The Cowboy and His Baby

3.5 stars--THE COWBOY AND HIS BABY by Jessica Clare is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, cowboy romance story line focusing on twenty-nine year old, ranch hand Dustin Worthington, and professional dog trainer Annie Grissom. Told from dual third person perspectives (Dustin and Annie) THE COWBOY AND HIS BABY follows the building relationship between twenty-nine year old, ranch hand Dustin Worthington, and professional dog trainer Annie Grissom. While on location in Painted Barrel, Wyoming, professional dog trainer Annie Grissom met ranch hand Dustin Worthington, the man with whom she would fall in love. A quick courtshi, and one night of $ex ended when Annie came face to face with Dustin’s past, a past that wasn’t finished with our story line hero. Fast forward to present day wherein eight months would pass before Los Angeles based Annie would see Wyoming ranch hand Dustin again, a very pregnant Annie who had yet to tell Dustin about the child they conceived. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Annie and Dustin, and the potential fall-out as Annie believes she interrupted Dustin’s future plans, and in doing so, sets the stage for our heroine to run, yet again. Annie Grissom trains dogs for Hollywood movies but struggles with a direction in her life. Meeting Dustin Worthington meant a few days of $ex and fun, never thinking that Dustin would be part of her future. Dustin Worthington was biding his time in Painted Barrel, Wyoming until the day he would set sail around the world but Annie’s return meant a different future for Dustin, a future that included a child and perhaps a wife. The relationship between Annie and Dustin is one of immediate attraction but Annie knows her time in Wyoming comes with an expiry date. There are definitely some issues of miscommunication and a lack of trust, issues that will send Annie running at the first and second sign of perceived problems. The $ex scenes are passionate and intimate, without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text. There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters: ranchers Eli and Cass; ranch hand Jordy, rancher Old Clyde; Annie’s mother Kitty, a woman whose less than motherly advice has shaped our story line heroine; Annie’s friend Katherine; Dustin’s ex Theresa, as well as several members of the Hollywood movie crew. The world building focuses on the up and down relationship between our story line couple, a relationship that saw several months apart without any information or history revealed. Annie’s mother is over the top-her advice and support of her daughter is questionable as to the intent or desired results. Annie’s friend and rep for the American Humane Society Katherine offers more negative advise and warnings; and Dustin’s ex is a piece of work, who in reality, would be fired for the things she says while at work and on the job. THE COWBOY AND HIS BABY is a story of miscommunication, doubt and mistrust; of lies and deceit; of attraction, romance, and falling in love. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate; the characters are charismatic and sassy. I question some of the reality including the actions of Dustin’s ex-there is no way she would be allowed to say the things she does at work without repercussions or losing her job: and Annie’s lack of a spine regarding Dustin’s past was a bit disconcerting under the circumstances but such is the nature of romantic story lines, otherwise there would have be no conflict to resolve.