The Heart Of The Matter

      Beau Adams can’t stop thinking about Sierra Byrne. Her feisty spirit and ample curves dominate his thoughts, while he should be focused on getting himself and Midnight, the Harts’ prized stallion, to the National Finals Rodeo. When Beau and Sierra’s electric connection finally leads to a steamy night together, Beau hopes it’s the beginning of something more.

      As much as Sierra wants to be with Beau, anything long-term is out of the question. A recently diagnosed eye disease will soon leave her blind, and she can’t ask a rising rodeo star like Beau to take on that responsibility. Though she tries to pretend their tryst was just another item on her bucket list, Sierra’s true feelings run a lot deeper. Will she let her affliction steal not only her sight, but her dreams of happiness, as well?

      “You look…hot.” His gaze traveled the length of her body.

      The compliment sent a rush of pleasure through her. “Thank you.”

      “You know what that dress says, don’t you?”

      Sierra couldn’t think straight—not with the heady scent of Beau’s cologne swirling around her head. “Wh-what does it say?”

      “Kiss me,” he whispered.

      They hadn’t sat down to eat and already Beau was making a move on her.

      Go ahead. Sierra had fantasized about kissing Beau for months. Did it matter if he kissed her at the beginning of the date instead of at the end? Sierra made a feeble attempt to take the high road. “My aunt’s sitting a few feet behind the door.”

      Beau’s gaze zeroed in on Sierra’s mouth. “I’m a quiet kisser.”

      Short of breath, she whispered, “Prove it.”

      Dear Reader,

      If you love rodeo, family drama and sexy, headstrong cowboys then Harts of the Rodeo is the series for you! In Beau: Cowboy Protector, you’ll meet Beau Adams, whose recent falling out with his twin brother has made him more determined than ever to win a national championship in bull riding. Rodeo aside, Beau is feeling a little left out of the holy-matrimony club—his brother and cousins have all married and are starting families of their own. Then Beau finally catches the eye of Sierra Byrne and believes a trip down the aisle might be in his future, but Sierra has other plans that don’t include Beau. After receiving a sober medical diagnosis, Sierra is determined to live life to the fullest before her condition prevents her from participating in the activities she’s always dreamed of doing. Now it’s up to Beau to convince Sierra that “marrying Beau” should be on her list.

      Next month look for Tomas: Cowboy Homecoming, the final book in the series, by Linda Warren.

      And finally, I’d like to give a shout-out to the talented authors in this continuity: Cathy McDavid, C.J. Carmichael, Roz Denny Fox, Shelley Galloway and Linda Warren. Keeping track of all the details in each book wasn’t easy and I shudder to think of the hundreds of emails that passed between us as we plotted our stories, but we persevered and brought this series to life, even managing a few good laughs along the way. Thanks, ladies, for making this experience so much fun!

      Marin

       About the Author

      MARIN THOMAS grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. She left the Midwest to attend college in Tucson, Arizona, where she earned a B.A. in radio-TV. Following graduation she married her college sweetheart in a five-minute ceremony at the historic Little Chapel of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the years she and her family have lived in seven different states, but they’ve now come full circle and returned to Arizona, where the rugged desert and breathtaking sunsets provide plenty of inspiration for Marin’s cowboy books.