Cowboy for Keeps Read Free Page B

letting me go with them on cattle roundups. The corrals were over
there.” He pointed to the park a block down the street. “The loading station
just beyond them. We’d drive those cows from all over the valley right past this
very spot.”
    “What a sight that must have been.” She imagined the pictures
she’d have taken. Hundreds of cows on the move. “I bet you loved it.”
    “Are you kidding? It was dirty and sweaty and backbreaking
work.”
    “You did love it!”
    He grinned again. “The only thing more fun was the night we
captured Prince.”
    “You’ll have to tell me about it.”
    “For the book?”
    She shook her head. “I’m only responsible for the photographs.
I just want to hear any stories you have from the days before Mustang Village
was built. For inspiration.”
    They entered the half-empty restaurant and were promptly
seated.
    “If I do, you’ll fall asleep,” Conner said, opening his
menu.
    “I doubt that. The last thing you are is boring.”
    He looked up at her.
    When their gazes connected, a zing went through Dallas, half
warm and pleasant, half...
    Wow!
    So much for keeping their relationship professional.
    Was he feeling it, too? Did he also sometimes think about what
might have been?
    Attempting to distract herself, she perused the diner’s daily
specials and waited for her unpredictable stomach to protest. It didn’t. Whew.
She wasn’t going to embarrass herself in front of Conner.
    After giving their orders to the waitress, he removed a pen
from his shirt pocket and began making notes on a paper napkin. “I was thinking
of Saturday for our trip into the mountains. Unless you have plans for the
weekend.”
    “No plans.” She peered at the list he was making, tilting her
head and reading upside down. Water, snacks, twine, a tarp, a map, GPS, first
aid kit, rain ponchos.
    “Is eight o’clock too early?” He continued to scribble as he
talked.
    “No. I’m up at six most days.”
    “Any preference on a mount?”
    “Just something broke. Very broke. Like, if there’s a freak
earthquake while we’re out, the horse won’t so much as swish his tail.”
    Conner’s brows drew together. “You’re an experienced rider,
aren’t you?”
    “Yes, but I’d rather not take any chances.”
    “If you’re worried about the trails being rugged, we can always
take the easier ones.”
    “It’s not that.” She set her fork down, suddenly nervous.
    “What then?”
    She hadn’t planned on making any announcements until she
started showing.
    “Well.” She mustered a smile while rubbing her damp palms on
her slacks. “I’m pregnant.”
    Conner spilled several drops of coffee onto the table before
managing to steady his mug. “Pregnant! Wha...when?”
    “When did I find out? A couple weeks ago. And to answer both
questions you’re too polite to ask, yes, Richard knows about the baby and no, we
didn’t discover I was pregnant until after we’d called off the engagement.”

Chapter Two
    Twice in one morning Dallas had thrown Conner for a
loop. First, when she’d told him about her broken engagement. Then the really
big bombshell.
    She was pregnant. With Richard’s baby.
    A hundred thoughts raced through Conner’s head. First and
foremost, there went the possibility of him asking her on a date.
    “Do you think it’s wise, riding a horse in your condition?”
    “The thought occurred to me, too. What if we took ATVs?”
    “Motorized vehicles aren’t allowed in the preserve.” Conner
shook his head. “We’ll cancel the trip. Gavin can find another
photographer.”
    “I’m doing this. With or without you.”
    He’d forgotten how stubborn she could be when she set her mind
to something.
    “I know the book’s important to you,” he stated.
    “Honestly, I don’t think you have any idea. Yes, it will
educate people on the plight of wild mustangs. And the profits will benefit the
sanctuary. But this book has the potential to launch my career. Take it to an
entirely