A Cowboy to Marry Read Free Page A

broken his leg and nearly drowned, until you and guides saved him. He wouldn’t have needed to go tothe hospital in San Gil, which was miles away, over rough terrain. His wounds wouldn’t have become infected, and he wouldn’t have started running a fever.”
    â€œAnd begged me to watch over you.”
    Abruptly, Libby looked as numb as she had at the funeral. “Had none of that happened, Percy would have lived.” She stood and gazed deep into Holden’s eyes. “But he didn’t.” Restlessly, she paced the length of the room. “And now you and I are here. Dealing with the aftermath of my late husband’s reckless nature, each and every day.”
    Holden caught up with her. “You have to know,” he croaked, gripping her hands, “if I could take it all back…” Make your life better. Make you happy again…
    â€œI know, Holden. You would.” Libby squeezed his palms, then let go. Sadness glimmered in her green eyes as she confessed, “And I would, too. But we can’t. Instead, we have to deal with the fact that around here, I will always be Percy’s ‘tragic’ widow. The keeper of the Lowell legacy, and the go-to person for all community problems needing solving. Around here, I’ll never be just me. The Libby who grew up in Austin, and who wants a different kind of life.
    He sighed heavily, watching her pained expression as she continued speaking her mind.
    â€œJust as you will always be remembered as the guy who got quickly and unceremoniously dumped after Heidi lost your baby. The difference is, you’ve always lived here. You have tons of family in the area. And a ranch that you’ve built that will be your legacy from here on out.” She met his eyes. “Divorced or no, this is the life you are supposed to be leading. Mine was here only as long as Percy was alive.”
    She had thought this through, Holden realized in shock. “You’re serious about moving on, then.”
    â€œAfter more than two years?” Libby put her glasses back on her nose. “Yes. Very.”
    â€œSo if this Jeff Johnston comes in with a good offer…”
    â€œOr even a decent one,” she affirmed.
    â€œYou’ll take it.”
    Libby nodded, keeping the wall around her heart intact. “And I’ll sell the house, move on…and never look back.”

Chapter Two
    â€œYou’re sure this is going to be okay?” Rosa asked Libby nervously on Friday morning.
    Libby nodded and waved the library employee toward the dealership showroom. “You can set up a return desk over there in the corner. The books on hold—and the checkout and information counter—can go next to that.”
    Miss Mim came to join them. She’d brought with her a small army of library volunteers carrying armloads of supplies, boxes of books, even a computer. “Hopefully, we won’t need to be here more than a couple of days.”
    Libby smiled at both librarians. “I’m sure we’ll get this straightened out by then. In the meantime, library patrons will have a place to go for the essentials and information.”
    The dealership business was carrying on as usual. Two ranchers were in the offices, signing papers on new tractors and equipment. Another three were lined up to arrange service on their machines. And Lucia Gordon, the receptionist, was headed straight for Libby, a handsome thirtysomething man in a tweed sport coat and jeans by her side.
    The tall stranger smiled as he reached her and held out his hand. “Libby Lowell, I presume?”
    She grinned back. “The one and only.”
    He shook her hand. “Jeff Johnston.”
    Libby’s jaw dropped in surprise. “I thought we weren’t meeting until this evening.”
    â€œI wanted to let you know I had arrived and checked in at the Laramie Inn.” Jeff looked around. “Plus I thought it would be good to see