Boots and Buckles Read Free

get her alone and talk to her in private. See how she was, if she still had any feelings for him. If not, he knew he had to move on. This wouldn’t be the place where he’d set down roots and retire. Not if he couldn’t have Mona at his side.
    When his partner had caught her hat and escorted her to the dance floor, Grant’s gut knotted. Sam was as close as a friend could be. He’s saved his sorry ass from self-destruction. And now he was dancing with the only woman Grant had ever loved.
    When the music came to a halt, Grant rose to his feet, with some half-baked thought of going to Mona and demanding she not fall in love with his partner on the tip of his tongue.
    Then Sam bent and kissed Mona. On her lips.
    The air sucked out of Grant’s lungs in a whoosh and he collapsed back in his chair.
    Mona’s eyes rounded and she reached up and slapped Sam in the face so hard the clap could be heard over the rumble of music and conversation of the rodeo cowboys. All eyes turned toward the pair on the dance floor. Sam’s jaw tightened momentarily, then he smiled and dipped his head. “My apologies, ma’am.”
    The room erupted into loud raucous laughter and cowboys slapped Sam’s back on his way back to the table he shared with Grant.
    As Sam took his seat, he rubbed his cheek. “I deserved that.”
    Grant grunted, afraid if he said anything, he’d reveal more than he wanted. Hopefully, the slap on the face would discourage his partner from wanting to see Mona again.
    As Sam rubbed the bright red handprint on his cheek, his face split in a grin. “That lady’s got spunk. I’m gonna ask her out.”

Chapter Two
    Audrey pulled Mona aside as soon as she returned to the bar. “Did that cowboy make a pass at you? Do you want me to have Jackson take him out back and teach him some manners?”
    Mona laughed and pressed her stinging hand to her cheek. “No, no. That won’t be necessary. I overreacted. He was just thanking me for the dance.”
    “Still, I don’t like customers taking liberties with my girls.” Audrey’s eyes narrowed. “I think I’ll have a word with him myself.”
    Mona grabbed her arm. “No, really. I’m fine and he won’t do it again. It was just a knee-jerk reaction on my part. These rodeos bring back so many memories.”
    Audrey pulled her into her arms and hugged her. “I know, sweetie. I shouldn’t have asked you to help out. I know how hard it is.”
    Bunny joined the hug, wrapping her arms around them. “Mona, honey, did that big ol’ hunk of a cowboy kiss you?”
    Mona rolled her eyes. “As if everyone in the saloon didn’t witness that kiss and my reaction. Yes, he did.”
    “And?” Bunny stood back, her brows raised. “How’d it feel?”
    Mona’s immediate response should have been, Terrible . But she chewed on her lip and a smile broke loose. “Not bad.”
    “See? You’re ready to get back out there. To hell with Grant and Dalton. You’re young, beautiful and deserve to find a little love.” Bunny pounded her back.
    Mona winced at the force of Bunny’s exuberance.
    Audrey’s brows twisted. “Bunny’s right. It’s been three years. You really should give yourself a second chance. Not all cowboys are losers.”
    “Yeah, but Sam is a rodeo cowboy. You know the routine…a girl in every town. I don’t want that. I’ll find a man here in Temptation. One who isn’t going to up and leave me for the next town, the next woman.” She sighed. “Although Sam’s arms were really strong and he was so tall I couldn’t see over his shoulders.”
    “So what’s it going to hurt to see a guy like that? It’s not like you’re going to marry him,” Bunny noted. “You could practice your moves on him while you’re looking for a man to settle down with.”
    Mona looked at her friend as if she’d had one too many. “That sounds so calculating. I couldn’t do that to him.”
    “Why not? Rodeo cowboys would do it to you.”
    Mona tapped a finger to her chin. “Yeah, they