A Saddle Made For Two

A Saddle Made For Two
Roxann Delaney

JUST ONE KISS…Cowboys! Ellie Warren had met enough arrogant men on the rodeo circuit to last her ten lifetimes. She had plans–and they didn't include a hard-bodied, blue-eyed distraction named Chace Brannigan. But with just one kiss from the bronc-riding champion, Ellie knew her lonely heart threatened her neatly laid plans….As Ellie slipped from his protective embrace, Chace had an overwhelming feeling of needs aching to be fulfilled. But he had promises to keep, and a woman had no place in them. Yet something about Ellie's solitary goals made him long for things unspoken. Perhaps together they could design a saddle made for two…?

“Are you going to be my lifelong bodyguard?”

Chace turned Ellie to face him. Now that she brought up the idea, he wasn’t sure he’d mind keeping an eye on her. It was crazy, but he couldn’t deny it. It didn’t mean he wanted to make any kind of commitment or declare his undying love, but the thought of being with her felt…right.

“For this trip, I’m responsible for you.”

In the dim light, he couldn’t see her face clearly. The silence surrounded them, and he could have sworn he heard her heart beating. Or was that his own, racing in his ears? He pressed her hand to his chest and drew her close.

“Chace,” she said on a whispered breath.

It was then he knew who he should be protecting her from.

Dear Reader,

I hope the long hot summer puts you in the mood for romance—Silhouette Romance, that is! Because we’ve got a month chock-full of exciting stories. And be sure to check out just how Silhouette can make you a star!

Elizabeth Harbison returns with her CINDERELLA BRIDES miniseries. In His Secret Heir, an English earl discovers the American student he’d once known had left with more than his heart…. And Teresa Southwick’s Crazy for Lovin’You begins a new series set in DESTINY, TEXAS. Filled with emotion, romance and a touch of intrigue, these stories are sure to captivate you!

Cara Colter’s THE WEDDING LEGACY begins with Husband by Inheritance. An heiress gains a new home—complete with the perfect husband. Only, he doesn’t know it yet! And Patricia Thayer’s THE TEXAS BROTHERHOOD comes to a triumphant conclusion when Travis Comes Home.

Lively, high-spirited Julianna Morris shows a woman’s determination to become a mother with Tick Tock Goes the Baby Clock and Roxann Delaney gives us A Saddle Made for Two.

We’ve also got a special treat in store for you! Next month, look for Marie Ferrarella’s The Inheritance, a spin-off from the MAITLAND MATERNITY series. This title is specially packaged with the introduction to the new Harlequin continuity series, TRUEBLOOD, TEXAS. But The Inheritance then leads back into Silhouette Romance, so be sure to catch the opening act.

Happy Reading!

Mary-Theresa Hussey

Senior Editor

A Saddle Made for Two

Roxann Delaney

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

To Cindy and Tracy, my favorite mother-and-daughter barrel racers, for always being there to answer my questions. To the wonderful ladies and gents of Cata-romance, the very best group in cyberspace. And to my mom, for always believing in me.

Books by Roxann Delaney

Silhouette Romance

Rachel’s Rescuer #1509

A Saddle Made for Two #1533

ROXANN DELANEY

is the mother of four daughters. With the two oldest on their own, although a mere twenty yards away, life in her hometown in south-central Kansas is still far from dull. The 1999 Maggie Award winner enjoys keeping up with the former high school classmates she encounters and the tons of relatives, whose ancestors settled in the area over a century ago. A theater buff, she once helped establish a community theater and both acted and directed in the productions, as well as served on the board of directors. But writing is her first love, and she is thrilled to have followed the yellow brick road to the land of Silhouette Romance. She would love to hear from readers, who can write to her at P.O. Box 636, Clearwater, KS 67026.

Contents

Chapter One (#ubd84fb04-4411-5bb3-a947-e9643608fc5a)

Chapter Two (#u29168bbc-3f8a-5de6-998a-80c15e437e67)

Chapter Three (#uc518429e-3d16-56d4-8cba-b2a8adc7456e)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

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 One

“Come on over here, sugar, and I’ll show you what a real man can do.”

Ignoring the remark coming from one of the drunken men near a row of stock trailers, Ellie Warren lifted her chin in an indignant gesture. She stomped past them, muttering to herself. “Stupid, brain-dead cowboy.”

The smell of whisky, sweat and animals—some of them the two-legged variety—drenched the night air around the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, rodeo grounds. None of the aromas were new to Ellie. She’d spent the past twelve years, since she was fourteen, barrel racing and the last six of those traveling across the country. She had put up with all manner of rude and crude cowboys, and it hadn’t taken her long to figure out the best way to deal with them. Ignore them.

Her muttering didn’t cease as she wound her way through the contestant campgrounds behind the arena to her camper. “Oughta have their mouths filled with manure.”

Exhaustion slowed her steps, and it took every ounce of energy she had to lift her dust-covered boot onto the metal platform at the back of her pickup camper. She needed a shower, but she’d rather wait until morning than go back through the huddle of men she’d skirted around in the darkness.

Sticking the key in the lock and turning the knob, she pulled open the door and stepped inside. She groped in the dark to switch on a light while she yanked her hat from her head. The hat fell to the countertop, and her gaze dropped to the floor.

Her blood-curdling scream, at the sight of the snake curled on the floor, bounced off the thin camper walls.

Thoughts skittered through her mind, but none made sense. Without taking her attention from the coldblooded invader, Ellie acted on instinct and eased open the door of the small closet to her right. After carefully pulling out a newly purchased, flat-bottomed shovel, intended for her horse trailer, she jabbed the edge onto the snake as close to its head as possible. Praying the critter would stay put, she gripped the wooden handle with both hands and jumped atop the metal. The snake flipped and writhed beneath the blade, and Ellie realized what she’d just done. Frozen to the spot in shock and unable to move, except to brace herself with one hand against the cabinet for balance, a shudder shook her body.

Now what? she thought, when the snake slowed its wriggling. If she got off and it came after her, she’d die of fright. Mercy, she hated snakes! But staying propped on the shovel for eternity wasn’t an option, either.

Her heart regained its beat, pounding ninety to nothing, and her breath came in quick, short bursts. Her knees were so weak and shaky she thought she’d fall off the only thing between her and her unwelcome guest. Taking a deep but unsteady breath, she tried to focus on her alternatives. There didn’t seem to be any.

When the door banged open behind her, she let out another ear-splitting scream.