Heart of Texas Vol. 2 Read Free Page A

on the Yellow Rose was drawing to a close.
    â€œRichard?”
    Maggie Daniels peeked into the bunk house. The kid had become something of a pest lately, but he’d always been popular with children. They weren’t all that different from women, most of them, eager for his attention.
    â€œHowdy, cupcake,” he said, forcing enthusiasm into his voice. “Whatcha doin’?”
    â€œNothing. You want to play cards?”
    â€œI can’t now. How about later?” He leaned against the wall, clasping his hands behind his head.
    â€œYou said that last time.” Her lower lip shot out.
    Yup, kids were just like women; they pouted when they didn’t get their way.
    â€œWhere’s Savannah?” Richard asked, hoping to divert the kid’s attention.
    â€œIn her garden.”
    â€œDidn’t I hear her say something about baking cookies this afternoon?” He hadn’t heard any such thing, but it’d get rid of the kid.
    â€œShe did?” Excitement tinged Maggie’s voice.
    â€œShe told me so herself. Chocolate chip, my favorite. Why don’t you ask her, and when you’re finished you can bring me a sample. How does that sound?”
    Maggie’s eyes lit up and Richard laughed. He loved the fact that she preferred him over Grady. His big lug of a brotherdidn’t know a damn thing about kids. It was comical watching him try to make friends with Maggie. She wouldn’t have anything to do with him, and for once in his life Richard outshone his big brother.
    â€œCome on, I’ll go with you,” he said, changing his mind. “We’ll go talk to Savannah about those cookies.”
    â€œShe’s busy in her rose garden.”
    â€œBut not too busy for us.” Richard felt certain that was true. Savannah had a soft spot in her heart for the child and could refuse Maggie nothing. If he’d asked her on his own, chances were he wouldn’t get to first base, but with Maggie holding his hand, Savannah was sure to capitulate.
    For some reason Richard wanted one of those cookies. And he wanted it now.
    He wasn’t sure why—maybe just to pull Savannah’s strings a bit. But Richard prided himself on getting what he wanted. Whenever he wanted it.
    Â 
    â€œY OU’RE FULL of surprises, Grady Weston,” Caroline muttered to herself as she drove down the highway toward the Yellow Rose. The afternoon had dragged even though she’d been busy. Despite the heavy flow of traffic in and out of the post office, Caroline had frequently glanced at her watch, counting down the hours and then the minutes until closing time. And until she saw Grady again….
    His invitation to lunch had caught her by surprise. She’d all but given up hope that he’d ever figure it out. In the past six months she’d done everything short of sending him a fax to let him know she was interested. When it came to romance, Grady Weston was as blind as they come. Not that she was any better; it’d taken her years to work up enough courage to give love a second chance.
    She’d dated occasionally but never found that combinationof mutual attraction and respect with anyone except Grady. Unfortunately she wasn’t sure he recognized his own feelings, let alone hers. Twice now she’d decided to forget about him, and both times he’d given her reasons to believe it might work for them. Like showing up this afternoon and taking her to lunch.
    She sped up, hoping their lunch date really was a beginning. She wanted a relationship with Grady, a romance—maybe even marriage eventually. Oh, my, but she did like him. He was honest, loyal, hardworking. She admired the way he’d struggled to hold on to the ranch despite grief and crippling sacrifices. Year after year she’d watched him do whatever it took to keep the Yellow Rose, to keep what was important to him and Savannah.
    Caroline and Savannah had always been close, but never