Miss January “I’m afraid,” she ventured shakily, “you might have spoiled me for other men.” “Good,” he rumbled darkly. “And now I’m going to absolutely fucking ruin you.” Mindy Walters is a bit of pessimist where men and love are concerned. With a sexual history like hers, who can blame her? She avoids the opposite sex whenever possible— not too difficult a task since her height scares off all but the tallest of males. When Cash McLaren tricks Mindy into taking him home with her, he’s putting his New Year’s resolution into effect. Tired of trying to find a woman who can hold his interest for more than a few weeks, the tall, ruggedly handsome cowboy plans to get himself a new woman for every month of the year. Mindy will be his Miss January and nothing more. But after the two lovers share a scorching sexual encounter in a phone booth, Cash’s resolution goes right out the window. The next thing he knows, he’s asking Mindy to marry him. Because Cash no longer thinks of Mindy as Miss January and nothing more. Nope. Now he’s thinking of Mindy as Miss January forever more. Note: Mindy is Bolt's (of Miss October fame) best friend and neighbor. Cash McLaren is also a friend of Bolt's. |
| Cover Art by Willo |
Excerpt Reluctant to share her address with her passenger, she parked in front of Bolt’s house instead of her own. She hated to call Bolt and wake him up but not as much as she hated the idea of allowing a drunk stranger into her house. While she was sitting there trying to decide what to do, Cash roused himself and tipped his hat back enough to take a look around. “This isn’t your house,” he said, his tone suddenly clear as he straightened in his seat. “What do you mean?” “This is Bolt’s place,” he said. “You know Bolt?” she asked on a sudden upwelling of relief. Although she couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for her reaction, she didn’t feel nearly as threatened anymore. “Yeah, I know Bolt. I machine parts for him. I deliver here at least once a week.” He gave her a swift look as though trying to decide if he’d ever seen her before. Apparently satisfied that he hadn’t, he turned again and stared at Bolt’s house. “Oh!” she said, her enthusiasm getting the better of her. “Bolt’s my neighbor. My friend. Very good friend.” This time, when he turned his head in her direction, his eyes were so clear that it was hard to believe he was drunk at all. “Maybe you’d better take me home after all.” “Whaaat?” she said, drawing the word out as anger slowly took root. Apparently, the fact that he knew her neighbor had him rethinking what had to have been plans for a quick one-night stand. The idea really chapped her ass, especially after all the trouble he’d caused her. “You don’t want to spend the night with me anymore? Now that you can’t do it anonymously?” “Don’t get your panties in a twist,” he growled. “It’s not like that. I just don’t want one of my best customers getting pissed at me…or tearing me limb from limb,” he added in a low mutter. He dug his phone from his front pocket and flipped it open then punched a few numbers. “Hey, Bolt. Cash here.” Mindy heard a sleepy growl on the other end of the connection, not unlike a lion yawning. She couldn’t tell what Bolt was saying but he didn’t sound too happy about being woken up at one o’clock in the morning. “Of course it’s important,” Cash replied. “Would I wake you up at this hour if it wasn’t important?” He held the phone away from his ear and grimaced as Bolt made several loud threatening noises. A bright flash of light caught Mindy’s eye and she found herself staring at the biggest diamond ring she’d ever seen on a man’s finger. It was huge, like something you’d expect to find on the finger of a Hollywood director. Somehow it didn’t fit Cash’s cowboy persona. “Okay. I’m getting to it,” Cash answered with a growl of his own as he returned the phone to his ear. “I was out at the Cactus Corral tonight and this girl picked me up, took me home to her place.” Annoyance stiffened her spine. “Picked you up!” she spat. He pressed his thumb over the mouthpiece and sent her that half-assed grin of his. “Well, you did, didn’t you?” Bolt barked something in his ear and he uncovered the mouthpiece again. “Don’t get snarly. I’m not done,” he rumbled, winking at her as she cut him an indignant look. “Turns out she’s a friend of yours. Mindy Walters? I just wanted to know if you could vouch for the young lady. She isn’t the type to roll me and take my wallet, is she?” Exasperated, Mindy plucked his billfold from her lap and waved it at him. Cash handed her the phone and said, “He wants to talk to you.” “Bolt?” she ventured in a small voice as she traded Cash his wallet for the phone. “Sorry if we woke you up.” Bolt’s deep bass came across in a warm rumble of affection. “Hey, sweetheart. Are you okay?” She opened the truck’s door and slipped outside then paced to the end of the bed. “I’m okay so far. I offered this guy a drive to his place because I didn’t think he could make it home in one piece. But he fell asleep in my truck and I couldn’t find out where he lived. So I’m standing here, outside your house, with a drunk man sitting in my cab.” “Cash McLaren?” he asked. “Yes. Do you know him?” “Yeah, I know him,” Bolt answered on a stifled yawn. “Do you…think he’s safe?” “Define safe.” “If I take him home with me,” she asked hesitantly, “will I still be alive in the morning?” “Yeah,” he answered, “you’ll be alive. Might be a little the worse for wear but you’ll be alive.” She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to decide. “Mindy?” Bolt murmured, his voice low and warm. “Take him home.” “Okay,” she answered, somehow relieved and even happy. “If…you think so.” “I think so, sweetheart. But there’s something you should know about Cash, going in.” “Oh?” she said, almost afraid of what Bolt might tell her, the least of which might be his obvious alcohol problem. “Cash doesn’t drink.” |
| Other Books in the Calendar Girl Series |
madison hayes
Miss January: Calendar Girls
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