The Reluctant Milkmaid

When Reality TV star, Melissa Barrows is sent on assignment to a goat farm in Cedar City, Utah, the word ‘reality’ takes on a whole new meaning.  Chosen to take the place of one of the contestants in the Eight Maids a Milking Contest, she is appalled to discover she actually has to touch one of the smelly creatures.

            Garth McKay never intended to run a goat ranch.  His people were cattlemen from way back.  But when his younger sister brought home a pregnant doe and they both looked up at him with big liquid eyes, he surrendered without a fight.  Now, ten years later, a good portion of his time and income is wrapped up in the animals and his sister has won the honor of being one of the top ‘milkmaids’ in the country.

            When he finds out his sister has traded her contest position to a spoiled TV star so the ranch can have some free publicity, he is furious.  Even more so when he meets Melissa, who is the quintessential city girl.  But opposites attract and before you can say…pass the milk, the two are involved in more than a contest.

            But can two such different people make a go of it?  Can Melissa see that Garth is more than just a ‘goat herder’?  Will Garth push through the city glamour and discover the real person Melissa is inside?  Or will they both go their separate ways, believing it’s not worth crying over spilt milk?

REVIEWS

 A very enjoyable read.~~~Fallen Angel Reviews

CJ England will have her readers in stitches while reading The Reluctant Milkmaid!~~~Ck2s Kwips and Kritiques

With engaging dialogue and memorable characters, “The Reluctant Milkmaid” is an outstanding story of when opposites attract.~~~Ecataromance  

Excerpt

“You know what the show is about, Melissa.  People tune in to see you in places you don’t belong, doing jobs you normally wouldn’t.  Over the last eighteen months, we’ve exhausted all the city prospects.  You’ve worked at a famous dress designer’s, modeled in Paris, and did cordon blue cooking at Melchanio’s, the most exclusive restaurant in New York. Hell, you even worked as a call girl—”

“It was a high-class escort service, thank you very much.”

 Her producer rolled his eyes.  “Whatever.  It was time to do something different.  Our viewers were getting bored.  Ratings were suffering and you know what that means…”

“I know.  I know.”  Melissa bit her lower lip and crossed her arms over her candy pink ski jacket.  “Cancellation.”

“Damn straight.”

“But couldn’t we do something a little more civilized?”  Her eyes brightened.  “I could work in a fast food place.  You know one of those places that serve greasy hamburgers and wilted fries.  I could even mop the floor.  I’ve never done something like that before.”

Wayne shook his head.  “Nope.  The network wanted something different.  Something big.  We worked long and hard to get you this gig.  The Eight Maids a Milking National Contest was a perfect choice.  Eight women, competing to be the best milker in the country.  It was certainly different and you’ll get national exposure.”  He waggled his eyebrows at her.  “Your contract is coming up for renewal, you know.  You need all the exposure you can get.”

Melissa sighed.  She knew he was right, but she already could tell this job was going to be a pain in the ass.  She felt like a duck out of water, and she hated that feeling.  She wanted skyscrapers, taxi cabs and people, but all she could see around her were smelly animals, beat up old trucks and…she shuddered…wide open spaces.

“Mahhhhh…”

Melissa jumped and looked around her fearfully.  “What the hell was that?”  She clutched her designer bag in front of her like a weapon.  “Wayne, you said there were no wild—”

Her words were cut off as an animal about the size of a large dog bounced out from behind a nearby stack of baled hay and rubbed itself ingratiatingly against her.  Her pristine white pants were suddenly covered in brown hair.

 “Wayne!” she croaked out in a strangled voice.  She clutched the useless bag against her and stared down at the creature.  Soulful brown eyes gazed back up into hers.

“Mahhhhh…”

“For Christ sakes, Melissa.  It’s just a goat.”

“Get it away from me.”  She batted at it with her purse, but the cinnamon-colored animal didn’t budge.  It just pushed at her then started nibbling on the strap of her bag.

“Don’t touch that,” she shrieked.  For a moment she was in a tug-of-war with the beast.  It finally let go, but not before leaving teeth marks behind.  Melissa swore aloud.  “Look!  It ruined it.  This purse was a one-of-a-kind Dorlando!”

Wayne raised an eyebrow.  “It’s still one of a kind, honey.  Now it’s a one-of-a-kind…Droolando.”

Melissa shuddered, moving the ravaged strap as far away as possible from her.  “Very funny, Wayne.  Now you want to tell me why there is a goat chewing on my five hundred dollar handbag?”

“Because he lives here?”

“You’re such a comedian,” she rejoined sourly.  She took a step back from the goat, which followed her, crying softly.  She moved away again.  “I’ll never get these pants clean.”

“Should’ve worn jeans.”

Melissa gave a delicate snort of amusement.  “I didn’t plan on touching the creature, Wayne.  And I sure as hell don’t need jeans to pose next to a cow.”

“Well, now honey…about that.”

***end of excerpt***

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