We’re so pleased to share this exclusive excerpt with you from BA Tortuga’s brand-spankin’-new Dreamspun Desires novel, Cowboy in the Crosshairs. Enjoy!
About the Book
Cowboy in the Crosshairs
A Turquoise, New Mexico Story
Once upon a time, a prince lived in a magical kingdom called Turquoise, New Mexico.
Well, really, TJ is a small-town police chief. Every Friday he holds court in the diner with the local holy roller, the art colonists, and the horsey people. But the Benes, who own the rodeo company, keep to themselves. TJ knows, because he was once hot and heavy with the oldest Bene son.
When Wacey Bene gets trampled by a remuda and comes home to heal, he’s none too happy to run into TJ, or his two little boys and their momma. The story might end there—if it wasn’t for some pesky bastard trying to kill Wacey.
The law steps in, and the townsfolk are cross about somebody messing with one of their own.
But once the bad guy is put away, can TJ and Wacey make their place in this wild and eccentric town a permanent one?
Available March 6th from: Dreamspinner Press
Hey y’all! I’m BA Tortuga, resident redneck and newly minted New Mexican. I’m tickled as all get out to bring you the first in the Turquoise, New Mexico series: Cowboy in the Crosshairs.
So, the thing is, Turquoise, New Mexico is a town with three faces: the rodeo school, the horse people, and the art commune.
TJ is chief of police. Wacey is the eldest son of the famous Bene rodeo family who’s home after a bad accident.
This scene immediately follows the first fight they’ve had in years. *grins*
God help me.
Much love, y’all.
BA
The Excerpt
He settled in the chair with her help. Wacey was not used to feeling helpless. He hated it.
“It won’t last long. The therapist said crutches in three weeks, right?”
“Yeah. And I have a lot of balloons to blow up before that.”
“You do! I can’t wait to post pictures of that on Instagram.”
“I will kick your ass.”
“You and what healthy army?” Macey shot back.
“The bullfighters like me best.”
“Yeah, maybe the ones on the road.”
He winced, but nodded. Yeah, no shit. The guys at the school were all retired, mostly because of his decisions, and they didn’t adore him.
Macey wheeled him inside, then heated up breakfast, and made him a plate of his eggs.
He had to admit they were good—spicy and rich, just like he liked them. Jenny’s cooks did an amazing job. Even with the tortillas steamed a little from reheating, they were delish.
Mama popped her head into the kitchen, frowning. “I thought you wanted to go out.”
“I decided I wanted to come home, Mama. It was so crowded in there.” Macey went to Mama and hugged her. “It’s better at home.”
“Well, I would have made you bring me hash browns.”
“Jenny sent extra for you. Want me to heat them up?”
“I’ve got some bacon grease from Pop’s breakfast this morning. I’ll use that.”
“Is there still some bacon left, Mama?” he asked. Bacon was just what this needed.
“Of course, mijo.”
“You rock.” He felt better already. Maybe he’d just needed some food. And to not see TJ. Jesus, what a fucker.
Kids. Two kids and a wife. Fuck.
He wanted his fantasy back.
Not that the man had ever lied to him.
“I want a normal life, man. I’m not going to ride the rodeo and be the token queer cowboy. I want a house and a family. I want something real.”
Those words let Wacey know that it was over. Real. TJ had wanted something real. Obviously he was a fucking figment of TJ’s imagination.
He’d left that night and hadn’t ever come back. His people had come to him, in twos and threes and tens, but he’d never been able to come back and see what TJ had thought real was.
Now he knew. It was two boys and a girl from the high school class below theirs.
“What is it, mijo?” His mama saw all.
“Nothing. I just need to take some Advil.” Wacey had already given up the pain pills the doc had prescribed. They made him queasy as hell, made him goofy too.
“I’ll get them,” Macey said, as Lacey and Pop walked in.
Hail, hail, the gang’s all here.
There was a flurry of heating and cooking, and he had another plate of migas, these homemade, and some bacon. In no time.
Who needed the café and TJ holding court like some feudal lord?
Not him. No sir. This was their place, and they loved him here.
Even if they drove him out of his friggin’ cabeza.
About the Author
Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds and her beloved wife, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot, her best friend, Sean Michael, and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.
Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head. Find her on the web at www.batortuga.com