He’s always played by his family’s rules.
Until he plays house with his best friend’s sister.
Rodeo mogul Oliver Lawrence can’t say no to his best friend’s sister, pregnant widow Renee Preston. When the innocent beauty needs refuge from the tabloids, he offers his penthouse—and his bed. The passion between them is anything but innocent. And soon Oliver must choose: protect his family from her scandal or stand by the woman he can’t let go...
“Let me show you to your room. You need to rest.”
And even though she knew she shouldn’t, she leaned into his touch and said, “Will you be here when I wake up?”
His thumb caressed her cheek so tenderly that she had to close her eyes. When was the last time someone had touched her like they cared? Nothing about her presence here benefited Oliver, directly or indirectly. She was nothing but a risk. And yet he was still being kind to her.
She needed to move. She needed to do something, anything. But all she seemed capable of was standing there and letting Oliver stroke her cheek. She was so tired.
She almost exhaled in relief when his hand fell away, breaking that connection. But then he set down her suitcase, and the next thing she knew, she was cradled in his arms. “I’ve got you,” he said as he carried her up the stairs. “It’s all right. I’ve got you.”
All she could do was rest her head against his shoulder. It wasn’t all right. It might never be okay ever again.
But right now he had her.
And that was good enough.
* * *
His Best Friend’s Sister is part of the First Family of Rodeo trilogy from Sarah M. Anderson!
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the All-Stars rodeo, an all-around circuit owned by the Lawrence family. Three siblings run the rodeo—but not everyone loves it.
Oliver Lawrence actually hates the rodeo. He’s too busy to deal with it anyway, seeing as he’s CEO of Lawrence Energies. So when his best friend’s sister, Renee Preston, suddenly appears in his office, he’s more concerned with his schedule than with the irritating little girl.
Except Renee isn’t a little girl anymore. She’s a widow who’s four months pregnant. But if that weren’t bad enough, she discovered her family’s financial firm has pulled the largest pyramid scheme ever and it’s all come crumbling down on her. She needs a place to hide.
Oliver doesn’t have time to add another item to his to-do list, but Renee isn’t a thing and she’s not the same little girl he remembers. She’s a woman, and there’s something about her that makes Oliver forget all about the family business, the rodeo and his to-do list. When Renee’s scandal catches up to them, will Oliver choose her or his family?
His Best Friend’s Sister is a sensual story about fighting for your dreams and falling in love. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it! Be sure to stop by sarahmanderson.com and sign up for my newsletter at eepurl.com/nv39b to join me as I say, “Long live cowboys!”
Sarah
Sarah M. Anderson
His Best Friend’s Sister
Sarah M. Anderson may live east of the Mississippi River, but her heart lies out West on the Great Plains. Sarah’s book A Man of Privilege won an RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Best Book Award in 2012. The Nanny Plan was a 2016 RITA® Award winner for Contemporary Romance: Short.
Sarah spends her days having conversations with imaginary cowboys and billionaires. Find out more about Sarah’s heroes at sarahmanderson.com and sign up for the new-release newsletter at eepurl.com/nv39b.
Books by Sarah M. Anderson
Harlequin Desire
The Beaumont Heirs
Not the Boss’s Baby
Tempted by a Cowboy
A Beaumont Christmas
His Son, Her Secret
Falling for Her Fake Fiancé
His Illegitimate Heir
Rich Rancher for Christmas
First Family of Rodeo
His Best Friend’s Sister
Visit her Author Profile page at www.Harlequin.com, or sarahmanderson.com, for more titles.
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To the ladies of the YMCA water aerobics classes. Twice a week, you all listen to me babble about plot points and encourage me to keep moving, even on days when I hurt. Thanks for all your support and for laughing at my silly stories!
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Excerpt from The Love Child by Catherine Mann
One
“I thought you hated the rodeo.”
That voice—Oliver Lawrence knew that sweet voice. Except it was richer, deeper. It sparked memories—memories of smiling, laughing. Of having fun. When was the last time he’d had fun?
He couldn’t remember.
“But here you are, surrounded by pictures of the rodeo,” she went on. He could hear the smile as she spoke. She’d always smiled at him. Even when he hadn’t deserved it.
Oliver jerked his head up from where it had been buried in his hands. It wasn’t possible. She wasn’t possible.
But there Renee Preston stood, just inside the door to his office as she studied the framed pictures of the All-Stars that Bailey had artfully arranged along one wall of the office.
Although her back was to him, he was stunned to realize that he recognized her anyway. The pale gold of her hair fell halfway down her back in artful waves, the curve of her backside outlined by a dark blue dress.
How long had it been? Years? He shouldn’t even recognize her, much less have this visceral reaction to her. Seeing her now was a punch to the gut, one that left him dazed and breathless. And all he could think was, I hope she’s real. Which made no sense. None at all. But given the headaches he’d had running Lawrence Energies—why were Mondays so awful?—he wouldn’t be surprised if his sanity had taken a breather.
He stared but she didn’t move. Bad sign. “Renee?” He blinked and then blinked again when she didn’t turn around.
Okay, he was having a bad morning. Because the truth was he did hate the rodeo—the Lawrence Oil All-Around All-Stars
