Back Where You Belong by Vonnie Davis Read Free Book Online Page A

like some? It’s a weakness of mine, I’m afraid. I’ve been eating it at every rodeo since I was nine.”
    The girl pushed her frames up her nose. “Yes, please. I’ve inherited my dad’s sweet tooth.”
    “Oh, a girl after my own heart.” She turned to order another, then glanced over her shoulder. “Tyler? Do you want one?”
    “No, thanks. I’ll just take a bite of Olivia’s…or yours.” His slow, sexy-as-hell grin took her breath away and warmed her insides.
    She handed Olivia her cotton candy. “Women do not share. Do we, Olivia?” The girl giggled which pleased Lacy. She laughed and popped a piece of the confection into her own mouth.
    Tyler wrapped his other arm around her waist and drew her to his side. “Just what every man dreams of, walking between two pretty women. See you’ve worn your championship belt buckle. Looks good with your denim skirt. You look good.” His eyes darkened as he gazed at her.
    Someone called his name, and he raised a hand in greeting. Then before she knew what was happening, he tore off a hunk of her cotton candy and pushed it into his mouth.
    “Hey!”
    He winked at his daughter. “She doesn’t know me, does she?”
    Olivia held her cone of cotton candy away from him. “Daddy always steals people’s food. He’s incorrigible.”
    Lacy laughed and shot Tyler a look. “Incorrigible, huh?”
    “Yup, that would be me. Been here long?”
    “Long enough to make the rounds with Grandpa. He’s talking to some old friends now.” She motioned toward a group of older men, who laughed and slapped each other’s backs, no doubt exchanging stories. “I see you’re still wearing a tan hat to the rodeo. Is that the same one you wore years ago?”
    He touched the brim. “One of my superstitions, I’m afraid. Wore it when I won my first ride.” He pulled her closer to his side. “Hey, don’t be so stingy with that stuff. I only got a little taste. A man needs more.”
    Olivia giggled at his teasing her, and before the girl knew what he was up to, Tyler distracted her by pointing at something and then tearing off a piece of her fairy floss.
    “Dad.”
    “Let’s walk around for a little bit, give me a chance to show off my girls. Lacy, will it be okay if Olivia sits with you while I ride?”
    “Sure. Sounds great.” His referring to her as one of his girls sounded a little old fashioned, but Lacy found she liked it. Then again, she’d always liked everything about Tyler Desmond.

Chapter Seven
    A couple hours later, Lacy sat in the bleachers with Tyler’s daughter waiting for the bull riding competition to begin.
    Olivia pushed her glasses up on her nose. “I’m glad this is Daddy’s last bull riding competition. He promised me he’d stop.”
    “Don’t you like his riding?” Lacy didn’t like it either, especially if Tyler was out of practice. She enjoyed the sight of his powerful mastery over the bull, but not the impending danger that hovered overhead as the bull tried his best to get rid of the person on its back.
    “I always have nightmares the night before he rides. Bad dreams, you know?” She gazed at Lacy with woeful brown eyes.
    “Tell you a secret, Olivia. I had a bad dream about him last night, too.”
    The teen’s eyes grew larger, and she slid closer to her. “You did?” When Lacy nodded, Olivia kept on talking as if she needed to unload. “Dad says he’s riding to put winnings into my college fund. I told him that was hooey. I told him he was riding to ramp up his macho image.”
    “Oh, honey, he’s macho enough on his own.” Oh, crap, did I just say that to his daughter? “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. Your father and I are just friends.”
    A wide smile creased her little heart-shaped face. “Oh, I think it’s more than just friendship. Daddy never introduces me to his lady friends. You’re special to him. I can tell.”
    Lady friends? So, he has lady friends? A stab