Deal Me In

Deal Me In
Cynthia Thomason

If he discovers the truth, all bets are off… When Brady Carrick bets he can turn Molly Davis into a professional poker player, he has no idea the widowed mother has a grudge against him. Accepting Brady’s challenge is a way for Molly to start a new life – and punish Brady for destroying her old one…All she has to do is keep her real identity from Brady until she earns a seat at the big poker tournament. That, and steel her heart against him. Because the closer they get, the harder it is to believe that this serious, protective cowboy is the right target for her revenge.

“You don’t have a problemteaching poker to a woman, do you?”

Brady held up his hand. “Of course not. But you’ve got to give this a lot of thought.”

“I have. I can learn it, and I can sure use the money.”

There was something about Molly. Her determination impressed him even as it warned him about possible complications down the road. Maybe the bet was crazy, but the consequences were real enough.

He gave her a serious head-to-toe appraisal. She stared right back at him. She had guts. Her answers were quick and decisive. She was obviously ambitious and wasn’t afraid of taking a risk. All good qualities in a poker player. Maybe this would work out. All he had to do was set some limits, let her know he was the boss.

She placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t know what you’re thinking about, Brady, but I’ve got to have an answer.” Never flinching, she added, “I can do this. You won’t be sorry. So what’ll it be?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cynthia Thomason writes contemporary and historical romances and dabbles in mysteries. When she’s not writing, she works as a licensed auctioneer in the auction business she and her husband own. In this capacity, she has come across scores of unusual items, many of which have found their way into her books. She loves travelling the US and exploring out-of-the-way places. She has one son, an entertainment reporter, and an ageing but still lovable Jack Russell terrier. Cynthia dreams of perching on a mountain top in North Carolina every autumn to watch the leaves turn. You can learn more about her at www.cynthiathomason.com.

Dear Reader,

The release of this book marks the end of one of the most fun and challenging experiences I’ve had as a writer. When my editor invited me to participate in a continuity series starring five guys who play Texas Hold ’Em poker together, I jumped at the chance. Not only do I like watching poker tournaments on TV, my husband is something of an expert at the game, and I enjoy playing myself. I couldn’t wait to develop a hero who would match wits with a circle of buddies from all walks of life, and to lead this guy into a romantic entanglement that would take all five guys to figure out.

I learned a couple of important things about poker and friendships. Both require nurturing, patience and understanding. But the similarity ends there, because when the cards aren’t falling the way you want them to, true friendships remain strong. I hope you’ll come to appreciate what the support of each of these card-playing guys means to Brady as he makes the biggest gamble of his life by taking a chance on a girl and a horse.

And I hope you read the other four books in this series, each one unique because of what Tara Taylor Quinn, Debra Salonen, Linda Style and Linda Warren bring to the series. You’ll meet five guys you won’t soon forget. I know I’ll never forget them.

I love to hear from readers. Please visit my website, www.cynthiathomason.com, e-mail me at cynthoma@aol.com or write to me at PO Box 550068, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33355, USA.

Sincerely,

Cynthia

Deal Me In

CYNTHIA THOMASON

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

I would like to thank Lauren Newberg,

the daughter of one of my dearest friends, for

teaching me everything about horses, using her

very own Spot and Ellie as patient models.

I now know that horses can smile, because these

two definitely do when Lauren’s around.

And I’d like to thank friends Jerry and Linda

Paradise for taking me on a special tour of their

magnificent thoroughbred facility,

Tuxedo Farms, in Ocala, Florida.

Horses never had it so good.

Contents

Excerpt (#u0a5c8179-1a1d-557a-a7ee-fbe9ac5435a7)About the Author (#ua45e6878-2328-50d4-ac07-b7ff894af2c8)Title Page (#uf0e698b5-4f5d-5acb-b750-3c2438633baf)Dedication (#uecff80bd-b1dc-500c-a31e-997299a1e18a)Chapter One (#u6cbcd234-5350-5095-a700-2b0249fb6e1c)Chapter Two (#ua2ee969b-29d8-5461-b5bb-2f037e79ac99)Chapter Three (#u61a4eb3c-00f9-5d7b-8ff6-30b41a22f4df)Chapter Four (#u0230908a-04f6-52a2-b404-624ff5290cd5)Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)Preview (#litres_trial_promo)Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE

BRADY WOUND through the crowd of Texas horsemen gathered in the show ring. The prime offering of the morning was coming into the arena next and everyone wanted a close-up view of Amber Mac.

Including Brady. He’d been excited about this young thoroughbred since Colin Warner had tipped him off to the horse’s bloodlines and the private sale at Henley’s Blue Bonnet Farm. Brady trusted Colin because Brady’s good friend, Blake Smith, had hired the business whiz kid based on one interview. If Blake saw so much potential in Colin, that was all Brady needed to check out this horse for himself. And now, his future could very well hinge on whether or not he and his dad went home with Amber Mac.

He joined his father and the head trainer from Cross Fox Ranch in the center of the ring. Marshall Carrick rubbed his finger down his thick gray mustache. “Can you believe this crowd for mid-January?” he said. “I figured this being so soon after the holidays, everyone would be recovering from making merry. But apparently Al Henley got the word out that he was selling some prize stock before the spring auction.”

“I hear ya’, Dad. I just hope all these people haven’t come to compete with us for Amber Mac.”

Marshall cupped his hand over his mouth. “Blake and Warner seem to be right on about this animal and you can be sure Al knows what a winner he’s got—he’s invited enough people to ensure he’ll rake in every dollar he can. I guess he spent too much on Christmas presents and needs to replenish his bank account with this sale.” Keeping his voice low, Marshall turned to the man who’d been his head trainer for over thirty years. “Tell me one more time, Dobbs. The vet reports on Amber Mac are conclusive?”

Trevor Dobbs, stoop-shouldered from age but still clear-eyed and alert where horses were concerned, stared at his boss. “You know there’s no such animal as the perfect horse, Marsh. But yes, the reports look good. The digital X-rays showed no imperfections. The horse’s throat latch is wide-open. His lungs are clean.”

Seeing someone he knew, Dobbs walked off. Marshall looked at Brady. “And the horse’s conformation? You had another close look?”

“Of course, Dad. I told you before, I checked him over head to tail. His hocks and knees are straight. His neck is long. His eyes are wide and alert.” Brady smiled. “In fact, I had a personal conversation with him and he seemed interested in everything I had to say.”

Marshall tapped the sale catalog against his palm. “You kid about this, but there’s truth to what you just said. A horse that pays attention is easier to train.”

“I know. You’ve told me. And this isn’t my first day in the horse business. I grew up in it, remember?” He rubbed his knee. Standing for hours wasn’t good for the old football injury. Stating a sad fact, he said, “Believe me, Dad, this horse is in better shape than I am.”

“How about his hips?” Marshall asked.

“A bit narrow,” Brady admitted. “But not enough to affect his running ability.” He shook his head. “Look, you should examine him yourself. Then you wouldn’t be questioning everything I’m telling you.”

“I’ll look at him when he comes out. I’m just making sure you haven’t forgotten anything.”

Brady tried to ignore his building resentment. “Either you trust me on this horse or you don’t.”

Marshall waved off his comment. “I trust you. But you haven’t been home all that long.”

“Almost a year and a half,” Brady pointed out.