Her Fated Cowboy

Harland County Series/Cole
By Donna Michaels
ISBN 1483907570
ISBN-13: 978-1483907574
$2.99
Available at Amazon

This story has a 4.5 rating out of 40 reviews at Amazon. The characters were an absolute treat to write. Cole was tortured (my favorite kind of hero) and Jordan, well, let’s just say she was not above getting outrageous in order to complete her mission to heal Cole.

BLURB

L.A. cop Jordan Masters Ryan has a problem. Her normal method of meeting a crisis head-on and taking it down won’t work. Not this time. Not when fate is her adversary. Having kept her from the man she thought she’d always marry, the same fickle fate took away the man she eventually did. Thrown back into the path of her first love, she finds hers is not the only heart fate has damaged.

Widower and software CEO, Cole McCall fills his days with computer codes and his free time working the family’s cattle ranch. Blaming himself for his wife’s death, he’s become hard and bitter. When his visiting former neighbor sets out to delete the firewall around his heart, he discovers there’s no protection against the Jordan virus. Though she understands his pain and reawakens his soul, will it be enough for Cole to overcome his past and embrace their fated hearts?

EXCERPT

Time to push some buttons.

Jordan turned back to Cole’s door, squared her shoulders and knocked.

“What?“

She snickered and entered, shutting the door behind her. “You forgot, where, when, who, why, and how.”

“Jordan.” He threw his pen down on the desk and hit her with so much fury in his gaze, she nearly stumbled backward. “Is there a reason you’re here bugging me when I’m trying to work?”

She crossed the room on shaky legs and dropped into the leather chair in front of his oak desk. “You want the long list or the short list?”

“I don’t want any.” He glared.  “Get out.”

“No can do, McCall. That’s not on my list.”

“Jordan.“ He pushed back from the desk. “So help me, if you don’t”””

“Wow. Did you know the vein in your neck bulges when you’re angry? You should do something about that.” She shook her head and clasped her hands in an attempt to hide her trembling fingers.

He closed his eyes and sucked in a long breath.

“That’s better. Deep cleansing breaths.”

His eyes snapped open. “You’re still here?”

She laughed. “Yes. You can’t will me away, Cole. You know that.”

“Damn nuisance.” He straightened in his seat, folded his hands on the desk and looked her in the eye. “What do I have to do to get you to leave?”

“Just talk.”

“Good. We did, now go.” He turned dismissively back to his computer monitor.

“No, I mean talk about you.” She crossed her legs and straightened her blouse.

“Sorry, sweetheart. That’s not what you said. Now, kindly get the hell out of my office so I can get back to work.”

No way. With her heart hammering out of control, she leaned closer. “Are you working on a game?”

“No.” He leaned closer, too. “It’s a photo’s program. Can I please get back to it now?”

“Soon, but first I wanted to tell you I was sorry about Bess.”

Okay, that came out clumsy.

Still, she’d expect him to react with sadness, grief, pain, even anger, but the unbridled fury reddening his face was bad. Very bad.

“For the love of Texas! Go!“ He shot to his feet, rounded the desk and glowered down at her.

Holy cow.

She rose and ordered her body to remain steady despite the murderous look in his eyes. Chest to chest, she stared up at him, refusing to show fear. “Look, Cole. I just want you to know I’m here if you need to talk.”

Tight lips and flared nostrils relayed his rage while the rapid, single blink of his eyes gave away his unease.

If he was uncomfortable with her being so close, why didn’t he step back? What was she saying? That would force him to show weakness and heaven forbid the mighty Cole McCall should act human.

“I don’t want to talk,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

“Well, you know where to find me if you do,” she said, ignoring the warning voice in her head. “I can help with Bess”””

“I don’t need help with Bess! I need help with my program. So get the hell out of here, Jordan! Now!” Fisted knuckles cracked at his sides.

Sorrow, painful and deep, funneled into her heart. My God, he was a mess. She had to convey some warmth to him.

Taking her life in her hands, she touched his arm. “I hate to see you like this, Cole. Just remember I have a good ear.”

“Fine. Duly noted.” Strong fingers clamped tightly around her wrist and pulled her to the door. “Now, kindly leave and take your good ear with you.”

She snorted into a laugh. “You made a joke, Cole. Good for you.”

“Yeah, hurray for me. Now, leave.”

She sandwiched his hand between hers and squeezed. Let me in, she willed, staring into his cold gaze, hoping some of her compassion reached past the dark pit where he dwelled.

“Please, I can help you”¦” Her voice trailed off, leaving the ball in his court.

He volleyed. “I’m fine. Now leave me the hell alone.” Yanking free, he glowered before throwing the door open. “Good night, Jordan.”

What he’d really meant was good riddance.

She smiled. Too bad. The devil inside made her stand tall, lean in and place a noisy, wet kiss on his taut cheek. “Night, McCall.”

Leave a comment on this post and one lucky name will be drawn to win a free PDF of  my Navy cowboy in- COWBOY-SEXY!

Good luck!

And thanks for reading,

~Donna