ONE TEXAS NIGHT is four outstanding stand-alone novelettes
by Ms. Thomas that Zebra publishing has chosen from several
Texas anthologies in which the author has contributed her
awesome tales. If just doesn't get much better than this!
AMARILLO BY MORNING (2008)
Hank Harris is in Fort Worth on business and has
been invited, along with two other gentlemen, to dinner at
the home of Charlie Tucker, a cattle buyer. Hank is aware
that Charlie is trying to find a husband for his sister-in-
law who is living with the Tuckers. Hank is six-feet four
inches tall, a loner and his only possessions is a small
herd of cattle and a home he built himself. The other two
men present are a banker and a railroad executive, and both
are wealthy and obnoxious. Hank meets Aggie when he steps
outside; it is dark, so he can't see her face, but the
conversation they have is interesting and informative.
Aggie doesn't want to get married, but as the youngest of
four sisters her father wants her out of his house so he
can pursue the widow he wants to marry. When the dinner
is over, Hank gives Aggie his gun and tells her he is
leaving on the midnight train and should be home in
Amarillo by early morning.
Wow! What a great story.
SILENT PARTNER (2009)
Rowdy Darnell was the son of the town drunk and an
outcast. When he was fifteen a man is killed and Rowdy
was "railroaded" to prison for five years. Upon his
release he returned to Kasota Springs with fifteen dollars
to his name to sell off the run down ranch that is now
his. Laurel Hayes is the eldest of three daughters of the
richest man in the county. She is plain, quiet, and no
match for her two beautiful stepsisters; she also is the
bookkeeper for her father's businesses. The rodeo is in
town and there is a fifty-dollar prize in each of four
categories for the first place cowboy. There is also the
grand prize of two-hundred head of cattle for the winner of
Best All Around, but Rowdy only has enough money for one
ride. Laurel, who remembers Rowdy from grammar school,
gives him the money to enter all categories and becomes his
silent partner. When he wins Best All Around she wants
half the proceeds from the cattle so she can escape her
father and the man he is forcing her to marry. Two
lonely, unloved individuals make for one superior tale.
Will their partnership work out like they plan? Or does it
get more complex and wonderful. Ride 'em Cowboy!!
THE OUTLAW (2011)
Michael Hughes is caught in the act of robbing
Cozette Camanez's home, but rather than turn him and his
three inept uncles over to the authorities, she makes a
bargain with him Cozette is in a wedding dress waiting
for a groom of her imagination and must be married by
midnight, or she will forfeit her dying father's estate.
She convinces Michael to be her groom in exchange for his
freedom -- at a later date. This outlaw seems too good to
be true, is he planning to betray her like all others in
her life? Super story!
THE RANGER'S ANGEL (2010)
Annalane Barkley is one of three passengers on a
stagecoach bound for Camp Supply outside the Texas border;
Texas Ranger Wynn McCord is one of the three, and is on
board safeguarding a missile from the Texas Governor to the
Indian Agency. A ruthless band of outlaws does not want
that letter sent, and attempt to hijack the stage coach
just before the skies open up with a blinding rain. Anna
and Wynn are able to escape through the downpour and are
rescued by the Calvary on the fourth day, and just in the
nick of time. These protagonists have been alone and
unloved for most of their life, and they are both bossy and
insist on control. He is too bold for her, but she is
just right for him. The answer to the relationship is
obvious, since they are the original McCord couple and
their progeny still operate the large and successful cattle
ranch in West Texas.
Hank Harris wasn't even looking for a woman when he ended
up with a wife. Aggie is exactly who he needs as a business
partner--if only she weren't so damn beautiful, spirited--
and in his bed. . .
Rowdy Darnell was born to be wild and Laurel Hayes knows
she shouldn't get involved with him--but oh, how he can
kiss..
When Annalane Barkley whispers her dreams to Wynn McCord,
the Texas Ranger knows he's found a woman worth fighting
for. . .
If Cozette Camanez's groom doesn't show up for their
wedding by dawn, she'll lose her family ranch. Trouble is,
the groom doesn't exist--until unsuspecting thief Michael
Hughes comes along.