Read as part of [b:A Bunch of Roughstock|21998370|A Bunch of Roughstock|B.A. Tortuga|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|41305093] Anthology. ( )

In the typical voice that is such a great part of BA Tortuga's Roughstock series, "Too Careful by Half" is the story of Sam reclaiming his man, Beau, after suffering a grievous head injury during the rodeo world finals. While it is a follow-on and will fascinate fans of File Gumbo, it is also a really nice standalone short with enough backstory to help the reader understand the situation, and enough love and heat to make anyone's toes curl.

Sam may have suffered a brain injury serious enough to require speech therapy, but his love for Beau is undiminished. He is also determined, now that he feels better, to get back to the physical side of their relationship sooner rather than later. His resolve almost drips off the pages as he storms into the house, I was right there with him, and his emotions are crystal clear, even if he has trouble expressing them verbally.

Beau is scared to death of losing Sam, and has been treating him with kid gloves. He is relieved to see Sam fighting back, and as far as the loving goes, they are both in agreement. The not-going-back-to-rodeoing is important to him, but he is a man too and understands that Sam cannot just give up, never mind admit he is giving up being a cowboy.

If you like short, hot stories, and if you enjoy two extremely stubborn and passionate men fight for what they believe is right, you will probably like this short story.

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