Her Pretend Cowboy Boyfriend: Sagebrush Ranch, #3

By Laura Ann

She's tired of the friend zone and ready to leave, he's trying to figure out how to share what's in his heart...
Can they discover love before life pulls them apart?

Hannah Mathews has a secret. She's in love with her best friend. Samuel is cute, sweet, funny and always makes her smile. But he's never shown the slightest bit of interest in her, no matter how much she hints at wanting more. Now they work together and she's become an expert at hiding her feelings, but she longs for a life where she doesn't have to pretend.

Samuel French has a serious problem. The girl he grew up with is gorgeous, kind, hard working...and absolutely nothing like the young girl he considered a sister when they were kids. As Hannah blossomed, she managed to take a little more of Sam's heart with each step. Now he's in love, but she still treats him like a brother and he's not sure how to break the mold she's put him in.

When a ranch guest refuses to take 'no' for an answer, Hannah turns to Sam for help and he's more than happy to play 'pretend boyfriend' for the duration of the camp. Now he has two weeks to convince her they should give a REAL relationship a chance before she to leave the ranch for good.
 

Her Pretend Cowboy Boyfriend is the third standalone book in the 'Sagebrush Ranch' sweet contemporary romance series. If you like feisty heroines, sweet but flawed heroes and Happy Ever Afters, then you'll adore Laura Ann's delicious tale.

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Don't Miss the whole Sagebrush Ranch Series!

Her Dream Cowboy
Her Almost Cowboy
Her Pretend Cowboy Boyfriend
Her Cowboy Switch
Her Rebel Cowboy
Her Second Chance Cowboy

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angel Music
• Release date: May 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201533120

Book preview

DEDICATION

To Curly Sue.

You never give up on me

and I’m better because of your faith.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

No author works alone. Thank you, Brenda..

You make it Christmas every time

I get a new cover. And thank you to my Beta Team.

Truly, your help with my stories is immeasurable.

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CHAPTER 1

Hannah sighed as she settled into her bed for another night. Flashes of golden eyes and sun-bleached hair ran through her mind’s eyes, aggravating the ache that already sat in her chest. She absently rubbed at the spot, the pain almost second nature to her now.

Got a big day tomorrow, she reminded herself. Forget him and go to sleep. Yet even as she said the words, she knew they were nearly impossible to obey. Hannah Mathews had been in love with her best friend for years. They’d grown up together and somewhere in high school, as her body grew, so did Hannah’s heart. And then one day, it was no longer hers. Samuel French, the All-American athlete in her small, backwoods Washington town, had stolen it. Years later, after college and with them both now working at the Sagebrush Ranch, he not only still had it, but he remained completely ignorant of the situation.

Hannah had tried many times over the years to give him hints. She was sure he would figure it out while they were in school together. After all, she was his constant shadow. Trailing in his wake like a love-sick puppy, but somehow, he never caught on. Now that they were older, she did everything she could to hide her feelings. She’d spent so long leaving them out in the open, she’d become gun-shy. Although Hannah knew that if she caught the slightest hint that he was interested, she would probably spill her heart and all her repressed feelings. That day had never come.

Hannah’s mother had assured her that unless it was spelled out in giant letters in the sky, men rarely caught onto anything, and Hannah was beginning to think her mother had been right. I can’t believe how clueless he’s remained all these years. I swear if he calls me his ‘special friend’ one more time, I’m gonna burst into tears.

She rolled over with a groan and punched her pillow before throwing her head back down. Patience is a virtue, she reminded herself. Hannah sighed heavily, her whole body deflating. But how much patience is too much? It’s been ten years. Ten years of loyalty and support and he hasn’t shown a single sign of being interested. She pinched her lips together. Do I keep waiting? Or do I give up? Am I persistent or pathetic? She rolled onto her back and rested her hands behind her head. What happens if he decides to start dating someone else? I mean, both Noah and Owen have picked up girlfriends lately. What happens if Sam is next?

Then you forget his stupid face and move on, a voice came from the doorway.

Hannah squeaked and jerked to an upright position. Geez, Addison, you scared me!

Addison, Hannah’s older sister, rolled her eyes. And you’ve been keeping me up with your philosophizing.

Hannah’s shoulders dropped and she hung her head. I’m sorry. I think better when I talk out loud.

I know, Addison said softly. She padded her way across the carpet and perched on the edge of Hannah’s bed. But enough is enough, sis. She brushed a chunk of Hannah’s blonde hair off her forehead.

Addison always was the maternal one, Hannah thought wryly.

You deserve a man who sees you as more than one of the guys, Addison continued in a quiet tone. You’re an amazing person and you should be treated that way.

Hannah scowled. Sam doesn’t treat me badly.

Addison shook her head. No, he doesn’t. But he doesn’t treat you like a lady either. You’re a coworker. A friend. There’s no tenderness in the way he rubs the top of your head like you’re a small kid. He doesn’t give you fierce looks of longing that send butterflies through your stomach. Addison tilted her head in sympathy, but plowed on. And he doesn’t drop everything just to be at your side because being apart is too hard to bear.

Hannah blinked rapidly and bit the inside of her cheek. She desperately wanted everything Addison had just described, but her sister was right. Samuel didn’t give her any of those things. No looks, no caresses, no over-the-top manners. He treated her like he did everyone else on their crew at Sagebrush Ranch, and with every day that passed, the ache for more pressed in on Hannah until some days she felt like she couldn’t breathe.

Ah, sweetie, Addison crooned. She leaned forward and folded her sister into a hug. I’m so sorry. I know you love him. She leaned back, still gripping Hannah’s shoulders. But maybe it’s time to find someone who loves you too.

Hannah nodded jerkily, wiping at the stray tears trickling down her cheeks. But how do I do that? I can’t seem to turn my head from him.

Addison sighed and squeezed Hannah’s shoulders before letting go. I have a thought, but you’re not going to like it.

Hannah met her sister’s concerned eyes. You might as well say it. It’ll eventually come out, anyway.

Addison laughed lightly. True enough. I’ve never been good at restraint. She took a deep breath. I think you need to leave the ranch.

Hannah froze. Leave the ranch? I love the ranch! I love everything about it! The horses, the animals, the MacMillans...Samuel. As that last thought hit her brain, she realized her sister was right. Samuel was one of the main reasons Hannah was there. If she was ever going to have a chance of getting over him and falling in love with someone else, leaving the ranch would be her best bet.

Hannah sniffed and rubbed at her nose. I’m not ready to say I’ll leave...but I do promise to give it some thought.

That’s all I’m asking. Addison rubbed Hannah’s upper arms then stood and walked to the door. A fresh start without anything that reminds you of Sam would be the best way to move on. She flicked off the light and walked back to her own room.

Hannah sighed and threw herself back on her pillow. She’s probably right, she mused. A new start might be the best thing. Hannah ignored the sharp sting in her heart at the thought. She would think on it for a few days before making a decision. But ten years should be more than enough time to know if he’s ever going to love me back. I’m not getting any younger and the path I’m on is definitely not going the way I want it to.

SAMUEL FRENCH CRUSHED the aluminum can in his fist and chucked it toward the large garbage can beside the barn. It bounced off the rim and skidded into the dust.

De-nied! Levi, a ranch hand and friend of Sam’s, chortled. Levi took a drink of his own soda and sighed.

Not like you’re any better, Sam grumbled, slouching farther into his camping chair. The warmth from their fire was almost too much on the warm summer night, but Sam wasn’t ready to go to bed yet.

I can sink a can from this distance with my eyes closed, Levi bragged with a wide grin.

You were a football star, not basketball, Oli, another ranch worker, shot back.

Levi pointed at Oli. Better watch it. I still remember how to tackle.

Oli gave Levi a look. I’d like to see you try it. You’re so old, you’d probably break a hip.

Levi shouted in playful outrage and the two continued calling out insults to each other, but Sam tuned them out. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with their antics. He was stewing on the upcoming fall season. They only had one more session of the cowboy camp they hosted every summer and then things would become quiet but stay busy.

Sam’s job as a cowboy and ranch hand would get harder, but no more visitors would be swarming the ranch. And Hannah will be gone for the year as well. He pinched his lips. He was so tired of saying goodbye to her every fall when she went back to her teaching job, but he didn’t know what to do about it.

Sam and Hannah had been close friends for a good portion of their growing-up years. She’d been like the little sister he didn’t have. Her tiny frame had fit right under his arm and she’d tagged along with him to everything. Sam had played football and soccer, and Hannah had been at every game, cheering him on and making him feel ten feet tall, instead of the measly five-foot-ten he topped out at. It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to work with giant Levi over there, Sam grumbled in his head. But Hannah never cared. Heck, she’s only an inch or two over five feet herself. I’m huge compared to her.

Which was only one of the reasons he loved her. She was so full of spunk and smiles, and whenever they were together, Sam wanted to wrap her body in his arms and tell her how much he loved and appreciated her. But he knew she wouldn’t welcome the words. No matter how much he had feelings for her, she never once singled him out with her attention to let him know she felt the same.

Those wide, stunning smiles went to every cowboy on the ranch as well as the guests. Her bright green eyes flashed with mischief, no matter who she was talking to, and sometimes Sam had to hold himself back from grabbing her and demanding she never look at another person again. He wanted her looking at him and only him.

His heart picked up as he thought of kissing her lightly tanned skin and her freckled nose. He wanted to pull her thick, blonde hair out of her ponytail and run his fingers through its luxurious depths. He wanted to taste her berry pink lips and drink in the fruity smell of her perfume that always teased his senses.

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as the usual depression washed over him. The desire to have her was so thick, it was tangible, but he couldn’t figure out what to do about it. She treats me like a brother. Like just any other guy. How do I change her perspective of me?

Sam wasn’t sure when he had fallen for Hannah, but he knew it had happened after they’d left for college. Studying at different universities had been his first taste of life without her, and Sam had quickly discovered he didn’t like it. He missed his tiny sidekick. Missed her like a drowning man missed air.

He’d tried to date a few women as he figured out his feelings, but when he compared every girl he was with to Hannah, Sam knew it was no use. After finishing college, he’d come home, ready to let her know his feelings and try something new. However, the first time he’d seen her after getting back, she’d punched him in the shoulder like she used to in high school and called him All-Star Sam, and he had known she didn’t feel the same.

Now, two years later, he was beginning to wonder if she ever would.

Who do you think it is? Levi asked in a mock whisper that caught Sam’s attention.

He opened his eyes and lifted his head to watch his buddies. To his surprise, they were both looking at him.

I don’t know... Oli mused, rubbing his chin. It is someone we know? Or is he pining over a guest from earlier in the summer? Oli’s eyes grew wide. Please don’t tell me you’re dreaming over the pageant queens!

Sam rolled his eyes as Oli referenced two sisters who had been in the previous session. They’d driven almost every man on the ranch crazy with their flirting and insinuations. Luckily, Levi had been assigned to them while Sam was assigned to a man. Although I heard enough about them from Hannah, since she had the other sister. He grinned, thinking about her complaints about the high-maintenance women.

No way, Levi breathed, then whistled low. I can’t believe that’s the type of woman you go for.

Wait...what? Sam brought himself out of his daydreams and back to the conversation.

The Sorenson sisters? Oli pressed. The ones you were just smiling about?

Sam made a face and shook his head. I wasn’t smiling about them.

Levi leaned forward. But you were smiling about someone. He looked at Oli. You were right. It’s definitely a woman.

Why do you say that? Sam asked warily. He hadn’t told anyone of his infatuation with Hannah, so how in the world did these guys know he was thinking about a woman?

The stupid grin on your face, Oli said matter-of-factly. Gives it away every time.

I’ll show you stupid, Sam grumbled, standing up and walking to the garbage can. He bent over to pick up the can he’d thrown and stood to toss it inside. Ow! He rubbed the back of his head and glared at the other men. The can that hit his head fell to the dirt.

Told you it didn’t matter, Levi said with a smirk. You don’t have to play basketball to know how to hit your target.

Oli snickered and Sam scowled, then pointed to the can. You’re cleaning that up.

Yes, Mother,