Warming the Cowboy's Heart: Small-Town Sweethearts, #1

By Aileen Fish

Cheyenne Miller is at wit's end with one of the kids on her rodeo team, and she feels sorry for anyone who falls for his father Mike. Then she falls for Mike. Technically, she's had a crush on him forever, but working beside him every day makes it impossible to ignore her feelings. Too bad he doesn't return them.

Mike McCallum is overly protective of his adopted son, he'll admit it, and the desire to protect the boy's feelings has kept Mike from considering dating again, much less falling in love. But something changes between him and Chey, and the part of his heart he's kept hidden reawakens. Can he trust Chey enough to let her in?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aileen Fish
• Release date: Oct 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223578895

Book preview

Chapter One

Cheyenne Miller held up the lasso she used to teach the youngest future rodeo stars, some of whom were still in diapers, and walked toward the dummy calf. We’re going to practice roping. Who wants to go first? Okay, Ellie, you can. Come here.

The curly-haired blonde girl would probably only be competitive in the goat-undressing event, but her determined stride said the two-year-old was going to give it everything she had. Even swinging the lariat was beyond her skills, so Chey demonstrated a simple toss.

It fell short. Very good. Let’s get a bit closer.

The second also was short. After a third toss, Chey led Ellie back to where the other children sat. All right, who’s—

As she spoke, a lasso dropped over her head from behind and tightened around her arms. Tommy McCallum! How many times do I have to tell you… The rope slackened and Chey stepped out of it, turning on the prankster with her hands on her hips.

Ten-year-old Tommy sat on the white rail fence outlining the paddock. He nudged his hat back on his head, his grin wide and unrepentant. I was showing Ellie how it works.

That grin was a precocious version of his father’s, and his actions said he’d grow up to be the same handsome practical joker as Mike McCallum. I know better, Tommy. You promised your dad you’d quit disrupting practice. Especially the Peewees. They need as much time as they can get to learn.

He shrugged and jumped down from the fence, striding off in the direction of the full-size calf dummies. As if he needed practice. The boy had been winning awards at rodeos since he was in pull-up diapers. She was too young to remember Mike at that age, but by his teens he was one of the winningest ropers in the valley.

Also rodeo star, football captain and quarterback, and the fastest sprinter on the track team. Not to mention handsome, generous, and a heartthrob. Heavy on the heartthrob in her case, even though she’d only been thirteen when he married a year after graduating high school. She’d been heartbroken that he hadn’t waited five more years to marry her instead of Tiffany. The fact they divorced a few years later proved Tiff hadn’t been right for Mike, but he’d kept Chey in the friend zone even after she’d entered college.

He just wasn’t interested. He didn’t even know his smile had spoiled her for other men. Had no idea the timber of his voice still gave her goosebumps. She was just the kid from across town who volunteered to help with the Junior Rodeo Association.

Hey, Chey, where’s Tommy? Mike called out as he approached.

All she had to do was think of him and he appeared. Chey looked at her bare arm. Yep, goosebumps. She rubbed her skin. He was headed toward the dummies last I saw. Do you have a second? I’d like to talk to you.

Taking off his straw cowboy hat, he wiped his forehead with his t-shirt sleeve. Sure. What’s up?

The usual. It’s like Tommy can’t help himself.

Folding his arms across his broad chest, Mike’s stance tensed. What is it you have against him?

Whoa, where’d that come from? I’ve been very tolerant of his pranks. But he’s getting old enough to behave. He’s setting a bad example for the Peewees. Georgie knocked Ellie into the mud last week and he looked straight at Tommy after, as if he sought approval.

Mike ducked his head before meeting her gaze. I’m sorry. I’ve probably been too lenient on him lately.

Probably? Lately? Chey let her retorts pass. Is there something that’s happened? Although I have to admit, he’s no more…er, disruptive than usual.

Now Mike gazed off at the trees on the rolling hills behind his family ranch, where the junior rodeo team practiced. You’ve been working with these kids a long time. It must get trying at times.

Steeling her nerves and digging her nails into her palms, she jumped in. Now wait a minute. I’m not whining—

Man, Chey, settle down. He held up his hands defensively as if he expected a rampage. I wasn’t blaming you. It’s just…well, I didn’t know he was really such a pain. Do you want him off the team?

No, not at all. He’s great in competition, and he’s always willing to offer tips to the other kids. It’s when he gets bored. Is there something you can do to convince him that the other kids need to learn without distractions?

You’re not just putting up with him so you can use my paddocks to practice, right?

Now, Chey really bristled. You really think—

"No, I know you better than that. I was going to say, maybe I