Hard as a Rock Cowboy (Rocky Road Ranch Book 2), page 1
HARD AS A ROCK COWBOY
ROCKY ROAD RANCH
BOOK 2
LEXI POST
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be sold, copied, distributed, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or digital, including photocopying and recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of both the publisher, Oliver Heber Books and the author, Lexi Post, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Hard as a Rock Cowboy Copyright 2025 © Lexi Post
Cover design by Dar Albert
Published by Oliver Heber Books
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CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Author Note
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Also by Lexi Post
About the Author
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For my husband, Bob Fabich, whose goals and ambitions are so in line with mine. I’m very happy to have a true partner in life.
Thank you to my sister Paige, who did double duty when this book was ready for beta reading. Only an awesome sister would patch and paint my house during the day and read my manuscript at night while I’m working on the epilogue.
Lexi’s Legends, my reader group on Facebook, came through for me once again with names for everything from a bar to a baby. Thank you to Veronica Westfall, Beckie Lowe, Carey Sullivan, Tracy Jacobs, Pamela Reveal, and Patricia Way. You make this lonely profession so much more fun.
A special thank you to my wonderful critique partner, Marie Patrick. Her support and encouragement always get me through the tough times, even hurricanes.
Most of all, thank you for reading my stories. It’s so wonderful to know that others enjoy a happily-ever-after as much as I do.
AUTHOR NOTE
Hard as a Rock Cowboy was inspired by the ancient Greek play, Antigone. This tragic play is about family and pride. It is Antigone’s determination to honor her brother that pits her against the state, but family takes precedence for her. It is this idea of family against a greater entity that inspired the struggle for Hannah Kingsley. And it is Haemon’s love for Antigone (the king’s son) that inspired Brody’s struggle between family and self.
In the play, Antigone is horrified that the king has decreed her brother not be buried, but that his body should rot for his attack on the city. Antigone devises a plan to bury her brother anyway, but the king hears of it and sentences her to being entombed alive. Though Haemon tries to reason with his father, the king refuses to listen. In the end, by time the king relents, Antigone, Haemon, and the queen have all committed suicide. Obviously, there can be a much happier ending to such themes as are portrayed in this play.
Unlike the play, Brody’s challenge is a bit harder than Hannah’s. Like Haemon, it’s a struggle between him and his family, whom he loves and respects. At first it appears that Hannah will be his way out, but she ends up complicating matters, eventually showing him what’s most important.
CHAPTER 1
Brody Dunn took the outside stairs two at a time, heading for the third floor of the Phoenix apartment complex where the Harpers resided, at least according to his research. They were the only thing standing in his way of attending the academy in January to become a wildlife manager.
For years his father had been trying to get the Harpers to sell their land, which abutted the Rocky Road Ranch. The only way the Dunns could be a viable cattle ranch and compete with the larger operations was if they bought the Harpers’ land next door. The problem was, the Harpers didn’t want to sell.
With the family ranch on the brink of failure, his dad decided to invest in turning it into a dude ranch. Brody thought the idea inspired, but he wasn’t as attached to the cattle ranch as his oldest brother, who wanted it to stay a cattle ranch. The dude ranch idea was a huge risk, since none of them knew how to run such an operation. So Dad still wanted the Harpers’ land.
Now all Brody had to do is convince them to sell their land, and his father would release him from his promise to help with the ranch. That was what he needed to finally pursue his dream career at the age of twenty-seven. He was sure this was the job for him.
Confident in his ability to convince the older couple to sell, based on the public records, he reached the top of the stairs and looked for apartment 325. Walking around the west end of the building, he found the number directly across from the elevator. Stepping up to the door, he knocked.
He counted to thirty to make sure he gave the older folks a chance to get to the door. When no one answered, he knocked again. It was almost dinner time. Surely they would be home, unless they still worked. If they had to work to pay the rent, then his offer to buy their land could solve all their problems.
He counted to thirty again, while double-checking the floor and apartment number.
When no one answered, he knocked a third time. “Howdy. Is anyone home?”
After ten seconds, he received a response. “Who is it?”
“Howdy, ma’am. I’m Brody Dunn from Four Peaks and was hoping I could talk to you?”
The little cover on the peephole moved, and he smiled so she could see he was friendly.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know a Brody Dunn.”
She didn’t sound that old, but it did make sense that she wouldn’t know him. “Yes, ma’am. I understand. You probably know my father, Jeremiah Dunn. We’re your neighbors in Four Peaks.”
There was a sigh on the other side of the door. “I live here. I think you have the wrong apartment.”
Did he? He pulled out his phone and looked at it. “Is this the Harpers’ apartment?”
“It is. But we don’t have a summer place in Four Peaks.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, thoroughly confused. “Is this the home of Mrs. Norma Harper?”
“Do you know my grandmother?” The woman’s voice sounded hopeful.
Ah, maybe the older woman was in a nursing home. “No, ma’am. But my father does. Could I speak to her?”
“I wish you could.”
That didn’t bode well. “Ma’am?”
“My grandmother passed six months ago. I’m the last of the family.”
He looked directly at the peephole. If losing a grandmother felt the same as losing a mother, he could understand. “I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t know.”
“I’m still getting used to the fact she’s gone.”
His excitement of moments ago turned to sorrow for the woman as well as disappointment. “I understand. I lost my mother when I was a teenager. Losing someone you love leaves a hole in your heart. I’m sorry I bothered you.” He turned away discouraged, but not beaten. He just needed to do more research.
“Don’t go. I mean, you haven’t told me why you wanted to see my grandmother.”
He turned back at her request to find she’d opened the door as far as the chain lock would allow. She had a pretty, round face with an upturned nose, brown eyes the color of whiskey, and auburn hair framed her face. She’d obviously been eating cookies because there were crumbs near the corners of her full lips. He felt torn between being polite and finding out as much as he could. “Don’t you wish to be alone?”
She gave him a crooked smile. “No. I’ve had quite enough alone time, and I love talking about my grandparents. Did you need to know something?”
He looked away not sure where to start. Finally, he decided. “Yes, there is, but I’m not sure talking in the hallway here is the best place.”
She frowned, obviously not in a hurry to invite him in, which he could understand in the big city. “There’s a little Mexican place on the north corner of this building. If you’d like to meet me there in about ten minutes, we could talk there.”
Now, that sounded promising. “I would be pleased to meet you there, miss. If you’re sure?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”
He smiled. Maybe he could find out everything he needed to know by talking to this relative. “I’ll see you there shortly. Thank you.” He tipped his cowboy hat and turned toward the stairway, forcing himself to mosey instead of run. But once he’d descended one flight, he raced down the rest.
As soon as he hit the sidewalk, he headed north. He didn’t know the Harpers had children, or grandchildren for that matter. His father said they’d only visited the land on and off in the time he’d lived there, which made it odd that they didn’t want to sell. But they must have left it to someone, maybe even this granddaughter.
His steps slowed as he looked for the restaurant. The red painted walls and large sign declaring Mama Juanita’s told him he found the place. Wal
He still felt a little guilty that she had just lost her grandmother. Maybe he’d get lucky, and she was the heir and would be happy to sell. If that was the case, he could be through the wild life manager training and physicals and in a new job by spring. He was almost afraid to hope. Every time he’d thought he’d be free of the ranch, something else happened to keep him there, whether it was his brother’s deployment or his dad’s stroke. He didn’t resent it. He was happy he could help, but he was ready for it to be his turn.
As the cowboy disappeared from sight, Hannah Kingsley finally closed the door. Wow—she hadn’t expected to have a cowboy come knocking at her door. And not just any cowboy, but a dark-haired, broad-shouldered, drop-dead-handsome cowboy. No one should be allowed to look that good.
She made a beeline for the bathroom, and when she stepped in front of the mirror, she groaned. Crumbs from the peanut butter cookies she’d been munching on before going through the packet the estate lawyer had sent were visible around her mouth. Not the best impression. Then again, neither was the mess on top of her head. Unclipping her long hair, she quickly brushed it before pulling it back up into a ponytail. Reaching for her lipstick, she halted. What was she doing? This wasn’t a date. In fact, it could very well be a scam of some kind. She turned and left the bathroom. Her face was fine and her jeans and tank top were good enough.
She strode back to the door and slipped on her sandals. Grabbing her keys and her phone, she left her purse, just in case. She may have become ultra cautious in the last six months, but her grandmother always said it was better to be safe than sorry. She stepped out into the outside hall and started to close the door, but paused. The packet from the lawyer lay open on the coffee table, making her feel guilty.
Quickly, she shut the door. She had all day tomorrow to read it. One more day wouldn’t hurt anyone. As she took the short cut between the hallways of the apartment complex, she kept trying to remember if she’d ever heard Grandma mention anyone by the name of Dunn, but nothing came to mind. She was absolutely sure that they had never paid anyone by the name of Dunn, so the Dunn family was a complete mystery.
But not for long. She opened the door to Mama Juanita’s and stepped inside. Immediately she saw him, being that he was the only man in the place with a brown cowboy hat on his head, sitting in one of the brightly-colored booths.
He noticed her as well and waved.
Had he really seen so much of her in the doorway that he knew it was her? She’d have to remember that next time a stranger knocked on her door.
As she approached, he stood and doffed his hat. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
Her steps slowed, not because she was afraid, but because he was tall and so polite. She couldn’t remember the last man, besides her grandpa, who had such charming manners. Finally, reaching him, she held out her hand. “I’m Hannah Kingsley.”
He shook her hand and gave her the same devastating smile he’d given her when he promised to talk with her. “It’s a real pleasure to meet you, Hannah. I’m Brody.”
She returned his smile. He’d already told her his name, but she wouldn’t mention that. When he released her hand, she slid into her side of the booth. “I have to say, Brody, that you have piqued my curiosity.”
His smile faltered. “I imagine I have. If I had known of your loss, I promise I wouldn’t have bothered you.”
Now that she could see him in full, her estimation of his looks grew. Not only were his eyes a beautiful cobalt blue, but his nose was straight and his larger upper lip sported the hint of a mustache. His chin was square, with a five o’clock shadow that made him appear approachable. He was taller than her, and had very short hair that was a dark brown with blond highlights, no doubt from being out in the sun. “Actually, your timing is perfect as I was just looking for a distraction.” Anything was better than going through the paperwork on her grandmother’s estate.
“Buenos dias, Hannah. What are you doing here at this time of day with such a vaquero guapo?” Camila wiggled her brows before turning toward Brody. “What can I get you, cowboy?”
To his credit, Brody held his hand out toward her. “Hannah, do you know what you’d like?”
“I’ll have a cup of coffee and your Tres Leches cake.”
“You’ve got it. My abuela made a new one this morning.” Camila turned to Brody again. “My grandmother makes the best Tres Leches cake in all of Arizona.”
“That sounds good. I’ll have a piece and some water.”
Camila looked back at Hannah. “He’s smart, too.”
After Camila went back to put in their order, Brody hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “I’m guessing this is a regular spot for you?”
“It is. It’s so close and has such great food. There’s no reason to go much farther. Now please, I’m dying of curiosity. Why were you looking for my grandmother?”
“Your grandmother owns land in Four Peaks right next to my family’s. It’s—why are you shaking your head?”
She gave him a sad smile, because she’d really hoped that she would be able to see him again, but he had the wrong family. “My grandparents didn’t own land in Four Peaks. I’ve been with them all my life. They raised me. Not once did they mention land there. In fact, we’ve lived in apartments in the city since I was a baby.”
His brow furrowed. “But the public record shows Joseph and Norma Harper as the owners. It even has your apartment address as their address. You see, the land is pretty much empty.”
Her address? That didn’t make sense. “Would there be a need to pay taxes on the land? I took over my grandparents’ finances eleven years ago. There was never a tax bill for any land in Four Peaks.”
He sighed, his disappointment palpable. “I don’t understand. I had hoped we were neighbors.”
A spark of excitement hit her belly, surprising her. “I think maybe the deed office mixed up addresses. I can definitely check into it. I’m in the process of reading through the will and other paperwork since it was finalized in probate.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but Camila came with their cake. Once she left, Hannah couldn’t resist taking a bite before continuing their conversation. She closed her eyes and savored the first mouthful.
“Everything okay over there?”
She opened her eyes to find him giving her a crooked smile. “Sorry. I eat alone so often, I forget it might look weird. This cake is just so amazing. Go ahead, try it. But be sure to close your eyes and give the taste your full attention.”
Humoring her, he took a forkful and looked at her as he put it in his mouth, then he closed his eyes. “Hmm.” His eyes opened. “You’re right. This is excellent. Do you think Camila’s grandmother would share the recipe?”
She shook her head. “No. My grandmother asked many times. Does your wife bake?”
He coughed and covered his mouth as he’d just taken another bite. Holding up one finger, he took a gulp of water and cleared his throat. “Excuse me.” He shook his head vigorously. “I’m not married.”
He seemed to put emphasis on the word ‘not.’ Was that because he wanted her to know he was single or because the thought of being married freaked him out? She didn’t expect that of a cowboy for some reason. “Then you want the recipe for your mother?”
“No, I want it for me. I enjoy baking. My oldest brother is an excellent cook, so I didn’t want to be outdone, and became the family baker.” He held up his fork with another piece of cake. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m a good cook, but my baking skills are unsurpassed.” He grinned before taking another bite. “I’m getting another piece to go. I’ll figure this out.”
“The recipe?” She stared at him in shock.
He nodded, then swallowed. “Yes. I do enjoy a challenge.”
Learning that he could cook and bake made her wish more for a reason to see him again, but she could think of nothing. As lovely as it was to daydream about owning property north of the city, there was no way her grandparents could have ever afforded land. If they had, they would have lived there.
