Cowboys & Crushes - Baker Brothers of Copper Creek Book 2 (PAPERBACK)

Ruby McDaniel has been crushing on her brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember. Since age seven, to be exact. But he broke her heart. She went off to college to forget about him.

Now she’s ready to start her dream job in New York City and get on with her life. Well, almost. First, Ruby has a little payback in mind. She’s determined to let Cal Baker know exactly how it feels to be pushed aside.

Cal Baker is a charming cowboy whose life is perfect. Everything comes easy for him, and he always gets his way. With money to spare, a successful ranch, and a steady stream of adoring girlfriends, he doesn’t want for anything.

But then little Ruby comes home for a visit. Except she’s not so little anymore. And she’s just his type—a brunette with golden brown eyes who is smart, confident, and happy. He’s smitten.

Can Ruby stick to her plan? Or will she fall in love with the cowboy who’s after her heart?

Tate raised his brows. “Ruby’s back home?”

“That’s what I said.”

A smirk crossed Tate’s face. “Weren’t you two… I dunno, an item, once?”

Cal stifled a groan. “No.”

“I don’t know. You two spent an awful lot of time together as kids.” Tate’s teasing tone grated against Cal’s nerves.

“Ruby followed Travis and me everywhere. That didn’t mean I liked her.”

“Hi, Cal.”

Tate’s eyes drifted toward the house.

Cal craned his head around and peered at an upside-down version of a very attractive woman. He blinked. “Ruby?” The motion set his chair off balance and it clattered against the wood porch beneath him.

Ruby gave a little wave, tilting her head as she smiled at him. “It’s nice to see you again, Cal. You too, Tate.”

“Back at you, Ruby.” Tate laughed. “I’m gonna get ready for bed. Good night.”

Scrambling to his feet, Cal righted the chair and shot a glance in Ruby’s direction. Her chestnut-colored hair was no longer cut into a boyish pixie style. Instead, it framed her face in gentle waves. The colored sky reflected in her caramel eyes, making them glitter like nothing he’d ever seen before. Donned in a pair of Wranglers and a white sweater, she looked like she could have walked straight out of a Dillard’s catalog. She was only a year younger than he was, but that seemed like a bigger gap when they were kids. She’d grown up.

His mouth went dry and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Hey, Ruby. What’re you doin’ here?”

She smiled again, dimples appearing in her cheeks. “I graduated from college. Now I’m taking the next few months off before I start my job in New York.”

Cal’s brows lifted. He let out a low whistle. “Travis didn’t tell me you already had something lined up.” Why did that information disappoint him? It was like he said, he never liked Ruby—not in that way. Eventually they’d run in different social circles. But seeing her now, he almost wished he’d been better at keeping in touch with her.

She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “I got a degree in marketing. There’s a firm that wanted me to start right away.” She shrugged. “But I couldn’t miss the Fall Festival.”

“Of course not. It’s the highlight of the season.” He rested his elbow on the back of the chair at his side, and it tipped again. Catching it before it toppled completely, Cal shot her an embarrassed smile. “Travis said he planned on spending time with you this month.”

Ruby nodded. “He is. But he had a date tonight. And this upcoming week, I’m one of the volunteers for the Festival Parade.” She shifted and clasped her hands in front of her. “Actually, that’s why I stopped by. Quite a few trucks need some work if they’re going to be ready for the parade next weekend. I thought…” Her cheeks pinked and she wrung her hands. “You’re the only mechanic I trust to do it.”

The instinct to puff out his chest because she’d thought of him first was strong. Shoving that part of him aside, he reminded himself this was Ruby. Little freckled-face, string-bean, tom-boy, Ruby. He flashed her a smile. “I think I could manage that.”

Ruby’s features brightened and she clapped her hands once. “Really? That would be wonderful!” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and shifted her weight once more. “Thank you, Cal. I’m so glad I can count on you.” She moved past him toward the porch stairs.

His eyes followed her, appreciating every one of her curves. If he had known she’d turn out like this—he gave a sharp shake of his head. He needed to get it together before he got himself into trouble.

She tossed him a glance over her shoulder. “Just because I followed you and Travis around everywhere, didn’t mean I liked you either.” Ruby hopped off the bottom step and her hips swayed as she disappeared around the corner of the house.

Heat seared Cal’s face. He raked both hands through his hair, still staring at the space she had just occupied. She’d heard what he’d said about her, doggone it! Worse still, he felt this gnawing ache in his chest over it. Not that he planned on asking her out. There was probably some cardinal rule about asking out his best friend’s sister. But flirting wasn’t out of the question, right?

Regular Print Paperback
Page Count: 264 pages
Font Size: 12
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-964875-24-8
Ebook Publication Date: December 4, 2021
Publisher Name: Kenzo Publishing LLC