The Cowboy's Little Surprise Read Free Page A

pulled his shirt taut against his chest. Now, she felt herself flushing as she recalled the one and only time—
    No, she wasn’t going there. And he wasn’t staying here. “You must have made a wrong turn somewhere. I suggest you find your vehicle, wherever you might have left it—”
    “I parked near the barn—”
    “—and be on your way.”
    “—and to answer your question, I came to see Jed.”
    “What for?”
    “He invited me.”
    “Then I assume you’ve seen him already and, as I said, you can be on your way.”
    “You and I need to have something out first.”
    Please, no.
Had he caught a glimpse of Robbie, after all?
    He shifted his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. “I didn’t expect to run into you this soon, but since we’ve met up, it’s as good a time as any to talk.”
    “I don’t really have anything to say to you.”
    “But I’ve got something to say to you.”
    He ducked his head, looking suddenly like the kindergartner made to give back the lollipop he’d just sweet-talked out of her hand. Even in those days, she’d have given him anything.
    One night in high school, she’d proven that.
    She turned to the truck and grabbed another sack. “I’m busy, sorry.”
    “I’ll give you a hand, and then we can talk.”
    “No.”
He had stepped up beside her and stood only a few inches away. His nearness unsettled her. The thought of him going back into the hotel upset her even more.
    While she and Abuela had been in town, her son had stayed over at the ranch manager’s house on the property. But Pete’s housekeeper might be bringing Robbie back home any minute.
    “All right,” she conceded. “Say whatever you want to say right here.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    She blinked. “What?”
    He ducked his head again, then tugged the brim of his hat down, shading his eyes. “Look, I know I acted like a real jerk to you back in high school.”
    “High school? You mean that lunchtime you turned me down when I asked you to the dance?”
The time you humiliated me in front of everyone in the school cafeteria?
“I’m over that.”
    “You are?”
    “Of course.”
    “Well. That’s good. But I still feel I owe you an apology.”
    “Oh, please. Don’t even think twice about it.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yes, I’m sure.” She forced a smile and hoped he couldn’t see her grinding her teeth in frustration. She just wanted him gone. Off the ranch. Anywhere but right here, right now.
    “Well, that’s good,” he said again. “I’m glad you’re not holding any bad feelings against me, since we’ll probably be seeing a lot of each other.”
    “I doubt it. The hotel keeps me busy and close to home. I don’t go into town much.”
    “You won’t have to.” His smile didn’t look the least bit forced. “You’ll see me here. I’m back to working for Jed.”

Chapter Two
    “Men are more trouble than they’re worth.”
    Tina’s best friend couldn’t possibly know how much Tina agreed with the familiar refrain right at that moment.
    She looked down the length of Canyon Road, Cowboy Creek’s business section, then back at Ally. They had just met in the parking lot of the hardware store, where Ally worked as a clerk. As often as Tina could manage, they would get together at the end of Ally’s workday to walk, pacing the length of the business section of Canyon Road and back again, for as long as their time allowed.
    Right now, just a few hours after her meeting with Cole, she needed a good, long walk to work off her sky-high stress. And listening to Ally’s complaints about the latest man in her life would be a good distraction. “What now, Al?”
    “Oh, that new wrangler in town, the one I told you about—you know, the cute one.”
    “They’re all cute to you. Can you be more specific?”
    “Details. Always, you want details.” Ally rolled her eyes. “The tall blond one who just showed up in town a week ago. He’s been coming into the store a lot. But I can’t