LITMIR.BIZ

      “Your timing is impeccable...”

      Cori continued, “I was just thinking about you.” At once she noticed how good he looked with scruffy facial hair, a gray button-down shirt open at the neck and those tight black jeans. His mere presence made her reconsider those silly friendship thoughts.

      “In a good way, I hope.” Gage’s grin grew wider, and his dark eyes sparkled under the glow of the streetlights.

      “I thought you were ignoring me.”

      “I was, and I’m sorry about that. My grandfather is a powerful force, but he finally went up to his room,” he said.

      “Is this a vacation?”

      “It’s more of an attempt at reconnecting my family.”

      “Sounds as if you burned a lot of bridges.”

      “More like I soaked them in gasoline and used a flamethrower.”

      “I’m getting a little worried.” Cori smiled.

      “About what?”

      “About us.”

      “Things are looking up. I didn’t know we were an us.” Gage laughed.

      She chuckled and slowed her pace, wanting to make her intentions clear.

      “That all depends.”

Dear Reader,

      The inspiration for this book arrived like a thunderstorm on the prairie, all at once and with a charging force. At first I didn’t know if I could craft it in such a way that I wouldn’t find myself simply extolling the wonders of Zane Grey, but as I kept plotting and honing the story, the heroine and hero came to life. Not only are they real to me, but their plight has personal resonance.

      I grew up surrounded by several relatives who abused alcohol, and I know firsthand what it means to watch someone you love drift away from you. I wanted to show how Gage, the hero of this story, lost his cowboy ways, but with the help of his sometimes grumpy grandfather, a beautiful, feisty doctor and her sweet daughter, along with the cowboy values that encompass the works of Zane Grey, Gage just might save himself before it’s too late.

      The time I spent in Durango for the annual Zane Grey West Society’s conference was a real treat. I based a lot of my scenes on the actual conference, but this is a work of fiction, and as such, I took some liberties with the events of the conference and the actual establishments in Durango. That being said, the Strater Hotel, the Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum, and the historic mining town of Silverton are very real and make for a great family vacation.

      Please visit me at maryleo.com, where you’ll find some fun facts about old-time cowboys, the Zane Grey West Society and Durango. While you’re there you might want to sign up for my newsletter. You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter @maryleoauthor, where we can chat.

      Happy trails,

      Mary

      Her Favorite

      Cowboy

      Mary Leo

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      USA TODAY bestselling author MARY LEO grew up in south Chicago in the tangle of a big Italian family. She’s worked in Hollywood, Las Vegas and in Silicon Valley. Currently she lives in San Diego with her husband, author Terry Watkins, and their sweet kitty, Sophie. Visit her website at maryleo.com.

      For Henry and Catherine Nardi, who introduced me to the many books of Zane Grey, and for inviting us to our first annual Zane Grey West Society’s conference. The time spent at those conferences, both in your company and in the company of so many wonderful people, has truly been life-changing. Thank you!

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

Dear Reader

       Title Page

       About the Author

       Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Epilogue

       Extract

       Copyright

Chapter One

      “I’ll get the bags,” Gage Remington told his grandpa Buck as he pulled into the last available

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