Her First Christmas Cowboy
Contents (10)
Praise for the novels of Maisey Yates
“[A] surefire winner not to be missed.”
—Publishers Weekly on Slow Burn Cowboy (starred review)
“This fast-paced, sensual novel will leave readers believing in the healing power of love.”
—Publishers Weekly on Down Home Cowboy
“Yates’ new Gold Valley series begins with a sassy, romantic and sexy story about two characters whose chemistry is off the charts.”
—RT Book Reviews on Smooth-Talking Cowboy (Top Pick)
“Multidimensional and genuine characters are the highlight of this alluring novel, and sensual love scenes complete it. Yates’s fans…will savor this delectable story.”
—Publishers Weekly on Unbroken Cowboy (starred review)
“Fast-paced and intensely emotional…. This is one of the most heartfelt installments in this series, and Yates’s fans will love it.”
—Publishers Weekly on Cowboy to the Core (starred review)
“Yates’s outstanding eighth Gold Valley contemporary…will delight newcomers and fans alike…. This charming and very sensual contemporary is a must for fans of passion.”
—Publishers Weekly on Cowboy Christmas Redemption (starred review)
Her First Christmas Cowboy
Maisey Yates
Dedication
To all the Western historicals I read as a child, which made me want to bring an outlaw into modern times.
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ONE
IT WAS A dark and stormy night. The thought made Tala Nelson grin ruefully to herself.
Thoughts like that were a hazard of grading English papers far too late into the night. But she was the teacher, principal and... Well, all faculty at Four Corners Ranch one-room schoolhouse, and that meant she had to stay up late getting work done sometimes.
Especially if she’d spent the earlier part of the night baking lemon squares and watching murder mysteries.
It was chilly outside, the air crisp and cold enough that she wondered if the rain that was falling might turn to snow at some point during the course of the night.
This was her second December in Pyrite Falls, Oregon, and on the ranch, and while she wasn’t the biggest fan of being out in cold weather, she loved being in during cold weather. Wrapped in blankets, with a hot cup of tea, feeling cozy even in the midst of the chill.
Winter made her feel wistful and nostalgic for Christmases she’d never even celebrated. But then, she didn’t have to grow up with the magic of the holidays to have absorbed the feeling. The lights, the songs.
Maybe she should decorate this year.
Her mother might not have approved of holiday celebrations, but her life was her own now, and that meant if she felt like celebrating, she could.
She took the teakettle off of the stove and carried it over to the coffee table, where her cup of tea and all of her papers were sitting, then she poured herself some more hot water.