His Sweet Wager: Foster Brothers Ranch Romance, #4

By Kadi James

To save himself a lifetime of humiliation from his brothers, Mark must get Natalie, the prima donna of Potter Valley, to kiss him before Easter.

Natalie Burris was always the girl wearing the crown. Whether it was homecoming or rodeo or national horse shows, she was the queen. Except for the time that Mark Foster ruined her dress right before the event started. But no one ever mentions that. Least of all her. Stuck in Potter Valley Natalie uses her entrepreneurial skills to grow the family horse training and breeding program. But when Mark Foster returns and starts paying attention to her, well he's not the pushy kid she remembers, he's an attentive, business-minded knock out. Everything she could want in a man; except he has sworn he will never live in Potter Valley again.

Mark Foster was never going back to Potter Valley. No matter what the family expected. No matter what they said. They were going to have to accept that he lived in Sacramento and his interest in the farm was simply as part of being in the family. He would show up on his breaks and for long weekends to help but that was it. But on his latest visit, his brothers task him with the impossible; steal a kiss from Natalie Burris. Should be easy, except all she is interested in is branching out her family business and he finds himself being drawn to her.

With the sudden interest from Mark, Natalie starts to see there could be a path to fulfill her business desires and stay in Potter Valley. As Mark gets closer to Natalie, he wants to forget about the frivolous bet and have Natalie as the prize. But when she finds out will these two be able to untangle their half-truths to see if their relationship can stand a roll of the dice?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Agropoli Publishing
• Release date: Apr 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201593087

Book preview

Books by Kadi

FOSTER BROTHERS RANCH ROMANCE

His Sweet Arrangement

https://books2read.com/u/38QeAL

His Sweet Boss

https://books2read.com/u/38QeA7

His Sweet Best Friend

https://books2read.com/u/3Gv5ln

His Sweet Wager

https://books2read.com/u/4jA5DX

His Sweet Ex-Girlfriend

https://books2read.com/u/bORNpW

His Sweet Enemy

https://books2read.com/u/3GvZxn

GUARDIANS OF COYOTE VALLEY

To Hold a Rancher’s Hand

https://books2read.com/u/bMRMO7

Chapter 1

The savory smell of sizzling sausage filled the air as Mark bounded up the porch stairs and into the house. He had decided to surprise his family early by showing up in time for Sunday breakfast. His tall slender frame was agile as he walked into the kitchen, his dark brown hair a little longer than his brothers but gelled back to perfection.

Don’t tell me you have to help him make biscuits and gravy? Mark’s dark eyes danced as he confronted Kerry.

Mark! Robb turned around from where he was putting out the biscuits and gripped his brother in a great big hug. No, she doesn’t have to help me, but you know it’s nice to do something with your partner.

Mmhmm, muttered Mark, giving Kerry a great big hug. Even after years off the farm he still had the muscles of a hardworking farmhand.

Something you wouldn’t know anything about. Justin laughed.

I have had girlfriends before. I get it’s not the same thing, but I do know what a relationship is. Mark smirked.

You and Kevin are almost as bad as each other, Kerry said. Only Kevin finally figured it out.

I figured what out? Kevin asked as he and Justin walked into the kitchen door.

It’s better to have a woman around, Kerry said with a smile.

Justin pulled up a chair at the table. When are those biscuits going to be done? I’m starving,

Did you even call to tell Trisha we are having Sunday breakfast? Kerry asked.

She’s been here for two months if she doesn’t know we’re serving breakfast on Sunday morning, then she’s asleep at the wheel. If there’s one thing that woman isn’t, it’s asleep at the wheel. If she wants food, she’ll come get it.

I’ll text her, Kerry said shaking her head. Your father was right when I first got here, he said you guys were good people but unruly. Wait. No. It was Jessica who said that. I’m gonna have to teach you all how to treat women.

Hey, I think I do okay, Robb said.

Kerry laughed and kissed him on the cheek. You do. You are the best.

I didn’t realize we were having sappy biscuits and gravy, Mark grumbled.

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of love in the kitchen. But what do you know about love? Robb threw a dishtowel at him.

What do I know about love? Mark repeated the question. Come on, who had the most dates in high school?

Me, Kevin said.

I think it was a tie, Mark said.

You only think that because you didn’t win, Kevin said.

Are you guys seriously still in high school? Kerry asked as she finished texting Trisha and put her phone down.

Well, he did come home for spring break. Justin laughed. Shouldn’t you be in Cancun or something Mark?

I came home because I want to be home for Easter and to help with the stuff that has to be done around here.

Well, it’s convenient because we’ve got some work we need you to do, Robb said.

Robb is all work and no play. Justin shrugged over at Mark. But I’m more curious about which one of you can get a date faster.

Justin raised his hands in the air. I’m out of the competition. I don’t think Grace would take to kindly to me trying to date other women.

Are you seriously saying you don’t think I can get a date? Mark asked.

That’s a good point, Kevin said. Justin, Mark is able to get a date. He just can’t find a woman who will fall in love with him.

That’s so not true, Mark said. I don’t like it when they fall in love with me. It’s too hard trying to keep up the relationship. I’m better single doing my own thing and not having to follow anybody else’s rules.

Okay, so we know he can get a date, Kevin said. But can he get a date in Potter Valley?

That definitely makes the odds a lot harder, Justin said.

I don’t even think there are any eligible women in Potter Valley, Mark said.

There’s Natalie Burris, Kevin said.

What are you guys talking about? Robb asked, turning the sink off so he could hear them better.

We’re trying to get Mark a date in Potter Valley, Justin said with a grin.

I don’t need him to go on dates while he’s here. I need him to work, Robb said.

We have an ulterior motive, Kevin said.

Yeah, we’re gonna make money off of him failing to get a date, Justin said.

I think he can probably get a date, Robb said.

With Natalie Burris? Justin asked.

Oh, no, Robb said. I don’t know. I don’t think anybody can get a date with her.

I can get a date with her, Mark said.

I can’t believe the conversations you four have when nobody else is around, Kerry said, putting biscuits and gravy on the table.

I bet you could get a date with her, Kevin said tapping his fork on the table. Why don’t we make the stakes a little more interesting, brother.

What are you thinking? Mark asked, his interest peaked.

You can’t seriously be planning to take them up on this crazy bet, Kerry said.

I like a challenge, Mark said.

How about this, Kevin said. What if you have to get Natalie Burris to kiss you.

Oh. Now that is interesting, Justin said. And it can’t be like a peck on the cheek or a friendly kiss. It has to be like an ‘oh I want you’ kiss.

I need to record you guys and play it back to you later. You’re so juvenile, Kerry said.

And you absolutely can’t tell her we’ve got a wager on this, Robb said. If you do, the bet is off.

Robb! Kerry said. Are you really going in on this bet with them?

No, no of course not, Robb said but when Kerry turned his back he nodded to his brothers and held up three fingers.

I’m in for three dollars, said Justin.

Oh, me too, Kevin said throwing his three dollars in the center of the table.

Wow. You guys think I’ve lost my touch that much? Mark reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet adding his three dollars to the pile. If I get my kiss by Easter Sunday, I take all the money in the pile.

If you don’t get it by Easter Sunday, which is in one week, you know, Justin said, and we split the winnings.

"You guys realize if you win,