The Courage of a Cowboy Read online

  Cover Copy

  Nothing like a wedding to get a girl dreaming of happily-ever-after…

  Kessed Ling’s best friend’s big day is finally here. It’s especially exciting because it’s Kessed’s chance to show her childhood crush she’s not just a young bridesmaid, she’s a full-grown woman—with red hot desires. But when her long-awaited prey barely blinks an eye at her, Kessed retreats right back into her deeply guarded heart. Doesn’t matter that chivalrous Jasper Matthews steps in and offers a shoulder to lean on. Kessed is no longer in the market for a man, despite how unsettled the strong, silent groomsman makes her feel…

  As a veterinarian, Jasper better understands a skittish filly than he does willful Kessed Ling. But when fate finds him playing ranch hand alongside the raven-haired beauty, Jasper realizes she’s a woman running scared—and he’s just the man to tame her. So with soothing words and bold kisses, Jasper sets out to show Kessed how good it can be between a man and a woman. Especially when the man is falling hard and fast in love…

  Also by Kristin Vayden

  The Elk Heights Ranch series

  HEART OF A COWBOY

  THE COURAGE OF A COWBOY

  and coming soon:

  THE COWGIRL MEETS HER MATCH

  The Courage of a Cowboy

  Kristin Vayden

  LYRICAL PRESS

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  Lyrical Press books are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2018 by Kristin Vayden

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  All Kensington titles, imprints, and distributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotion, premiums, fund- raising, and educational or institutional use.

  To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

  Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Special Sales Manager:

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  Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

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  Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

  First Electronic Edition: April 2018

  eISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0564-9

  eISBN-10: 1-5161-0564-8

  First Print Edition: April 2018

  ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-0565-6

  ISBN-10: 1-5161-0565-6

  Printed in the United States of America

  Dedication

  For my husband, who walked me through all the various scenarios on how to be a large animal vet, even when the questions were a little silly. You’re my love story, Harry, and each day is better than the last.

  And for my daughter, who wants to grow up and be a vet someday. I love your sweet and tender heart towards all our furry, and not so furry, friends. I love you.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “It could be worse.”

  Kessed narrowed her eyes at her best friend. “How exactly?”

  Laken bit her lip, a sure sign she was fighting a smile—the traitor. “It could be too big?”

  “Instead, it makes my boobs look like I’m about to have a wardrobe malfunction. At your wedding. Classy,” Kessed replied with heavy sarcasm.

  “Sterling won’t mind.” Laken lost the battle and started giggling.

  “Why are you my best friend? Seriously.” Kessed closed her eyes, pinching her nose with her thumb and finger. “Your wedding is tomorrow. How in the hell did we not get this dress sooner?”

  “It was on backorder.” Laken sighed, walking up to the three-way mirror and gently touching the creamy yellow fabric. “It really isn’t that bad. I promise. You just look a little sexier than usual.”

  “For a family event,” Kessed snapped.

  “Wear stickers, just in case.” Laken circled her chest area and smirked.

  “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. Whatever happened to the bridezilla disorder? You’re immune? What is this?” Kessed sliced a hand through the air, popping her hip.

  A few stiches snapped.

  “Of course. So I can’t move either. Fabulous.”

  “I’ll see if they have anything else. You’re the maid of honor, and if you’re in a different dress, it won’t be weird.”

  “Why are you so calm? You should be freaking out!” Kessed called after her best friend, who disappeared to the sales floor. “Hell, I’m freaking out.” She sighed, wincing as the fabric bit into her sides as she tried to get a full breath. This was not going to work.

  At all.

  So much for stealing Sterling’s attention. She snorted. Yeah, she’d steal it all right, just not the way she wanted. Biting her lip, she glanced to the floor. It had been a constant struggle from day one.

  Sterling was Laken’s brother. A marine, hard-core, fit, and a smile that could make a girl forget her name. But he’d never seen anything past the friend zone with Kessed; rather, he’d pestered her, teased her about being in love with him—which was too accurate for comfort—and then left to go and save the world, again.

  His love was the military; it was his mistress and addiction.

  And Kessed didn’t know how to compete with that.

  “What about this one?” Laken strolled into the room, holding up a midnight-blue gown.

  “It’s blue,” Kessed stated as she took in the shimmering fabric.

  “You’re so observant. Yes, it’s blue. Which is one of my other colors. Yellow, blue, and gray. You can get away with wearing blue as the maid of honor. Now try it on. Hurry. I’ve got other things to do than argue with you, and I’m about fifteen minutes from flipping the switch to the bridezilla you’re fearing,” Laken replied with a grin.

  “You can’t threaten me like that then smile. It totally voids your attempt.” Kessed sighed with contempt and took the dress into a private room. “Wait, I think you might need the Jaws of Life to get me out of this thing, if the zipper hasn’t already popped loose.”

  “Dramatic much? Seriously. Chill. Hold on—sit still for crying out loud!” Laken scolded but pulled down the zipper, and Kessed breathed deeply, thankful for small blessings.

  “Air.” She sighed longingly.

  “You sure talk a lot for being oxygen-deprived,” Laken shot back.

  “It’s a talent.”

  “Or a curse.”

  “For you.”

  “Are you ever going to stop talking?” Laken asked in an irritated tone.

  “Shh, I’m changing.” Kessed tried not to laugh as she imagined Laken’s reaction.

  Laken muttered, “Pain in my ass.”

  “All the best maids of honor are!” Kessed replied, slipping into the new dress. It flowed freely, accentuating each curve of her almost nonexistent hips, and showing off the swell of her breasts without making them indecent. The blue hue highlighted her jet-black hair, giving it a bluish sheen that made her hazel eyes almost navy-tinted. “Whoa.”

  �
��That good?” Laken asked from outside the door.

  “I’m never taking it off.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” Laken waited a moment. “Do I get to see it, or are you going to just stare at yourself all day?”

  “Stare,” Kessed answered, turning to see the back.

  “Gah, killing me over here!” Laken banged on the door.

  “Shh, I’m having a moment.”

  “Really? Hello? Bride over here. Out. Now!”

  Kessed grinned, opening the door and watching as Laken’s eyes widened then squinted with the power of her smile. “Yes!”

  “Amazing, isn’t it?”

  “Breathtaking. Sterling’s jaw will hit the floor.”

  “That will be interesting.”

  “For both of us. I’m so good. Damn, I impress myself. I picked it out, you know.” Laken walked a circle around Kessed, studying the dress.

  “Full credit given.”

  “Thank you. Now quick, change. I gotta go and meet Cyler at the ranch. And you have a shift starting in a half hour.”

  “I know. I know.” Kessed offered her back to Laken, who unzipped the dress with a soft touch, and soon Kessed was hanging it back up, studying it longingly.

  “Did you apply for the management position?” Laken asked, pulling her back from her thoughts.

  “Yes! I’ll find out in a few weeks when the position opens. It would almost double my income because of the increase in hours.”

  “Call me when you know,” Laken requested.

  Kessed pursed her lips. “Yes, because that’s what best friends do. Interrupt the other one’s honeymoon. As if you’re going to want to get out of bed.”

  “It’s Hawaii. We’ll be getting out of bed.”

  “To have ocean sex,” Kessed called back, opening the door.

  Laken blushed, grinning. “It still counts because we’re technically out of bed.”

  “And we’re done. Don’t want to know.” Kessed held up a hand and walked to the front of the store.

  “You started it.”

  “And I’m ending it.”

  “Wait, where’s the dress?” Laken paused.

  “Shit.” Kessed ran back to the dressing room, grabbed the dress, and caught up. “I’ll take care of this. You head back home. I’ll call you later. You know what? Scratch that, I’ll see you at eight a.m. sharp tomorrow. Enjoy your last night as Laken Garlington. Tomorrow you’re Laken Myer.” Kessed reached out and pulled her friend into a hug, careful not to wrinkle the dress she held between them.

  “I can’t wait,” Laken breathed.

  “Fine, go. Don’t let that handsome cowboy of yours wait. He’ll blame me.”

  “He always blames you.”

  “Yeah, well… he’s usually right.”

  “True story.”

  “I’ll be at the ranch at eight on the dot. I don’t want to drag your ass from bed, so do me a favor and save me the trouble. Set an alarm,” Kessed insisted, walking to the door.

  “As if Cyler would let you in the house.”

  “I have a key.”

  “Damn, you do….” Laken snickered, pausing. “That would be funny.”

  “For you. I’d be visually violated. Cyler’s got a nice ass, but I don’t exactly want to see it in all its naked glory.”

  “Whatever.” Laken lifted a hand in surrender. “By the way, thanks for housesitting. I’m glad someone will be at the ranch. Margaret—”

  “That horse is spoiled.”

  “With love! And sugar. Don’t forget to give her some, okay?”

  “Gah, fine. And I’m happy to housesit for you while you’re gone. Just as long as you swear the only animal I have to care for is the horse.” Kessed leveled a stare at her friend.

  “Pretty sure any other animals would suffer a fate worse than death if you had to take care of them,” Laken teased. “But I know Cyler is really glad you’ll be there. With him getting the ranch back up and going, he didn’t want it left alone the whole time we were gone. Even if the steers aren’t arriving till a few weeks after we return, he was still all uptight about it.”

  “Men.” Kessed shrugged.

  Laken gave her head a quick shake. “See you. Be good, and I’ll be waiting to see your bright and shining face in the morning!”

  Kessed waved. “I won’t be bright, and I won’t be shining. I’ll be grumpy and demanding, but I will have coffee….”

  “Then we’re still set.”

  Laken walked out the door, and Kessed watched her friend leave. Tomorrow would be a huge day for sure, and it was long overdue.

  While Cyler and Laken hadn’t let grass grow under their feet, they’d also had a harrowing year. Cyler’s father had died not three months ago, and the grieving process had been difficult for both of them. Though Jack, Cyler’s father, would always get credit for bringing the two of them together, it had been hard on Cyler, finally forgiving his father only to lose him.

  But that was history, and Cyler and Laken’s future was beautiful, and they did a great job focusing on that, rather than the pain of the past.

  As Kessed glanced at the garment bag, she sighed in relief. Maybe miracles did happen—finding a quick replacement dress was proof. Now if she could only conjure up another miracle….

  That maybe, just maybe, Sterling would, for once, see her.

  Really see her.

  Tomorrow would tell.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The wedding day dawned without a cloud in the sky, the crisp fall air promising to warm up nicely by afternoon. Kessed had spent all morning helping Laken prepare for the big day and chasing Cyler away. Stubborn guy, he was relentless in trying to sneak a peek at his bride.

  Of course, he might just have been doing it to piss Kessed off, too.

  They’d had a true love/hate relationship from the start. Of course, to Cyler’s credit, Kessed had told him she wasn’t afraid of prison if he hurt her best friend.

  But that’s what friends did, right?

  “Kessed, what time is it?” Laken asked, pulling Kessed from her thoughts.

  “Almost noon. Are you hungry yet?”

  “Yes, and no. Why in the hell am I so nervous? Seriously!” Laken sighed, sitting down on the bed, earning a glare from Kessed when she sat on the corner of the veil.

  “It’s a big deal, and it’s perfectly normal to be nervous.” Kessed gently tugged the veil from under Laken’s ass and set it aside. “Pizza?”

  “No! Sorry. I mean, no thanks,” Laken corrected, taking a deep breath. “How about something that won’t sit in my stomach like a rock.”

  “Hamburger?”

  Laken glared. “What is it with you and fast food?”

  “It’s my love language.” Kessed shrugged.

  Laken shook her head. “What about a salad? You know, something that won’t make me all bloated?”

  Kessed giggled. “Fine. As long as I don’t have to order a salad.”

  The rest of the afternoon passed in a whirl of activity till they were finally on their way to Suncadia Resort. Laken was quiet most of the thirty-minute drive. They were scheduled as the last to arrive. The rest of the bridal party as well as the groom’s party were supposed to be at the resort in the early afternoon to finish the setup.

  The resort was situated between the Cascade Mountains, with big blue sky meeting rugged peaks and green trees, broken up by flowing streams in the distance. It was lovely and made it easy on the guests, having the venue as their hotel.

  As they wound around Bullfrog Lane, they entered the dense forest that led to the conference center that doubled as the wedding site. Cars were lining up in the parking area, signaling that the time was getting close, and Kessed’s stomach leapt in anticipation and nerves.

  “You okay?” she asked Laken, who gave he
r a slight smile in return.

  “Yeah, I’m ready for being married. The wedding I can survive,” Laken teased.

  Kessed reached over and held her hand. “It will be fine. Sterling’s here. He’s giving you away. It’s going to be amazing,” Kessed assured her.

  “I know. Let’s do this.”

  As they walked to the venue, Kessed watched as the door swung wide, revealing emerald-green eyes and a dove-gray suit.

  “Ladies, I’m here to escort you to your dressing room and protect you from the prying eyes of the groom.” His grin widened, and Kessed gulped slightly. Who the hell is he?

  “Thank you.” Laken answered but Kessed didn’t miss the way she glanced around the hall, apparently, for Cyler.

  “Stop it. You’re worse than he is.” Kessed groaned, tugging on Laken’s arm.

  “Kessed, right?” the stranger asked.

  “And you are?” Kessed held out her hand, unable to stop the suspicious pinch in her forehead. Hot or not, she didn’t like it when people had an advantage over her.

  “Jasper Matthews.” He nodded kindly, grasping her hand with his warm one and shaking it.

  “So, you’re Jasper? Nice to put a face with the name.” Laken’s face lit up with familiarity.

  Kessed glanced to her friend, arching a brow as if to say “How do you know, and I’m still in the dark?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m honored to be a part of your special day.”

  Kessed narrowed her eyes in suspicion. People, especially grown men, don’t say ma’am, do they? And who is he, and how does Laken know about him but I don’t?

  “So, you’re taking over for Vince?” Laken asked as they started to walk down the hall.

  “Yeah.” He turned to Kessed. “My uncle is the vet around here but is retiring. I’m taking over. He’s all but done, and so I’m swamped.”

  “Oh, so you know Cyler from…” She let the question linger.

  “I grew up in Ellensburg. We played football together in high school and got into more than our share of trouble.” He winked, his chestnut hair distracting her with the rich color and the way it appeared so soft.