Title:
A Cowboy’s Mistletoe Promise
Author:
Alanna Lucas
Genre:
Historical Western Romance
Book Blurb:
A Cowboy for Christmas?
Infamous gunman Drake Jaeger never thought he’d be hunting down a missing wife, but the reward was too good to pass up: a parcel of land he can call his own. Stopping off in the cattle town of Cottonwood, Montana, he realizes there are two women there who fit the description of Anna Bowyer. Best he take up the offer of a job at the Strauss ranch over the holidays and wait to see if his hunch is correct.
Michaela Akerman is intrigued when a handsome stranger rolls up in town—but also unnerved when he’s hired as a hand at the Strauss ranch where she’s found a home; her mind and body reel whenever he’s around. However, she’ll never get close to a man again, not after the way her husband treated her. Best she concentrates on preparations for the Christmas festival and keeps out of Drake’s way.
Drake has always assumed he would never marry, but his feelings for Michaela—and his urge to protect her—are like nothing he’s ever experienced. Too bad that he suspects she could be the woman he’s been searching for…
Excerpt:
Cigar smoke and gaiety filled the saloon, but Drake Jaeger was too melancholy to enjoy the shindig. He was glad that the two families had put aside their differences for the sake of the newlyweds, but it also meant that he was, once again, a lone cowboy. He should be used to it by now—it was how he’d always lived—but something had changed during the past year. His previous way of life and employment as a gunman had lost its luster.
The celebration marked the end of the range war between the Johnson and Wister families, although “war” was too strong a word in Drake’s opinion. It was more of a heated disagreement over a shared boundary line that had lasted several generations. Drake couldn’t complain. Even though he’d never had to draw his gun on either family recently, his fighting wages were bringing him one step closer to his dream.
The hair on the back of his neck prickled. He was suddenly aware that someone was addressing him. “Good to see you, Drake.” Bowyer’s voice—one he’d never forget—was music to his ears, although he could count on one hand how many other people would be glad to see the other man.
Bowyer slapped Drake on his back. “You’re one hell of a hard cowboy to find.”
“Bowyer, good to see you. Have a seat.” Drake said with a smile as he kicked out the empty chair beside him. The man reeked of wealth and class. “What in hell are you doin’ in this part of the country?”
Bowyer called out to a serving girl, “Two whiskies,” before easing into the chair beside Drake. “Had some business down in Texas. Heard you’d been keeping the peace in these parts.”
“Yeah,” Drake chuckled. “As far as range wars go, this one has been tame, but best not mention that to the Johnson or Wister elders, or else they’ll be wanting to fight again.”
The voluptuous serving girl placed the two whiskies on the table and gave Bowyer a seductive wink, clearly angling for a larger tip.
“To the old days,” Bowyer lifted his glass, oblivious of the girl. Drake raised his whiskey as well, but had no intention of drinking it. He had no inclination toward alcohol—of becoming anything like his father.
A comfortable silence passed between them. Drake studied the man seated beside him. It had been years since he had last seen Bowyer. Other than the strands of grey that streaked through his dark brown hair, Bowyer appeared not to have aged.
Seventeen years ago, Drake’s sorrow over his mother dying had been compounded with humiliation after his father was arrested for public drunkenness, having shot up the sign outside the old trading post. At twelve, Drake was paralyzed with fear of the unknown. He knew how to hunt and shoot, but in his practically orphaned state, how was he supposed to survive on his own?
In the early morning hours after his father’s unruly display, Drake sat slumped on the front steps outside the jail wondering what would become of him when Bowyer had approached.
Bowyer said that he knew Drake’s folks and offered him a place to live while his father was in jail. Confused and dejected, Drake felt he had nowhere else to turn, and with some hesitation, he accepted.
A week later, he became an orphan for real when his father, out of jail for no more than an hour, was killed in a saloon brawl. Bowyer could have turned Drake out, but he didn’t. Drake never understood why the man helped him, but he was grateful beyond measure. He never caused any trouble, did what Bowyer asked of him, worked hard, got an education, and tried to prove each and every day that he was better than his father.
“It’s been a long time, Drake. Too long, if I’m honest.” Bowyer’s words broke through Drake’s distant thoughts.
“It has been a long time,” he agreed with the powerful man. “Not that I wouldn’t like to catch up and all, but gotta know, why’ve you come looking for me?” He owed Bowyer his life, but it didn’t mean he trusted him. There’d always been something that lay beneath the surface that Drake could never quite fathom. Even now, his gut roiled, telling him not to trust a man who had come hundreds of miles across the country after more than ten years of not so much as a letter.
Bowyer let out a hearty laugh and slapped his hand down on the table. “Never could pull anything past you.” His eyes shifted from side to side as if he was concerned someone might overhear him. He leaned in over the scuffed wood tabletop and lowered his voice. “I need you to find someone. My wife, to be exact.”
Drake wasn’t aware Bowyer had even married. The older man always struck him as the sort to enjoy his women but not get leg-shackled. “Why does she need finding?”
“She ran away about eighteen months ago and my men have not been able to track her down. That’s where you come in. The pay is good.” As if this information was enough to make him accept his offer. Bowyer leaned back in his chair, waiting for Drake to answer.
The request did not surprise Drake, he’d often been asked to do things out of the norm. But this… “I’m not in the business of finding people’s wives.” He glanced about the room at the peaceful celebration. “Range wars and hunting down outlaws is more my kind of undertaking.”
Bowyer leaned forward again with a sense of urgency in his voice. His hands gripped the edge of the table’s worn surface. “She is helpless and not right in the mind. I fear for her life. You’re my last resort.”
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Share a holiday family tradition:
When our kids were little, my husband would get up early on Christmas Day and make homemade pecan cinnamon rolls. The smell was so intoxicating!
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood?
Finding love any time is precious, but even more so during the holiday season.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs December 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on January 2, 2025.
Author Biography:
Bestselling, award-winning author, Alanna Lucas pens Regency-set historicals filled with romance, adventure, and of course, happily ever afters. When she is not daydreaming of her next travel destination, Alanna can be found researching, spending time with family, tending to her garden, or going for long walks. She makes her home in California with her husband and children, and too many books to count.
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