Inspired By The Creative Cowboy (Sage Valley Ranch Book 5) Read online

  Inspired by the Creative Cowboy

  Sage Valley Ranch Romance Book 5

  Bree Livingston

  Edited by

  Christina Schrunk

  Are you ready to escape to the countryside? With sunlit fields, down-home cooking, horseback riding and more, the beautiful Texas Hill Country is the perfect destination for a sweet cowboy romance.

  Curl up with a memorable cast of characters—and even a few spunky animals—in a heartwarming group series that’ll keep you laughing and swooning from one clean romance to the next. The books can be read in any order, so jump in wherever you like and get ready to fall in love with Sage Valley Ranch…where country life is sweet, and romance is even sweeter.

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  Inspired by the Creative Cowboy

  Copyright © 2019 by Bree Livingston

  Edited by Christina Schrunk

  https://www.facebook.com/christinaschrunk.editor

  Cover design by Melanie Snitker (https://www.melaniedsnitker.com) and Tami Dearen (https://www.tamiedearen.com).

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

  Bree Livingston

  https://www.breelivingston.com

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Inspired by the Creative Cowboy / Bree Livingston. -- 1st ed.

  ISBN: 9781090775054

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  A true cowboy knows love, pain and shame but never cares about fame. —Anonymous

  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

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Other Books by Bree Livingston

  About the Author

  1

  With her head in her hand, Summer Brown sighed as she sat at the diner counter in the Knack ’n Snack on the Sage Valley Ranch. She loved the place, but at thirty-three, she thought she’d be further ahead than she was. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she knew she should be thankful to have a job in the first place, especially since she loved her grandparents’ ranch. Still, having depended on her grandma to get it made it feel hollow, like being in a beauty pageant with her mom as the judge. Well, of course she was pretty.

  Summer’s grandma and grandpa owned Sage Valley Ranch, which shared the name of the nearby Texas town. Not only was it a working ranch, but it was a dude ranch as well. People could vacation there and get a feel for life as a rancher.

  “It can’t be that bad,” said her friend Lexi Turner.

  Well, Turner for a little longer. She’d recently gotten engaged. Something Summer thought would be marked off her list by now too. Not that she needed a man to feel complete, but she did want to share her life with someone.

  With another deep sigh, Summer dropped her hand. “I’m supposed to be getting that old barn ready to host events. Events like your wedding. But there’s so much work to do. When Nanna gave me the task, she said nothing about it being on the verge of falling down.” Their grandmother usually found a way of getting what she wanted.

  Lexi laughed. “I’ve seen that old barn. It’s not that bad. The bones are fine.”

  “But getting it ready by the end of summer? That’s three months. I don’t know if I can.”

  “I know your confidence has taken a hit,” Lexi said, laying her hand over Summer’s. “But you’re more capable than you’re giving yourself credit for. Not only did your boss give you an impossible task, but someone sabotaged you. You couldn’t help that.”

  Summer shrugged. “I know.”

  It had been impossible. There’d been a dirty rotten coworker out for her position. Trust was already an issue with her since her dad had abandoned their family, but Summer thought she’d seen a light at the end of that tunnel until Naomi stabbed her in the back. And while Summer didn’t see it coming, it still didn’t help shake the failure she felt. She’d been too trusting, and that always seemed to be her downfall.

  “It’ll be fine. If something happens and you don’t get it finished in time, it’ll be okay. Honestly, I don’t mind having the wedding outside if it comes down to it.”

  Summer lifted an eyebrow. “No. Way. I’m getting that barn ready if it kills me.”

  “What all does it need?”

  Summer scoffed. “The list of what it doesn’t need is shorter.”

  Lexi barked with laughter. “Seriously, though.”

  “Fine. One whole side needs more new boards than not. The rafters above the loft need work, paint, and a new roof.”

  Lexi knitted her eyebrows together. “I thought you’d hired someone. I was thinking you were worried that they couldn’t get it done in time.”

  Another failure notched in Summer’s belt. “I had, and I even gave him a down payment.” She’d spent all of Monday trying to track down that contractor, only to find out he’d taken her money and run.

  “Okay, so?”

  Summer’s shoulders rounded, and she hung her head. “He skipped town.”

  “Oh, Summer.”

  “He had references and everything. This is Sage Valley. I mean, he wasn’t exactly from Sage Valley, but in this part of the world, I didn’t even think someone would do that. I don’t know why, but I thought I could trust him. I went to look for him yesterday morning, and he was nowhere. Now, it’s Tuesday, and I have no idea who I can hire.” She sighed. “I gave him half, and the rest won’t be enough to hire someone to do all the work.”

  It was the worst possible thing to happen. The ranch’s finances were finally in the black. Finding out they were due a hefty tax refund and then winning the rodeo had been the shot in the arm they needed. Losing so much money this early on didn’t bode well for staying in the black.

  Suddenly, Summer felt someone’s presence next to her. She turned her head, and her breath caught. The most beautiful man she’d ever seen was standing a foot from her in jeans and a white t-shirt. Wild, curly dark hair, a slight hint of stubble on his jaw, and eyes so blue a Texas sky would be jealous of them. Good heavens, he was tall too. But what really got her was his smile. It was warm and genuine.

  “I’m sorry. I promise I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard you say you needed some help with a barn.”

  He’d spoken, and she knew he was waiting for an answer from her, but between her racing heart and addled brain, she was coming up short in the words de
partment.

  Lexi cleared her throat, sticking out her hand. “I’m Lexi Turner. I manage this general store.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Julian Wolf,” he said, shaking her hand.

  “This is my friend Summer Brown.”

  His smile widened. “Summer. That’s a pretty name. You do kind of remind me of a Texas summer.”

  Did he just compliment her? He did. She needed to say something. Something like Thanks or That’s sweet or Will you marry me?

  Lexi tapped her on the arm. “Um, Summer, aren’t you going to say something?”

  The little smack was just what she needed. “Uh, yeah, I’m Summer Brown. Well, Lexi told you that, and I didn’t need to repeat it. I mean, that’s silly, right? I did hear you, and there I am, telling you my name again.” She clamped her lips shut, trying to gain some measure of composure before speaking again. “And thank you for the compliment. I think.”

  “Well, aren’t Texas summers the prettiest in the world? I’d say that fits you.”

  She squeaked a laugh. “Oh, well, yeah.” What was her issue? She needed to get it together. “Thank you. I’m sorry I’m rambling a little. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

  Another heart-stopping smile from the man of her dreams. Geez. She needed to cut that out. “I heard. I’m somewhat of a carpenter. If you’ll give me a place to stay, I’d be happy to work on that barn.”

  Her gaze dipped to his hands. Not heavily calloused, but not smooth either. If she were to guess, she’d say he was used to a little work. But after the last time? Trusting someone? She wasn’t sure she could risk it again. Not when so much was riding on getting that barn finished. She needed to prove that she could do it, not only to her nanna but to herself as well.

  As if sensing her hesitation, Julian said, “All I ask is for a place to stay in exchange for that half of the funds you’re missing. Plus, no money up front. I’ll work on it, and when I’m done, if you don’t feel I’ve held up my end, you don’t have to pay me the second half.”

  He’d work without any pay up front? How could he do that?

  Again, like he was reading her mind, he added, “I’ve got some savings. You don’t have to worry about the pay.”

  Lexi tapped Summer on the arm again. “I think that’s a great deal. Don’t you, Summer?”

  Summer nodded. Not a great deal, an awesome deal. “Uh, yeah, did you say you were staying here already?”

  He shook his head. “No, actually, I was driving through.”

  “Then don’t you have somewhere to be?” Summer asked. “You haven’t even asked how long the job will take.”

  “No, but mostly I was wandering. I don’t really have plans. I stumbled across Sage Valley, and I’d like to stay a bit,” he said, holding her gaze. “So far, I’m liking what I’m seeing.”

  Summer tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as her face heated. “Um, well, we do have some empty cabins, I think. Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. It’ll give me something to do.”

  She smiled. “I accept the deal, then.”

  Lexi cleared her throat. “You know, Summer, why don’t you show him to the cabin? I’ll call Charlie and tell her what’s going on. Or maybe it’s Dori who’s working today.”

  He nodded. “Then maybe after I get settled, we can take a walk, and you can show me the barn.”

  Oh, great. Lexi talking to Dori. Maybe Summer would luck out and Charlie, their cousin and manager, would be working. If not, it would be seconds after the call ended before Dori would be talking to Summer’s nanna. By the end of the day, the whole valley would know Summer was googly-eyed for the gorgeous man that just blew into the valley.

  Summer stood and squared her shoulders, facing Julian head-on. She was laying the law down for this guy and Lexi. It had been more than a year since she’d had a serious relationship, and it wasn’t the right timing now. It would be too much of a distraction. That was part of the reason her coworker was able to be so sneaky. She’d been head over heels in love and never saw it coming.

  Didn’t Julian say he was passing through anyway? She didn’t need to get close to someone only to have them break her heart. As if that could even happen.

  “Okay, but you need to know I’m the boss. You don’t do anything without my prior approval. And this is a professional relationship. No more compliments or,” she waved her hand toward him, “…flirting anymore.” She stuck her hand out. “We can shake on it.”

  Lexi grunted a laugh and turned where Summer couldn’t see her face. The fact that her shoulders were bouncing and she sounded like she was choking to death didn’t really hide what she was doing: nearly cackling at Summer.

  Julian’s gaze lowered, long lashes fanning his cheeks, and Summer’s pulse jumped. Holy cow. This man was going to test her willpower. She needed to get a handle on herself.

  He lifted his head, and his gaze caught hers as he shook her hand. “You have a deal, Summer Brown.”

  She nearly yelped with the tingles racing up her arm. She was so attracted to him, but she could do this. It was a business deal. Nothing more. Just because he threw her a few compliments didn’t mean anything.

  “Great. If you’ll follow me in your car, I’ll show you to your cabin,” she said, pulling her hand away, hoping the tingles would lessen. Nope. Still there, and her pulse was still climbing.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  This would work. She’d ignore how her body was responding to Julian Wolf and focus on getting the barn ready for Lexi’s wedding. She was a professional, after all.

  A little voice in the back of her mind giggled as if her whole world was about to blow up.

  2

  Julian’s nerves were on edge as he followed Summer to the cabin he’d be calling home for a while. He’d overheard the cute little blonde talking about a barn needing work, and before he knew what he was doing, he’d offered to stay in Sage Valley as her carpenter.

  Why he was getting involved he had no idea, but hearing the doubt in her voice and that someone else had left her high and dry? He couldn’t leave her when he knew he could get the job done. And he certainly didn’t need the money.

  His family owned Wolf Computer C & D Distribution, and his younger brother Zach had turned it into a billion-dollar company. Each of his siblings had a share in the company, and he’d also hired Julian to do the artwork for marketing. Plus, his first gallery showing had gone so well that he’d sold enough paintings to pad his bank account even more. He really didn’t need to work, but their dad had taught them not to be idle. Just because he had money didn’t mean he could just twiddle his thumbs.

  Having it was a nice cushion, though. It gave Julian the time he needed to work on his art. If only he wasn’t creatively shot. His last gallery showing had bombed, with critics panning his work as emotionless and shallow.

  In the months since the showing, he’d barely put a paintbrush to canvas. It had killed his confidence, emptied his cup, and he’d let his family down. The Wolfs were known in Houston. Having his show fail so utterly and completely made him feel like he’d let his family down. Zoe, Zach, Noah…even Britney, and especially his mom. She’d been the one to encourage him to pursue art, and she’d also been the one to remind him about his dad’s illness when cruel words were spoken. His entire family was doing well, and then there was him. The one-hit wonder.

  Summer pulled to a stop in front of a small cabin, and sitting in the far distance, he could see the barn. It did look rough, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix. Good thing he’d brought his tools, which had been a fluke, but at the last minute, he had the feeling he’d need them.

  Once he’d parked his truck, he stepped out and took a deep breath. He liked this area. How peaceful and serene it was. Maybe he could find some inspiration here and go back to Houston with renewed energy and ideas.

  “It’s nice out here, isn’t it?” Summer asked. “Hot, but that breeze helps.”

  He turned to her and nodded. “Yeah, it�
��s hot, but this is nice. It’s kind of on a hill a bit.”

  She smiled, and his heart rate spiked. Without a doubt, Summer was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. The bright-green t-shirt she wore showed off her slim body, and the cut-off jeans that hit her ankles hugged her curves. She had gorgeous blonde hair flowing like silk down her back, a perky nose, soft-looking skin, and dark eyes like pools of chocolate. She was a poem on legs.

  “I love this spot,” she said. “It’s kinda off from the rest of the cabins.”

  He hadn’t noticed that until she said something. “Do you live here in Sage Valley or the town over?”

  “I live here now. The Buchanans, the owners of the ranch, are my grandparents and the ones who put me in charge of getting the barn ready. I need to have it done so Lexi’s wedding can be held in it. Not that Lexi wouldn’t be happy with an outdoor wedding, but I—”

  Julian touched her hand, stopping her. “I’ll get it done on time. You have my word.” He didn’t know why, but he was so drawn to this woman. Sure, she was beautiful, of that there was no doubt, but there was something about her that spoke to him.

  Maybe it was that he was lonely and felt something was missing. He was another year older, thirty-seven. And his age coupled with two of his younger siblings getting married and expanding their families seemed to make that feeling grow. Those events had shined a light on what was missing in his life, and apparently, it had bled out onto his paintings. As much as the critic’s words had stung, there was some truth in what they’d said.