The One-Date Deal: The Cursed Cowboys, #1

By Keira K. Barton

His cowboy hat could never hide the hopeless way Declan fell for Jasmine the first time he saw her. He has to play it cool and go along with her crazy plan, but from the moment he laid eyes on her, he always wanted more. Things might end when she finds out the truth about his life, but he can't help wanting her despite their doomed future.

Cowboy Hat did have a name; Declan Hayes--handsome, rugged, and adventurous. Jasmine Kapoor had no idea her crazy plan would turn into this. It feels a lot like love, but maybe it's just the freedom and adventure she's been craving that's making her think that. There's too much deception in her plot for this to really turn out well in the end. Right?

She shouldn't get her hopes up. No man would trust her after all this.
She has to keep hoping, because she can't let him go now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Keira K. Barton
• Release date: Oct 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215271599

Book preview

One

Jasmine

A Bit of Brilliant Blandishment in a Blizzard

Jasmine Kapoor should have known better than to try to drive in a snowstorm. Her fingers ached from gripping the steering wheel tightly for hours under the stressful conditions. Snowflakes flew toward the windshield with such speed that at times she thought she was piloting the Millennium Falcon instead of her Toyota Prius. It was dizzying to try to see the road through the storm, and more than once, she found herself in a trance-like state completely unaware of how many miles she’d driven.

She had been far too optimistic that morning when she woke up. She’d planned to be able to pack for her trip and get on the road by ten, but she hadn’t left Amarillo until after noon and now she was paying for it. The predicted blizzard dumping on central Colorado hadn’t changed course, no matter how many times she’d wished it after her late departure.

She checked her mirrors and clicked on her blinker as she merged into the right lane. Hopefully there’s an exit soon. She needed a break from the tunnel of snowflakes. If not for her tiring grip, then at least for her eyeballs. She wasn’t sure how many more hours she could take driving in such conditions. She didn’t dare look away from the road to check her navigation, but she was certain she wasn’t going to make it to Aspen until midnight.

The blizzard had caused visibility to be limited to a few feet in front of her car, and she breathed a deep sigh of relief when she finally saw a sign for an exit only a mile ahead. Once the exit was in view, she signaled again, then veered off the freeway onto the ramp. She nearly had a heart attack when she heard a loud horn honk right behind her, and a surge of fear ran through her body.

She checked her mirrors and was surprised to see that there had been an old red pickup truck right in her blind spot. Surely the driver saw her blinker flashing. Was it really necessary to honk and startle her?

Some people.

She took the offramp slowly, then turned right into the parking lot of a small gas station just off the exit. She couldn’t wait to shut her eyes for a moment and give them a break. Living in Texas wasn’t exactly great preparation for driving in winter weather.

As soon as she put her car in park next to the gas pump, she rested her forehead against the steering wheel and closed her eyes. She was so tired. She wondered if it might be best to get a hotel in Denver for the night instead of trying to make it all the way to Aspen. Her mother would be disappointed, of course, but she didn’t know if she could handle driving through the blizzard any more than she had to.

Jasmine took a deep breath and prepared to open her eyes. She was about to grab her phone to see how many miles she was from the nearest city when someone tapped on her window, which sent her bolt upright. Between the weather, the honking stranger, and now the loud knock, her nerves were frayed.

What? she yelled as she turned to see who would have done something so heinous. She was not in the mood to be startled. When she looked out her window, she saw a tall man standing between her car and the gas pump. He was pinning his cowboy hat down to his head with one hand as the wind threatened to rip it right off. She couldn’t see his face because he had his hat tilted down, shielding himself from the blowing snow.

She looked out her windshield. It was still hard to see because of the storm but being underneath the brightly lit gas station canopy helped. She could see an old red pickup truck parked by the convenience store entrance, and she wondered if this guy was the driver who’d honked at her.

She cracked open her window. She probably should have been scared, but she just felt angry. If this guy thought he was going to chew her out for what happened back there, he had another thing coming. He obviously had no idea what kind of mood she was in. If he was going to start an argument with her, he’d better be prepared to lose.

Yes? she said, not sparing him her annoyance.

What were you trying to do back there? Run me off the road? he asked. He didn’t sound mad, but she wasn’t about to let a comment like that slide no matter how lighthearted it was. Most men assumed women were bad drivers, and that didn’t sit well with Jasmine, especially not that night.

Seriously? She let our her most exasperated sigh. I signaled. You were driving out there too. The visibility is horrific. I did my best, and look—we both made it. She shrugged, then rolled up her window and turned her car off. She needed to pee, and she didn’t think she could wait until Mr. Cowboy Hat decided he was going to leave. She did attempt to wait, but that lasted all of twenty seconds before her body made sure she knew it had other plans. She grabbed her phone and her purse, then flung her door open, secretly hoping it might hit him on her way out of the car.

Well, maybe just try signaling a little earlier next time, Cowboy Hat said as she stood up.

This guy was clearly not going to let this go. I would have signaled earlier if I could have seen the exit sign before it was right in front of me, she pointed out. She closed the door and clicked the lock button on her keys, then looked up. For the first time, she could see Cowboy Hat’s face, and she suddenly forgot she had to pee.

He was handsome. Like, country-singer handsome. Movie-star handsome. Her breath caught. And it wasn’t just his good looks that surprised her—his face appeared so kind. He didn’t seem angry or mean at all. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy with an easy smile on his face. One that asked, without even having to say it, why she was taking this so seriously.

I understand. I just worry about people driving in weather like this if they aren’t used to it. Couldn’t help but notice your Texas plates. I didn’t know if you knew how close you were to hitting my truck. You be safe now, he said, tipping his hat.

His good looks and kind face didn’t totally diffuse Jasmine’s anger, but it took the edge off. That’s sweet, she said a bit too sarcastically before he was out of earshot. She should have left it at that, but her anger was still simmering under the surface, so she kept talking. Your horn made your concern abundantly clear, though. No need for you to knock on my window or even talk to me at all. I’m an experienced driver. This weather sucks—that’s all. And as much as guys like you always want to save the damsel in distress, you picked the wrong damsel. I’ll be fine. You have a nice night.

Jasmine hoisted her purse higher up on her shoulder and shielded her face with her arm as she ran into the store from the cover of the canopy, pleased that Cowboy Hat didn’t try to keep arguing with her. She half expected him to follow her inside and when she turned around to check, she was glad to see that he hadn’t.

By the time she came out of the bathroom, she was in a much better mood. She had just figured out that she was less than thirty miles from the next town with a motel, and her spirits were renewed. She could make it that far—even in a blizzard.

She was at the counter, paying the cashier for the gas she was about to pump plus a few treats that would hopefully keep her awake, when her phone started ringing. The ringtone immediately gave away who was calling, and she wanted to hit ignore as soon as she heard ABBA’s Mamma Mia playing loudly from inside her purse.

Hi, Ma, she said after she fished her phone out and answered it.

Oh, good! I’m so relieved to hear your voice and know you’re safe. I’ve been worried about you driving in this weather. Are you close? Where are you? I know it’s a pain to fly with skis, but honestly, Jaz, this is ridiculous.

I’m close, but I just don’t think I can make it all the way there tonight, Ma. Not in this storm, Jasmine said. She was walking around the store now, purchased snacks in hand, eyeing the soda fountain. She’d given up drinking soda for a New Year’s resolution, but it was almost February now. Maybe that was long enough. It was longer than she would have gone without making the goal, at least. She traced the cup dispenser with her finger, pondering her next move. Besides, I like driving.

I wish you could’ve been here for dinner tonight. Both of your brothers are already here. It would have been so nice for you to spend some time with Dev’s fiancée. You’re the only one in the family who hasn’t met Cassi yet. And now you’re saying you won’t make it tonight at all? Jasmine…this is unacceptable.

I don’t feel safe driving in this weather, Ma.

You just said you liked driving, her mom said, and then before Jasmine could argue, Okay, I know, I know, but are you sure, Beti? The use of her mother’s pet name for her eased her anxiety a bit. If you’re not too far away, it seems silly to stop now. The snow has mostly passed here. I’m sure the worst of it is behind you. Her mother never trusted Jasmine’s decisions. She didn’t know why she thought tonight would be any different.

I don’t know, Ma. I stopped to get gas and it’s still bad out there. I guess I can see what it’s like when I get back on the road before I decide. She turned toward the windows that faced the parking lot. She really should go fill up her car and move away from the pump to free up a space, but she wanted to finish this conversation before she braved the snow.

That sounds like a better plan. Don’t be too hasty deciding to stop somewhere. I’m sure it will get better. It’s a shame you broke up with Tyson last month. If he was coming with you, maybe he’d feel better about driving.

Jasmine clenched her jaw. "I can’t believe you would say that Amma! If I remember right, it was your idea for me to break up with him. You and Baba hounded me about it for the last year. Now you’re saying he might be good to have around?"

Oh, not really Tyson in particular. Perhaps any man who would keep driving in a little snow. I just wish you didn’t have to stop.

Jasmine didn’t know what to say. A little snow? It was a blasted whiteout! She wanted to ask why her mother assumed women always needed a man to bail them out of every uncomfortable situation. Luckily, she didn’t have to think about how to respond because her mom just kept on talking.

You’re going to miss all the fun in the morning, Beti. I’m making a special breakfast, and your brother is so anxious for you to meet Cassi.

Jasmine didn’t understand why it was such a big deal what time she arrived. She’d meet Cassi eventually, and it wasn’t like their meeting would change Dev’s mind about marrying her or anything. The wedding was this weekend. Besides, no one in her family really valued her opinion. Or ever asked for it. They all had plenty of opinions to share about her life, though.

We’ll see. If only Tyson was here, she said sarcastically.

Her mother sighed. I’m sorry I even brought him up. You did break up with him, though? For good this time?

I did, Jasmine answered. She knew this implied an affirmative to both questions, but she didn’t really care to clarify. She had broken up with Tyson a couple of months ago, but then they promptly got back together weeks later—as usual. She did not want to hear about it from her mom, though. That’s why Tyson wasn’t with her. She needed her parents to believe they were over.

Good girl. You’ll be glad you did. He was never going to marry you. He is the classic play-around type. Everyone could see it except you. The smartest thing you’ve done in your adult life is finally getting rid of him.

Jasmine shuddered. And this is exactly