Midnight Cowboy - Ryland#8217s story
Ryland
I’m not the Cowboy Casanova everyone thinks I am. If they only knew I’m a twenty-five-year-old virgin pretending to be a ladies' man, I’d be the laughingstock of the whole ranch.
A misunderstanding with one of the guest’s wives led to my being labeled a player, even though all we did was play cards and talk while her husband lived out his childhood fantasy of being a cowboy, including spending his nights drinking and playing cards at the saloon.
Word soon spread that I had “taken care” of his wife for him, and all the other wives wanted the same attention, especially after they learned the truth about how we actually spent our time.
It wasn’t that they wanted to cheat on their husbands—they wanted the cowboy experience, even dubbing me the Midnight Cowboy.
I never really cared what other people thought—it was none of their business—until a curvy little beauty came to the ranch specifically looking for my “services.” Now I’ll do whatever it takes to convince her I’m not the player she believes me to be, even though she thinks I’m too young for her.
Annie
I’m thirty years old and still holding on to my v-card. It isn’t that I haven’t wanted to give it away—it’s that I haven’t found the one I’m willing to give it to.
Tired of waiting for Mr. Right, I let my grandmother talk me into hooking up with Mr. Right Now, who just happens to work at a nearby ranch. The plan was simple: one night, nothing more. But one night turned into two, then three, until I found myself craving more from my Midnight Cowboy.
It isn’t until I learn the truth that I’m left wondering whether I ever meant anything to him or whether I was just convenient in his world of lies.
Mistletoe Cowboy - Amber’s story
Amber
Now that my boss is on maternity leave, I’m left planning a Christmas wedding for the adoptive daughter of a silver fox, a man I can’t stop thinking about.
How about a trip to Temptation Ridge?
Mountain Man’s Secret Crush – Junie I can’t imagine dating anyone else. Still, I don’t want to hurt David’s feelings.
“I’m sorry, David. I already have a date.” It’s not exactly a lie. As soon as Brooks picks up his cookies, I’m going to ask him out.
“I figured. A woman as pretty as you probably has all the guys falling at your feet.” With a sad smile, he places his order.
Still in shock over his sweet comment, I go through the motions of collecting his payment and giving him his change before he steps aside, waiting for Brynnlee to finish boxing his order.
My heart races when I see Brooks and Molly step to the front of the line. I was so busy trying not to hurt David’s feelings I didn’t notice them come in. But before I can say anything, Cassi Martin, with her perfect hair and perfect body, steps in front of Brooks, stopping his movements.
“Brooks, hon, I was wondering if you'd like to go to the summer festival with me tomorrow.” Her perfect fake eyelashes flutter prettily as she waits for his answer.
I can’t take my eyes off Brooks, even holding my breath, waiting for his answer. Out of the corner of my eye, I think I see Molly shake her head and pull on his arm.
The silence stretches out, making my heart thump so loudly that I’m almost sure the entire room can hear it racing, until the one word I never thought could tear my world apart escapes from Brook’s mouth.
“Sure.”