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  BJ’s Cowboys

  © 2009 J.A. Rawls

  ISBN 978-1-934446-75-1

  Cover Design by Viper

  All rights reserved. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  Published by

  Romance Divine LLC

  www.romancedivine.com

  Enjoy These Other

  Romance Divine Selections

  by

  J.A. Rawls

  3-Way Weekend

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-23-2

  It’s supposed to be a ‘girls-get-away-weekend’ but weather problems leave Jana left alone in a Denver hotel. What’s a girl to do but make the best of the situation? Fortunately, identical twins Tim and Tom come to her rescue, and Jana learns about the stamina of youth and her own capacities as a woman.

  Play It Again Sam

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-33-1

  Susan Masters worked her way out of a bad marriage and up the company ladder. But now she was stalled, both at the company, and with trying to juggle two men in her life. Can she really handle a third man, or is this the one was she meant for? A sexy interlude in a cabana takes her to a new level of sensuous exploration, but leaves her with a little problem. Can a woman really have it all?

  Nation’s Call

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-38-6

  Technical Sergeant Tom Weston was returning to the combat zone, and this time he had TSgt Amy Adams and TSgt Melissa Mathews as part of his team. Could they survive what they’d encounter: the danger of a fire fight on the street, the needs of two women and one man? It’s life and death, lust and love when they answer Nation’s Call.

  Cougar Awakening

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-45-4

  Jana didn’t know if she was happy or not, never gave it much thought anymore. She’d moved on after Craig, and now there was work, the company, HER company. She was successful, at work, in business; but her personal life? As a woman...? In Cougar Awakening, Jana begins her odyssey of exploration, finding a sexual identity she thought she’d lost. She learns what it means to be both a powerful woman executive, and a woman on the prowl – a Cougar.

  Cougar Bounty

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-54-6

  In Cougar Awakening, Jana found her cougar groove; and the action continues in Cougar Bounty. But all is not fun and frolic with younger men; a family crisis raises its ugly head, and Jana must face an ending-and new beginning. International business dealings and sexy trans-Atlantic flights are balanced against personal tragedy. And will friend Cheryl become a member of the cougar club?

  Man-Oh-Man

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-19-5

  Gary was at a loss; a meaningful relationship eluded him. He wasn’t sure what - or who - he wanted. Could two strangers he met on a plane provide the answer? One erotic night with new friends Jim and Martin shows Gary what is possible.

  Angel’s Delight

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-28-7

  In a new town, at a new job, Angel Jamison was waiting for Mister Right, but if he didn’t come soon, she might settle for Mr. ‘Right Now.’ Could one of her bosses, Scott or Steve, be ‘Mr. Right?’ Or could it be both of them? A wild night in the desert allows this cactus flower to come to full bloom. And the consequences…?

  All I Want for Christmas

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-31-7

  All I Want for Christmas is the sequel to author J.A. Rawls sexy threesome Angel’s Delight. Angel’s friend Janice is down on her luck and desperately needs both a job – and a man. Can Santa deliver? Sparks fly when Steve goes to Denver to move Janice to Tucson; it’s a trip in which tempers and passions flare. In Tucson, Angel, Janice, Scott and Steve are together again, but how close will the relationship get, and can Angel make good on the pact she broke with Janice?

  Christmas Creep

  ISBN: 978-1-934446-60-7

  Liz dreaded the oncoming holiday season, which seemed to arrive earlier every year. It was hard to get and stay in the spirit for months-so why do it at all? Could a winter storm and two stranded snow plow drivers help her overcome the Christmas Creep?

  BJ’s

  Cowboys

  J.A. Rawls

  One

  BJ sat alone at the end of the bar waiting for her first true love. It was a seedy place, yet anyone who lived in Sidney knew the establishment. Hell, it’d been there since Christ was a Corporal. Many young adults waited patiently, or impatiently, to pull a tall one across the bar. Farmers and hands stopped by to wet their whistle before going into Dude’s Steakhouse for dinner. It was a daily routine for many of the town folks, a chance to greet neighbors and have an inexpensive but excellent steak dinner. Sidney, Nebraska was where she’d spent the first fifteen years of her life. When her father had whisked her away to Arizona, BJ’d been devastated. Her dad was providing for the family and not necessarily concerned with the love life of his fifteen year old daughter.

  As she nursed her pomegranate martini, BJ’s earlier conversation with Bill played itself out once again. He’d answered the phone quickly, realizing who it was, which had surprised her. He seemed alright with meeting her here and letting the cards fall where they may. It’d been twenty years since she’d spoken to him, and whether BJ liked it or not, time and thus gravity, were not kind to a woman. She’d aged well, she knew that, but her belief was about to be fully tested. Time’s a great healer, but a lousy beautician.

  She watched the door open as a tall lean, very sexy cowboy removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair; she realized it was Bill. He’d changed from a gangly youth to a sophisticated man. The gray at the temples of his lush brown hair added to his cultured appearance. His dress was casual, the standard worn blue jeans, broken in boots, and his western shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Wow! Is that ever one good looking man; time had not been hard on her first love.

  Bill walked through the door of the Branding Iron Bar and Cocktail Lounge, a first in almost ten years. He still couldn’t believe he’d gotten BJ’s call, or maybe the fact it’d been the first cell phone call he’d answered in forever and it ‘d been from her. He’d glanced down at the caller ID and her name was all that registered. As he looked around the room he found her staring at him. She looked frightened, though he couldn’t imagine why. A sly grin crossed his face as he walked toward her, recalling the last time they’d actually spoken.

  It’d been twenty years, give or take a couple. She’d actually placed a person-to-person call to him at his parent’s home in Lodgepole. How she’d ever gotten the number he’d never know; nor the fact that he’d only been there visiting at that time still baffled him. He surmised that his cousin Janelle had given the information to BJ, but he’d never confirmed that one way or the other. It didn’t really matter, he’d been happy to hear from her, and if his wife would have left the room it would have been even better. The conversation had been strained and he knew BJ had realized everything they said was being listened to by his wife and parents. The entire call lasted less than ten minutes, yet he still remembered it and wished over the years there’d been more.

  When he heard her speak, he recognized her sultry voice immediately. Sure, he’d played it cool, but the heat that surged through his loins was obvious to anyone that knew him. Bill remembered his d
ad asking him to help with something in the barn when the last call he’d received from her was over. He knew his dad realized who the call was from. He’d told Bill once that he could tell when Bill had that long-legged filly on the phone because his ears turned bright red. He relayed the conversation to his dad once they were out of ear shot of his wife. His dad had said that unless Cathy asked, Bill should say nothing about BJ; it was best to leave the past in the past. When Cathy had asked about the call as they were getting ready for bed, Bill only told her it was an old friend passing through town. Cathy hadn’t asked any more questions.

  That didn’t keep her from nagging about that call even today. When he’d see her in town or try to talk to her on the phone that topic was like a bed sore that wouldn’t heal. In fact, she’d told her attorney that the single one incident that had destroyed their marriage was that call. Since he’d never told her who called he couldn’t figure out how she’d come to that conclusion and quite frankly he didn’t care. It was her issue, not his.

  As he sauntered up to the bar, he took the stool next to BJ. He smiled and nodded, “How are you pretty lady?”

  “Pretty lady is it? In that case I’m great.” BJ leaned over and planted a soft kiss on his weathered cheek.

  “Can I buy you a drink?”

  “Yes, I’ll take another martini.”

  “Bartender,” he raised his hand so the young man realized who wanted his attention, “a refill for the lady and a beer for me.” Bill laid his hat on the bar and took his seat, turning her stool at the same time, capturing her between his muscled thighs.

  BJ laid her hands in her lap and gazed into his eyes. The golden sparkle still radiated and the humor of the situation wasn’t lost. “So cowboy, how are you? It’s been a long time.”

  “Bill,” the bartender interrupted, “Jason says if you want a table at Dude’s you need go in right now.”

  “Okay,” he watched BJ’s face, “you were never one of those picky eaters, if I remember right. Jason burns a mean steak. Let me buy you dinner.”

  “I wasn’t planning to stay that long.”

  “Sure you were,” stepping down from his stool he picked up his hat and took BJ’s arm escorting her in to the restaurant.

  “You never took no for an answer did you?”

  “No, and I don’t intend to start now. Jason I’m ready,” the waiter immediately showed Bill and his guest to a secluded table. As he held the chair for BJ, he turned to Jason, “Ask Jordon to come out for a minute, will you please?”

  “Will do,” Jason hurried off to the kitchen.

  “Who’s Jordon?” BJ asked.

  “He’s the chef. I want to see what he can whip up special for our celebration.”

  “What are we celebrating?”

  “You…me…us.”

  “Bill, there’s no us. I’m just passing through.” BJ ran her finger around the rim of her glass trying to appear complacent in her response.

  Bill watched her closely noting how uncomfortable she was with the direction of his questions. He reached out and took her hand in his. “So why’d you call?”

  BJ pulled her hand back, the heat of his touch distracting her from the conversation. “Because…because, we’re friends, at least I thought we were.”

  “BJ, I’ve known you for over twenty years. There’s more to why you’re here than what you’re telling me.”

  Jordon approached the table. “Bill, how the hell are you? I haven’t seen you in—forever? How are things on the ranch?”

  “All goes well. Thanks for asking. Jordon is there anything you can whip up in that fancy kitchen back there to help BJ and I celebrate two old friends getting together after twenty years?”

  “Absolutely, give me a few minutes.” As he walked away, he laughed, “Bill the steaks are always good and there’s always Rocky Mountain Oysters.” Jordon continued to laugh as he entered the kitchen.

  “Smart ass!” Bill grumbled. “So what do you think?”

  BJ didn’t know what to say. The décor was dated, the booth they were in was uncomfortable and the room had a smoke haze over it. She wasn’t really sure what he expected her to say. “Well,” she hesitated, “it’s not exactly what I remember, but if the food is good, I’m game.”

  “Always the diplomat BJ.” Bill chuckled as he watched the blush cross her cheeks. “Are you going to tell me why you called, or are you going to two-step around the issue?”

  “You’re persistent; I have to give you that.” She ran her fingers through her auburn hair, flipping her head slightly to lay it softly across her shoulders, trying to get her thoughts together. The truth is always best. What the hell, here goes.

  Two

  BJ was saved by the waiter bringing their dinner. She smiled and asked for another drink.

  “BJ, I’ll let you slide for now, but I want to know why you called.”

  “Understand, but let’s get reacquainted first.”

  Bill knew she was stalling, but what the heck, she was here and for now he was happy to be with her. He took a bite of the fettuccine noodles tossed with a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce that Jordan had included with their steaks. The noodles melted in his mouth which was always a pleasure. Bill looked up and saw Jordan watching him. Bill gave him a thumbs up. Jordan only smiled and walked back into the kitchen.

  “What was that about?” BJ asked; she turned, but saw no one behind them.

  “I was letting Jordan know his selection of pasta was great as usual. I went to school with his dad and he wasn’t real happy when he found out Jordan wanted to be a chef versus a farmer.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “It’s worked out fine. Jordan went to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln completing the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts program and then returned to town. He helps his dad on the weekends and during harvest, but cooking is his preference. His sister loves the farm and will probably inherit it all when that time comes.”

  “Do you think Jordan minds?”

  “No, he’s content to do what he does. He’s married, has a couple of strapping boys who love working with their grandfather. It’ll all work out in time, I’m sure.” Billed watched BJ push her food around her plate realizing it had to be nerves. He needed to put her at ease or she’d never open up and tell him what she was doing here. “I let you do it to me again,” he exclaimed.

  “Do what?”

  “Get me off topic.” He wiped his mouth with the linen napkin, laying it across his lap. “We were going to get caught up with each other, so let me start. When I spoke to you last I was married to Cathy. At that time we’d been married about four years,” he watched as BJ settled back to listen. “I married Cathy just before I got out of the Army. She was an Army brat, but was tired of moving around and wanted a home and family,” he paused and sighed, “or so she said.” He didn’t want to elaborate on that point just yet. “You knew my dad had a farm right, and thus a little money?”

  “I guess so, though when we dated that wasn’t a real priority for me. You drove your dad’s Cadillac with the tail fins,” she smiled, “that was impressive. Other than that, I didn’t really care.”

  “True, we were pretty young then. Anyway when I asked Cathy to marry me I made her sign a prenuptial agreement. It was rare back then, but I had a lot to lose and wasn’t willing to give anything away. I did allow that if there were children in the marriage I’d promise to set up a trust for them and care for them regardless of whether we stayed together or not. Cathy agreed.” Bill took a sip of his beer.

  “The marriage was good but never great. After twelve years she decided she wasn’t happy and walked away. Cathy still lives in town, though I don’t know why. She never remarried despite the fact that I’ve seen her with a couple of my farm hands from time to time, and a few town folk,” he shrugged, “hell maybe that was going on before she left, I truthfully don’t know. “

  “You said she wasn’t happy, but what about you? Were you happy; did you love her?”

&n
bsp; “I think I did, at least at the start. Then, unfortunately, I compared her to you and she never quite lived up to my expectations. My dad told me once that I’d let the good one get away,” his eyes captured BJ’s, “he meant you.”

  “How could he say that? When I met him I was a timid little girl. He was a huge farmer and scared the shit out of me.” She laughed at the memory of the giant man, leaning down to offer his hand in greeting and his big calloused hand swallowing hers.

  “He did not. Dad was like a big bear. He realized when he first met you that I loved you, and he truly believed if your family hadn’t moved we’d have been married.”

  “That’s hard to imagine considering I was fifteen when I left Sidney, a long ways from a white picket fence and babies.”

  “That’s true. When you invited me to come down for your prom my dad said to me, ‘boy this is your last chance, don’t screw it up’.”

  BJ laughed at his mimic of his father’s deep tenor voice. “I don’t know why he’d say that. I invited you down there because my boyfriend, who for your info was my late husband, asked another girl because I couldn’t make up my mind. I was just trying to make him jealous. When you asked me to wear your class ring I just couldn’t do it to him, or you.”

  “I told my dad when I got back that I was too late. He took me out to the barn and let me get uncharacteristically drunk as a skunk.” Bill smiled at the memories of his dad holding his head over a slop bucket. “I was so sick and dad wouldn’t let my mom help. He said it was time I owned up to being a man. Men make mistakes and they have to live with them.”

  “Why did he think you made a mistake? You couldn’t have changed things.”

  “Actually dad thought I didn’t put enough of a full court press in my effort to woo you. His words not mine. He felt I should have asked to stay longer, I should have written you every day and sent you flowers to show my affection. You know the drill.”