Brazen

WILD AT HEART

Casey Turner could rope and ride like any man, and she scandalized folks by wearing boys' clothes, but when she strode down the streets of Hard Luck, Texas, nobody took her for anything but a beautiful woman. Working alongside her pa to keep the bank from foreclosing on the Bar T, she had no time for the frivolous things of life, no time for romance. But all that was about to change...

Michael Donovan had had a burr under his saddle about Casey for years. Ever since she caught him skinny-dipping in the river and stole his clothes, making him the laughingstock of the whole Circle D. The last thing he wanted was to be forced into marrying the little hoyden, but it looked like he had no choice if he wanted to safeguard the future of the Donovan ranch. Their families had been bitter enemies for years, but now his parents were urging Michael to court Casey, to treat her like a lady. He'd do his darndest, but he could never let on that underneath her pretty new dresses Casey was as wild as ever, and in his arms she was positively...BRAZEN.

Reviews

Excellent book. Author keeps reader fully interested in what's coming next. I intend to read all half moon ranch books and probably several more. One of the best western romance writers I would imagine." -Amazon Customer

"If you love a good western romance then this is one book you need to read. The storyline was extremely well written and the characters were well developed throughout the story. This was a double romance story by this author and one of the best western romance stories I have enjoyed reading. A definite five stars for this book!!!" -Amazon Customer

"Such a wonderful Western romance between two childhood enemies who learn to love one another... One who spent his recent years back East and the other working like a ranch hand to help support her father's failing ranch. Both are amazed by the slow but definite changes in Casey Turner, the girl who works and dresses like a ranch hand, and it just makes you want to step right in to experience everything firsthand! I really loved this book, and I hope you will too. There's nothing like reading about a woman who can shoot a gun and the man she falls in love with." -Amazon Customer

Brazen Excerpt

By Bobbi Smith

It was a hot late-August afternoon. Young Casey Turner had been out working with some hands from her family’s ranch, checking for strays since early morning. She’d ridden away from the men to look for stock along the river that marked the property line between the Bar T and the Donovan ranch, the Circle D.

Casey was hot and tired, and the water looking mighty inviting, but she couldn’t allow herself the luxury of taking a break. Times were hard on the Bar T. Money was tight. She had work to do. When she heard splashing around the bend just up ahead, she expected to find cattle. She rode quietly closer, not wanting to spook the strays.

Then she rounded the bend.

Casey’s eyes widened in shock and amazement at the scene before her, and she quickly reined in.

There, standing in the waist-deep water with his back to her, was none other than the Donovans’ son Michael, and he was—as best she could tell—skinny-dipping.

Michael hadn’t heard her approach, and she was glad. She’d never seen a naked man before. As embarrassed as she was curious, she took her time looking him over. His shoulders were broad and strongly muscled, and his waist was lean. Casey was grateful he was staying put, though, for she’d seen all of Michael Donovan she wanted to see.

Then she had a thought… The Donovans and the Turners had been feuding for years, and suddenly Casey realized this was the perfect time to take a little revenge on Michael.

The thought of getting even with him made Casey smile. The last time she’d seen him in town, he’d made fun of the way she was dressed. She hadn’t wanted to admit it at the time, but his comments had hurt her. Arrogant and rich Donovan that he was, he deserved what he was about to get as a payback for being so mean.

She smiled. Michael was unaware of her presence. She looked around to make sure he was alone. Her grin broadened when she saw his horse tied up nearby and his clothes hanging over a low tree limb. True, the clothes were on the Donovan side of the river, but that wasn’t going to stop her today…

Excerpt Two

A wild plan began to form in Casey’s mind as she stared at Michael’s clothes. She drew her rifle and then urged her mount closer to the water’s edge, keeping far enough back to be out of Michael’s reach in case he tried to come after her.

“Hey, Donovan!” she cried out.

Michael was startled when he turned to find himself staring up at Casey Turner.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, moving into deeper water to keep himself shielded from her view.

“I’m checking for strays—but I found you.” She was enjoying his discomfort.

“Just keep on riding,” he ordered, wanting her gone, the sooner the better. He knew she was trouble.

“I don’t have to do anything you tell me to do.”

His scowl deepened. He wasn’t sure what she was up to, but he didn’t trust her.

A sense of power filled Casey. She had him right where she wanted him. “So, how’s the water?”

“Fine.”

“Good. I’ll be going now.”

“Good. Good-bye.”

She urged her mount across the low-running river.

“Why are you heading for Donovan land?” he called. “There aren’t any strays around here.”

Casey didn’t answer. She just rode to the tree where his clothes were hanging and yanked them down, then held them up for him to see. “I didn’t find any strays, but I found these. I think I’ll take them with me!”

“You can’t take my clothes!”

“Oh, yes, I can. You said I needed new clothes when we were in town, so I’ll just take yours!”

“You do and you’ll regret it.” He started to charge through the water toward her.

Casey lifted her rifle for him to see. “Stay right there, Donovan. Enjoy your swim.”

Casey was still laughing as she rode to where his horse was tied up. She freed his mount, then slapped it on the rump to chase it off. She crossed back to the Turner side and galloped away. She did not look back.

Michael climbed out of the water and swore loudly in humiliation and frustration. He wanted to chase her down and teach her a lesson, but it wasn’t going to happen right now. Silently, he vowed that one day she would pay for what she’d done.

But first, he had to figure out how he was going to get home. He spotted his boots nearby and was grateful for that much. What he was going to do next, he wasn’t sure. He only hoped his horse would return to him on his own. If not…