Her Cowboy Dilemma

Going Home Shouldn’t Be This Hard…

Cassidy Lambert traded in Montana’s big sky country for the big-city lights—forever. Until a potentially devastating equine illness threatens her family’s ranch, and Cassidy is needed at home to help. She thinks she knows what she wants from life, but the more she’s around sexy veterinarian Dan Farley, the more confused she gets.

When Cassidy comes back to the open Western landscape Dan loves, she’s nothing but a beautiful burr under his saddle. She stomped on his heart once before, and he’s not eager for another go-around. But he just can’t keep himself away from those green eyes and sweet curves. It’s a good thing she’ll soon be gone again. Because he can’t trust her—or himself—when she’s around!

The one person Cassidy didn’t expect to see in the barn examining the newest sick horse was Farley.

“So how is Chickweed doing?” She patted the horse as she walked around him, doing a quick visual exam. “Is he running a fever?”

“Afraid so. And he’s definitely suffering some pain—see how swollen he is under his jaw?” Farley placed her hand over the enlarged lymph nodes, and she nodded.

Not only did she feel the evidence of strangles in the horse, but she also felt the rough calluses of Farley’s hand. And the strength. And the warmth.

She remembered what his hands had felt like on her waist and on her shoulder, when they’d danced together four years ago. She’d never forgotten and never would.

Did he ever think about the good part of that night?

Or just her inexcusable behavior afterward?

She glanced at his face, and saw that he was looking at her, his dark gaze intense as always, but inscrutable.

He blinked.

The moment between them—if indeed it had been a moment—was over.

Dear Reader,

Welcome back to Coffee Creek, Montana, where the Lamberts—a family of ranchers and cowboys—own the largest spread in Bitterroot County, all controlled by matriarch Olive Lambert. This time Cassidy Lambert takes center stage. With her business degree finally completed, Cassidy plans to get a job in the city and finally win complete independence from her domineering family. But when one of the family horses comes down with an infectious case of strangles and vet Dan Farley puts the ranch in quarantine, Cassidy steps in to help.

The good-looking local vet is considered by many to be the county’s most eligible bachelor. Too bad Cassidy burned her bridges with him four years ago. It’ll make working together all the more uncomfortable. What happens next seems to be part of Cassidy’s mother’s controlling plans. Or is it? Please read on, and decide for yourself.

One of the pleasures of writing a family saga is creating the setting for the stories. In this case I took a real town name—Coffee Creek, Montana—nudged it a little in a southwesterly direction, made it the head of fictional Bitterroot County and decked it out with interesting establishments like the Cinnamon Stick Café and the Lonesome Spur Saloon. There’s a two-story brick courthouse in the center of town, next to the post office and library. If you’d like to see the pictures that inspired the setting and stories, please visit my storyboards on www.pinterest.com under CJ_Carmichael.

There are more stories coming, so please keep an eye out for A Promise from a Cowboy this August, with Cowboy Christmas following in October. And do visit my website, where I hold regular contests and chat about my writing process and new stories in the works.

Happy reading!

C.J. Carmichael

www.cjcarmichael.com

Her Cowboy Dilemma

C.J. Carmichael

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hard to imagine a more glamorous life than being an accountant, isn’t it? Still, C.J. Carmichael gave up the thrills of income tax forms and double-entry bookkeeping when she sold her first book in 1998. She has now written more than twenty-eight novels for Harlequin Books, and invites you to learn more about her books, see photos of her hiking exploits and enter her surprise contests at www.cjcarmichael.com.

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This is for my Aunt Eleanor Schatz, who only this summer reminded me that she was the one who introduced me to Harlequin romances. Thanks for sharing your books—here’s one for you!

Contents

Prologue

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

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Excerpt

Prologue

It was strange to think of Brock getting married today. He was the youngest of her brothers and, Cassidy Lambert would have asserted, the least serious and least responsible of the bunch.

Yet falling in love with Winnie Hayes had changed him—in good ways. And at twenty-eight, he certainly wasn’t too young for marriage. Not that his brothers had set good examples on that score.

B.J. at thirty-four and Corb, thirty-two, were both still single. Could it be they’d talked Brock out of taking the plunge?

Or maybe he’d come up with cold feet all on his own.

How else to explain the fact that Brock, who was supposed to be the groom, and Corb, who was supposed to be the best man, and their driver, friend and foster brother, Jackson Stone, were fifteen minutes late for the ceremony?

Everything else was in place. Guests filled the pews of Coffee Creek’s pretty white church. The organist was doing her best to drive them crazy with important-sounding music. And the bride and bridesmaids—Cassidy included—were waiting in the antechamber for their big moment.

“What time did Corb say they left?” Winnie asked. She was perched on the ledge of the windowsill with Cassidy, both of them peering out on a warm, sunny July afternoon.

With her dark hair, creamy skin and lovely figure, Winnie made a perfectly gorgeous bride. She was also fun, a good cook and strong enough to set Brock straight when he needed a firm hand.

Cassidy approved.

She also liked Winnie’s friend from New York City, Laurel Sheridan, who was checking her watch for the umpteenth time.

“Thirty-five minutes ago,” Laurel replied.

“What’s happened?” Winnie stared out the window as if she could will the Coffee Creek Ranch’s black SUV to suddenly appear.

“Don’t worry,” Laurel said. “Could be they ran out of gas or had a flat.”

“Or maybe they got halfway here only to realize that Corb forgot the ring.” Cassidy made the joke halfheartedly. She was actually starting to worry—something both Corb and Brock would tease her about if she admitted it later.

She swung her new cream-colored cowboy boots, admiring how they went with the sage-green dress that Winnie had picked out for her and Laurel. She and Laurel were dressed like twins, except Laurel was wearing pretty, high-heeled pumps with her dress.

Cassidy didn’t do pumps. Cowboy boots and running shoes were more her style.

“But if they’ve been held up,” Winnie said, “why haven’t they called?”

Laurel held out her hands to Winnie. “You’re making me dizzy up there.” Winnie jumped, and then Cassidy followed.

“I’ll call them,” she said, unable to stand the waiting anymore. “I’ll go get my phone.”

She slipped out of the antechamber, intending to head for the minister’s office at the other end of the hall. All three of them had left their purses—including their phones—in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet.

But a late-arriving guest caught her eye. Dan Farley, the local vet, was as darkly handsome as ever, and the distraction of seeing him unexpectedly like this made her momentarily clumsy. As she tripped over her own feet, Dan gave her a quick, dismissive glance.

Not quick enough, however, for her to miss the disapproval in his expressive dark eyes.

Or was it dislike?

Probably both, Cassidy decided, as she continued down the hall, trying not to think about the broad-shouldered vet or the beautiful woman who’d been standing by his side.

Who was that woman? Her brothers hadn’t mentioned anything about Farley having a new girlfriend. She entered the minister’s office, went to the filing cabinet at the back and pulled open the drawer.

Then again, why would they tell her? No one had any reason to assume she’d be interested in Dan Farley’s love life.

Nor was she. Not particularly.

She grabbed her phone and called up Brock’s number. As she waited for him to answer, she made her way back to the antechamber. As she slipped inside the door, she heard Winnie whispering something to Laurel, but she stopped talking as soon as she saw Cassidy.

“Brock isn’t answering.” Cassidy ended the call, frustrated. “I’ll try Corb.”

No answer there, either. “Damn.”

Finally, she called Jackson. Again, nothing. “If this is some sort of prank, I’m going to kill them.”

Actually, if she saw them right now, she’d be more inclined to give them all hugs. She was really worried and—

“Someone’s coming!” Winnie was back at the window. “I think it’s Jackson’s SUV.”

Cassidy hurried to Winnie’s side. Please let her be right! But one glance dashed all her hopes. “No. It’s the county sheriff’s vehicle.”

She looked at Laurel, then Winnie, seeing in their eyes the same fear that was making minced meat of her stomach. They watched in suspended dread as the local sheriff made her way out of her vehicle toward the church.

“Who is that?” Laurel asked.

“Sheriff Savannah Moody,” Winnie answered. “She’s a good friend of Brock’s. We were going to invite her to the wedding, but he said there was bad blood between her and B.J. I don’t know the details.”

Neither did Cassidy. One of the drawbacks of being the youngest in the family was that no one told her anything. Still, she knew the trouble went back a long time, to the last year B.J. had lived at home.

Cassidy rushed out of the antechamber in time to see Savannah make her grand entrance. The crowd—expecting to see a bride—was quelled at the unexpected sight of the sheriff.

Aware of Winnie and Laurel coming up behind her, Cassidy made room for all three of them to follow in Savannah’s wake.

“I need to talk to someone from the Lambert family.” Savannah’s official-sounding voice lifted and carried through the silent church.

B.J. stood first. “Savannah. What happened?”

Olive Lambert rose next, clutching her son’s arm. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m s-sorry, Olive. There’s been an accident. Jackson’s SUV hit a moose on Big Valley Road, about five miles from town.”

A collective gasp by the congregation was followed by a few seconds of stunned silence.

Cassidy flashed back to the days when her father had been teaching her to drive. “Always drive slower at dusk. That’s when your chances of hitting wildlife are the greatest. And pray that you never hit a moose, Cassie. They’re lethal.”

“Brock?” Winnie whispered.

Savannah rotated slowly, not having realized the bridal party was standing at her rear. “I’m so sorry, Winnie. Brock was in the front passenger seat—the impact point with the moose. He didn’t have a chance.”

Cassidy felt as if she’d been kicked in the solar plexus. She was doubling over, just as she heard B.J. ask, “What about Corb? And Jackson?”

“Jackson was driving, wearing his seat belt, and the air bag was able to cushion him from the worst of it. He’s badly bruised and shaken, but he’s okay. Your other brother was in the backseat. He should have been fine, but I’m afraid he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. As we speak he’s being medevaced to Great Falls. I can’t say how bad his injuries are. You’ll have to talk to the doctors for that.”

“Is he conscious?” Desperately Cassidy prayed for Savannah to say yes.

But the sheriff shook her head. “No.”

Brock, dead. And maybe Corb, too? No, no, no, no...

Cassidy wanted to run screaming from the church. But Laurel tugged on her arm, gesturing to Winnie. The bride was tottering on her heels, shaking violently. Cassidy reached out for her and, between them, she and Laurel managed to keep her from crashing to the floor.

“We need a sweater or a warm jacket,” Laurel called out to the crowd.

A second later, a man’s suit jacket was settled over Winnie’s shoulders, and a white cotton handkerchief was pressed into Cassidy’s palm.

She glanced up to see Dan Farley ordering the crowd to step back and give Winnie some space as he swooped the bride into his arms and carried her out into the fresh air.

Cassidy stood back to let them pass, her hand fisted over the handkerchief. Farley must have given this to her. Only then did she realize that tears were cascading down her face.

Chapter One

Ten months later

What did it say about her relationship with her family that the person Cassidy Lambert was most excited to see when she got home wasn’t a person at all, but her border collie, Sky?

Sky had been her father’s birthday surprise for her fourteen years ago. Sky was loyal, loving and, most important, uncomplicated. Cassidy knew, no matter what, that Sky would always love her and think she was the most wonderful person on the planet.

The same could not be said of her family.

Cassidy lowered the driver’s side window of her vintage 1980 Ford pickup to let in the warm spring air, then cranked up the tunes as she barreled along the 80 toward home. She knew she should reduce her speed, not only to avoid a ticket but also to prolong the drive, which she was quite enjoying.

But she was on a high. After five long years she was finally done with late nights at the library, relentless assignments and tough exams. She’d worked hard to complete the Accounting Master’s Program at Montana State University, but she’d done it, and hopefully soon would follow a high-paying job at one of the top accounting firms in Billings.

Josh Brown—her friend and would-be boyfriend if she could make up her mind about that—also had plans to move to Billings. Josh had wanted to come with her to Coffee Creek Ranch. He said it was time he met her family.

“I wouldn’t be so anxious if I were you,” she’d told him. He thought she was teasing, but she wasn’t.

“They can’t be that bad. Look at you. Unless you were adopted?”

“No such luck.” She had her mother’s delicate features and the long, lanky body that came from the Lambert side of the family. She had a soft heart—like her father. But was also headstrong and stubborn—like her mom.

Yet despite all the family resemblances, she’d always been a misfit. Part of the problem came from being the only girl in a family with three boys—four if you counted her foster brother, Jackson, who’d been with the family since she was nine. She knew it wasn’t her imagination that her mother was harder on her than the guys. And her father had treated her differently, too, when he was alive.

For one thing, he’d built three cottages by the small lake on their property for each of his sons to live in. But nothing for her.

No doubt he’d expected her to one day get married and go live with her husband. But being excluded that way had hurt.

And it still did.

The boys had been relentless teases, too. They didn’t mean to be cruel, but they never cut her a break, either. Even though she could ride as well as any of them, she couldn’t match them in strength. And, oh, how they’d loved to taunt her about that. Especially Brock...

Tears fogged her vision, and she slid her sunglasses up on her head so she could rub them away. Though almost a year had passed since the accident that had taken her youngest brother’s life—just an hour before he’d been about to marry Winnie Hayes—the loss still felt fresh.

Brock may have driven her crazy, but she’d loved him, living in hope that one day he’d stop treating her like a bratty little sister and they might become friends.

Now they would never have that chance.

Cassidy drove over a series of three gentle hills before arriving at the smattering of buildings and the weathered sign proclaiming that she’d arrived at the town of Coffee Creek. She put on her indicator light, intending to stop at the Cinnamon Stick Café for some fortification before continuing the last fifteen minutes to the ranch.

It was Wednesday morning, the last week of April, an hour before noon. She’d written her final exam the previous afternoon, had spent a night on the town with all her friends, including Josh, then loaded her car for an early departure that hadn’t included breakfast.

So she was hungry.

She angle-parked in front of the pretty café that was owned by Brock’s former fiancée. Winnie had taken Brock’s death really hard and had gone to live at her parents’ farm in Highwood immediately following the funeral. Cassidy stayed in touch with her via Facebook and knew that Winnie hoped to return to Coffee Creek eventually. Apparently she’d developed some health issues that weren’t serious, but required some time to settle.

In the meantime her café was being operated by Winnie’s best friend—and Cassidy’s new sister-in-law—Laurel. Laurel Sheridan had flown in from New York for Brock and Winnie’s wedding and had ended up extending her stay to take care of Winnie’s café while her friend was convalescing. She’d also fallen in love with Corb and the two had been married last September in New York City.

Then in March they’d had a baby—adorable little Stephanie Olive Lambert was another reason Cassidy was stopping at the Cinnamon Stick. Hopefully Laurel and the baby would be there.

She was dying for a cuddle with her new little niece.

Cassidy parked, hopped out of her truck, then paused to stretch her back and her arms. One thing about older trucks—they sure weren’t built for comfort. Still, she patted the hood affectionately before heading toward the café.

A hand-painted sign hung over the door, and two wooden benches promised a place to sit in the sun and enjoy your coffee once you’d placed your order.

Inside she was welcomed by the scent of freshly ground coffee beans and the luscious aromas of butter, sugar and cinnamon. She’d come during a lull and the place was quiet. Two older women sat at one of the two booths, engrossed in conversation. Behind the counter, Laurel was softly singing a silly song about hedgehogs. She had her back to the door, busy with dishes, but she spotted Cassidy’s reflection in a carefully positioned mirror and broke into a big smile.

“Cassidy! You’re home!” Laurel stopped to scoop up her two-month-old daughter from the playpen. “Look who’s here, Steph. It’s your auntie Cassidy.”

Cassidy was already holding out her arms for the bundle. “I hope she isn’t making shy yet.”

“Oh, she’s still too young for that. Besides, she’s getting used to new faces. We just got back to work last week and I swear our business has tripled. It seems everyone in the area is finding an excuse to drop in for a coffee and to say hello to the newest Lambert.”

Cassidy listened to all of this with a smile, at the same time noticing how happy her sister-in-law appeared. Pretty, too. Her long red hair was pulled back in a ponytail, but it seemed thicker and glossier than ever. And her fair skin was literally glowing.

Laurel deposited a kiss on Cassidy’s cheek as she handed over her daughter, who had gained several pounds since Cassidy had seen her last.

“Oh, you’re so cute! Look—she has Corb’s dimple.”

“I know. Isn’t it adorable? And only on the left cheek, just like her dad.”

Cassidy sighed as Stephanie cuddled in, soaking up the smooches that her aunt couldn’t resist planting on her downy soft head. Her wispy hair was coming in orange. And curly.

“How are you doing, precious? Do you like working with your mommy in the café?”

The baby looked up at the sound of Cassidy’s voice, and Cassidy was amused to see that she had the Lambert green eyes, as well. Stephanie was staring at her intently, and only when she raised her little hand, awkwardly reaching up, did Cassidy realize she was entranced by the sunglasses that were still resting on her head.

“She’s just started noticing her hands a few weeks ago,” Laurel commented. “Sometimes she stares at them for minutes at a time. It’s so cute. But here I am, talking endlessly about my wonderful baby, again.” Laurel rolled her eyes. “What’s new with you? How were your final exams?”

“They went well, I think. I won’t have my marks for a few weeks.”

“Can I get you a coffee and a cinnamon bun for the road?”

Hearing the door open behind her, Cassidy moved out of the way so the newcomer could enter. “You read my mind, thanks.”

“Make that a double order, Winnie,” said a deep voice behind her. “And leave some space for cream in the coffee.”

Cassidy knew that voice. Slowly she turned, holding Stephanie like a shield between her and the tall, broad-shouldered man who’d just entered the café.

Sure enough, there stood Dan Farley. The local vet had some Native American blood, which accounted for his high cheekbones, jet-black hair and dark, almond-shaped eyes. Though he’d spoken to Winnie, it was Cassidy he was looking at, with cool dislike.

“Hey, Farley.” Darn her voice for coming out so soft and weak. She lifted her chin. “How are things?”

“Busy.”

He knew she’d been going to college in Bozeman, and must have noticed the suitcases and boxes in the back of her truck, but he didn’t ask about her studies or show any interest in whether or not she was moving back to Coffee Creek. Stepping past her as if she were nothing more than an inanimate obstacle, he made his way to the counter, where he pulled out his wallet.

Heck and darn, but the man had a way about him. Cassidy glanced at the two women at the back to see if they felt it, too. Sure enough they both had their eyes on Coffee Creek’s sexy vet. One of them pretended to fan her face with her hand. The other laughed and winked at Cassidy.

Cassidy didn’t wink back.

He wasn’t that good-looking.

She gave him another glance, seeing only his profile and long, muscular build.

Okay, maybe he was that good-looking.

Still, he probably hated her and she had only herself to blame.

Winnie set two coffees in to-go cups on the counter, then bagged them each one of the homemade cinnamon buns baked fresh every day by ex-bronc rider Vince Butterfield. A veteran of the rodeo circuit and a member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Vince had licked a lifelong dependence on alcohol and in his sixties had begun a new career as a baker. His mother’s old recipe for melt-in-your-mouth sticky buns, thickly topped with frosting, was his new claim to fame.

Five minutes ago, Cassidy had been craving one of them desperately. Now her stomach churned at the thought. What were the chances that she and Farley would happen into the café at the same time? Pretty darn slim. So slim, in fact, that she hadn’t run across him here once in the past four years.

Other than at the church last July, she hadn’t seen him anywhere else, either.

If he was called out to the ranch when she happened to be home, she always made herself scarce. She’d avoided him at the funeral. If his name came up in conversation with her brothers, she tried not to listen.

And now here he stood, just a few feet away. Making it very hard not to remember... But no. She would not think back to that night. She couldn’t bear it.

“So where are you off to now, Farley?” Laurel asked, her tone friendly. Everyone in the Coffee Creek area called the vet by his last name. Probably to avoid confusion with his father, also named Dan, whom he’d worked with before the elder Farley and his wife had retired to Arizona.

Farley glanced briefly at Cassidy again, before answering. “Coffee Creek Ranch.”

Though there were plenty of reasons why the vet might have been called out to her family’s ranch, Cassidy’s first thought was for Sky. At fourteen years of age, every day was a blessing. “What’s wrong?”

“Your mother’s young palomino is sick. Sounds serious.”

“Lucky Lucy? Oh, no.” She was glad Sky was okay, but this news was almost as bad. Her mother had bought the beautiful three-year-old palomino just this year and Cassidy loved her. Lucy had a wild heart but a gentle soul. Though she was her mother’s horse, Cassidy had felt a special connection with the mare from the first time she’d ridden her.

“Any idea what the problem is?”

“From the symptoms Jackson described, sounds like strangles.”

“Really?” In all of her twenty-five years they’d never had a case of strangles on the ranch. She didn’t even know that much about it, other than it was a highly contagious, serious infection of the nose and lymph nodes.

“I’ll have to examine the horse and run some tests to be sure.” He added a generous amount of cream to his coffee, fitted the cup with a lid, then grabbed one of the bagged cinnamon buns. “See you later, Laurel. And thanks.”

No word to Cassidy, whose ranch he was heading for. She might as well be an empty bar stool for all the attention he’d paid to her. Wordless herself, she watched as a half-dozen long strides took him out the door.

The café fell silent then, and Cassidy realized that Laurel was looking at her, eyebrows raised.

“What’s up with you and the vet?”

Cassidy shifted Stephanie to her other arm. She’d planned on staying for a while to visit, but the bad news about the ranch had her suddenly anxious to get moving again.

“Why do you ask?”

“Are you kidding? Sparks were flying here, and they weren’t the good kind. Farley isn’t the chattiest of people, but I’ve never seen him be downright rude before. And the way he all but ignored you? That was rude.”

Yes. It sure had been.

“I guess he figures he has his reasons.” Cassidy went around the counter to deliver Stephanie back to her playpen. She didn’t seem very happy about being set down until her mother wound up a musical mobile that had been affixed to the side of the playpen.

“How do you get any work done with such a cute distraction around?” Cassidy bent to give her niece one last kiss.

“It’s taken some adjusting, by me and the staff. Eugenia and Dawn have been great. And even Vince has taken a few turns at rocking Stephanie when she’s being fussy.”

“That I’d like to see.” Vince was the epitome of the tough, silent cowboy from another era.

“I know. Isn’t it amazing what babies bring out in a person?”

“It sure is.” Though Farley hadn’t seemed moved by the baby at all. Of course, if she hadn’t happened to be there, he probably would have been much friendlier to Laurel and her daughter. “Is there anything I can do to help you before I leave?”

“We’re fine,” Laurel assured her. “Eugenia’s shift is starting in about half an hour. That’ll give me a chance to take Stephanie upstairs, feed her and put her down for her nap. She’s a great sleeper, thank goodness. Gives me a couple free hours every afternoon.”

“Sounds like a good system.” Cassidy counted out money for her order, then picked up her drink and her pastry. Now that Farley was gone, her appetite was returning. “I’d better get going.”

“Wait one minute. You’re really not going to give me the scoop on you and Farley?”

“Nope.” Cassidy gave Laurel a warm hug. “I’ll be back to have a longer visit in a few days. Or I may drop in on you and Corb at the ranch one evening.”

“I’ll look forward to it. But be warned. Next time I see you, you better be ready to tell me what’s going on with you and the vet. He’s considered the most eligible bachelor in town, you know.”

Cassidy wasn’t surprised. The guy had presence. And those eyes...

“The single women of Coffee Creek needn’t worry,” she assured Laurel. “I’m not going to be any competition where Dan Farley is concerned.”

She was out the door before Laurel had time for a comeback. Not that it mattered. She was so not going to tell Laurel about the history between her and Farley. She’d never told anyone and she’d bet Farley hadn’t, either.