Big Sky Country

Big Sky Country
Linda Lael Miller

No one writes Western romance better than #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller!Let her take you to the town of Parable, Montana…The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father…until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited half of Whisper Creek Ranch, one of the most prosperous in Parable County. That doesn't sit well with his half brother, Hutch, who grew up with all the rights of a Carmody, including the affections of Joslyn Kirk, homecoming queen, rodeo queen, beauty queen–and the girl Slade's never forgotten.But Joslyn has come home to Parable under difficult circumstances. Resented by many of the townspeople cheated by her crooked stepfather, she's trying to rebuild her life and repay everyone who lost money because of his schemes. With a town to protect, plus a rebellious teenage stepdaughter, Slade already has his hands full. But someone has to convince Joslyn that she's responsible only for her own actions–and that someone is Sheriff Barlow!

No one writes Western romance better than #1 New York Times bestselling author Linda Lael Miller!

Let her take you to the town of Parable, Montana…

The illegitimate son of a wealthy rancher, Sheriff Slade Barlow grew up in a trailer hitched to the Curly-Burly hair salon his mother runs. He was never acknowledged by his father…until now. Suddenly, Slade has inherited half of Whisper Creek Ranch, one of the most prosperous in Parable County. That doesn’t sit well with his half brother, Hutch, who grew up with all the rights of a Carmody, including the affections of Joslyn Kirk, homecoming queen, rodeo queen, beauty queen—and the girl Slade’s never forgotten.

But Joslyn has come home to Parable under difficult circumstances. Resented by many of the townspeople cheated by her crooked stepfather, she’s trying to rebuild her life and repay everyone who lost money because of his schemes. With a town to protect, plus a rebellious teenage stepdaughter, Slade already has his hands full. But someone has to convince Joslyn that she’s responsible only for her own actions—and that someone is Sheriff Barlow!

Praise for #1 New York Times bestselling author (#u2ed6b015-80f9-5c3a-9e5f-6d99827029b3)

LINDA LAEL MILLER (#u2ed6b015-80f9-5c3a-9e5f-6d99827029b3)

“Miller tugs at the heartstrings as few authors can.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Fans of Linda Lael Miller will fall in love with The Marriage Pact and without a doubt be waiting for the next installments, which will feature Hadleigh’s friends.… [Miller’s] ranch-based westerns have always entertained and stay with me long after reading them.”

—Idaho Statesman

“All three titles should appeal to readers who like their contemporary romances Western, slightly dangerous and graced with enlightened (more or less) bad-boy heroes.”

—Library Journal on the Montana Creeds series

“Miller enthralls, once again, in the second entry of her new McKettrick Men series (following McKettrick’s Luck), an engrossing, contemporary western romance… Miller’s masterful ability to create living, breathing characters never flags, even in the case of Echo’s dog, Avalon; combined with a taut story line and vivid prose, Miller’s romance won’t disappoint.”

—Publishers Weekly on McKettrick’s Pride (starred review)

“Miller has found a perfect niche with charming western romances and cowboys who will set readers hearts aflutter. Funny and heartwarming, The Marriage Pact will intrigue readers by the first few pages. Unforgettable characters with endless spunk and desire make this a must-read.”

—RT Book Reviews

“Miller treads familiar ground with her detailing of close-knit small town life, developed characters, sweet romance, and a hint of cowboy excitement.”

—Publishers Weekly on The Marriage Pact

“[Miller] is one of the finest American writers in the genre.”

—RT Book Reviews

Big Sky Country

Linda Lael

Miller

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

Dear Reader (#u2ed6b015-80f9-5c3a-9e5f-6d99827029b3),

I can’t think of a more spectacular backdrop for a romance—or a wedding—than the Big Sky country, with its snow-laced mountains, jewel-clear lakes, its shimmering cottonwoods and ancient pines, its vast, grass-rippled prairies, and, of course, that legendary sky. To me, Montana is one of the most beautiful places on earth, part of the landscape of my soul, and writing about the place is always a pleasure.

For all its stunning scenery, though, the best thing about this loveliest of states is its people. They are straightforward—kind and cordial to friends and strangers alike, capable of hard work under the most difficult circumstances. In short, most of them still exhibit the pioneer spirit.

Several years ago, I went on a cattle drive in Montana, the kind of trip where you sleep in tents (okay, to real cowboys and cowgirls, tents represent luxury), ride after cattle all day and enjoy a cook wagon supper by a blazing campfire come evening. The stories told around that fire were funny, poignant and downright fascinating. My favorite involved a recent dude who’d brought his pillow out with him one morning and asked if somebody would mind strapping it to his saddle. Naturally, the wranglers got a major kick out of that, and so did the rest of us.

One day, we watched in sheer admiration while several cowboys and their horses rescued a cow who’d managed to get herself good and stuck in a cattle guard. She’d fallen between the wooden slats and she was bawling something fierce. I was horrified, figuring she’d have to be shot, since she must surely have broken at least one leg, but I’ll never forget watching real cowboys and very skilled horses in action. Using ropes and a strategically placed slab of wood, in a cooperative effort of man and horse that resembled a graceful dance, they managed to get that critter out of the hole and onto flat ground—unhurt, thank heaven. She ran to rejoin the herd, bellowing like crazy and wheeling her tail, and the rest of us greenhorns cheered. The cowboys calmly rewound their ropes, gave their horses an appreciative pat on the neck, then tipped their hats to us and rode off. After all, they had work to do.

Those are the kinds of experiences and memories that I brought to my Parable series. I hope that this story will leave you wanting to visit Montana (if you don’t live there, of course!) or revisit in the near future. You won’t be sorry.

If you’re from Montana, or if you do go there, check out my website, lindalaelmiller.com (http://lindalaelmiller.com), to tell me about your time in the Big Sky state!

With love,

In loving memory of my beloved beagle, Sadie.

I’m grateful for every moment of the 11 years we shared.

Contents

Cover (#u6cdb03ea-7d1c-54a7-876c-b3be3f2ef4b7)

Back Cover Text (#u4bcd2b3a-4760-54bb-872c-beaf5b2a2e4d)

Praise

Title Page (#ufad80437-055f-58b7-969f-8b995b3743a7)

Dear Reader

Dedication (#ub4e0e4e3-adb6-59d8-a889-c1d4bc1d670c)

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN