Send Me a Cowboy — Joann Baker; Patricia Mason

Shy accountant Katie Lenard wanted one special Valentine's Day before she grew old with a house full of cats. But girls her size didn't receive flowers and candy. Just once, she wanted someone to see past her less than perfect body to the lonely heart underneath.

She wanted someone to love her.

Tired of watching her obsess over the romantic holiday, Katie's best friend decides to give Cupid a helping hand by giving her an assignment with a man who meets all of Katie's requirements for the perfect Valentine. He's handsome and rich. But best of all, he's a sexy-as-sin cowboy who really appreciates a plus-size woman.

John Kinkaid has not had an easy life and it shows in his less than hospitable manners. Having the responsibility of a younger brother thrust upon him at the tender age of sixteen, he's done everything in his power to make sure both of their futures are secure. He's worked tirelessly to turn a failing ranch into an international success and he's kept a tight rein on his oil and gas holdings so that they will never again have to struggle. And he's kept an even tighter rein on his emotions.

John doesn't have time for hearts and flowers. At least not until he meets Katie. The time he spends with the curvy beauty has him rethinking his lonely existence.

“So Ms. Lenard, it's almost Valentine's Day. Where is your boyfriend taking you to celebrate?” James casually put one arm on the back of Katie's seat making her feel caged in.

She cleared her throat. “I, umm, don't have a boyfriend.”

“Now, I find that hard to believe,” James stated.

Katie dared a glance toward the front. Her gaze met John's again and this time he didn't scowl. Instead, his stare was intense. Assessing.
Katie licked her suddenly dry lips. What could she say? Men preferred women who looked like Marcia? Why state the obvious?

“I'm a very discerning woman, Mr. Kinkaid.” She gave him a fake haughty stare. He laughed as she'd hoped he would.

But instead of letting the matter drop, he took her hand and brought it to his lips. He lightly grazed her knuckles before turning her hand over and pressing a harder, longer kiss to her palm. “And I'm a discerning man, Ms. Lenard.”

“We're here.”

The SUV jerked to a violent stop, forcing John to release Katie's hand as they braced themselves against the back of their respective seats.

“Take it easy, John,” James said. “This isn't your old truck. This vehicle does have brakes.”

James opened his door and was out of the vehicle before his brother could respond.

Katie reached down to pick up the notepad and calculator which had fallen to the floor.

As she straightened, John opened her door and reached in, taking her elbow to help her from the high seat. She tried to exit the vehicle as gracefully as she could and, to her immense relief, she managed not to fall at the man's feet.

“I'm not paying you to flirt with my brother, Ms. Lenard.”