Sizzling Summer Nights

  She’s got this cowboy hot and bothered

  A week in Montana at the Sundance Ranch is exactly the break Hannah Hastings needs. No dry, dusty Texas. No painful reminders that she’s not the son her rancher father wanted. Plus there seems to be no shortage of dead-sexy cowboys in Blackfoot Falls...especially one tall, dark drink of delicious in a Stetson.

  Hannah was just hoping for a little sexy fun. She never expected Seth Landers to rock her world—or just how much she’d love being in his. But disputes over government land are growing heated in the small Montana town. And Hannah is being drawn into a war she can’t win. One where finally gaining her father’s approval may mean losing the cowboy she can’t help falling for...

  “I should’ve taken you straight to the Sundance.”

  Hannah gaped at him. “No way. And miss this?”

  “Don’t worry. In a week you’ll see your fill of stars.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” Hannah said.

  Seth cupped her face with one hand and deepened the kiss, their tongues touching and stroking each other. His hand moved to her neckline, and he toyed with the fabric before dipping his fingers just underneath, just enough to tease.

  She trembled when his mouth left hers and his lips blazed a damp path down the side of her neck.

  The temptation was there. She could feel his tension, his indecision, his restraint.

  Oh, God, how she wanted to touch him. But she didn’t dare. His mouth was hot and hungry, his skin feverish. His warm, rugged scent surrounded her. It was all going to her head.

  Stepping just one toe over the line would be all it took. They wouldn’t stop.

  And there would be no turning back...

  Dear Reader,

  I’m happy to say Blackfoot Falls, a kissing cousin to the Rocky Mountains, is still alive and kicking, and waiting for you to pay a visit. In this story you’ll be bumping into quite a few characters you already know from the Sundance and Whispering Pines ranches, as well as a handful of townsfolk who keep the rumor mill well-oiled. To add to the fun and mayhem, you’ll also meet a new troublemaker who’s mixing it up with the old ones.

  After writing sixteen books set in Blackfoot Falls, it’s amazing how attached I’ve become to the town and its cast of characters. Although some of them would tell you otherwise and they’d have a point. When I started writing someone we haven’t seen in a while, I got annoyed with myself. How could I have left Barbara McAllister on the sidelines for so long? Completely unforgivable!

  And then we have the hero and heroine—Seth and Hannah. I generally form bonds with all my characters, though on many different levels. When Hannah met Seth, I knew these two were destined for a happy-ever-after, and no interference from me would change their destiny. Not that I wanted to keep them apart. I can honestly say that at the end of the book, I felt as though I was saying goodbye to two very good friends. I didn’t want them to leave. But of course they’ll be with me for a while...making me smile.

  I hope they make you smile, as well.

  Regards,

  Debbi Rawlins

  Sizzling Summer Nights

  Debbi Rawlins grew up in the country and loves Western movies and books. Her first crush was on a cowboy—okay, he was an actor in the role of a cowboy, but she was only eleven, so it counts. It was Houston, Texas, where she first started writing for Harlequin, and now she has her own ranch...of sorts. Instead of horses, she has four dogs, four cats, a trio of goats and free-range cattle on a few acres in gorgeous rural Utah.

  Books by Debbi Rawlins

  Harlequin Blaze

  Made in Montana

  Barefoot Blue Jean Night

  Own the Night

  On a Snowy Christmas Night

  You’re Still the One

  No One Needs to Know

  From This Moment On

  Alone with You

  Need You Now

  Behind Closed Doors

  Anywhere with You

  Come On Over

  This Kiss

  Come Closer, Cowboy

  Wild for You

  Hot Winter Nights

  To get the inside scoop on Harlequin Blaze and its talented writers, visit Facebook.com/BlazeAuthors.

  All backlist available in ebook format.

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

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  This is for my editor, Laura Barth, who’s been with me for the whole series, through thick and thin, for better or for worse, and for Oh, my God, I’m never going to finish this book!

  And please, no one tell her, but Hannah is a little like Laura in some ways. That’s all I’m saying.

  Thanks also to Jo Leigh, my partner in crime and plotting.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Excerpt from Tempted by Kimberly Van Meter

  1

  “I’VE STAYED OUT of trouble for six years,” Hannah Hastings said, shaking her head, resigned and not nearly tipsy enough. “And now you’re going to make me do this, aren’t you?”

  “Of course I am.” Rachel grinned at her. “Get up there before someone beats you to the mic.”

  “Gee, that would be a shame.” Sighing, Hannah pushed back in the old oak chair. “No pictures.”

  “Yeah, right. Okay.”

  “I mean it. Put your damn phone away. We’re not stupid college kids anymore.”

  “No?” Rachel burst out laughing.

  “I haven’t taken a vacation in four years,” Hannah muttered. “And I decide to come all the way to Montana to see you. I’m such an idiot.” She drained the last of her watered-down margarita, then got to her feet, glaring at the small makeshift stage next to the jukebox. “What’s wrong with you people? Who does karaoke night anymore?”

  She glanced around at the good-sized crowd crammed into the rustic bar. The Watering Hole was supposed to be a nice, quiet place where they could talk, catch up with what had been happening to each other since their college days. Ha.

  Tears from laughing filled Rachel’s eyes. Sitting next to her, Jamie, her sister-in-law, only had a vague idea of what was going on but it seemed that laughter really was contagious.

  God help her. Hannah figured she might as well get it over with. She just wished this wasn’t her first night in Blackfoot Falls. She’d only be here a week. Not nearly long enough for these nice people to forgive and forget.

  Now, the tall, dark-haired cowboy sitting at the bar? He was the one she really cared about. Since walking in five minutes ago he’d kept his head down and nursed his beer. Bad break-up was Hannah’s guess. Poor guy showed all the signs of love gone wrong. Somet
hing she might’ve been willing to help him forget for a while. But what were the odds he wouldn’t turn around to see who couldn’t carry a tune with both hands and a two-ton pickup truck?

  Oh, and who had the nerve to get up in front of a roomful of strangers and completely humiliate herself. Sure, he’d be all over her. She wouldn’t be able to fight him off.

  Five stupid minutes. Rachel couldn’t have called in her marker before then?

  Hannah sat down again. “Is there an expiration date on that coupon? I bet there is.”

  Rachel grinned. “Nope.”

  “Let me see it.” Hannah stuck her hand out, wiggling her fingers. “Not that I don’t trust you.”

  “I’m not giving you this piece of paper. You’ll probably swallow it.”

  Hannah sighed. “Jamie, would you mind checking? And make sure it isn’t Rachel’s handwriting.”

  “Wow, she really doesn’t trust you,” Jamie said, grinning, as she leaned over for a look. “Sorry. I think it’s legit. Says it was for her twenty-second birthday?”

  “Okay, who holds on to something like that for six years? That’s just sick.” Most of the women in their sorority had been too broke to afford gifts, so they’d gotten creative with coupons. Everyone had cashed them in right away. No one would’ve thought to include an expiration date.

  “Better get up there before I feel inclined to make an announcement,” Rachel said sweetly.

  Hannah hesitated. She had an idea that just might work. “Rachel...listen, you know I’m always up for a challenge, but there’s a guy in here that I—”

  “Who?” Rachel sat up straighter. “Where?”

  With a pitying look, Jamie shook her head at Hannah. “Are you nuts?”

  “She’s still that bad, huh?”

  Jamie nodded and signaled for their waitress.

  Apparently marriage hadn’t tempered Rachel’s annoying hobby of trying to fix up her single friends. If Hannah had stopped to think about it, she probably would’ve realized that the gold band on Rachel’s finger could never curb her enthusiasm, but only make it worse.

  Lord, it was hard to believe Rachel was married. Doing her dad a favor had prevented Hannah from attending the wedding. She hated that she’d missed it. And for what? She was no closer to pleasing the old man than on the day she’d been born the wrong gender. It was a lost cause.

  Ignoring them, Rachel surveyed the bar like a hawk circling its next meal. “Just tell me who he is and I might let you off the hook.”

  “I’ll take my chances.” Hannah purposely didn’t look in his direction.

  With that damn uncanny ability of hers, Rachel whipped her gaze around and hit a bull’s-eye. “Seth Landers?” she asked. “Because you’d like him. Nice guy. Has some issues. Nothing horrible. Just enough to make him interesting.”

  “I don’t know who you’re talking about. And just so we’re clear, I’m not doing a whole song.” Hannah took a couple of steps, and stopped. “Jamie, please tell the waitress to make my margarita full octane this time.”

  “You got it,” Jamie said, and laughed when Hannah made it another foot and stopped again.

  “It’s going to get bad, so if you want to step outside for a few minutes, you won’t hurt my feelings.”

  “And miss everyone’s reaction?” Rachel said. “Not a chance.”

  “I think I’m already missing something.” Jamie’s puzzled frown was aimed at Rachel. “You look positively evil right now.”

  “Don’t worry about Hannah. She’s fearless. Just wait.”

  Hannah tried not to look in Seth’s direction. Luckily, his mug of beer seemed to be the only thing that interested him.

  A perky little blonde finished her rendition of Need You Now, curtsied to the hooting and applause and left the small stage.

  Hannah decided she needed this to be over with and hurried to pick up the mic. The song she selected was an oldie. She’d given up karaoke nights right after college and didn’t know which tunes were the current faves. Although, in her case, it really didn’t matter.

  She rubbed a sweaty palm down the front of her jeans.

  Maybe she should just admit to Rachel that she wasn’t the same daring person she’d been in school. What good was pride if she ended up dying from embarrassment?

  On the other hand, maybe this was just what she needed to loosen up. What the hell, she didn’t know anyone here. Except Rachel. And now Jamie. Ah, and Nikki, sister-in-law number two, who happened to be the bartender at the moment. She was talking to Seth. Sure would be swell if she kept him distracted until Hannah finished making a fool of herself.

  The music started. Hannah knew all the words to the song but she kept her eyes on the small monitor and started singing her heart out. It felt pretty good, just like the old days. Before she’d discovered that getting through college was the easiest part of life.

  The guys playing pool in the back room left their game to stare at her. Even the waitress, carrying a full tray of drinks, had stopped between tables. People sitting with their backs to her twisted around in their seats, probably afraid it was a disaster drill. Hannah used to get that one a lot.

  She refused to look at Rachel, though, or the cowboy. Heaven forbid, she might get nervous and start singing on key.

  After the longest three minutes of her life, and likely everyone else’s in the bar, Hannah set down the mic. A brief crackle of static pierced the shocked silence.

  Oh, what the hell.

  She took a bow.

  Laughter and applause broke out. She even heard some boot stompin’, courtesy of two pool players. God bless cowboys. She’d never cared for them before but might have to rethink her position.

  Head held high, she walked back to the table and sat down, facing Rachel. “Happy?”

  “You have no idea.” Her cheeks were almost the color of her auburn hair.

  Hannah risked a peek at Seth. Huh. Had he turned around at all?

  “Lady, you’ve got guts.” Jamie slid the fresh margarita across the table. “This is on me.”

  “Thanks.” Hannah took a quick sip, realizing she should’ve asked for water, too. “Can you believe she made me do that?”

  “Oh, please.” Rachel dabbed at her eyes. “Like you haven’t dragged me over the coals plenty of times.”

  “Me? I would never!” The three of them laughed, then Hannah glanced over her shoulder at the pool tables. “Is there only one waitress?”

  “I don’t know,” Rachel said. “What do you need?”

  “Just some water.” Hannah rose, feeling a bit wobbly. Not from booze. She hadn’t drunk much. “Either of you want anything?”

  Rachel’s cell beeped. “I’m good,” she said, her gaze on the phone.

  Jamie shook her head. “Hey, ask Nikki if she’s closing tonight, would you?”

  “Sure.” Hannah wove her way around the tables, grinning at the good-natured remarks about her performance, and headed toward Nikki, who was wiping down the bar near Seth.

  “That was...pretty damn awesome,” she said with a laugh. “Had to be Rachel who got you up there.”

  “Of course it was.” Hannah rolled her eyes. “I hope I didn’t chase away any customers.”

  “Are you kidding? Everyone loved it.”

  “Or they’re all in shock.”

  Still laughing, Nikki tossed the rag. “Want another margarita? I’m buying.”

  “No, thanks. Water would be great, though.”

  Hannah couldn’t tell if Seth had even bothered to look up. Resisting the urge to check him out, she focused on Nikki’s glossy dark hair as she bent to open the small fridge. They’d met earlier at the Sundance just after Hannah had arrived at the ranch. Nikki was married to Rachel’s brother, Trace. Which reminded Hannah to chew out her so-calle
d friend. Back in their sorority days everyone knew Rachel had brothers, but had she ever mentioned they were all hotties? And now all three were married.

  Nikki straightened and uncapped the bottle. “Anything else?”

  “Oh, yes, Jamie wants to know if you’re closing tonight.”

  “Afraid so,” Nikki said, and set the water on the bar.

  Thirsty from nervous dry mouth, Hannah reached for the bottle.

  “How late do you stay open on weekends?” Seth’s voice was deep, gravelly and unexpected.

  Hannah knocked the bottle over. Water shot out and splashed her on the chin before spilling across the scarred wood and down the front of her jeans. She and Nikki both went for the bottle. Nikki was quicker.

  Luckily, Hannah wasn’t too wet and she didn’t think any of the spray had reached Seth.

  She turned and met his hazel eyes. “Did I get you?”

  “Nope.” He ran his gaze down the front of her blouse to her jeans and lingered on her hips. “You don’t look too bad.”

  For a second she wondered how to take that, then got caught up studying his strong, unshaven jaw and the deep cleft in his chin. His lips were pulled into a thin line, and she realized he was fighting a smile. He had thick lashes as dark as his collar-length hair. He must’ve been wearing a hat earlier. It had left a ridge.

  She hoped it was a Stetson.

  “Oh...” She met those heart-melting eyes again. “It’s my turn to talk, isn’t it?”

  * * *

  SETH LANDERS HAD been wondering how he should go about getting laid tonight. Generally it wasn’t a problem for him. His luck ran better than most if anyone listened to the guys in the bunkhouse. The trick was finding a nice, willing woman here in town, someone who wasn’t a local so he’d be less likely to get himself in any trouble. That being his number one goal these days, he’d suffer through a few more weeks of abstinence if he absolutely had to. Hell, he hoped not.

  “I’m Hannah.” She extended a slim hand that was still damp from the spill. Her skin was soft, pale, and she had a slight southern accent. Texas maybe. Her inflection reminded him of his old air force buddy from Houston.