THE PERFECT CANDIDATE
Single mom and aspiring perfectionist Becca Johnston is determined to be the next mayor of Cupids Bow, Texas. She cant afford distractions like her new tenant, rugged rodeo champ Sawyer McCall. Having a good man around the house means so much to her young son, and Becca is definitely enjoying the handsome cowboys attention. But the election is too important to risk scandalous town gossip.
Sawyer only planned on staying in Cupids Bow long enough to help with the upcoming centennial celebration, but with Becca and her son, hes finally found home. When she treats him like hes a dirty little secret, hiding him from her voters and her son, Sawyer is crushed. How can he convince her that love is the one thing she cant control?
Beccas eyes widened. The gorgeous cowboy from the bar? What was he doing here?
His mouth curled in a slow, satisfied smile.
Marc, you run along and take your shower, she instructed.
Her son, who was fairly well behaved for a second-grade boy, picked that moment to exhibit his rare rebellious streak. Hi, Im Marc.
The cowboy smiled as he came closer, his long-legged stride graceful and annoyingly mesmerizing to watch. Im Sawyer.
Mr. Sawyer, do you like pizza? Marc said.
As a matter of fact, I do. Sawyer grinned.
Then you should
Marc! Scoot. Becca tried to cut him off.
have dinner with us, her son invited.
Becca bit back a groan; Sawyers eyes glittered with knowing humor as he met her gaze. He was amused by her discomfort, which did nothing to raise her opinion of him, but he had the decency to wait until her son was inside to laugh outright.
Well, he said as the front door slammed, at least one of you likes me.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Cupids Bow! Or if this is your first visit to my fictional town, Im so glad youre here.
The fun thing about returning to the same community over and over again is that the characters start to feel like family. I care about them and want them to be happy. When single mom Becca Johnston showed up in my first Cupids Bow book, Falling for the Sheriff, she was a strong-minded woman who knew how to get stuff done, practically running the town through all of her volunteer efforts and her work on the town council. Becca has really grown on me over time, and I wanted to make sure this take-charge heroine met a hero worthy of her.
Enter rodeo cowboy Sawyer McCall, who needs a place to stay for a couple weeks and rents Beccas attic apartment. In many ways, hes Beccas opposite, guaranteed to drive her crazy. But sometimes the person you didnt know you wanted in your life is exactly who you need.
I hope you enjoy Becca and Sawyers story and that youll come back to Cupids Bow! Im already working on the next two books in the series. Follow me on Twitter, @TanyaMichaels, or like me on Facebook (AuthorTanyaMichaels) for updates about the series, anecdotes about my family and the writing life and to chat about favorite books and TV shows.
Hope to talk to you soon!
Tanya
The Cowboy Upstairs
Tanya Michaels
www.millsandboon.co.uk
TANYA MICHAELS, a New York Times bestselling author and five-time RITA® Award nominee, has been writing love stories since middle-school algebra class (which probably explains her math grades). Her books, praised for their poignancy and humor, have received awards from readers and reviewers alike. Tanya is an active member of Romance Writers of America and a frequent public speaker. She lives outside Atlanta with her very supportive husband, two highly imaginative kids and a bichon frise who thinks shes the center of the universe.
For H. I love you.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Introduction
Dear Reader
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Extract
Copyright
Chapter One
SorryI was trying to listen, but I got distracted by the hot cowboy in tight jeans. Even as Hadley made the apology, her gaze remained fixed across the dining room of the barbecue restaurant. The two women on either side of her craned their heads to look.
Across the table from the oglers, Becca Johnston sighed in exasperation. Ladies, this is Cupids Bow. Good-looking cowboys in Wranglers are a common occurrence. Whats uncommon is a female mayor. So, could we focus? If Becca won the electionno, when she wonshe would be only the third woman in the towns hundred-year history to be mayor.
Sierra Bailey, seated next to Becca, smiled in encouragement, not at all distracted by the prospect of a hot cowboyprobably because she went home to her own cowboy every night. Locals had been placing bets on when her devoted rancher would officially pop the question. Youre going to make a wonderful mayor.
Thank you. Becca truly appreciated the other womans support and all the hours shed spent volunteering on the campaign, in addition to her full-time job as a physical therapist. Youre forgiven for your poster idea. Sierra had suggested the slogan Vote for Our Favorite Control Freak!
If it helps, Sierra said, I meant it as a compliment. As Jarrett will tell you, I tend toward the bossy side myself.
In Beccas opinion, there was nothing freakish about wanting a life that was calm and controlled. Growing up in a house with six kids, shed craved order. Now she planned to give that gift to her friends and neighbors.
Hadley refocused on the conversation, a glint in her dark eyes; the town librarian wasnt as blatantly outspoken as Sierra or Becca, but God help you if you defaced a book or interrupted patrons trying to read and study in peace. In men, they call it leadership skills, but women get called bossy. I say good for youboth of youfor not being afraid to take charge.
It isnt like anyone ever gave me a choice. Unwanted responsibility had been thrust on Becca as a kid. And again two years ago when her real estate agent husband fled town after a shady investment, leaving her a suddenly single mom struggling to pay the bills. Some money from a late uncle had helped her survive while she brainstormed new revenue streams, but survival wasnt enough. She wanted to triumph.
While Hadley had, thankfully, regained her concentration, Irene and Anita were still staring after the unseen cowboy.
Who do you think he is? Anita asked with a sigh. Besides my future husband.
Waitnone of you recognize him? Becca swiveled in her chair, craning her head for a better look. She needed to know as many constituents as possible; if he was new to town, she should introduce herself. Then again, if a hot cowboy had just moved to Cupids Bow, wouldnt she have heard the gossip by now? The local grapevine prided itself on speed and thoroughness.
She blinked at her first glimpse of the man. Wow. Hadley hadnt exaggerated his appeal. Unlike her friends, Becca wasnt usually drawn to rugged men. Her ideal type was more polished and urbane, like her ex-husband.
The man in the weathered straw cowboy hat stood facing local rancher Brody Davenport as they waited for a table; she could see only the strangers profile, but it was impressive. Beneath the brim of his hat, a few curls of rich brown hair fell toward his eyes. His striking cheekbones were flawless and not even the unshaven stubble of an auburn-tinged beard lessened the effect of his strong jaw. And then there were his wide shoulders, corded forearms and, as promised, the breathtaking way he filled out his je
Oh, hell. Suddenly Becca found her gaze locked with a pair of amused eyes. She couldnt tell their color from here, but the cocky merriment as he caught her staring was unmistakable. Heat flooded her cheeks, and she whipped her head back around. But the movement made her feel cowardly. Looking in his direction wasnt a crime, and she wasnt one to be intimidated by a man. Ignoring the prickle of embarrassment, she glanced back toward him and offered a casual, unimpressed smile.
He smirked.
Arrogant cowboy. She didnt want him; shed just wanted his vote.
* * *
DESPITE BEING HUNGRY and eager to try the barbecue Brody claimed was the best in Texas, Sawyer McCall was irrationally annoyed when the hostess showed them to a booth around the corner. Following her meant he couldnt get a better look at the group of women on the other side of the restaurantspecifically, the woman with pale red-gold hair whod been scoping him out with such frank appreciation before shed studiously tried to pretend otherwise.
Too late, sweetheart. She couldnt erase the spark of awareness theyd shared.
Once seated at the booth, he and Brody ordered a couple sweet teas. While Sawyer studied the laminated menu, his friend began once again praising the restaurant.
Back when I was doing the rodeo circuit, The Smoky Pig is what I missed most about Cupids Bow. Brody smiled, looking happier than Sawyer had ever seen him. Of course, that was before Jazz came back to town, or she would have been what I missed most. Last month, Brody had married a former high school classmate, Jasmine Tucker, whod left Texas after graduation and returned to her hometown only a couple years ago. Brody had fallen hard.
Sawyer still couldnt believe the bronc rider he used to go out drinking with was someones husband now. I cant wait to meet her. He grinned slyly. Especially if shes as gorgeous as you say she is. According to her proud new husband, Jasmine had been a model in New York City.
No flirting with my wife, McCall. Brody shot him a mock glare before his tone returned to normal. You know the only reason you werent invited to the wedding is because it was so small and so far away, right? Brody had admitted that hed suggested the Caribbean ceremony because hed wanted to prove he could be worldly, toothat marrying him didnt mean being stuck in Cupids Bow.
You sure the real reason you didnt invite me was because you were afraid shed take one look at me and decide I was the better-looking cowboy? Sawyer smirked, but then said, Nah, I understand. I think its great you two put a couple stamps in your passports. Ive always had wanderlust myself. Granted, most of Sawyers travels had been regionalTexas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming.
On-the-Move McCall. When was the last time you were home?
Sawyer shrugged, as if the answer didnt matter. My lifes a thrilling blur of cattle drives and training horses, pretty cowgirls and small-town motels.
At the mention of motels, Brody frowned. Are you sure you dont want to stay with us until after the trail ride? Youd be more than welcome.
Cupids Bow was about to have its centennial celebration, a week of Western-themed festivities culminating in a three-day trail ride that would recreate the journey of the towns founders; on the strength of Brodys recommendation, Sawyer had been hired as one of the ride leaders. Getting here a week early allowed him plenty of time to catch up with his friend, a chance to compete in a rodeo in the next county and the opportunity to finish a series of articles hed been writing for a Texas travel magazine. Plus, you had nowhere else to be. He hadnt been back to the family spread since his older brother had made it clear Sawyer was no more than a glorified ranch hand.
I appreciate the offer of letting me bunk with you. Originally, that had been Sawyers plan...or as close as he came to planning in advance. But hed realized today just how smitten Brody was and how awkward the role of third wheel would be. You and Jazz are newlyweds, though. You dont need me underfoot. Ill check into a hotel after lunch. It would be an added expense, but hed had a good year between prize money and breeding rights for the bull hed invested in. His only splurge was a new truck.
Sure, there are a couple of hotels close by. Or you couldnever mind.
Sawyer raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. What?