Here’s an excerpt from Counting on the Cowboy. I had a lot of fun with the first line. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a copy. Giveaway details are at the end.
Inspiration for Brock McBride
Chapter One
Help! There’s a goat on the roof!
Devree Malone typed the frantic text to her brother-in-law while edging the engaged couple she was showing around the ranch closer to the chapel.
If the goat would just keep quiet up there, maybe the soon-to-be newlyweds wouldn’t notice and she wouldn’t lose this gig. At least it was still April, as the cooler not-quite-seventy degree temperature meant the farm animal odors were at a minimum.
A dark truck turned into the drive and a cowboy climbed out: Stetson, Wranglers, boots. Maybe a ranch hand? His gaze went to the goat, then met hers as a smirk settled on his lips. One so charming she almost forgot about the goat.
Almost. Do something, cute cowboy. Hopefully, her mental plea would span the thirty or so feet between them. She guided the couple inside the chapel and tried to concentrate on the bride’s excited chatter.
“Imagine burgundy roses on the lattice arbor with tulle trailing down the sides.” If only she could have gone ahead and decorated. But the wedding was still two weeks away. “We’ll put big poufy bows on the end of each pew.”
For now, she needed to wow them with what she could. She flipped the switch, setting off a sea of twinkle lights woven among the exposed rafters above.
“Oh.” The enchanted bride leaned her head against her groom’s shoulder.
Why put so much into the wedding when the marriage would probably be history in less than a year?
Inspiration for Devree Malone
In her eight years of wedding planning, just under half her couples had divorced. And then there was the ceremony that got canceled when Devree discovered her boyfriend of six months was the groom-to-be.
Just stomach this last wedding.
A month in Bandera serving as the event planner at the Chasing Eden Dude Ranch would provide Devree the chance to help her owner brother-in-law. It would help make sure his very pregnant wife stayed on bed rest and brought Devree a healthy niece or nephew into the world.
If she nailed this nuptial, maybe the bride’s wealthy father, Phillip Brighton would hire her to plan his Brighton Electronics company retreat. And she just might be able to leave her I do planning behind.
Something caught her eye out the window. The cowboy, feed bucket in hand, walking backward toward the barn. The goat clambered from the top of the pavilion, across the storage shed, onto the old storm shelter and then down to the ground.
Her gaze bounced back to the couple. Still enthralled with the twinkle lights.
“Instead of walking off to the side for the unity sand ceremony, what do you think about having a couple of groomsmen move it here in the middle of the aisle?” Devree positioned herself where she thought it should go. “That way all you’d have to do is turn around.”
It would be difficult enough to maneuver the bride’s mile long train up and down the aisle once without adding the possibility of it getting tangled up in vases of sand.
“I love it.” Miranda Brighton’s eyes lit up. “That way I won’t have to fight with my dress and our families and friends will be able to see better if we’re up front and center.” She pressed her face into her groom’s shoulder. “I can’t wait to be Mrs. Joel Anderson.”
“I can’t wait to be Mr. Joel Anderson.”
The couple’s giggles mingled, ending in a sweet kiss.
Devree looked away. She used to love weddings. Almost as much as the brides and grooms she’d worked with. Until Randall.
Just one more ceremony. If the goat didn’t ruin it for her. Then if she never got another glimpse of tulle and twinkle lights, she’d be a happy woman. And maybe, just maybe this charming couple would make it.
“There are a few side rooms along the foyer connecting the fellowship hall in the back. Plenty of room for the wedding party to prepare for the ceremony.”
“Thank you so much for meeting with us, Devree.” Miranda never took her eyes off her groom-to-be. “I wanted Joel to see the chapel since he’s only seen pictures online.”
“I don’t care where the ceremony takes place. The married part is all that matters to me.” The requisite sappy response from Joel.
It would be nice if he kept feeling that way. But odds were—he wouldn’t.
“Okay, I’ll see you both for a consultation in a week.” Please let the goat be all lassoed and out of sight. She led the way to the exit, praying as she went. Guilt stabbed. She shouldn’t ask God for anything after ignoring Him for so long. Closing her eyes, she hesitated at the double doors, then swung them open and scanned the area. No goat. Her breath rushed out.
“Thank you.” The giddy bride hugged her and the couple held hands as they strolled to their car.
“Excuse me.” The cowboy behind her. “You work here?”
“Yes.” She turned to face him. His Stetson shadowed pale green eyes, dark hair and a cleft chin. Enough to make a girl weak in the knees. Thankfully, she wasn’t a girl anymore. She was a battle-scarred woman. “I’m the new wed—I mean—event planner.” At least she hoped to leave nuptials behind. “Thanks for getting rid of the goat.”
“I love goats.” His gaze locked on hers, as if he had all day.
“Do you work here?”
“Not yet. Don’t s’pose you’d know where I might find the owners? Do the Donovan’s still own this place?”
About Shannon: Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does.
She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
Connect with her: Shannon’s Website, Shannon’s Blog, Shannon’s Facebook, Shannon’s Goodreads, Shannon’s Pinterest, Shannon’s Twitter, and Shannon’s Amazon Author Page.
About the book – Counting on the Cowboy:
Ranching is his whole life… until he meets one special city girl
Texas Cowboy Brock McBride knows better than to fall for a city girl. She’ll leave and break his heart—just like his ex-fiancée did. But his job at Chasing Eden Dude Ranch requires working alongside Dallas wedding planner Devree Malone. And despite fierce resistance, he’s falling hard. Yet with Devree’s business back in the city, can he convince her she’s found her home…with him?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Get your copy now: Counting on the Cowboy Purchase Link
Giveaway details:
Comment to enter the drawing for a copy of Counting on the Cowboy. Ten copies will be split among names drawn during the blog tour from March 13 – April 10. One winner will get to pick the theme for a custom made memory board personally crafted by the author. Deadline April 20. Winners will be revealed on the author’s blog on April 21. Go to my website https://shannontaylorvannatter.com and sign up for my newsletter to enter more giveaways and get a free book download.
Follow my blog tour for more chances to win Counting on the Cowboy:
- March 13 – https://shannontaylorvannatter.com/inkslinger-blog/
- March 14 – http://theresalynnhall.com/blog
- March 15 – http://www.castlegatepress.com/blog/
- March 16 – https://shannontaylorvannatter.com/inkslinger-blog/
- March 19 – http://sarahruut.com/category/interviews/
- March 20 – http://http://brendaandersonbooks.com/blog/
- March 26 – https://kimberlysmusings.wordpress.com/
- March 27 – http://www.gingersolomon.com/
- March 30 – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ideas-to-books/id1245507117?mt=2
- April 2 – http://www.inspyromance.com/
- April 10 – http://craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/
- April 10 – http://catherinecastle1.wordpress.com
Question for Readers: What’s your favorite farm animal and why?
I love the horses because I love to ride!
I do too, Shelia. I want them old and calm though. I fell off a young, spunky one once. The ground is pretty far down there and it really hurt. For a long time.
I like the baby goats because they are hilarious.
Goats are fun to watch. When I was a kid, we went to a petting zoo and a goat tried to eat my jacket. I should have put that in the book.
I am 71 years old and the love of the farm is long gone. When my youngest child was five years old, he wanted a pig. He saw a movie with a pig and he was obsessed. When we went home to visit my Mom, she no longer had animals except dogs but George wanted a pig. My mom said her neighbor had pigs and my husband walked the boys down to see the pigs. George was crushed. He came back crying and wanted to leave. The pig in the movie was nothing like the real pig on the farm. If you were raised in a farm, you know what the problem was!
They stink and they squeal.
And they don’t talk.
Hmm. I think I’m like Devree in this book….not a city gal but have never really spent any time on a farm to have a favorite animal!
When we lived in cities, we always came to Arkansas in the summer to visit my grandparents. I helped gather eggs and fed the chickens. It wasn’t really my thing. Even back then.
Cows. Specifically Jersey cows. They are so pretty. We didn’t live on a farm, but we did have cows, turkeys, three pigs, horses, bunnies and some chickens. Our cows were Holsteins.
I’m afraid of cows, Kelly. One chased me at my grandparents’ when I was nine. Then a whole group surrounded the outhouse while my cousin was inside at my grandparents. And one of my parents’ cows chased me again last summer. I’m done with them.
My favorite farm animal is a goat they can be friendly one minute then butting you in you butt or side the next. I think they are very interesting and the babies they are so cute. But my favorite farm anything is barns I love old barns.
I’m kind of an animal nut, but only enjoyed farm animals vicariously through my relative’s farm. My favorite was always the babies, regardless of animal or breed. There is just something to the reliance, innocence, and general cuteness factor with baby animals.
We were dairy farmers for many years so I have a fondness for cows. Yes, it was very confining and it was hard work but where would we be without dairy products?
I have winners! Patricia Parker and Suzanne Dye won the drawing from my blog tour. I appreciate everyone else for stopping by and following the tour.