How to love a Cowboy

Our love of a good, solid falling-in-love-with-a-cowboy story has never diminished. I know I've written my share of them. (My Romancing the West Series) But would you know how to really love him if he landed in your space – or your bed?
After spending a month in Arizona's cowboy country, I got an insight into the psyche of cowboys – scraped together from the local free newspaper in tributes to real, honest-to-goodness Cowboys! In honor of our cowboy heroes, I'm willing to share.

Cowboy Ethics:
Honest as the day is long.
Loves the Earth around him (Arizona, Texas, or Wyoming – loyal)
Loves the folks of the west; everyone else is "city slickers."
Loves his dawg, his horse and herding cattle.
Loves his woman – maybe not in this order.
Proud to be a "country boy."
Often suffered many broken bones. (hmmm… )
Possibly struck by lightning at some point, from the back of his horse.
Likes his whiskey straight and women curvy.
I would add: tends to be stubborn.

Code of the West:
Scrape your boots or take them off before coming in the house.
Don't drive your 3-4 wheelers into a herd of cattle; it startles & scatters them.
If you come through a closed gate, close it behind you.
If you come across a muddy dirt tank don't drive through it. It waters our cattle, deer and elk.

Actually, cowboys are pretty good guys but not slick, corporate types. Can our heroines be the loyal, country-loving, rough 'n ready-to-love woman he needs? I like to pair my cowboys with an uppity city slicker (as in CALLAHAN'S GOLD or TEXAS SIZZLE) that presents challenges for both. . . until love wins out. Who is your favorite cowboy hero?

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