Cowboy Dreamin' (Thunder Creek Ranch Book 8) Read Free Page B

flicker of light coming from within.
    “Who’s there?” asked a sleepy, sexy-sounding voice.
    “Jack Grayson.”
    She unlocked the door and held it open. “Come in out of the rain.”
    “Thank you.” He stepped inside, took off his jacket, and hung it over the doorknob.
    “What brings you here? Did the horse get worse?”
    “No, I came to eat a little crow. I’m sorry if my teasing set you off this afternoon. It’s been bothering me, the way you took off so quick and all.”
    “You drove all the way out here in the pouring rain and pounded on my door so hard you scared me half to death just to apologize?”
    Jack grinned. “Yep. Am I forgiven?”
    She shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing around her face delightfully. A stroke of lightning lit up the front of the clinic and he saw her cringe and take a few steps backward.
    “Are you all right?” he asked.
    “No, I hate storms. Terrified of them, actually.”
    She was shaking so hard now he was afraid for her.
    “Come here,” he said, and held out his arms. She paused for only a moment before she gave in to the need to be comforted. He held her close to his heart, close enough that her shivers vibrated off his chest. She fit well in his arms, and it felt good to hold her, regardless of circumstances. He could smell her perfume mixed with a womanly scent that was all her own. “This little storm is nothing to fret about.”
    “Little storm?” She snorted a laugh. “I’d hate to see a bigger one.”
    Her trembling had slowed to an occasional shiver.
    “Thank you,” she said as she pushed away from him. “It’s nice to not be alone in this.”
    “Have you had dinner?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “No, the power went out so I went to bed early.”
    “Why don’t I order some takeout and sit with you until the storm ends?”
    “You’d do that? For me? You don’t even know me.”
    “Maybe not, but I know fear when I see it. I’ll even order Chinese. It’s been a while since I had a good feed of the stuff.”
    She grinned up at him. The beam from the flashlight outlined her features in a surreal glow that resembled a halo. “I’d take you up on that, but the phones went out with the power.”
    “No problem. I have my cell. So, we’re on?”
    “Yes, we’re on. Do you need the phone book? It’s over here on the desk.”
    “Thanks.” She held the flashlight as he flipped through the yellow pages and got the number. “What’s your pleasure?” he asked as he dialed.
    “Anything but wonton soup. Hate the stuff.”
    “Okay. Want a hot chocolate or something to go with?”
    “Yes, please. I love hot chocolate. A hot meal and drink might finally get rid of the chill.”
    “Great. I’ll see if the delivery driver will stop at Timmy’s on the way here,” he said as he palmed his phone.
    The first restaurant he called was without power as well, so he tried one downtown and was able to order. “Half an hour,” he said when he disconnected his phone and set it down.
    “Great. We can wait in my office.”
    “Let me run out to my truck first. I think my camp light is still behind the seat.” He turned to put his jacket on. “That’ll save your batteries in case you need the light later.”
    “Okay, thanks. Do you do a lot of camping?” she asked.
    “Mostly hiking when I need to think, but I always go prepared with a few snacks, a lantern, a pup tent, and my sleeping bag. Just me and nature.”
    “Sounds heavenly.” Her voice sounded wistful.
    “Have you never gone camping?” he asked with his hand on the doorknob.
    “Nope, too afraid a storm might blow up. There’s not much protection in a tent.”
    “No, but at least they’re waterproof. Be right back.”
    Jack opened the door, and a lightning strike seemed to touch down right in front of his feet. He yelped and jumped backward in a hurry. “That was close.”
    Allison screamed and scrambled to get as far away from the door as she could.
    “Hey, I’m okay. Calm