His Cowgirl Bride Read Free Page A

she’d planned. Housesitting, waiting tables and fending off good-natured cowboys was fun enough. Still, she’d rather be learning how to tame a horse.
    She didn’t hold her situation against anyone, though. Especially the thick-skulled cowboys. If they wanted to spoon it out, she could sure dish it right back at them. It was all in good fun from most of the men who frequented the place. Fellas like Jess werea different story. She knew he really did hope she’d go out with him sooner or later. That wasn’t happening. Not yet. Dating wasn’t in the long-range plans of her life right now. Love got in the way of plans…and this girl had plans that nothing was sidetracking—well, nothing except Brent Stockwell, at the moment.
    All it had taken was a quick call to Sheri, and the truth came out. Pace had called Brent and, just like that, the man had headed to Mule Hollow to take over the job that was supposed to have been hers. Feeling her neck muscles seizing up, Tacy tried hard to concentrate on her job instead of the cocky cowboy who was now her biggest obstacle. She knew Sheri had known she wouldn’t be happy, and that had to be her reason for keeping silent. Grabbing the plates of hamburgers Sam had ready, Tacy headed back toward the dining room. She would not let her temper flare out of control. Despite her newfound resolve, Tacy almost dropped her armload of burgers as Brent Stockwell walked in through the heavy swinging door.
    â€œHeads up,” she drawled to the table of cowboys, proud that she was managing some semblance of calm. She slapped the plates in front of the cowboys as she kept one eye pinned on Brent. He sauntered toward the food counter and slid onto the cowhide stool. Catching her off guard he glanced around and caught her staring…okay, gawking! Now that was a cowboy!
    Feet dragging, she went to do her job. “Hi,” shesaid, grabbing a menu from behind the counter and setting it in front of him. “Welcome to Sam’s—” she didn’t call him by name; it was not her business to announce to the world who he was. She was just here to take his order “—where everyone and anyone is welcome,” she added just for kicks.
    He took the menu, leaned slightly forward and smiled at her. “Thanks for the welcome.”
    He kept his voice low and smooth so only she could hear him, as if they were sitting in a five-star restaurant with candles aglowing. “What’s good?”
    At sound of his voice, Tacy’s mouth went dry. It was humiliating. “Everything, depending on what you feel like,” she said, holding her voice steady. Thankfully her quick-witted humor came roaring to her rescue. “Sam’s got a mean burger, a tough chicken-fried steak and the enchiladas are to die for—and that’s just for starters. The meat loaf is a real kick in the pants, too.”
    He gave her a lopsided grin that added insult to injury. “Sounds like my kind of food,” he drawled.
    â€œBest in Texas,” she drawled right back at him. “Quesadillas are killer, too, but you don’t strike me as the quesadilla type.”
    His clear turquoise eyes twinkled in challenge. “You’d be right about that.” He laid the menu down and cupped his hands on the counter, his gaze never wavering from hers.
    â€œYep. Not nearly macho enough.” She crinkled her nose in teasing distaste. “Quesadillas are for girls.”
    His lip curled into a slow smile. “Something like that,” he said as the smile reached his eyes.
    No wonder he’d been such a ladies’ man back when he was making headlines. “So what’ll it be?” she asked, fighting to keep her wits about her. The day before, the man had treated her like she was an idiot who couldn’t be trusted around horses. Today he was flirting with her—and she was enjoying it, no matter how much she didn’t want