Bachelor Cowboy by Roxann Delaney Read Free Book Online Page B

the little guy, but she always manages to see me ride.”
    “I’m glad she was able to come to terms with rodeo and bronc riding,” Dusty said. “It was touch and go there for a while with them.”
    “If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be here.”
    “I doubt Tanner would have ever stopped you, but it’s good you have her on your side, too. Tell him I’m sorry I missed him,” Dusty said. “And Jules, too. And tell them to stop in and see me sometime.”
    “Any chance you might drop in and see us? I could sure use some roping practice or at least a few pointers.”
    “One of these days. Soon. I’ve been helping the Claybornes with harvest, but once that’s done, I’ll have some free time.”
    “Good. I’ll pass the word along to the family.” Shawn waved as he turned away and walked toward the parking lot, his equipment bag swaying against his leg.
    Dusty ordered and paid for a soft drink for Kate and a beer for himself, and then he made his way back tohis seat. “I hope this is okay,” he said, settling beside Kate and handing her the soft drink.
    “It’s fine. I’m not picky.”
    “That’s a surprise.”
    This time, she turned her head to stare at him. “You make me sound unreasonable. I assure you I’m not.”
    “No, just stubborn.”
    She swiveled in her seat to face him. “ I’m stubborn? I’m not the one who—”
    “Kate.”
    “What?”
    “You are stubborn. But so am I.”
    Opening her mouth to reply, she quickly closed it. “At least you admit it,” she said, adding a smile. “Did you talk to Shawn?”
    He stared at her, wondering just what she had been doing while he was getting their refreshments. “Were you spying on me?”
    Her blue eyes widened with pure innocence. “Heavens, no. But I know that after Shawn’s ride is a good time to catch up with him.”
    “I talked to him. He was disappointed about his score, but I told him there wasn’t any reason for that.”
    “He did have a good ride.”
    “Not according to him,” Dusty said, chuckling. “But like I told him, he hasn’t been competing all that long.”
    “Will the two of you be roping together again?”
    “Maybe. It depends.”
    “On what?”
    “On a lot of things. Will you come watch if we do?”
    “It depends.”
    He nearly laughed at the way she had turned thetables on him. Now that he’d gotten her away from the farm and her office, she was relaxed. Intelligence and beauty. What a combination!
    “We need to do this again,” he said, planning their next outing. She would never accept that this was a date.
    She shook her head. “That’s unlikely.”
    “Why?”
    “This is a one-time thing, Dusty.”
    “You’re not having a good time?”
    “That’s not the point.”
    He studied her for a moment and then said the first thing that popped into his mind. “Why does a beautiful woman like you hide herself away?”
    She wouldn’t look him in the eye. “I’m not beautiful,” she said, turning away.
    Taking her by her shoulders, he turned her back so she would have to look at him. “You’re not? Could’ve fooled me.”
    For a split second, he thought she believed him, but then he felt her shoulders stiffen beneath his hands. “It’s a good line, though,” she said, even managing to smile. “You use it often, I’m sure.”
    He shook his head. “Only with beautiful women.” But the head shake worsened the pain of his headache, and he didn’t resist as she pulled away.
    He was surprised when she touched his arm, concern evident in her eyes. “Are you okay?”
    Nodding, he winced. “Headache.”
    “You should have told me,” she said, taking his arm to tug him to his feet. “Let’s go.”
    “It’s all right, I—”
    “Now. Do you want me to drive home?”
    “No, I don’t. I’m okay.” But he gave in and followed her, knowing it wouldn’t do any good to refuse. And he didn’t really want to. He suspected his headache would only get worse the longer he was out in the