Her Cowboy Knight Read Free Page A

incensed at being spoken about like a child. “So what happened?”
    Dave shook his head and sighed. “Well, this one dodged Rufus’ goat Mabel and swerved into the lane in front of Susan, then crashed. Susan jumped out of her truck and started her normal spouting off. This one took exception, and they started brawling in the dirt, shouting obscenities and such. Rufus and I had a time pulling them apart.”
    Cooper frowned at the girl in front of him. Obviously, he had one of Jed’s ‘projects’ on his hands. He looked at her again and had the thought that she was the prettiest of his projects, though, even with the attitude. She met his eyes then, and Cooper’s world tilted just a bit. No, he couldn’t be this attracted to one of Jed’s delinquents.
    “Thanks for dropping her off, Dave. I’ll take care of it from here. Does she have any gear?”
    Gabby spoke up then. “Yes, she does. If you’ll pop the trunk, sheriff, I’ll grab my stuff.”
    When she went to grab her suitcase, Cooper reached in and hauled it out for her, handing her the smaller backpack. “This all of it?”
    Gabby jerked her head in a nod and shouldered the backpack. The men shook hands, then the sheriff climbed back in the car. Dave rolled down the window and said, “Nice to meet you, Miss Gabby, and welcome to town. I hope you’ll enjoy your stay here.”
    She stuck her hands in her pockets. “Thanks for the ride.”
    Cooper came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Yeah, thanks, Dave. ‘Preciate you makin’ sure she got out here safe.”
    The sheriff gave a wave and said, “No problem, Coop, Miss Gabby. See y’all around.” He gave a wave and pulled off onto the dusty road toward town.
     
    * * *
     
    Gabby stood there very aware of the hand on her shoulder and the height of the man behind her. He had to be at least as tall as her father—6′4″ or so.
    Cooper said, “So I’m guessing you haven’t had the best day so far.”
    His kindness at this point surprised her, and she glanced up at him.
    His eyes crinkled, the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. “Come on, I’ll show you where you can get cleaned up, and you can drop your stuff.”
    He took her to a small room in the barn that contained a bed and a small bathroom. He left her then, saying, “When you’re ready, just come on out to the office in the front of the barn. I’ll have some paperwork ready for you to sign, and we’ll have a talk.”
    He walked away, and Gabby sank down on the little bed. Something about the way he said the word ‘talk’ reminded her of when her father said it when she was in trouble.

Chapter Two
     
     
    After she had made herself a little more presentable, Gabby stepped out of her little room into one of the most well-appointed barns she had ever seen. She looked to her left and saw rows of neatly maintained stalls, and the bright daytime light of the open doors at the end of the rows. She fought a silly inclination to make a break for it, and instead turned toward the front office and a discussion with the strong-jawed, handsome cowboy. She paused when one of the horses stuck his head out of a stall to nicker at her, a blue roan. Out of instinct, she smiled and reached out to let him smell her hand.
    “Gabby!” It wasn’t a shout, but the low voice made her pull her hand back guiltily… and she wasn’t even sure why she felt guilty. When she looked up, Cooper had a stern expression on his face. “Come on in here a minute.”
    He stepped into the office, assuming she’d comply. Gabby hated it that she complied, but she did give a glance back at the roan horse.
    When she walked into the office, he stood leaning against the desk. She paused just inside the door until he indicated a chair in front of him. “Have a seat.”
    She sat down, nervous without quite knowing why. He folded his arms across his chest, which made her notice his arms, corded with muscles and tanned.
    When Cooper spoke, his words took her