Have you even seen a horse since you left Texas?
I thought once the cattle were calm you and I could ride out to the draw and back in one day. But if you havent ridden in a while, youd end up too saddle-sore to sit for a cross-country flight.
Dont sell me short, JJ said, further irritated because the sight of his large hands around the can made her insides squirm. Magazine photography isnt all glamour. Ive trekked into some wild and woolly spots, and I always carry my own equipment.
Touchy, I see, Mack drawled.
Youre darned tootin'. She tossed back some of the Texas lingo she hadnt fully lost. Im no hothouse flower, Mack. If I wasnt needed here today, Id ride along and photograph your whole trail ride. And I wouldnt need special privileges.
If it bothers you to stay behind with Zoey and Erma, he snapped, Ill leave the guys to calm the herd and ride back here this afternoon.
Im not bothered. She drew back, giving him a puzzled look. Are you bothered about leaving me here? Are you afraid Ill run off with the Bannerman silver?
Texas Dad
Roz Denny Fox
www.millsandboon.co.uk
ROZ DENNY FOXS first book was published by Mills & Boon in 1990. She writes for various Mills & Boon® lines and for special projects. Her books are published worldwide and in a number of languages. Shes also written articles, as well as online serials for Mills & Boon. Rozs warm home- and family-focused love stories have been nominated for various industry awards, including the Romance Writers of Americas RITA, The Holt Medallion, The Golden Quill and others. Roz has been a member of Romance Writers of America since 1987, and is currently a member of Tucsons Saguaro Romance Writers, where she has received The Barbara Award for outstanding chapter service. Shes also a member of Desert Rose RWA chapter in Phoenix, Midwest Fiction Writers of Minneapolis, San Angelo Texas Writers Club, and Novelists, Inc. In 2013 Roz received her fifty-book pin from Mills & Boon.
To view her backlist visit her website at www.korynna.com/RozFox. Readers can e-mail her through Facebook or rdfox@cox.net.
This book is dedicated to my critique partners, Cindy, Suzanne and Laura. They are avid readers and talented writers. In addition to busy lives, they make time to read and constructively point out ways to strengthen my stories.
Thanks for being my writing cheerleaders.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Extract
Chapter One
Seventh grade is so gonna suck. Zoey Bannerman flopped down on her best friend Brandy Everss couch and accepted a bowl of potato chips. Thanks. The Open House at the junior high was the worst! Did you hear that snarky Heather Reed say I dress like a cowboy? She said Jay Lowery and all his friends call me a loser.
Who cares what Heather says? Shes mean. Brandy looked fierce as she passed Zoey a can of soda before sinking cross-legged onto the floor.
Opening the can, Zoey let it stop fizzing before she drank. Things would be way better if I had a mom. I even heard Erma tell my dad he needs a wife. I wish I could help him find someone nice.
You say that a lot, Zoey. I dunno. My mother says you cant just go out and pick a mom. Its up to your dad. Maybe you should talk to him.
He might think I dont love him. I do, but next year school will be different with coed dances and stuff. Dad and Erma think since we live on a ranch its okay if I wear jeans and boots all the time.
Your housekeeper makes the best cookies in the world, but shes my grandmas age. And Erma doesnt shop anywhere except at La Mesas general store. What about setting your dad up with Trudy Thorne? Everybody knows she likes him.
Shes so phony. Erma says Trudys only interested in how much my dad and Turkey Creek Ranch are worth.
Then how about your dads veterinarian? You like Delaney Blair and her kid.
I love Delaney and Nick, but I heard Benny Lopez telling one of Dads new ranch hands that Delaneys hung up on some guy who lives in Argentina.
Who?
I dont know. He sold Dad his prize bull.
Weird. I wonder why they arent married.
Zoey shrugged. Dont ask me. If my dad wanted to date anyone from La Mesa, dont you think hed have done it by now? She munched a few chips. Your parents are so happy together. My dads been alone for a long time. Hes gotta be lonely. She set her soda can on a coaster on the coffee table. I wish a nice woman from someplace else would move to La Mesa. Someone who wants a family. Hesitating, Zoey added, Someone whod love my dad, but who I could talk to about clothes and...and...boys.
But your dad would have to meet her and ask her out first.
Like thatll happen, Zoey lamented, twisting one of her braids.
My mom said shed take me to a big department store before school starts again in Septembera place where they teach people how to put on makeup. And she promised I can get my ears pierced. If your dad says its okay, you can go with us.
Thanks. But I keep horning in on you and your mom.
Its okay cause you dont have a mom, Zoey. And Erma doesnt even wear makeup, does she? Hey! Brandy jumped up off the floor. I have an idea. My mom gets a magazine called Her Own Woman. Last week her gourmet cooking club went on about a contest the magazine is running. With single men, one a month. My moms friend Lacy Doran said readers go online and write up what they like about a certain man. Readers get picked by the magazine to meet the guys and deliver a check to his favorite charity. They go on a big night on the town, sort of like a date. I bet your dad qualifies. Wait, Ill show you.
She crossed the room and dug some glossy magazines out of a rack. Dropping down next to Zoey, Brandy flipped pages until she found the contest. The girls huddled together, reading.
They need photos, Zoey said, frowning. And an essay on why he deserves to be chosen. Theyve done January already. Hes a skier. She opened the second magazine. February is a mountain climber. Gosh, March and April arent wearing shirts. I dont think my dad would go for this. And look...it says all nominees have to sign a release.