Tough tomboy Tabitha Conrad rides bulls and bareback broncs like a champ. In only her second rodeo season, she's headed for the finals. An over-protective older brother and his buddy sometimes take care of her a little too well. She's having trouble living up to the bold, bawdy reputation most cowgirls enjoy.<br><br>Wes Duncan lost his father and an older brother to bulls in the arena. Now he's working as a rodeo clown, determined to save as many downed riders as he can.  He finds feisty little Tab immensely attractive but as his best friend's kid sister, she's off limits.<br><br>As much as he admires her spunk and determination, every time she comes out on a bull, he almost has a heart attack. What can he do to keep her safe? And if he gives in to his heart and his lust, who will keep her safe from him?  Before they know it, Tab and Wes are caught up in a whirlwind of passion and misunderstandings. It takes a very close call to bring them to their senses and get Tab up for the ride of her life.

Cowgirl Up

Fighting nausea and a million aches, she staggered upright to make a stumbling dash for the nearest side of the arena. The crowd’s roaring applause reached her, a boosting wave of enthusiasm. She’d made a good ride and she knew it, but right now she just wanted to sit on something still, preferably soft. She needed a minute to pull herself together


Willing hands helped her through the rails. She sank onto the end of a bleacher, blinking back a reddish haze that wanted to swallow her whole.


“Ms. Conrad, care to comment on your ride?”


She glanced up at the voice, wanting to growl a curse. Why couldn’t the confounded reporters leave her be? There were a few other women competing in the riding events now. It wasn’t as if she was the first or the only one. She might be the smallest and the youngest, but that didn’t mean diddly squat to the bulls and broncs. So why did it matter to anyone else?


Chapter 2