Table of Contents
Books by Megan Slayer
Title Page
Legal Page
Book Description
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
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About the Author
Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer
Single Books
Constant
Permanent
Vaulting
Drive my Car
We Belong Together
Finding Michael
Must Love Dogs
The One I Want
You and Me Again
The Real Me
My Other Half
Cedarwood Pride
Home to Cedarwood
Ripples in Cedarwood
Scoring in Cedarwood
Rainbows over Cedarwood
Rocking Cedarwood
Cedarwood Manny
Together in Cedarwood
Doc Cedarwood
Finding Forever in Cedarwood
Silver Fox in Cedarwood
Anthologies
Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line
Out of Bounds: Making the Play
Aim High: Lifetime Hitch
Brothers in Arms: One Night with You
Rules of Summer: Summer Stock
Collections
What’s his Passion?: Wild Card
Cedarwood Pride
CEDARWOOD COWBOY
MEGAN SLAYER
Cedarwood Cowboy
ISBN # 978-1-83943-075-6
©Copyright Megan Slayer 2020
Cover Art by Erin Dameron-Hill ©Copyright October 2020
Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz
Pride Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2020 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.
Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book”.
Book eleven in the
Cedarwood Pride series
Two men, one crush and a circumstance they can’t ignore.
Evan Conley left Cedarwood with dreams of fame and fortune. Twenty-five years and one hit song later, he’s now Evan James. He sings songs and electrifies crowds, but he’s got to come home. His grandmother is dying. To make matters worse, the man handling his grandmother’s estate is none other than his high school crush, Mick Ryan.
Mick Ryan wasn’t thrilled to see Evan James return to Cedarwood. He never got over his crush on Evan and isn’t sure being thrown together will do them any good. But Evan isn’t the man he seems and Mick’s desire hasn’t extinguished with time. Can these two men, seemingly opposites, find their mutual attraction is more than enough to make their love grow?
Dedication
For all those chasing your dreams. Never stop.
For RB, because you wanted a cowboy.
For JPZ
Chapter One
“Mick, you’re the one I trust. If anyone can get Evan to come home, it’s you.” Martha Conley held his hand. “I know it.”
Mick Ryan nodded to his client. He loved Martha Conley like a grandmother and he’d do his best to take care of her estate, but calling her grandson? How could she be sure he’d get through? The last he’d been told, Evan Conley—better known as Evan James—was famous. He might not take Mick’s call. Everyone in Cedarwood knew Evan James. He was the singing cowboy and he was currently on tour.
“I don’t have much time left.” Martha smiled, albeit weakly. “I’m sorry.”
“Have you tried calling him? There’s a good chance he won’t answer my call.” Mick was good with facts and figures, but not people. “I tend to push guys away with my attention to my job. He might not talk to me.”
“But you can get through to his people and tell them,” she said.
“Won’t he…if he’s worth his salt, he’d be checking with you,” Mick said. He wasn’t wild about Evan. He didn’t fault the man for chasing his dreams, but he could be less hard to find.
“He works hard and keeps getting close to breaking through.” Martha closed her eyes and sighed. “But I won’t lie. I want you to call him because I want him to settle down and I want you to date him.”
“Martha.” He wasn’t sure he liked her plan now that he knew the truth. He wasn’t a pawn and nor was he a fan of Evan. What if Evan wasn’t even gay?
“What? You can’t blame a lady for trying.” She opened her eyes. “Just do it.”
“Fine. I’ll be back.” He shook his head and left the hospital room. The cancer was taking its toll on Martha. She’d grown paler with each passing day. Her cheeks weren’t full and her eyes didn’t shine any longer. She appeared tired. She’d opted for pain medication only and to be comfortable. He could swear she kept hanging on to give Evan time to come home.
Mick strolled into the hallway and dialed the number he’d been given for Evan. He doubted the singer would answer. He hadn’t the three previous times.
The ringing stopped. “Hello?”
Mick froze. Someone had answered. Holy shit. He needed to regain his composure. “Hi. May I speak to Evan Conley?”
“Who is this?”
“My name is Mick Ryan and I’m calling on behalf of Evan’s grandmother, Martha Conley,” Mick said. “I would like to speak to Evan.”
“Grandma?”
“Yes.” If that was what they wanted to call her, Mick would go along with it. “May I speak to Evan? It’s vitally important.” He’d gotten through. He couldn’t let this opportunity vanish without telling Evan the grim truth. “She’s been diagnosed with cancer and wants him to come home. I’m afraid she doesn’t have much time left.”
“My grandmother?”
“Evan?” Really? He’d expected to be speaking with a
