Home on the Ranch: Colorado: Big City Cowboy / Colorado Cowboy. Julie Benson
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These cowboys have met their matches in two big-city women! Two reader-favorite cowboy romance stories from Julie Benson & C.C. Coburn.
Big City Cowboy
A fish out of water—that’s how Rory McAlister feels when he leaves Colorado for New York City. True, he needs this money, but somebody should have warned him modeling designer duds meant butting heads with Elizabeth Harrington-Smyth. The bossy, and not to mention gorgeous, ad exec is determined to turn Rory into the original Rhinestone Cowboy!
Colorado Cowboy
Luke O’Malley is shocked to learn he has a teenage son, Cody, living in New York City…and that the boy’s in trouble. Luke had no idea his romance with Megan Montgomery had resulted in a child—only that it had left him brokenhearted. Luke brings them to his ranch as a last-ditch effort to keep Cody out of jail…and to have the family he’s always dreamed of.
Praise for author Julie Benson
“This is a heartwarming story about beating the odds to find joy and love.”
—RT Reviews on Roping the Rancher
“Benson takes the reality TV world and bends it around in this charming contemporary romance.”
—RT Reviews on Bet on a Cowboy
Praise for author C.C. Coburn
“Filled with charm, angst, wit and romance, Coburn’s latest hits all the high points for a romantic read.”
—RT Reviews on Colorado Fireman
“Coburn’s romance is exceedingly witty, poignant and nearly a perfect love story.”
—RT Reviews on Colorado Christmas
Home on the Ranch: Colorado
Big City Cowboy
Julie Benson
Colorado Cowboy
C.C. Coburn
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Big City Cowboy
Julie Benson
JULIE BENSON An avid daydreamer since childhood, Julie Benson always loved creating stories. After graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in sociology, she worked as a case manager before having her children: three boys. Many years later she started pursuing a writing career to challenge her mind and save her sanity. Now she writes full-time in Dallas, where she lives with her husband, their sons, two lovable black dogs, two guinea pigs, a turtle and a fish. When she finds a little quiet time, which isn’t often, she enjoys making jewelry and reading a good book.
To Kevin. Thanks for sticking with me through
the ups and downs of life, and for believing in
me and this dream. You’re definitely a keeper.
To Dr. Angela Krause and David Goddard.
Thanks for the wedding invitation and for
introducing me to Estes Park. This story
never would have happened without you two.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
Estes Park, Colorado
“THERE IS NO WAY I’m getting on a horse.”
Elizabeth Harrington-Smyth pulled into the Twin Creeks Ranch parking lot, vowing she’d never attend another wedding, not even her own should she ever make time to date. So far, being her cousin Janice’s bridesmaid hadn’t been the greatest experience. And don’t get her started on the problems with the whole destination wedding idea that was the trend now.
“Estes Park is so beautiful, and what better way to see the scenery than going horseback riding?” Since moving to Denver three years ago, Janice had gone all outdoorswoman. Today she really fit the part, wearing jeans, a denim shirt and a red bandanna tied around her ebony ponytail.
Elizabeth shuddered. “Looking at the mountains as I sat in the hotel bar was good enough for me.”
“I think this will be a great bridesmaid outing,” chirped Laura, obedient bridesmaid number one. Her Katie Couric perkiness had overwhelmed Elizabeth within five minutes of meeting Janice’s coworker.
“I was hoping we’d get time to go riding. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try,” chimed in Claire, perfect bridesmaid number two, as they spilled out of Janice’s Camry. In addition to being a morning person, Claire had the irritating characteristics of being tall, slender and possessing a disgustingly high metabolism.
“I let you out of the hike yesterday because you were queasy and tired from the altitude, but I want us to have a good time together,” Janice insisted. “It’s girl bonding.”
“The wedding party activities are half the fun of being a bridesmaid,” Claire said.
According to whom? Clearly,