Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31077 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Lizzy
There are three things you should know about moving to Courage County:
There are cowboys everywhere.
Most of them are grumpy and scowling.
You’ll probably fall in love with one.
I fell hard for the gruffest cowboy of them all – Noah Maple.
Noah
There are three things Lizzy needs to know the moment I lay eyes on her:
She’s my soulmate.
She’s marrying me.
And I’m putting my baby in her belly.
If you love an over the top cowboy who falls hard and fast for his curvy woman, it’s time to meet Noah in Big Gruff Cowboy. One click for a story so hot you’ll need an ice cube!
It’s time to meet the Maple Brothers, the sweetest cowboys in Courage County. These OTT alpha cowboys are determined to claim the curvy women who have stolen their hearts.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter 1
Lizzy
The soft patter of rain against the roof of my aging beat-up truck usually makes me smile, but it doesn’t this morning.
I glance at my furbaby who constantly accompanies me everywhere. “Looks like we may have to make a run for it.”
He meows mournfully. He hates getting caught out in the weather just as much as I do, though we hate it for very different reasons.
“Oh, come here. One of us can stay dry,” I mutter as he climbs from the specialty car cat seat that I spent a small fortune on.
He leaps into my arms, and I tug my jacket around his bulky body. Thyroid disease and diabetes have made my baby sick. At this point, I’ve spent enough on vet bills to fund a small wing of the pet hospital. Still, it’s worth it to keep Mr. Darcy healthy and happy.
With a muttered curse, I sling my oversized purse over my arm and run for the door of the little bookshop, One More Chapter.
I moved to Courage County a few weeks ago after learning I had a long-lost grandfather living in the tiny town.
I don’t have any family. But when I found him, we clicked instantly. I only meant to stay for a quick lunch, but he showed me around town.
I stayed for the whole day and at the end of the night, he invited me to crash in one of the rooms at his big farmhouse. I’ve been here ever since.
Now, I help him run his bookstore part-time. He doesn’t need assistance, but I like that he lets me help. Especially since he won’t let me pay him rent.
The moment I step inside, my body instantly relaxes. The smell of books—old and new—greets me. It smells like ink and imagination.
I flick on the lights while Mr. Darcy scampers to his favorite window seat. He curls up on the cushion. He’ll spend the day watching the customers come and go, silently judging them the way cats do. Not that I expect many customers in this weather.
I set my bag on the checkout counter and race to the bathroom immediately to check my appearance. In the mirror, I adjust my wig one more time and make sure my eyebrows aren’t crooked.
I started losing my hair when I was a kid and over time, I slowly lost all of it. I endured the teasing and taunts from my classmates, trying not to let it show how much their remarks hurt.
Two years ago, I discovered a video channel focused on how to wear and apply wigs. Since then, I’ve gotten really good with mine. Most people don’t even realize I wear one. After that, I started to wear false eyelashes and eyebrows.
After I adjust everything in the mirror, I straighten my shirt with the book pun on it and fluff out my bright pink skirt. I love bright, colorful clothes.
Once I’m satisfied with how I look, I go through my morning routine for the shop. I flip the sign to open, put on a jazz playlist, and start the electric kettle brewing. My favorite herbal blend of tea will warm me up after the chilly rain.
“It’s coming down out there,” I tell Mr. Darcy as I move around the store, pulling out a box of new inventory.
What I love best about the bookstore is getting free access to books. It’s something I dreamed about as a kid, having my own library. But as a foster kid, that dream seemed so far out of reach that it was laughable.
Now though, I wonder if I could have it one day. A big library with a window seat for Mr. Darcy.
The bell above the door rings, but I’m too far back into the shop to see the customer. Only a regular would come in on a blustery day like today.
I call out a greeting, welcoming the unknown customer to the store. “Can I help you find anything today?”
“Just looking,” a masculine voice calls. It’s a deep, raspy sound that sends a shiver across my skin.
“Let me know if I can help you find anything.” I try to ignore the way my heart flutters. I refuse to let myself step around the aisle to catch a glimpse of who that deep voice belongs to. Courage is known for its grumpy, scowling cowboys and the last thing I need is to lose my heart to one of them.
He grunts in reply.
I shake my head and go back to my work. Unboxing the history tomes, I leave one copy out for my grandfather. He’s an avid reader who spends his evenings in his favorite faded recliner, reading anything he can get his hands on.
I grab a stack of heavy books and climb the ancient step ladder. I’ve tried to convince Grandpa that it might be smart to get an updated one with the hand railings and anti-skid steps.