Spotlight & Giveaway: That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant

Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Donna Grant’s new release: That Cowboy of Mine

Another stunning cowboy novel from New York Times bestseller Donna Grant, That Cowboy of Mine!

 
Is he an enemy?

Dillon Young is proud that she inherited her aunt’s ranch. The problem: someone is trying to run her off and is willing to do whatever it takes. Strange, dangerous things keep happening. Dillion suspects her no-good neighbor and fellow wealthy rancher Hank Stephens. Never a man to get his hands dirty, he sends others to get the job done. So, when the irresistible Cal Bennett is found passed out drunk on her property, Dillion is on high alert. Until someone takes a shot at her and Cal springs to her rescue. When the hard-bodied, no-nonsense-talking cowboy points out that she may need some help, Dillion is inclined to reluctantly agree.

Or a lover?

Waking up on a stranger’s property with a shotgun in his face is not Cal Bennett’s idea of a good time. Never mind that the person on the other end of the barrel is one of the most fiercely beautiful women he has ever seen. Things get more interesting when he finds himself shielding her from flying bullets. It’s clear that this smart, savvy woman could use a hand and Cal is all too happy to lend any part of his body she requires. His proposal: pose as lovers until they find out who is after her ranch. As the danger rises and secrets are revealed, the passion explodes between them and there is no turning back.

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from That Cowboy of Mine 

From That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant. Copyright © 2022 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.

Chapter Two

The last thing Dillon wanted to do was hire someone that could be responsible for opening Legacy’s gate so the stallion could get out. However, Cal had saved her life. She might have said she was fine, but she was anything but.
Dillon could have dismissed the accidents around the ranch lately as simply that, but she couldn’t with this. Someone had shot at her. Actually, fired at her with the intention of ending her life. There was no doubt in her mind.
And she knew who was responsible—Hank Stephens.
No matter how scared she was, she couldn’t show fear. Not to anyone. Not even to those working for her that she trusted. People like Hank Stephens could sniff out fear like a shark smelled blood. The only way she would survive was to carry on much like a man would. Because she was in a man’s world. As much as she wished it otherwise, it was a fact.
“We’ve lost two workers in the last week,” Emmett said, bringing her back from her thoughts.
As if she had forgotten. She didn’t need Emmett broadcasting such things. But she knew why he’d said it. He used it as a reason to hire Cal.
Everyone was afraid. She was, too, but she wouldn’t be forced off her land. She didn’t blame any of the workers for leaving. They owed her nothing. They were protecting themselves and their families. She would have done the same in their positions. However, that left her in a bind. She, Emmett, and Dusty were doing double the work. If the ranch lost another worker, she wasn’t sure how they would continue.
Dillon found herself staring into Cal’s gray eyes. They reminded her of the clouds in the afternoon that would cover the summer sky before unleashing violent thunderstorms. His gaze was just as penetrating and direct. He had dirt on his right cheek from where he had been sleeping when she found him. His dark blond hair needed to be cut and was in disarray from his wild night under the stars.
He had sharp cheekbones and hollowed cheeks that she found appealing—even though she didn’t want to. She tried not to notice his strong jawline or the fact that he had a chin dimple. His white, button-down shirt was filthy, but it allowed her to see his broad shoulders that tapered to a trim waist with an impressive belt buckle and then down long legs.
Handsome? Oh, yes, he was definitely that and more. If she were in the market to date, she would flirt. Not that it would take much. He had an easy way about him, a calming vibe that drew her like a moth to a flame. His crooked grin made her stomach flutter. His strong arms as he tackled her to the ground had been firm but gentle. She wondered what it would be like to be kissed by him.
Her thoughts halted when she realized that some of the dirt covering his shirt and jeans was from saving her. All thoughts of romance fell away as anxiety took hold. Odd things had been happening around the ranch, but this was the first time someone had taken a shot at her. It had shaken her. She shouldn’t have been on that part of the ranch. She’d assumed that Cal had left the gate open when he came through, but now she wondered if that were true. There were two other places much closer to the road where Cal could’ve gotten onto the ranch rather than coming to the house and opening the gate so the horses could get out.
If he hadn’t left the gate open, that meant someone else had. Someone who wanted to make sure she was on that part of the ranch. Someone who’d left the halter near the creek so she would see it and stop—giving them a perfect shot at her.
“It’s true,” she told Cal. “I could use some help, and you did tell me you didn’t qualify for the rodeo.”
He shifted his feet. “I did.”
Dillon didn’t know him, and she certainly didn’t trust him. But it had been hell trying to find someone to work for her. She was desperate, and desperate people did desperate things. “Are you up for the job?”
“I am,” he replied as he settled his hat atop his head.
“You can stay in the bunkhouse if you’d like.”
Emmett made a sound in the back of his throat. “If he’s going to be your bodyguard, shouldn’t he stay in the house?”
“Bodyguard?” she asked, taken aback. For just a moment, the thought of him by her side all day didn’t sound half bad. He was nice to look at. Too nice, actually. “I never said he would have such a position.”
Cal shrugged. “It seems like you need someone to watch over you. Or do I need to remind you how close that bullet came?”
“I don’t need reminding,” she snapped. Damn, if her thoughts didn’t take her back to how it’d felt to be in his arms. She inwardly shook herself, angry that her mind kept drifting to places it had no business going. Then she took a deep breath and tried to get control of her emotions. She didn’t like that she was now scared to be out by herself. Would it really hurt her pride to have someone watching out for her? “I’ll be fine alone in the house.”
Emmett scratched his head before replacing his Stetson. “I disagree, but you’re the boss. I’d advise you never to be alone. Not even when you head into town.”
It was on the tip of Dillon’s tongue to argue that was taking things too far, but she could still hear the retort of the gun in her thoughts. Her vanity wasn’t so great that she couldn’t admit when she needed help.
Even when it meant trusting a stranger.

From That Cowboy of Mine by Donna Grant. Copyright © 2022 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.

Excerpt. ©Donna Grant. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
 
 

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Meet the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s written more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed series, Dark Warriors, feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

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