Teaching 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

  Epilogue

  Read more from J.P. Bowie

  More exciting books!

  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

  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

  The Journeyer

  The Journey Begins

  The New World

  The Fight for Freedom

  Into the West

  Hot in the Saddle

  Vetting the Cowboy

  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

  Hot in the Saddle

  TEACHING

  THE COWBOY

  J.P. BOWIE

  Teaching the Cowboy

  ISBN # 978-1-913186-60-9

  ©Copyright J.P. Bowie 2020

  Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright January 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 two in the

  Hot in the Saddle series

  A rough rider with a dark past, looking for a fresh start in life, meets a high school teacher with a different kind of lesson in mind.

  Jordan Hendricks, trying to put the past behind him, is hired at the Seven Plus, a dude ranch that caters mainly to gay men and women. On his second day there, Jordan meets Blake Cameron, a high school teacher from San Francisco, and attraction sizzles between them. Unfortunately, Seven Plus rules prohibit sexual fraternization between trainers and guests, a rule that Parker Jones, one of the ranch’s owners, tells Jordan is ‘set in stone’.

  Nevertheless, the two men bond, and on Blake’s last night at the ranch, he coaxes Jordan into a goodbye kiss and a promise to meet again outside the ranch where they can explore the possibilities of a relationship.

  But Jordan’s past, in the form of Grant Svenson, the man who controlled his life for more than three years and who attacked him in a drunken rage and destroyed Jordan’s rodeo career, comes back to haunt him. Unless Jordan can stop Grant from wreaking havoc a second time, the chance of a future with Blake will never be realized.

  Dedication

  I hope you enjoy Teaching the Cowboy, the second in my new series Hot in the Saddle. My thanks to Claire, my publisher, my oh so terrific editor, Rebecca, and to the Pride Publishing family who so generously give their support and encouragement. My thanks also to my hubby, who after twenty-five years together is still hot!

  Trademark Acknowledgements

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

  Addams Family: Charles Addams

  Airbnb: Airbnb, Inc

  Another Time, Another Place: Bob McDill, Paul Harrison

  Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

  Gunga Din: Joseph Rudyard Kipling

  Jeep Wrangler: FCA US LLC

  Jeopardy!: Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

  Looney Tunes: Warner Bros. Animation, Inc.

  Miller Lite: MillerCoors LLC

  Retribution: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

  Speedos: Speedo International Limited

  Stetson: John B. Stetson Company.

  Uber: Uber Technologies, Inc.

  Valium: F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

  Chapter One

  Parker Jones watched the black Jeep Wrangler drive through the entrance to the Seven Plus Ranch. He was expecting the driver, a guy recommended by Jed Miller, Parker’s friend and foreman over at the neighboring Double R Ranch.

  ‘You’ll like Jordan,’ his friend had told him once Parker had set up the appointment. ‘He’s younger but he’s a born horseman. Just what you need, right?’

  Parker had agreed. He’d been lucky so far with his hires, and he appreciated that the success of his and Royce’s dude ranch was due in part to the affable and attractive bunch of cowboys who added some spice to the riding and roping lessons his customers came from far and near for. And ‘far and near’ wasn’t an exaggeration. Thanks to his husband Royce Chandler’s imaginative advertising, they’d recently had guys showing up from France and the UK, and last week a couple from Iceland.

  Parker walked over to the Jeep pulling to a stop in the guest parking lot. “Morning,” he greeted the driver. “Jordan Hendricks?”

  “That�
��s me.” Jordan unfolded his long legs out of the vehicle and extended a hand to Parker. “You must be Parker Jones.”

  “Guilty as charged,” Parker said, taking in Jordan’s height and physical attributes. The man was tall and built, with wide shoulders and narrow hips. He had a pleasant face, emphasized by the ready smile he now displayed. His dark blue eyes searched Parker’s for a second or two before he looked around at the ranch’s well-maintained grounds and buildings.

  “Nice place,” he murmured almost to himself.

  “Come on inside and we can talk some.” Parker touched Jordan’s arm then led him toward the rustic timbered ranch house. “Like some coffee? I just brewed it fresh.”

  “Thanks, I’d like a cup.” He followed Parker into the kitchen and took the mug of coffee Parker handed him.

  “Anything in it?” Parker asked.

  “Nope, black’s good. You have a nice home.”

  “This is all Royce’s doing. He designed it, helped with the construction and conned friends into helping him with the painting and tiling.” Parker followed Jordan’s gaze as he studied the Western prints on the living room walls.

  “He do these too?” Jordan walked over to get a closer look at one depicting a bronco and rider.

  “From photographs he took at the rodeo. He had them blown up then they go through some kinda process he knows all about, and you get that vintage look.”

  “That rider looks like Jed.”

  “It is. Three or four years back. Last time he competed.” Parker chuckled. “He said he was getting too old, but Royce says Charles nagged him into retiring from competition. Said he was tired of having to sit with his eyes closed and fingers crossed every time Jed got on a bronco.”

  “That I believe.” Jordan grinned. “Charles is a force to be reckoned with, despite the fact he’s got to be half a foot shorter than Jed.” He traced the walls with an interested gaze. “Is there one of you? Reckon there’d have to be.”

  “Oh yeah. In the dining room. C’mon, I’ll show you.” There were two prints. One of Parker astride a bucking horse liked he owned it, the second of him being thrown backward off the bronco. “Son of a gun just had to have that one done,” Parker said wryly.

  Jordan grinned. “The look on your face is priceless.”

  “Yeah, well I don’t have to tell you what it feels like when you know your ass is gonna hit the ground hard.” He joined in Jordan’s deep chuckle. “So, you’ve given up the circuit?”

  “Yep. After breaking a leg in two places, thigh and calf. The doctors said I’d have to be real careful in future so I figured I needed to do something else. Can’t afford the hospital bills, for one thing. Jed says you run a good business here and if you’d have me, I’d be happy to work for you.”

  Parker nodded, liking Jordan’s straightforward approach. “Let me show you the stables and you can say hello to a couple of the men there. How are you dealing with people? Mostly gay guys, a few women and the occasional straight couple.”

  Jordan shrugged. “I haven’t had to deal too much with the public. Some groupies at times, but I don’t encourage it.”

  “Well, you’ll get a pretty diverse crowd here. Like I said, most of our guests are gay, some of the hands, too.”

  “No problem there. I’m bi. Though, to be honest, I prefer guys, but I don’t fool around where I work, so your boys are safe with me.”

  Parker laughed and clapped Jordan on the shoulder. He figured one or two of the ‘boys’ might be disappointed to hear that, but he kept that thought to himself. They walked outside toward the stable. “Jed said you were in Fresno last he heard.”

  “Yeah, lived there a few years, but it was time to get out.”

  There’s a story there, Parker thought, but it had never been his habit to pry—something Royce had kidded him about over the years. ‘How can we get juicy gossip if you don’t ask the right questions?’ he’d complain. “Corral and pasture are down yonder,” Parker said, pointing. “The riding trails start here in the ranch and wind around through the Double R. Jed and Aaron are okay with it, long’s nobody does anything foolish. Of course, Aaron bein’ Royce’s dad gives us more leeway than most.”

  They had reached the stable and Parker introduced Jordan to the two men working in the stalls. “Jordan, this is Bob Jennings, one of our original team, and Gerardo Gonzalez.” Jordan shook hands with the older man and the shy Mexican boy.

  “You a new hire?” Bob asked, peering up at Jordan. “We could sure use you right now.”

  “Well, I’m hoping to be,” Jordan told him. “That’s up to Mr. Jones, of course.”

  “Parker. We don’t stand on formality here, Jordan. C’mon, we’ll take a look at the horses in the corral.”

  Jordan had the feeling that Parker would hire him, but he didn’t want to count his chickens too soon. Life had been a bitch recently, and he wasn’t about to take anything for granted. Parker was a nice guy, or so it seemed, but for sure he’d want to see Jordan ride and interact not only with the horses but with the other men, too. One of those men was leading a horse around the corral. A tall, young blond guy who smiled and waved as they approached. Cute. I might not touch, but nothin’ wrong with looking…

  “Hey, Boss, just checking out Misty’s gait. She was limping earlier, but I can’t see anything wrong with any of her hooves.”

  “Could be a strained tendon,” Jordan said quietly, to Parker.

  “Let’s take a look.” Parker gestured that they should enter the corral. “Seth, this is Jordan Hendricks, come to check us out, see if he’d like to work on our ranch.”

  Jordan chuckled at Parker’s words and held out his hand to Seth. “Good to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” Seth gazed at him as if he was trying to remember where they’d met before. “Oh, I got it. Jordan Hendricks…I’ve seen your name in Rodeo Rider magazine. You were on the circuit for a time.”

  “I was. I quit it earlier this year, so I’m lookin’ for a job, preferably with horses.”

  “Well, you’ve come to the right place,” Seth said, “if you’re up for teaching a bunch of wannabe cowboys how to ride a horse, and rope a steer…a very small steer.”

  Jordan liked Seth’s easy-going nature and smile. “I’m always up for a challenge.” He glanced down at Parker who was on his knees, running his hands up and down the horse’s legs from hoof to elbow.

  “Can’t feel anything wrong. Take her round again, Seth. Jordan and me’ll take a looksee.”

  Jordan had a hard time keeping his eyes on Misty’s gait. Seth’s muscular ass encased in his well-worn, light blue jeans was way too much of a distraction. He grimaced. He’d been celibate for so long he reckoned he’d have forgotten how to do it should the occasion ever arise. Or was it like riding a bike, except more fun?

  “Yeah,” Parker was saying and dragged Jordan’s attention back to the matter in hand. “Her gait is definitely off. You better call Mike, Seth. No point in messing about trying to guess what’s wrong. Call in the expert.”

  “Mike?” Jordan asked.

  “Our veterinarian…and Seth’s husband. Came to us a year ago, not knowing a whole lot about horses. Now, since our regular vet, Doc Walker, retired, he’s our go-to man.”

  “Oh.” Jordan quickly averted his gaze from Seth’s fine butt.

  “Take her back to the stable after you’ve called Mike.”

  “Right, Boss,” Seth replied cheerfully.

  Jordan looked beyond the corral at the sound of a horse’s whinny. Three riders were headed their way, and Jordan stifled a gasp. The lead horse was being ridden by another example of hot-looking manhood. Shit, are all the hands here gonna be Adonises? Parker fell into an easy conversation with the three men and it became clear that the lead rider was the trainer and the other two his charges for the day.

  Parker gestured for Jordan to join them. “Jordan, this is Clint Hanson. Clint, Jordan Hendricks.”

  Clint leaned down from his saddle to shake Jordan’s
hand. “Good to meet you, Jordan. Coming on board?”

  Jordan glanced at Parker, unsure of his reply, but the ranch owner met his gaze with a nod of his head. “We’re still in the showing-you-around stage, but I think Jordan likes what he sees, so far.”

  You have no idea…

  One of the riders behind Clint urged his horse forward. “If he does, I’ll be reserving another stay here real soon.”

  Well, now… Jordan grinned up at the young blond whose stare was unashamedly raking over Jordan’s body. “That’s a hella reference.”

  Clint chuckled. “Wesley, you have to stop bein’ so hard to get. C’mon now, back to the stables and I’ll show you how to take care of your horse after a ride.”

  Wesley gave Jordan a flirty smile as he followed Clint while his companion rolled his eyes at Jordan, but in a good-natured way. “That guy is a character,” Jordan remarked, watching the three head toward the stables.

  “He’s tame compared to some of the guys we’ve had here,” Parker said, his smile a little forced. “We encourage camaraderie between the trainers and the guests. We want them to feel comfortable and have a good time. But some have taken advantage of that and we’ve had a couple of awkward incidents. So, one of our employee rules is this, and it’s set in stone—no fooling around with the guests, even if they come on to you, and you are attracted to them. Most of them are here for a week, tops, so it shouldn’t be hard to avoid the come-ons and the innuendo.”

  “I got it. To be honest, that’s not something I’m looking for in any job.”

  “Right. And if you have the need to blow off some steam, there’s a couple of bars in Sacramento the guys go to occasionally. Okay, next…” He strode off with Jordan hot on his heels. “I don’t know what you have set up for living accommodations, but we have a bunkhouse with four single rooms. Again, some of the guys prefer to have their own place nearby. Seth lives with his hubby, of course, and Clint with his fiancée, Sherry, who just happens to work for Royce. There is one room available right now, if you want it.”