Pepper Bourne has big plans for her stepdaddy's Arizona ranch. The physician's assistant dreams of opening a community garden for Angel Crossing's neediest. The only thing standing in her way is the tall, rugged cowboy who just inherited the property!
Former bull rider AJ McCreary gave up the rodeo to raise his baby girl, and selling the ranch is the only way he can support her now. While Pepper's claim on the property may be uncertain, there's no denying her claim on AJ's heart. He's ready to become a family man. But can he prove it to the one woman who makes his family complete?
A former innkeeper and radio talk show host, Heidi Hormel has always been a writer. She spent years as a small-town newspaper reporter and as a PR flunky before settling happily into penning romances with a wink and a wiggle.
While living in the Snack Food Capital of the World, Heidi has trotted around the globe from forays into Death Valley to stops at Loch Ness in Scotland.
Pepper Bourne is a women on a mission. She wants to open a community garden so that those in Angels Crossing will be able to eat healthier and will feel better in the long run. Pepper figured out that if she used the ranch that her dad will be leaving her mom after he died then she will be set. That is until a rodeo man shows up in town with his baby girl and puts all the best laid out plans into a tail spin.
AJ McCreary is trying to make a better life for his daughter that he didn't know he had until a few months ago. AJ has a plan though, he's going to stop in at Angels Crossing to pay his respects to his dead cousin then continue on his way to California to get a well paying job on a dude ranch. That is until his cousins will is read and AJ is the beneficiary of his ranch.
This book did a really good job of showing that although life may put roadblocks in your way there are still ways to become better then you started at the end of your journey. The chemistry between AJ and Pepper was amazing as well as how well the community works together to protect their own. This was a great read that depicts how well Ms.Hormel can write.
The Kentucky Cowboy's Baby by Heidi Hormel is a Angel Crossing, Arizona series. Pepper Bourne is a physician's assistant in Angel Crossing. She was disappointed when her stepdad passed away and did not leave the ranch to his wife, which is Angels mother. He left it to a cousin who saved his life when he was riding at the rodeo, years ago. A.J. McCreary moved into the house left to him with his baby girl. He wants to fix the place up and sell it. Angel is trying to get him not to sell it and let her rent it. Angel gets attached to A.J.'s baby girl. Angel and A.J. like each other. A good read.
Another in the Angel Crossing Arizona series, in which bull rider, AJ McCreary hangs up his bull riding togs to take care of the baby he never knew he had after her mother dumps the little girl into foster care. But AJ needs help taking care of her, even after he learns that a buddy of his has willed him his ranch. That's another problem, because Pepper Bourne, local PA, has always had big plans for her stepfather's property. Now it seems she's never going to get it. What will happen to the llamas and alpacas her hippy former commune-living mother is going to do?
How all this gets worked out involves some slimy characters, including a money-grubbing cousin and some yarn-loving women, too. That and paying attention to what Pepper's mom predicts will happen for them all.
I feel this is Heidi Hormel's best book yet. Pepper is a lovable, humorous, worthy heroine who makes A.J. use every bull riding skill he has to win her over. The dear baby on the cover, EllaJayne, is a key part to the story as A.J. has to learn how to be a Dad to his toddler daughter (whose mother has abandoned her) while falling in love with Pepper, no small feat. Pepper and EllaJayne share an instant bond that is so sweet. The sexual chemistry between Pepper and A.J. sizzles on the page and, in my favorite scene, A.J.'s truck camper. I can't wait for this author's next book.