A Cowboy for Christmas by Bobbi Smith Read Free Book Online

handsome. “Who are you? Why are you here?”
    From her dark hair and dark eyes that sparkled with intelligence to the elegant blue gown she was wearing, Penny was exactly what Dan thought a fancy eastern lady should look like, and he immediately wondered if he had any chance at all of convincing her to return to the Lazy Ace.
    “My name’s Dan Roland. I work for your father, and I have news for you from him. Is there some place private where we could talk?” He quickly forced himself to concentrate on his reason for being there.
    Penny was about to answer when the doorman grabbed Dan by the shoulder. “You’re not going to be doing any talking. You’re leaving now, cowboy. Let’s go,” the servant ordered.
    Penny spoke up, not wanting any trouble. “No, wait.” Dan Roland wouldn’t have gone to so much trouble to speak with her if what he had to say wasn’t important. “It’s all right. I need to have a few moments with Mr. Roland.”
    Edwin Chase came up just then to see what was going on. “What’s the problem, my dear?”
    “There is no problem, Mr. Chase. Mr. Roland traveled all the way from my father’s ranch in Texas with some news for me. We need to speakprivately, so I was wondering if we could use your parlor?” Penny asked politely.
    Edwin looked at the stranger for a moment and was impressed when the intruder met his gaze straight on. He could see no deception or conniving in his regard, and he sensed there was no threat from him. “Come with me.”
    He had started to lead the way from the ballroom when Matilda demanded, “Penny! What’s going on?” She had been sitting with some of her friends at the very back of the ballroom and had missed all of the initial excitement. Only when someone told her of the uninvited cowboy who’d gone after Penny did she get up and rush over to find her niece standing with a tall, impressive man who was no doubt a Texan.
    “This is Mr. Roland, Aunt Matilda. He has a message from my father,” she quickly explained.
    “I’m taking them to the parlor, Matilda. Why don’t you come with us?” Edwin suggested.
    Matilda went along as their host led them from the ballroom with everyone watching with open interest.
    Amanda was standing on the far side of the ballroom when she saw Penny walk out with Mr. Chase, her aunt, and the stranger. She couldn’t imagine what was going on. She hurried over to find Richard, who was standing with one of the other men.
    “What happened?” Amanda asked as she joinedthem. “Who was that man with Penny and her aunt?”
    Richard shrugged dismissively. “Something about a message from her father.”
    “So the man just climbed up on the balcony and came in to find her.” The other man added.
    Amanda was amazed at the stranger’s resourceful determination. “I wonder why he didn’t just wait until tomorrow to try to reach her?”
    “Who knows?” Richard said. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is the musicians are playing again and we’re not dancing, Amanda. May I have the honor?” Earlier, he’d been seriously considering courting Penny, but after seeing how she acted with the cowboy, he believed Amanda just might be more to his liking.
    “I’d be delighted,” Amanda responded. At any other time, being in Richard’s arms as he twirled her around the dance floor would have been as close to heaven on earth as she could get. But she was too worried about Penny to fully appreciate the experience. What could have happened?
    Edwin Chase took them down the main hall to the front parlor. “I’ll leave you to take care of your business. If you need anything—” He looked to Penny, wanting to reassure her.
    “Thank you, Mr. Chase.” Penny was truly grateful that Dan’s unexpected intrusion hadn’t caused too much trouble. She didn’t want to ruin anyone’s good time.
    Edwin left the room, but he did not close the hallway door on his way out. He wanted to make sure the ladies were safe, and by leaving it open,