Getting Ahead Read Free Page B

whole night chatting, and he wouldn’t have to put much effort into the conversation at all. “Not a whiskey person?”
    She wheezed as she struggled to catch her breath. “Went down the wrong tube.”
    He picked up his own glass and sipped the contents. “I see. In that case, can I offer you another?” He held out the bottle, and she picked up her glass and held it out to him. Pouring her a little more, he tried to catch her eye, but she wouldn’t meet his gaze.
    He poured himself another round, and then he sat back in the chair and allowed himself to relax a little. She certainly wasn’t the type he usually went for. Of course, he typically didn’t pick women for their conversational ability. Quite the opposite, actually. It was refreshing to meet a woman who was able to hold her own against him. She seemed to have no problem taking his crap and shoving it right back in his face. He might not always like it, but it was exactly what he needed. Too many people let him do whatever he wanted simply because of who he was. It was nice to be with someone who only knew him as Colt.
    “Cheers.” He clinked his newly filled glass against hers.
    Tipping the cup back, she downed every last drop before extending her arm. “Hit me.”
    He hadn’t even swallowed a sip yet. “You think that’s the best idea? Why don’t you slow down and have a couple bites of food? I promise not to let the whiskey go anywhere.” Bringing the bottle closer to him, he nodded toward the food in the middle of the table.
    For a moment, she didn’t respond, simply stared at him through squinted eyes. Finally, she sighed and grabbed at the chips. Retrieving a couple from the bag, she dipped them in the salsa and stuffed them into her mouth. “So, what’s a nice guy like you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?”
    He stifled a laugh. At least the woman wasn’t shy about eating. “It’s only nowhere if you don’t know where you are.” It sounded corny, but he’d practiced the response at least a dozen times. He got asked that question a lot. When he’d left pro rodeo, he took his time deciding where to finally settle down. He’d visited a lot of places but only liked a few. This was one of the few places he was truly comfortable. The fast-paced life he’d been a part of for so many years had always felt forced. As hard as he tried to pretend it was home, he always had one foot back on his family’s ranch. Here, life was simple. The minute he woke up, he knew exactly what he would be doing for the rest of the day. Didn’t make it any easier to explain to folks why he’d moved somewhere without a Starbucks or a mall.
    “Well, I certainly couldn’t find this town on a map.” She sat back and relaxed into the couch cushions.
    “Give it time. You’ll figure it out.” He took a long sip from his glass, allowing the alcohol to warm his throat.
    “Maybe I don’t want to.” She crossed her arms, struggling to figure out how to put them together.
    He tried to calculate how much alcohol he’d given her. Her frame was slight, but he still expected her to tolerate the whiskey a little better. “Then why are you here in the first place?”
    “I needed a good place to practice before Frontier Days.”
    He hummed in understanding. “Your normal spot wasn’t good enough anymore?”
    “Too many distractions. Besides, I share my training space there. I need all the time I can get.”
    He waited to see if she would expand, tell him about the terrifying fall that undoubtedly had shaken her and sent her running to his ranch. “I see. So, you find your focus here?”
    She leaned in and snatched a few more chips. “Not quite, but I’m working on it.”
    Not as far as he could tell. The longer she waited to push herself back into training, the harder it would be. She’d succumbed to her fears, and if she wouldn’t even look under the bed, there was no way she’d ever be able to fight her monsters. He’d seen too many men go through