Cowboys & Protective Ways - Baker Brothers of Copper Creek Book 1 (PAPERBACK 👉🏼 SIGNED with Goodies)

Ian Baker fell in love with Jessica the first time he saw her waitressing at the town diner. But he’s a true cowboy and won’t make a move since she’s spoken for. Even if it is by a drug-dealing, weasel of a boyfriend.

Life hasn’t been easy for Jessica who grew up poor in the beautiful town of Copper Creek. Her low self-esteem has her feeling lucky that she has a job, and a boyfriend, regardless of how bad he is.

Then one day, Ian’s diner visit becomes much more than apple pie and coffee. While he’s there, Jessica witnesses a serious incident between her boyfriend and his thug friends. Now she’s in danger. That’s when Ian makes a crazy split-second decision to swoop her up and take her to his ranch.

Suddenly, Jessica’s on the run with a cowboy who just saved her life. Though she hardly knows him, who else can she trust?

As the danger grows, so does their attraction to each other. But Jessica may have to leave to keep his family safe. With his heart and life on the line, will Ian find a way to protect her and give her the love she deserves?

Slamming into something firm, she let out a small yelp then slapped her hand across her mouth. Jessica’s gaze trailed up the buttons on a blue shirt all the way to a square jaw and hazel eyes.

Her heart leapt into her throat, and her hand landed on her chest. “Ian. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“Mornin’, Jessica. I didn’t ’spect to see you up so early.” His gaze traveled down her outfit to her stockinged feet and back to her face. A hint of a smile played at his lips. Or maybe it was just the dim lighting.

Her heart did a few little flips in her chest and she broke eye contact. “I had a hard time sleeping last night. I thought I might as well come down and help with breakfast.”

Ian scratched his cheek. “If you didn’t sleep well, maybe you should go back to bed.”

She swallowed hard. That was the last thing she wanted. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the same blood-chilling scene at the diner. Jessica shook her head. “I’m fine. I’d rather stay busy.” Her eyes met his. “Speaking of staying busy. I wanted to ask you if you had any openings—erm—need of help around here?” Dumb. Didn’t she try to convince herself to be more assertive? She lifted her chin. “If you’re going to request I stay here for more than just a couple nights, I’d like a job. A temporary one.” There was a slight tremble in her voice. She prayed he didn’t hear it.

He placed his hands in his pockets. “You want a job? Working here?”

She could practically see the cogs working in his brain. He’d brought her here to keep her safe and now she was demanding a job. He’d bitten off more than he could chew. She probably would have had better luck asking Liz if she knew of any odd jobs she could do. Jessica folded her arms and shifted. “I understand if that isn’t a possibility—”

“I’m sure we could find something.” Ian jutted his chin toward the stairs. “I’m heading down for breakfast. You coming?” He turned and galloped down the steps, going twice as fast with his sure step. When he got to the bottom, he waited for her. “Besides the lack of sleep, how are you feeling?”

Jessica snorted. “You mean besides the anxiety over the fact that my life is in danger? Or that my boyfriend is dead? Or maybe that I’ve practically been kidnapped?” She clapped a hand over her mouth. The words had escaped before she’d had a chance to rein them in.

“Kidnapped?” Ian chuckled. “Is that what you think?”

“No. I’m sorry. I mean, in my dreams I may have compared this whole situation to something like that.” A searing heat crept across her skin, sending waves of fire to her cheeks. “Of course I don’t think that. You helped me. Saved me. I owe you my life.”

“And yet you demand a job.”

Could she just crawl back to her room and hide beneath that blanket now?

“Ian, I—”

He let out a wry chuckle. “Don’t worry about it, Jessica. I think we’re both a little off this morning.” They made it to the end of the hall where they’d turn toward the kitchen. She stopped and grabbed his wrist.

Ian glanced down at where she touched him. Another spike of something ran up her arm at the contact, causing her to withdraw her touch and stare at her hand. She gave it a little shake and met his curious gaze.

“Anyway—”

“I’m sure we can find you something to do while you’re here. We have a few ranch hands who help out with the animals. I don’t think it would be that difficult to add you to the crew.”

She shook her head. “No, I wanted to ask you something else.”

“Okay.”

“Why did you do it? Risk your life… to get me out of there?”

His brow lifted and his eyes narrowed. The way his mouth scrunched with confusion lifted his cheekbones slightly. “Are you asking why I saved you?”

That was part of it. But there was more. He’d stepped in when Tucker was embarrassing her. He’d followed her out to the alley when she was upset. He’d dodged flying bullets for her. Jessica cleared her throat. “Yes,” she muttered lamely.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. The warmth of his touch sent an instant sense of security straight through her. “If you have to ask that question, you must not know many good people.”

Ian probably didn’t mean anything by it, but the statement stung. It sliced through her like a deep papercut. She’d been in a serious relationship with Tucker. Who exactly did Ian think ran in her social circles?

Just one more bit of proof that they came from two very different walks of life. If she had to bet her life on whether Tucker would help a stranger or save his own skin, she’d put all her money on him pushing down a toddler to get out of a sticky situation. It wasn’t his fault. Some people were just bred that way.

Ian peered at her, a slight frown on his lips. He opened his mouth just as Cal brushed past them.

“You guys coming? I think Mom said she’d make pancakes this morning. Hi Jessica. Glad to see you survived.” He chuckled as he turned the corner.

Ian met her gaze again.

She flashed him a smile. “I guess you’re right. Good guys are hard to come by.”

👉🏼 Cowboys & Protective Ways Paperback Book - Signed by Natalie ❤️
👉🏼 Small Wooden Cross
👉🏼 Copper Creek Sticky Notepad
👉🏼 Bookmark Designed with Book Cover Image
👉🏼 Natalie Dean 3" Sticker
👉🏼 Natalie Dean Glass Dome Magnet, 1" in Diameter, Hand Crafted by Natalie!

Regular Print Paperback
Page Count: 240 pages
Font Size: 11.5
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
ISBN: 978-1-964875-22-4
Ebook Publication Date: October 31, 2021
Publisher Name: Kenzo Publishing LLC