Naming the Cowboy Read online

  Table of Contents

  Books by J.P. Bowie

  Title Page

  Legal Page

  Book Description

  Dedication

  Trademark Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Epilogue

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  About the Author

  Pride Publishing books by J.P. Bowie

  Single Books

  The Set Up

  Ride ‘em Cowboy

  Ride ‘em Again Cowboy

  Personal Trainers

  Halloween Angel

  The Officer and the Gentleman

  With a Little Help from My Friends

  Blood Relations

  Nowhere to Hide

  Trip of a Lifetime

  A Ghost Story

  Happy Ending

  A Highlander in LA

  Journey to Hope

  Paris Connection

  All I’ll Ever Need

  Every Breath I Take

  Highland Hearts

  Evan Sent

  Fear and Loving in Las Vegas

  Breaking the Habit

  Fear of Flying

  Love on the Rocks

  Murder by Design

  The Love Between Us

  The Journeyer

  The Journey Begins

  The New World

  The Fight for Freedom

  Into the West

  Hot in the Saddle

  Vetting the Cowboy

  Teaching the Cowboy

  Loving the Cowboy

  My Vampire and I

  My Vampire and I

  My Vampire Lover

  Duet in Blood

  Blood Resurrection

  Bound in Blood

  Blood Lure

  Blood Lust

  Blood Talisman

  Blood Vigilance

  Blood Kiss

  Anthologies

  Fabulous Brits: Under the Law

  Naughty Nooners: Lunches in Laguna

  Friction: Cruising

  Saddle Up ‘N’ Ride: Ride ‘em Hard Cowboy

  Promoted by the Billionaire: Fly to Him

  Heatwave: Summer Bliss

  Collections

  Christmas Spirits: A Present Christmas

  Homecoming: Blueprint for Love

  Yule Be Mine: A Special Christmas

  Immortal Love: Night Wing

  A Little Bit Cupid: Valentine’s Day Blues

  Hot in the Saddle

  NAMING THE COWBOY

  J.P. BOWIE

  Naming the Cowboy

  ISBN # 978-1-83943-072-5

  ©Copyright J.P. Bowie 2020

  Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright September 2020

  Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

  Pride Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

  Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.

  Book four in the

  Hot in the Saddle series

  Stuart and Cole are reunited after a decade apart, but can love overcome resentment after so long?

  Cole Cassidy, Stuart Reynolds’ protector against their abusive foster father, shattered Stuart by leaving him behind the day he turned eighteen. As much as Stuart hoped and prayed that Cole would return and rescue him from the hell he lived in, it never happened.

  Ten years later, Cole is stunned to find Stuart working at the Seven Plus Ranch…and Stuart is not at all happy to be reunited with the man he thought had deserted him all those years ago. Stuart learns he has been harboring an undeserved resentment toward Cole, and while recounting the time they’d endured together, a strong bond is forged between them that soon deepens into love. But Stuart is still haunted by memories of his past abuse and relives them in nightmares he feels will be too much for Cole to understand—or live with.

  When a homophobic employee Cole was forced to fire returns to the ranch to destroy his work, Stuart’s nightmares escalate, and unless he can find the strength to confront his past demons, it will be his newfound relationship with Cole that’s laid to rest…

  Dedication

  Once again it’s my pleasure to thank Claire Siemaszkiewicz, Rebecca Baker Fairfax and everyone at Pride Publishing for their encouragement and support. Not to forget my hubby, Phil, who after thirty years of togetherness is still a joy to be quarantined with!

  Trademark Acknowledgements

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

  Bud Lite: Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC

  Chevy: General Motors Company

  Cowboy Casanova: Mike Elizondo, Brett James, Carrie Underwood

  eHarmony: eharmony.com

  Hyatt: Hyatt Hotels Corporation

  Kleenex: Kimberly-Clark Corporation

  La Habañera: Maurice Ravel

  Stella: Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC

  Stetson: John B. Stetson Company

  Chapter One

  Parker Jones and Royce Chandler, joint owners of the Seven Plus Ranch, stared down at the blueprint that covered most of Royce’s desk. “Any more thoughts, Parker?” he asked his husband of seven years.

  Parker ran his finger around a specific point on the blueprint. “Have they given enough room here for the extra cabin? Looks like it’ll be crammed in tight to the one next door. We’ve got more space between all the others.”

  Royce put on a pair of black horn-rimmed glasses to take a closer look at the area Parker had indicated. “Hmm, yeah, I see what you mean, and I don’t like it being so close to the perimeter wall, either. Maybe they could turn it a bit so it faces a corner of the pool?” He drew an outline over the existing plan. “Let’s see what Thomas has to say when he comes over tomorrow.”

  “My main concern is for the stable addition. Glad we put the guests’ and the employees’ diners on the near side of the existing stable when we originally planned all of this. Gives us a lot more leeway for further expansion i
f we ever need it. I’d really like to see them make a start on it before too long.” Parker drummed his fingers on the blueprint impatiently. “The concrete foundation we had poured should be set by now. We’re gonna need the stalls for the two horses we’ve got on order, and Ryan’s gonna need room for his horse. Right now, he’s over at your daddy’s ranch, but I know Ryan’s itchin’ to have him close by.”

  Royce nodded. “You’re right, but even if they started construction tomorrow, which they can’t, it’d be at least three months before it’ll be habitable. Get some dates from Thomas when you see him tomorrow.” He removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt collar, then kissed Parker’s forehead. “I’m going to shower while you pour us two nice fat scotches on the rocks. It’s been a bitch of a day and I need to put my feet up for a bit before dinner.”

  “You’re working too hard.” Parker stuck a hand inside the waistband of Royce’s slacks. “You’re also getting too skinny. I’m gonna have Maria pack you a lunch so you don’t skip eatin’ when you’re at work.”

  “I eat,” Royce protested. “Just, lately, we’ve been hammered with a couple of big lawsuits that are taking up all our time. One, I can see daylight at the end of a long and grueling fight, but the other is going to drag on for at least another month or two. I told Charles we have to get pickier about the clients we choose to represent. Anyhoo…” He dropped a kiss on his husband’s nose this time. “I have to shower. Be right back.”

  “Okay, sexy.” Parker watched, a smile on his lips, as Royce ran up the stairs two at a time, giving Parker a view he’d never get tired of…Royce’s firm butt. Least he hasn’t lost any weight there, Parker thought with satisfaction. Still plenty to get my hands on. He walked toward the sounds of Maria, their housekeeper, getting their dinner ready. She was humming a catchy tune.

  “What’s that, Maria?”

  She smiled at Parker. “La Habañera. You know it, Señor Parker?”

  “Sounds familiar. So, how’re you likin’ bein’ at the house? Hope we’re not too much work for you.”

  “Not at all—I like it here, very much. The boys said they will miss me, but I think Emilio and Rosa will spoil them as much as I did.”

  Parker chuckled. “Maybe not quite as much.”

  A month ago they’d asked Maria to be their housekeeper when Ruth, the lady they’d had for years, had left them. She’d told them she and her husband were moving to a retirement village the other side of Sacramento and it was too far for her to travel on a daily basis. Maria had been their obvious choice to replace Ruth. She worked hard, got along with all the ranch hands and she was a great cook.

  Parker inhaled the spicy aroma of whatever Maria had in the oven. “Smells delicious, Maria. What you got goin’ on in there?”

  “Your favorite…chicken quesadilla pies. They will be ready in twenty minutes so you and Señor Royce can enjoy your cocktails first. There is salad in the fridge. I will see you in the morning. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, Maria. Drive safe.”

  Parker set to making his and Royce’s scotches on the rocks then took them outside to the patio. After placing the glasses on the table, he walked to the edge of the patio where he could look across at the spread and make sure the stables were locked up tight. The last of the guests had gone at midday and a new batch would arrive in the morning, but tonight there were only Royce and himself around, and some of the hands who lived on the property. Bliss. The view from the patio took in not only the Seven Plus spread all the way down to the pasture, but had the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop, the setting sun streaking the snow atop the highest peaks with its golden rays.

  Parker liked running the Seven Plus, but there were times when he was glad for the peace and quiet of a night off. He watched as Tim and Ryan strolled hand in hand from the employees’ diner. They waved when they saw him and for a moment he was tempted to call them over for a beer or something stronger.

  “Nope, not tonight. Just me and Royce and a kick-back night at home.”

  “Talking to yourself again?” Royce’s teasing from behind made him turn to smile at his husband.

  “I was just thinking that we have a little slice of heaven here and tonight I don’t want to share it with anyone but you.”

  “That’s sweet.” Royce slipped his arms around Parker’s slim waist and nuzzled his neck. “I think I have a little slice of heaven right here,” he whispered.

  Parker ground his rump into Royce’s crotch then chuckled. “I can feel you haven’t lost any of that ‘quick on the draw’ action. Not bad for an old guy.”

  Royce laughed and squeezed Parker tight. “Look who’s talking. You are, may I remind you, two years older than me? Now let’s have that drink, then dinner…it smells delicious by the way…then you can have your way with me.”

  “Does it have to be in that order?”

  “Of course not!”

  * * * *

  Stuart Reynolds—Stu, to his friends—glanced around the packed and noisy interior of the Spurs and Chaps, and sighed. No sign of Jake, and he said he’d be here before me… Was this the guy’s way of telling Stu it was over? Stu had felt a lessening in Jake’s interest in the last couple of weeks. He’d even mentioned it, trying to get the truth of the matter out of the handsome but sometimes flaky real estate developer. They’d met right here in the bar two months ago, and Jake had been all over him, coming on like a sex tornado, not letting a day go by after that first night of athletic passion, when he wasn’t calling Stu looking for another night alone with him.

  Stu had to admit he’d enjoyed those times in Jake’s plush condo in downtown Sacramento. Jake was loaded, or so he told Stu, and had a ‘thing’ for cowboys. Guess I fit the bill, for a spell, anyway. Jake liked to be lassoed, tied up and to ride Stu as if he was a bucking bronco. It should’ve been a giant turn-off. Stu wasn’t into role-playing, but there was something about Jake that had made him like the guy, and he’d be sorry if this was the end of their at times raucous relationship.

  I’ll give him another twenty minutes or so, then I’ll go back to the ranch. Tim, Bob and Ryan would be there playing pool in the bunkhouse common room. They were always good company, even after Tim and Ryan had become a couple. They never let him feel as if he was a third wheel when they went out on the town together. Now he wished he’d just stayed at the ranch instead of coming all the way into the city on the chance of hooking up with Jake.

  This had happened before, Jake being a no-show, and Stu was pretty sure there wouldn’t be another invitation to join him for a drink and some ‘chow’…Jake’s expression. He liked to speak what he thought was cowboy talk, calling Stu pardner and using expressions like ‘plumb loco’ and ‘well I’ll be hornswoggled’ that had made Stu’s smile become forced at times. Jake wasn’t a bad guy—just a little hard to deal with now and then.

  “Here on your own?” The speaker, tall and blond just as Stu liked his men, smiled and tipped his glass at him. “Buy you a drink?”

  “Thanks. Just a Bud Lite. And yes, I’m here on my own. My so-called date has decided not to show, I guess.”

  “More fool him.” The blond ordered Stu’s drink, then smiled and held out his hand. “Bailey.”

  “Stu…glad to meet you, Bailey. You from around here?”

  “Unfortunately, no. I live in LA, just here for a convention at the Hyatt. You?”

  Stu nodded. “I work at the Seven Plus dude ranch on the other side of Denton.”

  “Oh, so you’re a real cowboy? It’s not just the outfit…the Stetson, the boots?”

  Stu sighed. Another one with a cowboy fantasy… He covered the sigh with a chuckle. “I used to work the rodeos some years back, but now I teach guys how to ride, how to look after their horse, maybe rope a steer if they’re so inclined to try their hand at it.”

  “Wow, that sounds amazing. What was the name of the place again?”

  “The Seven Plus Ranch. It’s mostly for gay guys and gals, though we get the occa
sional straight couple.”

  “Sounds like a blast. I’ll have to check it out next time I have a break.”

  “What do you do?” Stu asked, then flinched when he spotted Jake heading his way.

  Bailey opened his mouth to answer, then shut it when Jake loomed over them both. “Sorry I’m late, goddam traffic out there tonight. Who’s your friend?”

  “Uh, this is Bailey. We just met. Bailey, this is Jake, my late boyfriend.”

  “Ha ha, very funny. Okay, Bailey…” Jake inserted his tall body between Stu and Bailey. “Take a hike. Two’s company, you know the rest, right?”

  For a moment Stu thought Bailey was going to argue the point, but he obviously decided he didn’t want to tangle with Jake, so instead, he threw them both a look of disgust and sidled off.

  “Man, you talk to the weirdest guys,” Jake muttered then ordered a beer.

  “I talk to you,” Stu said, chuckling.

  “Ha ha, again. You training to be a comedian or what?”

  “No, just being my usual fun self, rehearsing some lines waitin’ for you.”

  “Huh. That guy come on to you?”

  “Of course he did.” Stu smiled sweetly. “I’m irresistible, ain’t I?”

  “Yeah, you sure are.” He grabbed Stu and planted a hard kiss on his lips.

  “Wow.” Stu took a deep breath after Jake let him go. “And here I thought you were getting’ ready to let me down instead of stakin’ your claim all over again.”

  Jake paid for his beer, took a long swallow of it then looked at Stu through narrowed eyes. “What made you think that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know…little things like not calling for days on end, canceling dates at the last minute. That kind of little thing.”

  “I said I was sorry for that every time.”

  “Yeah, but every time gets old after a while, Jake. If you’re seein’ someone else, that’s fine. Just tell me and I won’t start dreamin’ of a cottage for two and a white picket fence. I’ve never been one for holdin’ on to what’s no longer mine.”