Luke’s Ride

Luke’s Ride
Helen DePrima

The time has come for him to cowboy up…He’s spent fifteen years at the rodeo, protecting riders when they hit the dirt. But what exactly is a bullfighter after a bull takes him down in the arena and lands him in a wheelchair? That’s what Luke Cameron’s still struggling to figure out. And if Katie Garrison, in the middle of a controversial divorce, can help him find a new kind of life…well…he’s not one to turn her down! But she’s still a married woman and her husband isn’t going to let her go without a fight. Besides, Luke may never walk again. What kind of life can he give a woman like Katie?

The time has come for him to cowboy up...

He’s spent fifteen years at the rodeo, protecting riders when they hit the dirt. But what exactly is a bullfighter after a bull takes him down in the arena and lands him in a wheelchair? That’s what Luke Cameron’s still struggling to figure out. And if Katie Garrison, in the middle of a controversial divorce, can help him find a new kind of life...well...he’s not one to turn her down! But she’s still a married woman and her husband isn’t going to let her go without a fight. Besides, Luke may never walk again. What kind of life can he give a woman like Katie?

Luke let out a soft wolf whistle.

“Dang, girl! Why do you keep that handsome mane bundled up like an old-maid schoolmarm?”

Katie tried to gather her hair back into some order and finally settled for pulling it to hang through the back of the cap.

“My husband didn’t like me to wear it loose,” she replied. “Too casual, he said. He wanted me to cut it to look more polished.” Reflexively she rubbed the third finger on her left hand.

“Your husband sounds like a damn fool. Sorry, but that’s how it looks to me. I’m glad you stood your ground.”

“Me, too, not that it matters now.”

“Sure it does—it matters to you.” He studied her. “So...you ran away from home?”

Dear Reader (#ue79c903c-b6ca-5deb-8908-9871437f3ec4),

Thanks for joining me and the Cameron family for the third novel in the Cameron’s Pride series. Luke’s Ride digs deep into the dangers cowboy bullfighters face every time the chute gate swings open and explores the true meaning of “cowboy up” both in and outside the bull-riding arena. I hope you’ll enjoy becoming better acquainted with Luke Cameron and Katie Garrison, cheering them on through their challenges and triumphs. I’d love to hear from you with comments or questions: helen@helendeprima.com.

Enjoy the ride!

Helen DePrima

Luke’s Ride

Helen DePrima

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

HELEN DEPRIMA grew up on horseback on her grandfather’s farm near Louisville, Kentucky. After spending a week on a dude ranch in Colorado when she was twelve, Helen fell in love with all things Western.

She spent wonderful weeks on the same ranch during her high school summers. After graduation she headed for the University of Colorado to meet the cowboy of her dreams and live happily ever after in a home on the range. Instead she fell in love with a Jersey boy bound for vet school. She earned her degree in nursing and spent four years as a visiting nurse in northern Colorado while her husband attended Colorado State University.

After her husband graduated, they settled in New Hampshire, where Helen worked first in nursing and then rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife. After retirement, she turned again to earlier passions: writing and the West, particularly professional bull riding.

To my husband, for his advice and support.

Acknowledgments

To my endlessly patient and supportive agent Stephany Evans who endures my megrims with good grace.

To Melissa Maupin, my valued First Reader for her encouragement and excellent suggestions.

To Earlene Fowler for her kindness and prayer.

Love you all!

Contents

Cover (#u878ff3bd-fc62-5ac4-afe2-f306de991ba9)

Back Cover Text (#u7ae80b8a-71dc-5dc7-a1d7-fc20a5798931)

Introduction (#uc10405a3-679e-504b-9121-a769e43f8e50)

Dear Reader (#u055184bf-ff01-5ebc-aee3-1a31f4a34466)

Title Page (#u23d8f226-8a0c-5c78-a4b4-138130347415)

About the Author (#u3109e7a7-ae2d-5f1c-9593-d76350e0c952)

Dedication (#u16130b22-0fcb-5521-9d13-260db57806a6)

CHAPTER ONE (#uf6866804-c27b-500b-9e7d-1a4a0c3be0b3)

CHAPTER TWO (#ucd46db90-b6f3-5bdd-91dd-1bc438b375e1)

CHAPTER THREE (#u32dbc6d8-2a69-5c7f-8317-00a15aad8725)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u318675ca-adbd-5f47-afd4-cb800a8618b3)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u247fb877-32ed-5dda-a098-4a9cc0d41ff3)

CHAPTER SIX (#u9a0fed07-11ca-533c-b1c5-820987cddf0a)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#u8f86c204-e867-5922-997f-1a47dafc8e36)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#u9b3e61a2-ac7a-52d2-8b02-6ac8413b2b4e)

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)