A Cowboy's Pride

Have you ever wished you were part of a fictional family? Growing up, my sisters and I would call, “Good night, Jim Bob. Night, Mary Ellen,” like the Waltons, and we’d braid each other’s hair like the Ingalls sisters. The Cades and the Lovelands in my Rocky Mountain Cowboys series embody what I love most about family: love, togetherness and support...a shoulder to cry on, a forever friend, the person who always has your back, who knows you better than anyone else and loves you no matter what.

In this fourth book, these feuding families are about to be united on the eve of their parents’ wedding. Their temporary truce, however, is threatened when TV show host Katlynn Brennon returns to her hometown and enlists the aid of her ex, Cole Loveland, to solve the scandalous mystery surrounding the kidnapping, murder and priceless jewel theft that began the feud over a hundred years ago. She needs to face her difficult past to score high ratings to save her show. Cole needs to keep the woman who once broke his heart from destroying his father’s happiness. If they dig deep enough, they might just resolve their own history along the way...

I hope this story captivates you and keeps you turning pages. Stay tuned for Jewel Cade and Heath Loveland’s love story, coming soon in 2019!

Until then, with love and thanks,

Karen Rock

To “Beanie”—the best French braider, foreign-film discoverer, homeopathic health experimenter and big sister I could have ever wished for. You’re the yellow heart to my pink.

Contents

Cover (#u86b6a7c3-ece7-5be9-9f97-67bca88ec120)

Back Cover Text (#ua8bd60dc-eba0-5390-ac95-ca3efcc1abbb)

About the Author (#u65291dd7-e4a2-58a7-b004-80e80cc63fb9)

Booklist (#u519ba9c7-4ddd-5f15-b898-eece04ccb1d8)

Title Page (#u6927158c-b1fa-5d27-9bec-da0edd7dd00e)

Copyright (#u08d4cfaf-f76e-58be-8f40-029cd212a560)

Introduction (#u17df10d7-0f71-592a-985d-30a94e5f211a)

Dear Reader (#u2863855e-6103-5de5-ad13-02a4790a30ff)

Dedication (#u9e0ba9ad-7e51-5365-aa0d-bf1b0468fb3e)

CHAPTER ONE (#u3c8085fd-61d3-5f71-928e-41bf6051f0ce)

CHAPTER TWO (#u980d181a-5c4e-59e1-a129-aed299a2186f)

CHAPTER THREE (#uaa9a8b6f-f036-578f-8f3d-8f7c4dfd40c1)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u5fd4d0c0-f04e-58e5-aa14-e7d98d839043)

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)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE (#uf565d4ba-a430-5d93-8122-1534b2b84435)

“ACTION!”

At her director’s prompting, Katlynn Brennon aimed her sincerest smile into the television camera, stuck out her forehead and tipped down her chin for her best angle. Her weary eyes chased the racing teleprompter all while striving to ignore her “slimming” undergarment’s malicious dig.

What number was this take?

Infinity?

“Babe Paley, the socialite wife of CBS founder, William S. Paley, once said, ‘A woman can never be too rich or too thin,’” Katlynn intoned, voice steady despite the boom mic’s close dip to her head. “However, many of her fellow glamour queens might have added that riches don’t guarantee contentment. Heiresses may even share a unique kind of adversity.”

Beneath blaring lights, Katlynn willed back the damp forming on her forehead.

Glow not glisten.

Glow.

“On tonight’s episode of Scandalous History, we’ll dig into the secret lives of seven ‘golden girls’ who inherited their share of troubles along with their fortunes.”

She paused, maintaining her pose for Editing, who appreciated extra room on the ends of takes. Dozens of eyes peered at her from the shadows.

Nope. This wasn’t awkward at all...

Perfectly natural to grin at nothing like a loony statue...

“Cut!” bellowed her director, Gabe French, and she blew out a breath. A gray-haired, slouchy man, Gabe’s heavy-lidded eyes and rumpled clothes belied his legendary perfectionism. “Great job, Katlynn. Just amazing. Now, can we do another take with you repeating the intro salaciously?”

Mary, the studio’s overzealous hair and makeup person, rushed Katlynn with a fistful of spritzes, brushes and powder. De-frizzing spray blasted in a coconut-scented cloud.

“Salaciously?” Katlynn choked out as Mary smoothed down microscopic hair wisps only an expert stylist or a circling hawk could spot.