
Every Bit a Cowboy
Creedence Horse Rescue, #5
by Jennie Marts
Publication date: March 7th 2023
Genres:ย Adult,ย Contemporary,ย Romance
Blurb:
โFilled with humor, heart and real love.โ โMichelle Major,ย USA Todayย bestselling author
USA Todayย bestselling author Jennie Marts proves thereโs nothing quite like a cowboy.
No matter how swoony the cute cowboy is, romance is the last thing on Carley Chapmanโs mind. But itโs hard to ignore Knox Garrison and the spark of attraction she feels every time heโs near. When a water line break floods her building, sheโs forced to move her salon out to the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue ranch, and Knox shows up to help. But things get even more complicated when Carleyโs no-good ex comes sniffing around and Knox โfixesโ the problem by telling him theyโre engagedโฆ
Praise for Jennie Martsโs cowboy romances:
โFunny, complicated, and irresistible. Sometimes a cowboy isnโt perfect but you got to love him anyway.โโJODI THOMAS,ย New York Timesย bestselling author, forย Caught Up in a Cowboy
โFull of hope, humor, and undeniable swoon.โโA.J. PINE,ย USA Todayย bestselling author, forย How to Cowboy
โDeliciously steamy but still sweet, with a secret at its heart.โโJOANNE KENNEDY, award-winning author, forย Wish Upon a Cowboy
Goodreads:ย https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61941054-every-bit-a-cowboy
Purchase:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/41MsIZd
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-bit-a-cowboy-jennie-marts/1141545258?ean=9781728226170
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/every-bit-a-cowboy/id6442944401
Kobo:ย https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/every-bit-a-cowboy
*****
Excerpt:
Carley gestured to the kitchen island where sheโd set out mini quiches, fruit, yogurt, and a mimosa bar. โBefore we get started, you all make yourselves some plates. And Iโve orange juice and champagne if you all want mimosas.โ
โIโm down for that,โ the third bridesmaid, who Carley didnโt recognize, said, as she strode into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of alcohol. Already gorgeous, with her long blond hair pulled up in a ponytail, she wore a bright teal Western-cut shirt, jeans tucked into tall, embroidered cowboy boots, and a rhinestone-studded belt held together by a large, shiny rodeo championship buckle. โI may not be able to make fancy invitations or frost a million cupcakes, but I make a mean mimosa that will either land you on your butt or in the lap of a hot cowboy, and Iโm making one for all of you.โ
Chloe nudged Carley. โThatโs Stacey, Coltโs cousin. Sheโs a barrel racer, and the rumors youโve heard about them are true.โ
โBut you love me anyway,โ Stacey said then let out a whoop as she popped the champagne cork.
โYes, we do,โ Chloe agreed, laughing with her. โBut Iโve already got my cowboy, and the last thing I need is to land on my tush at the wedding tonight, so make mine light on the champagne.โ
Carley laughed, even as she couldnโt help thinking about how she wished all it would take was a mean mimosa to land her in a certain hot cowboyโs lap. โI want you all to have a good time this morning. Iโll do Quinnโs and Tessaโs hair first, then work on the brideโs, and then finish with Staceyโs.โ
โPerfect,โ Chloe said, accepting one of the mimosas Stacey was handing around.
โHereโs to the bride,โ Stacey called out, holding up the last glass. โNow, letโs get this party started.โ
An hour later, Carley was just starting on Chloeโs hair when the front door opened, and Knox walked in. He held up two boxes of Twinkies. โWho needs a little sugar?โ
โOh my word,โ Stacey squealed as she bolted off the sofa and charged towards him. โChloe, you little devil. You got us a stripper.โ She circled around Knox looking him up and down as she went. โAnd da-amn, is he ever a good-looking one.โ She gestured to his service weapon. โHey handsome, are you going to show us your big gun? Is it already cocked?โ
โWhat? NoโฆI meanโฆthis is a real gun,โ Knox sputtered, putting his hand protectively over his holster.
โIโm sure it is, baby,โ Stacey crooned, leaning forward and giving him a little shimmy. โHow much extra for a lap dance? Because Iโve got an hour still to get my hair real mussed up, and Iโve got money to burn.โ
โStacey. Stop it,โ Chloe said. โHeโs not a stripper.โ
โGood try,โ Stacey said. โLook at those muscles. I know a stripper when I see one.โ She gave Knox the โMatrix come forwardโ gesture with her fingers. โCome on, baby, show us what you got.โ
Knox looked at Carley, as if hoping sheโd save him. Sheโd never seen the deputy so tongue-tied, but he seemed completely flummoxed as he held up the cardboard boxes. โI just brought some Twinkies.โ
โWe know. And we want to see โem.โ Stacey hooted then let out a long wolf-whistle.
โListen now,โ Knox tried again. โIโm a deputy sheriff, and this is my official uniform.โ
โGreat,โ Stacey said. โNow take it off. Then can I touch your gun?โ
โWhat did I tell you?โ Chloe said, shaking her head. โBarrel racers. You canโt take โem anywhere.โ
โSorry ladies,โ Carley heard herself say as she stepped around Chloe and in front of Knox. โThis oneโs mine.โ
Mine? Since when did she consider this man hers? Apparently as soon as some hot barrel-racer started flirting with him.
Knox stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist. Either her declaration or the steadiness of his hand holding her hip must have given him some of his composure back because his voice changed back to his normal charming tone. โYep, thatโs right. I belong to this one. Sorry ladies. Carleyโs the only one Iโm stripping for.โ He grinned down at her. โToo much?โ he asked quietly, before turning back to Stacey. โAnd sheโs the only one who gets to touch my gun.โ
Carley barked out a laugh then covered her mouth. โI knew I shouldnโt have had a mimosa.โ
โI havenโt had nearly enough,โ Stacey said, heading toward the kitchen. โIโm making another round. You in for one, Mr. Official Deputy Sheriff?โ
Knox shook his head. โNo thanks. I just stopped by to bring you all some snacks and to offer to help.โ
Carleyโs heart melted a little. โAww. Thatโs so nice of you.โ
โI was worried you would be having a rough time being out of your normal element and thought maybe I could do something. You already know my skills at washing hair. Do you need me to shampoo anyone?โ
โNo thanks,โ Carley said. โI appreciate the offer, but updos work best when you start with dirty hair.โ
โIโve got dirty hair,โ Stacey piped up. โIn fact, Iโm real dirty. So, you can shampoo all of me.โ
โStacey, seriously dude, you have to stop,โ Chloe scolded. โKnox is Carleyโs fiancรฉ. He is not a stripper.โ
โWhat?โ Aunt Sassy asked from behind them as she pushed through the door of the bunkhouse. โYou all got a stripper? I didnโt know you were getting a stripper. I wouldโve skipped my dentist appointment entirely and come straight here if Iโd known. Did he start yet?โ She snapped open her handbag. โI know I have some cash in here. Do I need one-dollar bills, or do you think he can make change?โ
Chloe raised an eyebrow at Stacey. โSee what you started?โ Then she called out to the other woman. โSorry, Aunt Sassy, there is no stripper.โ
โDang,โ she said, snapping closed her purse. โIs it too late to get one?โ
*****
Author Info:
Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books โlaugh out loudโ funny and the โperfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.โ Fic Central claimed one of her books was โthe most fun Iโve had reading in years.โ
She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. Sheโs addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you canโt have too many books, shoes, or friends.
Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.
Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her atย www.jenniemarts.comย and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.
https://jenniemarts.com/newsletter/
https://www.facebook.com/JennieMartsBooks/
https://www.instagram.com/jenniemartswriter/
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6876233.Jennie_Marts
*****
