Her Summer Cowboy Read Free Page A

sure of yourself and your place in the world and right now I’m feeling a little lost.”
    She stopped rocking as the truth sank in all the way to her bones. Why was she doing this? She should tell Gramps she couldn’t and though he’d be disappointed he’d understand.
    “Why do it then?” he asked.
    The same thing she’d been trying to figure out herself. “He’s all the family I’ve got left. I was raised that you do for family, you know?”
    He nodded and she wished she could see his eyes more clearly under the brim of that black cowboy hat of his.
    “I do know. I’m the same way. Did you know your Gramps and my great-aunt, Tilly, were friends?”
    “No. But then he doesn’t talk to me much about the old days anymore,” she said.
    “Why not?”
    “My daddy toured with Gramps as his opening act. That’s how he met my mom and they fell in love.”
    “That’s it? You ignore the past because of how that ended up?” he asked.
    “Does it seem cowardly to you? I tried to face it but I guess at eighteen I just couldn’t.”
    “But you’re not eighteen anymore,” he pointed out.
    “You’re right. I guess that’s another reason why I’m doing this. Once Gramps stops touring and singing I’ll never have the chance to do it again.”
    “Gotta prove something to yourself?” he asked.
    She sort of did. She wanted to know if she was more like Gramps who could handle the fading spotlight or like her dad who couldn’t live outside of it.
    “Don’t we all?” she asked.
    “Probably. Listen, I’ve gotta bring you back,” he said, glancing at the battered watch on his left arm. “There’s a rehearsal in forty minutes.”
    “Wouldn’t want to miss that,” she said not bothering to hid her sarcasm.
    “Listen,” Hudson said standing up and walking over to her. He squatted down next to her chair and put his hands on the arm rests to keep her from moving. The scent of pine and leather wafted toward her.
    Their eyes met. Her pulse hammered in her ears and she had to swallow because her mouth was suddenly dry. She wanted to pretend she was surprised to see the intensity in his gaze, but the truth was he was so close she was all but surrounded by him. It had been a while since she’d been this close to a man who could turn her on without even trying.
    “I get that your granddad manipulated you into this and it’s not easy for you to do it. So we’re going to make a deal.”
    “What kind of deal?” she asked. He was bossy and she wasn’t too sure she liked that.
    “You can be your sarcastic self around me but you smile and play nice around Alan. He’s become a good friend to me and while I don’t approve of the way he forced you into coming, I know it means the world to him. Your anger will steal some of his joy at spending the summer together.”
    A wave of emotion rolled over her leaving her feeling very warm inside. She’d never hurt Gramps or let him know she was upset. But hearing that Hudson felt the same fierce loyalty to him made her look at him as something other than a troublesome man. He must really care about her grandfather.
    “I wouldn’t be bitchy to Gramps. He’s all I’ve got. But I will take you up on your offer to let out steam. Why are you two so close?” she asked.
    “I let my temper cost me my family and he let his career cost him his. We both understand what’s important now. Not everyone is on that page but him and I are. You about ready to go?”
    He wasn’t going to say anything else and she didn’t really blame him. This long, tall cowboy was something different than she’d expected. Suddenly she burst out laughing.
    Sweet Georgia Peaches, nothing was as she expected.
    “You okay? You’re not losing it, are you?” he asked, turning back to face her.
    “Not yet. What will you do if I freak out?” she asked.
    “Distract you.”
    She tipped her head to the side and put her hands on her hips. “I’m not sure you can do that.”
    “Oh, I know I can,” he