haphazardly beneath you. Horses, especially these well-trained warm-bloods, were willing partners in speed and cutting, moving in harmony with their rider.

You lost the calf, Justin shouted as he and Mark came riding up.

No, I didn’t it’s right in the bush there. Austin pushed his cowboy hat a little bit back so, he could peer into the dark recesses of the bushes.

You understand it’s in a poison oak bush, right? Justin asked. So, we’re going to go in there, get the calf and come out covered in poison oak.

I can’t believe you forgot what they look like. Mark shook his head in mock disgust.

I thought poison oak had like red tip leaves or something. Austin scratched his forehead, perplexed.

In June, Mark and Justin both said at the same time.

The three of them sat on their horses staring at the bush where the calf had disappeared.

Who’s going in to get it? Mark asked.

Justin gazes at Austin, one eyebrow raised. Your horse gymnastics are going to take a backseat while you heal from the poison oak rash you’re about to get.

I’m not getting any rash. Austin carefully rolled down his sleeves until his plaid shirt cuff covered his wrist. He buttoned each cuff down and then reached in the saddle bag and grabbed out a pair of gloves. Once he got those on, he took a handkerchief and wrapped it around his face until only his eyes were showing under his black cowboy hat.

You look fantastic. Justin leaned on his saddle pommel. Wish I had my phone I’d take a photo so you could give it to Tiffany. I’m not sure her taste in rodeo stars won’t translate to this?

It was her idea for us to come back home, Austin shrugged. She’s stuck with us now.

This isn’t her home, Mark pointed out. It’s your home.

Well, we’re engaged to be married, so this will be Tiffany’s home soon enough, just like it has become Kerry’s, Austin said.

He ignored the fact Justin and Mark exchanged a look. He knew Tiffany was high maintenance, which translated to high pressure but when she said she wanted to settle down in Potter Valley, back at his ranch, he thought it was a great idea. He found something in her words that brought him back down to earth. He did rodeo for almost eight years and had seen all of America. He’d met a lot of people. He had won a lot of money. What he had not expected to win was a fiancé. It had seemed strange on the road, but here, he loved the stability the relationship brought him and also all the brothers were gaining romantic partners. They were growing into one big happy family. After the loss of their mother had decimated the heart of the family, all the brothers, especially Austin, were happy to have more female energy around the place. It made him happy, even if he had to step into some poison oak.

He held his arms up to the side of his ears and turned around slowly in front of Justin and Kevin. Do you see any skin? Any skin whatsoever?

Justin laughed. No, but I reckon you’ll still get poison oak no matter what you do.

Aren’t you the supportive big brother. Austin shook his head. Good thing Sean came on rodeo with me and not you. I don’t think I’d win a single trophy with your support.

Liar. We know you’re constantly cheering yourself in your head. Not too worried about other people coming in and needing to support you. Justin grinned.

That’s not true. Mark shook his head, waving his hand at Justin. This guy plays the crowd; we’re just not a big enough crowd for him.

The crash of underbrush as the calf balked refocused the guys.

We better get this one out. Mark rolled down his sleeves also and grabbed a gunny sack out of his saddle bag. If I get poison oak, so help me, I’m coming for you. He through a glare at Austin.

Scaredy cat. Just bundle up and when you get home wash all your clothes. It’s not a big deal. Austin moved forward slowly towards the bush.

He glanced quickly at the herd milling around in a circle with Robin and Mark trying to hold them in.

It’ll be good when Sean gets here, Austin said. We could use another set of spurs for the cutting.

Well, we would have five people down there instead of two if you hadn’t chased this calf up into the bush. Justin’s gaze was scanning the herd as he spoke. Fortunately, Robb and Kevin aren’t doing any crazy theatrics. They’re simply keeping the herd together.

I did not chase the calf into the bush. The cute little fluff ballthing  ran while I was busy showing you guys how to ride a horse. Austin finished tightening the straps on his chaps and moved