To Tame A Texas Cowboy

Author

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the following individuals without whose help this book never would’ve been finished: Courtney Stevens for connecting me with her mother-in-law Lori, Holly at VCA Animal Care Hospital for helping me with software, Mary Bethune at Haggard Library, Jennifer Jacobson once again for her brainstorming help and endless encouragement, Jeanne Klockers for her proofreading skills and input, Caitlin, Denise, Jenny, Jacob, Marcus, Emily, Aylin, Brendan and the rest of the amazing crew at Starbucks Custer and 15th in Plano who kept me sane, caffeinated, and offered encouragement when I needed it. Thank you all! And last, but certainly not least, thank you to Lori Halligan for her expertise, listening to me complain, and being an all-around great BFF.

Prologue

"I can’t believe you talked me into coming with you. If anyone sees us—"

"Don’t say it. Don’t even think it." A shudder rippled through Sheridan Whitten. If anyone caught her and her best friend Scarlett at Wishing’s famed well making a wish, they’d be a running joke at Wishing High School.

If you hear anyone, we’ll leave before they get close enough to recognize us.

You don’t really think making a wish for your sister will come true, do you? Look at this place.

Sheridan scanned the historical park as the town had designated the fenced-off area surrounding the well and admitted it wasn’t much to look at. A white picket fenced separated the beat-up limestone well and the small graveyard from the grassy field. That and the fancy bronze sign beside the gate were the only things making this well different from any other old one within a hundred miles.

A slight breeze swirled around Sheridan. When the warm September air brushed against her, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as if someone had trailed fingers over her. The air vibrated with a bizarre energy, making her nervous because she’d never felt anything like this before. She wasn’t one of those woo-woo-sense-a-disturbance-in-the-force girls. And yet, something almost pulled her in, as if a connection existed between her and this land.

I don’t know if a wish for Cheyenne will come true, but it can’t hurt. She had to do something. If her sister couldn’t find a doctor capable of helping her, the seizures would continue to get worse until… Well, Sheridan hadn’t been told what would happen, and that meant it was bad.

A dove, nestled in a nearby live oak, cooed to its mate, breaking the night stillness. Since her sister’s first seizure two months ago, Cheyenne had changed. Sometimes there was an emptiness in her eyes that scared Sheridan, and she feared, her sister, the strongest person she knew, was disappearing before her eyes.

I think this well and wishes coming true is a bunch of crap. I mean, have you ever heard anyone other than old folks saying one they made for someone came true? Scarlett asked, as she scanned the area again.

Like Scarlett, most kids in the small East Texas town of Wishing, believed the legend was a bunch of BS drummed up by a sharp businessman ages ago. Not that anyone would say so in public. They knew better. In Wishing, children were taught the Civil War tale of sisters Anne and Alice with their ABCs and math facts. Along with those lessons came ones on the well’s importance to the town’s economy. Without the tourists, and more importantly the money they poured into local businesses, times could get tough for locals.

Lately though, Sheridan started wondering if the stories might be true. When I got my hair cut at Dream Cuts the other day, Mrs. Hendricks said if it wasn’t for Aubrey Rogers making a wish for her brother Ty, he and his wife never would’ve gotten together.

They’re still old.

Not ancient, old, though. They’re under thirty.

Like that counts.

Sheridan inched closer to the well, a quarter clutched in her sweaty fist. I have to do something before Mom drives Cheyenne crazy.

Don’t you mean drives you both crazy? I can’t believe she made you stay home last week. You missed a great football game, and an even better party, Scarlett said.

Because her mom feared Cheyenne having a seizure alone, she created a secret who’s-watching-Cheyenne schedule and last Friday night Sheridan drew the short straw. Mom has me scheduled for this Friday night, too. She’s got some lame anniversary party.

Not knowing what else to do, Sheridan had come to the wishing well, hoping since the legend started with two sisters, and she was making a wish for her sister, she’d get extra luck.

The legend said Anne and Alice had lived on the East Coast until Anne married Sam Watson and moved to Texas. The couple had a good life raising cattle and their three children, while Alice remained back east caring for the sisters’ parents. When the Civil War started, Sam enlisted, leaving Anne to run the ranch and raise her children. Overwhelmed and lonely, Anne begged Alice to stay with her. This time Alice agreed.

According to Alice’s diary, after the war ended, the men who survived returned home, but months went by with no word about Sam. Eventually, Anne got so upset she took to her bed. Concerned for her sister, Alice stood by the family well, unsure of what to do, but knowing she had to do something for her heartbroken sister. Crying, Alice leaned over the well where Sheridan now stood. Her tears fell into the water below as she tossed in a coin and wished for Sam’s safe return to the family who loved and needed him. A few days later, Sam returned, along with the man who’d found him injured by the side of the road.

Hurry up and make your wish so we can get out of here, Scarlett insisted, reminding Sheridan of the risk.

She rubbed her thumb over the metal coin in her hand, then threw the quarter into the well. It pinged a few times bouncing off the limestone walls before it splashed into the water.

I wish Cheyenne would find the help she needs to get her life back.

Chapter One

"You really blew it, turning me down. I could’ve rocked your world and made you see fireworks."

As Cooper Abbott stared at Shannon, an attractive brunette, her face now contorted with irritation, all he thought was if she’d shown him fireworks it was a good thing he’d politely told her no thanks. With trying to see the SeizureReader, Olivia’s dream, become a reality and taking over a vet practice, he had enough on the line without fireworks.

Not that he’d want those in a relationship anyway. Fireworks were wild, unpredictable, and dangerous as hell if a body didn’t handle them right. Come on. Explosives. Who needed that? Certainly not a smart man.

As he watched the woman storm off, the bling on the back pockets of her skinny jeans sparkling under Fitzwilly’s florescent lights, his lack of desire and disappointment surprised him. After not having sex in almost two years, he should be raring to go when a woman showed interest. Maybe it wasn’t him as much as the women he’d attracted lately. For some unfathomable reason, he drew the neurotic types the way cows drew flies.

When Cooper slid onto his chair beside his college buddies who’d come to College Station for the Texas A&M football season opener, Zane shook his head. There’s something very wrong with you if you let an obviously interested woman leave alone.

I need more than a pretty face and killer body for a relationship, starting with her being sane and reasonably calm, Cooper replied.

At least no matter what other madness came into his life; he had these clowns. Cooper, Ty, AJ, and Zane had met during fish camp at A&M their freshmen year when they were in Squadron Twenty-One of the Corps of Cadets. Now here they were over ten years later and still friends a man counted on to prop him up during life’s rough patches, and damn, they’d gone through some doozies over the years.

Like him losing Olivia.

The ever-present ache in his chest deepened, and his hand tightened around his bottle of Shiner Bock as he fought to keep his pain at bay.

What did this one do? Is she another one with a hyena in heat laugh? Ty asked, pulling Cooper back to the conversation.

AJ dug his wallet out of his back pocket. Nah, can’t be that. Not even Coop could find two of those. Ten bucks says this one talked too much.

I’m still here, guys, and I’d rather skip the psychoanalyzing session. If you’re interested, I think I can scrounge tickets to the Alabama game. If we can beat them, we’ve got a real shot at the national title, Cooper said, hoping to channel the conversation onto football and off his love life, or lack thereof.

I say Coop connected with this one on Facebook, and she posts pictures of her food all the time. Ty tossed a ten on top of AJ’s, completely ignoring Cooper’s change of subject.

Damn. He was in trouble if tickets to the A&M Alabama game failed to divert his buddies.

Zane tossed a bill on the stack and rubbed his chin while he flashed a perfect white smile at the women two tables over who’d been giving him the eye.

When he glanced back at his friends, he said, I peg her as the strong, assertive type who’s recently divorced and is still in her angry phase. I say she complained about her ex.

His friends stared, waiting for him to declare the winner. Betting wasn’t much fun when he was the topic. While AJ and Ty weren’t correct now, in the past, he’d lost interest in women for both the reasons they predicted. Tonight, Zane came damn close. Too close. Zane, sometimes you’re damn scary when it comes to women. How do you do it?

Years of extensive research. Zane grinned as he scooped up the cash.

Smart move writing her off, if Zane was right, Ty said.

AJ nodded in agreement. If she’s harping on the ex when you’re in the trying to impress stage, don’t walk away. Run.

That’s rich coming from you and Ty considering your rocky starts with Cassie and Grace, Zane said, referring to Ty’s wife and AJ’s fiancée.

Cassie and I had very different ideas about running the B&B and Ella’s finances, Ty insisted.

And Grace ran into the back end of my truck, and then insulted me, AJ said. Now out with it. What exactly did she do, Coop?

Cooper studied the condensation running in rivulets down his beer bottle and resisted the urge to shudder in horror. It was more than mentioning the ex. I got the relationship’s excruciating details including finding out he was cheating and how she burned his clothes in the fireplace.

She should’ve been arrested for destruction of private property, AJ said in true-blue, law-enforcement fashion.

"That borders on Fatal Attraction crazy. Ty glanced at Zane and AJ. Maybe we should stay somewhere other than Coop’s place in case she comes looking for him."

Very funny, Cooper joked despite his suspicion Shannon could be a slash-the-tires type.

Despite this last chick, you need to loosen up, Coop, Zane said. A woman doesn’t have to be perfect to date. Quit thinking long-term. Have some fun, if you know what I mean. When it stops being a good time, cut bait.

Coop’s not the play-the-field type, Ty said.

While Ty could be right, maybe it was time to quit looking for Mrs. Right and focus on work. I think fate’s telling me not to date. With the SeizureReader at the crunch stage, dealing with investors, and taking over Doc King’s practice, I don’t have the energy to deal with women. They’re exhausting.

But the right one is worth the effort, AJ said.

Unfortunately, Cooper lost the right woman two years ago, and every female he met since fell short in comparison. His and Olivia’s relationship had been a once in a lifetime. Despite that, shouldn’t he be able to find a sane, reasonably attractive, intelligent woman he could enjoy spending time with?

Forget about it and heed fate’s warning.

Once the SeizureReader hit the market, he could reassess and map out a new five-year plan, including the personal front. Getting the SeizureReader into production, not my love life, is my top priority, and that won’t happen unless I get the situation with the investors under control, Cooper said, his voice filled with frustration.

They giving you a rough time? Ty asked.

The investors, comprised of Texas A&M former students, possessed a wealth of business experience from various size companies, both privately and publicly owned. Unfortunately, with their impressive knowledge, great connections, and business experience came strong opinions. The group was decent to work with until we brought Ron Parsons on board when we needed a cash infusion. I’m a cautious man, but he makes me look like I fly by the seat of my pants. Not only that, he’s stirring up everyone else.

Are you still needing funds? AJ asked.

Cassie and I could use a solid investment, Ty added.

Thanks, but we’re good. In fact, when Tucker and I get the investors back under control we’re ready for production. Cooper rubbed his forehead, trying to ease the tension building there.

He wasn’t cut out to run a business. A vet practice, sure, but a project of this magnitude? No way. That had been Olivia’s dream, and she’d possessed the business background to pull it off. The SeizureReader was her way of making a difference and helping others whose seizures couldn’t be controlled with medicine. By alerting emergency responders if needed, she imagined the SeizureReader providing reassurance and a sense of control to seizure patients.

Promise me if something goes wrong in surgery, you’ll make sure the SeizureReader becomes a reality.

Olivia had clutched his hand waiting to be wheeled off to the operating room. The panic in her blue eyes sent off alarms in his head, but he’d ignored them. "You’ll be fine. There’s nothing to worry about."

After all, Dr. Maxwell wouldn’t perform the surgery if the risk was too great.

Her nails dug into his hand. "You have to promise me. Don’t let me go into surgery worrying about this."

The desperation in her voice reached inside him, squeezing his heart. He tried to chuckle, but the sound came out strained and edgy. "If it’ll put you at ease, of course I promise."

Then he’d told her he loved her and would see her soon. Those were the last words he’d said to her.

And here he was two years later, still working to make her dream a reality. All he’d ever wanted was to be a vet. While concentrating on making her dream a reality, he’d pushed his aside, until the opportunity to buy Dr. King’s practice came along. But could he juggle dealing with the SeizureReader and running his own practice? If not, which one did he short-sheet? No, he wouldn’t think that way. If he could hold on until the SeizureReader went into production, he’d turn running the company over to Tucker. He’d move on with his life in Wishing with a clean conscience.

Speaking of production, there are a couple places in Wishing that could work for facilities, Ty said pulling Cooper back from his thoughts. I can set up appointments with the building owners for you to check them out.

The consensus is we should locate in College Station because of the A&M resources, Cooper said.

Won’t that make it tough for you to manage the project? Ty asked.

Since Tucker’s the engineer, he’ll spearhead production, and we can video conference when needed, Cooper said, hoping going into production would go as smoothly as what he said sounded.

I still can’t believe you’re moving to Wishing, AJ said with a big grin on his face.

When Ty told me about the opportunity to buy Dr. King’s practice, it was too good to pass up.

We’re the lucky ones, Ty said. Who knows how long the town would’ve gone without a vet if not for Coop? Most vets with experience aren’t crazy about moving to a small town, and young vets lack the funds to buy the practice.

Thankfully, Dr. King had been willing to negotiate. They’d settled on a down payment and a work-to-buy deal. It would take a while, but eventually Cooper would own the practice.

Can’t say I blame ’em for not wanting to move to a town of ten thousand, Zane said.

We’re up to almost eleven thousand now, AJ corrected.

Wow! Watch out Dallas. Here comes Wishing, Zane joked, his voice filled with sarcasm. Ten restaurants in town, only two of which serve alcohol, most females under thirty married, and almost two hours from Dallas. It’s a great place for a weekend visit, but live there? Twenty bucks says Coop will be going crazy in less than a month. Anyone in? Zane said as he nodded to Ty and AJ.

Cooper’s thoughts on Wishing couldn’t be further from Zane’s. He’d always loved the small town, its sense of community and family, the lake and all it offered for recreation, along with the slower pace. If that weren’t enough, Ty and AJ were there, too. Cooper smiled. After all these years they were more like family than friends. Hell, when he needed help, he went to them or Zane rather than his blood relations.

Yup, he could see himself building a life in Wishing.

I don’t know, Ty said. Look at me and AJ. We’re living there and still have our faculties.

Zane scoffed. That’s debatable.

You’re on, AJ said. I say Cooper won’t have regrets.

I agree, Ty said.

Cooper looked forward to the move. While he loved College Station, too much of the city reminded him of Olivia. They’d gone to college and made plans for their futures here. It was past time for him to move on and make his own life. He figured Wishing was a better place than most to start.

*

Cheyenne sank onto the worn floral couch beside her mother and inhaled deeply. Needing to be driven everywhere like she had before getting a driver’s license sucked. She knew moving in with her mom and younger sister wouldn’t be a barrel of laughs, but right now she’d settle for a chuckle. Mom, could you drop me off at The Horseshoe Grill on your way to Bunco?

When her mother patted Cheyenne’s hand, she almost groaned. Not a good sign. The small action meant she’d get a lecture before her answer.

Are you sure going out tonight’s a good idea? After all, we had a big day going to Dallas for your neurologist appointment. I thought we’d watch a movie, her mother said, concern filling her brown eyes and lining her face as she patted Cheyenne’s hand again.

Bunco was cancelled? Cheyenne thought nothing short of a natural disaster of epic proportions could bring about that.

No, but missing once isn’t a big deal. We could both use a quiet night and getting to bed early.

In other words, her mom was skipping Bunco to stay on Cheyenne watch. Instead of giving in to her frustration, Cheyenne swallowed a half-dozen biting comments she’d regret and counted to ten instead.

Seriously? A quiet night at home with her mother—a night like nearly every other since moving home after a seizure knocked her out of the barrel racing finals of the Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo—was the last thing she needed.

She could picture the night, with her mom seated on one end of the couch pretending to watch the movie, while really watching Cheyenne.

What I need is to act like a twenty-seven-year-old, rather than a person about to stumble into an old-folks home.

I’ll be fine, Mom. I’m not tired, and I don’t want you to miss Bunco.

Are you sure? I read on the internet that being tired and stress are two seizure triggers.

Then watch out. I could be heading for a big one if this conversation continues.

I appreciate all you’ve done for me. Or at least the spirit and love behind her mother’s actions. But your life can’t stop because of this.

Because of the benign tumor pressing against my brain causing my seizures.

Simply thinking the words sent shock rippling through Cheyenne the way it had when she’d received the diagnosis.

Speed bump, remember? Not roadblock. The plan was to control the seizures with medicine until she saw a neurosurgeon. Hopefully then, she’d learn the tumor could be removed, and she’d get on with her life. While this speed bump might put holes in her truck’s undercarriage, a good body shop could repair the damage, and she’d be good to go.

Her mother scoffed. Nonsense, it’s my job to help out in times like these. If you’re worried about being a burden, get that out of your head. When they handed you to me in the hospital, I said I’d be there for the good and the bad. I’ll do whatever necessary to help you through this.

By hovering, worrying, treating Cheyenne like a child, and killing her with kindness? Why couldn’t her mother see what she was doing? How her actions worked to steal what little independence the seizures hadn’t.

Deciding to assert herself, Cheyenne said, "If you don’t want to drive me, I’ll call Aubrey. I just thought since you