He's Got Her Goat Read Free Page A

looked as though he’d sucked on a lemon. “I must go, Paige.”
    “Really?” Her shoulders slumped. “I had hoped you’d cover for me. I’ll only be gone half an hour. Tops.”
    “I can do it,” Austin’s friend said.
    “And who are you?” Paige guessed they were close to the same age, but something about this guy was off. His teeth were bleached, and his nails impeccable, but his clothes told a completely different story. The plastic snaps on his wrinkled plaid shirt would have groaned if they could, it was stretched so tight. At least he had washboard abs. But, his too short jeans were so worn she could make out the edges of his wallet. She wouldn’t have considered his offer, except for one thing. His arm was around Austin in a protective, kind way, and Austin was beaming at this guy like at an older brother. She remembered Austin’s reaction to meeting her last boyfriend three years ago. He’d never liked the cheat even before she'd realized he was unfaithful. No, Austin was usually right about people. But was his adoration enough of an endorsement to trust a total stranger?
    Austin gestured with a stiff hand. “Meet my friend, Sterling Keller. Now I have to go.”
    “You’re sure?” It was a long way to come for the short time he had stayed, but there was no use arguing with him. Austin rarely changed his mind. She gave him another hug. “Thanks for coming.”
    “You’re most welcome. Sterling will work hard and be very punctual.” Austin smiled as if he had told a joke that only he knew the punchline to. Then he shook Sterling’s hand formally. “Looks like the booth is yours, Mr. Keller.” Without another word, he left.
    Standing across from the complete stranger, Paige tried not to stare at his face. Her eyes drifted to his defined pecs and toned thighs, before jolting back to reality. “Okay then.”
    As she headed toward her booth, he hustled to walk beside her. Her gaze flitted his direction, and he smiled and tipped his worn Stetson in a way only a true cowboy can. A rush of warmth bubbled through her, pushing laughter from her lungs.
    “What’s so funny?” he asked.
    “Nothing,” She couldn’t help but think how proud Elaine would be of her current predicament, even if it would only last a few hours. “Well, let me give you the run down, so you’ll know what to do while I’m gone.”
    Only nine cakes of soap were left. At least he wouldn’t have to sell anything. “On second thought, why don’t you simply tell people I’ll be back soon? Oh, and be careful to keep the kids away from the pump.”
    “You don’t like children?”
    She turned to face him, not realizing he was standing so close. He smelled of fresh hay and Old Spice like her uncle used to. It took her a second to find her voice. “I adore kids, but the water makes the ground slick, so they might slip and fall.”
    Her answer seemed to brighten his pale blue eyes. Their unusual color intrigued her as much as the way he looked at her. As though she was the only person in the world. As if he wanted to listen to anything she had to say.
    “If only you were what I needed right now.” The words slipped out unbidden, and she reddened for the second time in less than a half hour. Paige covered her cheeks with her hands and spun away from him, mentally kicking herself. She knew nothing about this guy. That kind of friendliness had got her into this mess with Blanche. You say hi to a stranger, and before you know, it they all but move in with you. Wanting to be as far away from him as possible, she grabbed her purse. “Do what you want. It’ll only be twenty minutes.”
    “As long as it takes.” His deep voice rang through her like a bell.
    She had walked all the way to her car and still couldn’t wipe the silly grin leavening her cheeks at the thought of him. Yup. No faking feelings here. Elaine would be thrilled.
     
    STERLING WATCHED HER GO and breathed a long sigh of relief. When he had seen Austin at