Cowboy Take Me Away Read Free

could forget.
    â€œYou need me to teach the asshole a lesson?” Chase asked, trying not to grit his teeth as he fumed inside.
    â€œNo,” she sighed, attempting a smile that did anything but convince him she was okay. “What I need to do is stop talking about my failed marriage and come see your cattle.”
    Chase watched her long and hard, trying to read her face. She was brave, he knew that already, but something told him that she’d been to hell and back and then some.
    â€œYou want to talk work, let’s go,” he finally said, stepping closer to her and taking a metal kit she was carrying. Hope made a face like she was about to protest, but he took it off her anyway. “You’re not in Canada anymore, sweetheart. You’ve forgotten what good manners southern men have?”
    She laughed, her head tipping back as she walked. “I’ve missed you, Chase. Man, have I missed you.”
    He grinned back at her, wishing it hadn’t been so long since he’d seen her. It had only taken one night to ruin their friendship, and they’d hardly spoken since. She’d been his best friend for years, and now they were as good as strangers, although he could see how easy it’d be to fall back into step like no time had passed at all.
    â€œSo tell me what it’s like working with sperm all day.”
    Hope scowled at him. “You haven’t grown up a bit, have you?”
    â€œNope.”
    He matched her stride, not taking his eyes off her. She’d been beautiful back in college and now she was a knockout. Chase glanced around, checked they were alone and Ryder wasn’t about to come ruin their reunion. He’d fucked it up with Hope once, and if he had his chance, he’d make up for every second.
    â€œSo who’s Randy Smith? I have his name on my sheet.”
    â€œForeman,” Chase told her. “I had him book and confirm the appointment.”
    â€œAh,” she murmured. “Although if I’d looked farther down my chart instead of rushing to get here on time, I’d have noticed the words King Ranch . My bad.”
    He stopped walking, locked his gaze on her when she turned. “Would you have come if you’d known it was me?”
    Her expression didn’t change, her eyes warm as she stared back at him. “Of course I would have.”
    Chase smiled and started walking with her again, even though he didn’t believe her for a second. Something had changed, something was different about her, and it wasn’t just the fact that they’d grown up. But if there was one thing he was good at it was being persistent, and if he had a chance to get Hope back in his life, then he’d make damn sure he didn’t miss the opportunity. If she were happily married he would have accepted the fact, but she wasn’t.
    â€œThat was a lie,” she suddenly said.
    He raised an eyebrow as he turned to look at her. “What was?”
    â€œIf I’d seen your name I would have tried to get someone else to cover for me.”
    He nodded. “Nothing beats the truth.”
    She stopped and stared at him, her eyes locked on his. They weren’t touching, but she was standing close, her perfume filling his senses, strands of her hair being teased by the wind and blowing toward him. He was recalling exactly why he’d found it so damn hard to keep things platonic between them.
    â€œHow did things end up like this between us, Chase?”
    He shrugged. “We really screwed up, didn’t we?”
    â€œYeah, we did.” She blew out a breath. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I never stayed in touch. If it’s any consolation, I’ve missed you a lot.”
    â€œMe too,” he grunted. “All these years and I’ve never found a drinking buddy half as fun as you.” The reasons he liked Hope were a whole lot more than having someone fun to drink with, but he was pretty sure