Capturing the Cowboy's Heart Read Free Page A

publicity this story would bring us.  We haven’t been able to afford the advertising we used to and Bustin’ Loose has a huge circulation.  This interview could turn things around for the Flying T.”
    Cade’s expression darkened.  “I have no intention of standing here discussing my financial situation in front of this...” He turned to Lacy, his discerning gaze moving over her, “rag writer.”
    “Rag writer!” she exclaimed, but the two men continued on as if she weren’t even there.
    “I know how you feel about reporters,” Burk replied.  “But your stubbornness is going to cost us the opportunity to keep this place from running into the ground.”
    “No more,” Cade said through tightly clenched teeth.  “We’ll finish this discussion later."
    Lacy sensed a storm brewing and it wasn’t the one that had followed her into town.  
    “Damn it, Cade—”
    “Not here,” came the final warning.  “And not now.”
    Burk turned to her.  “I’m real sorry to have wasted your time, Ms. Dalton.”  That said the ranch hand stalked off toward the barn.
    “This can’t be happening,” she muttered.
     
    Cade muttered a curse as he turned back to the angry young woman who stood on his porch, clutching her briefcase so hard her knuckles had turned white. 
    “It seems we owe you an apology,” he said with a glance in his friend’s direction .  “I’m sure Burk meant well, but he was out of line.  The decision wasn’t his to make.  And I’m not interested.”
    Her mouth moved as if she wanted to argue the point, but snapped shut just as quickly.  Her cheeks were flushed with anger, her amber eyes flashing .  She looked like a volcano ready to erupt and he and Burk were right in line of the lava’s flow.
    Even that didn’t keep the words from leaving his mouth.  “I don’t like reporters. ”
    “You don’t have to like me,” she said stiffly.
    “ I’m real sorry he wasted your time coming here. ”  And mine.   “Burk should have known better. ”
    “That’s it?” she replied with another gasp, making no move to leave . 
    She was a stubborn, little thing.  He’d give her that much.  “There’s not hing else to say.  I have a fence to repair , hopefully before the rain lets loose .  And a ranch hand to fire apparently. ”  Not that Burk would pay that much mind.  The man was a permanent fixture in Cade’s life.
    “Busy man,” she said, her tone as bristly as a porcupine.  But damn if the little blonde wasn’t sexy when she was all fired up.  A thought he quickly pushed from his mind.
    “I’ll see you to your car.”  He pressed a hand to the small of her back and ushered her toward the steps, trying to redeem himself for his earlier lack of manners.   
    She stopped suddenly, letting out a high pitch squeal as one of her heels sank into a groove between the weathered floorboards. 
    He hooked an arm around her waist to steady her.  “Why women risk breaking their necks on those things I’ll never understand ,” he muttered with a frown.  That was all he needed, her breaking an ankle on his porch and adding a lawsuit to all his other financial problems.
    She jerked free of his hold and spun around to face him.   “I could say the same thing about you and your bulls.”
    H is gaze was drawn to the h oney blonde strands that had settled over one shoulder when she pulled away .  He found himself wondering if they were as soft and silky as they looked . 
    “I don’t ride anymore ,” he muttered, irritated by the thoughts her presence evoked in him.
    “Maybe not, but you still have a business connection to the rodeo.  And t he publicity a story in Bustin’ Loose would give you could bring in a good deal more business.  And that, Mr. Tyler, would help ease things for you financially.  Please reconsider doing the interview .”
    Maybe it would , b ut he sure as hell wasn’t going to swallow his pride to feed a bunch of vultures.  Cade whipped