Bad News Cowboy Read Free Page A

embarrassing to have to admit that I’m not the worst person in the world?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” she asked, looking back at him, her dark eyes glittering.
    â€œYou’re blushing, Garrett.”
    She pressed her palm to her cheek before lowering it quickly. “I am not. What the hell would I have to blush about around you?” She turned her focus back to the computer screen, her expression dark now.
    â€œYou wouldn’t be the first girl I made blush.”
    â€œGross.”
    â€œAre you bringing that pie tonight?” He thought it was probably best to change the subject, because something about it was making him edgy, too.
    â€œI don’t know. I might hide it back in my house and keep it all for myself.”
    â€œYou can’t eat a whole pie.”
    â€œI can absolutely eat a whole pie. And will.”
    â€œBetter idea. Only you and me know about the pie. Save it, and I’ll come back to your place with you.”
    Kate blinked rapidly. “No.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come to my house. I mean, I think we need to share it.”
    He wasn’t sure why it was so difficult to find a topic that didn’t make her mad or...weird. Jack never had problems talking to women. Women liked him. He liked women. The exception seemed to be Kate. And seeing as he’d known her the better part of her life, he couldn’t fathom why. Usually, their banter was pretty good-natured. Lately, he wasn’t sure that was the case.
    â€œYour total is one ninety. That includes shipping,” she said, the change in topic abrupt.
    â€œGreat. When do you expect it to be here?”
    â€œShould only take two days.”
    â€œEven better.” He reached into his back pocket, took out his wallet and handed Kate his debit card. “I might actually swing by the bakery and pick up another pie on my way home.”
    â€œYeah, I wish there was more I could do to help. For now, all I can think of is increasing my pie consumption. Which I’m not opposed to. But there has to be more that can be done.”
    Ideas started turning over in Jack’s head. His brain was never still. Not unless he was on the back of a bull intent on shaking him loose. Or riding his horse so hard and fast all he could hear was the pounding of hooves on the ground. In those moments he had what he imagined was tranquility. Outside that, it never happened.
    â€œIf I think of anything, I’ll let you know,” he said. He was already determined that he would think of something.
    The printer whirred, spitting out a receipt that Kate tore off and handed to him. “You’re all set. Someone will give you a call when it’s in.”
    â€œGreat.” And then, for no other reason than that he was curious whether or not he could make her cheeks pink again, he tipped his hat, nodded his head and treated her to his patented Monaghan smile. “See you later, Katie.”
    He didn’t get a blush. He didn’t even get a return smile. Instead he got a very emphatic middle finger.
    Jack laughed and walked out of the store.

CHAPTER TWO
    â€œI COME BEARING FISH ! And chips. Well, French fries. But you knew that.” Kate pushed her way through the front door of Connor’s house holding two large white takeout containers. One held the fried fish fillets, and the other the fried potatoes.
    â€œI’m starving.” Kate rounded the corner and saw her sister-in-law, Liss, standing in the center of the dining area with her hand on her rounded stomach.
    â€œYou’re eating for two,” Kate said. “Or so I’ve heard.”
    Liss screwed up her face. “That would make sense. If I knew I was gestating a ravenous wolverine rather than a human child.”
    Kate laughed and walked over to the table and set the cartons down. The only other thing on the scarred wooden surface was the big green Oregon Ducks