Buckle Down by Melissa Ecker Read Free Book Online Page B

her back as she trotted around the grounds and along the path through
the woods. Tess inhaled deeply, appreciating the scents of pine and cedar. An
orange butterfly flitted beside her. She watched it for a moment before
returning her attention to the path before her.
    Two squirrels ran up a tree, circling the trunk and jumping
onto the limbs. She envied their freedom. If only her biggest worries involved
finding pecans and avoiding cats.
    After an hour in the woods, Tess headed back to the stables.
Once she entered the clearing, she saw Shane’s truck parked next to hers, and
Phoebe’s car sat a couple spaces over. Great. She dismounted and walked Tippi
back to her stall. She unbuckled the saddle and put it on its perch. She shook
out the blanket and hung it over the stall gate. She brushed Tippi quickly with
the intent of getting out of there before she ran into Phoebe or Shane. She
kissed the horse on the face and walked out and right into Phoebe.
    They stared at each other. “Excuse me,” Tess said, breaking
eye contact and attempting to move past Phoebe.
    Phoebe grabbed her arm. “He doesn’t love you.”
    Tess yanked her arm away. “Are you insane?”
    Phoebe put her hand on her hip. “I just want you to know
that.”
    The nerve of this woman pushed Tess to the edge and she bit
her tongue.
    Phoebe smiled. “You’re nothing special, sweetheart. Just
another piece of ass looking for a rodeo ride. And, he’s a fun ride. I don’t
blame you for wanting some of that. Just know he’ll never take you home to
mama.”
    “There’s nothing between Shane and I. He’s all yours, ma’am .”
Tess shouldered past Phoebe and jogged to her truck. She climbed inside and
gunned the engine, kicking up a cloud of dust as she drove off.
    Tess hated that woman. How dare she talk to her that way? And
Phoebe did not own Shane. Tess’ temper got the best of her and she skidded to a
halt on the side of the road. She checked traffic and made a U-turn. As she
pulled back into the ranch parking lot, she saw Phoebe and Shane. Based on the
angry look on Shane’s face and the flailing of Phoebe’s arms, they were arguing.
Shane stepped back, his fists clenched. Tess didn’t believe for a minute that
he would hit Phoebe but she knew that woman was capable of pushing people
beyond their breaking points.
    Tess jumped out of the truck and stormed over to the pair.
Phoebe was screaming at Shane and he was standing there tight-lipped.
    Tess stepped in front of Phoebe. “Would you shut up for once
in your life?”
    Shane touched her shoulder. “Come with me, Tess. I want to
talk to you.”
    Phoebe started yelling again. “Tell her I’m the one you
love.”
    Shane shook his head. “Phoebe. Not now.”
    Tess spun around and hitched her thumb toward Phoebe. “Do
you love her? Is what she said true?”
    Shane exhaled and glared at Phoebe. “What did she say to you
back in the stable?”
    Tess glared at Phoebe. “She said that I’m just a piece of
ass. If that’s the case, tell me now and I’m gone. If she’s a liar, then we
have something to talk about.”
    Phoebe huffed. “I’m not a liar.”
    Shane addressed Phoebe. “Since you’ve seen fit to discuss
our personal business with Tess, let’s not keep any secrets. Is that fair,
darlin’?”
    Phoebe pursed her lips.
    Shane took Tess’ hand. “Okay then. I’m not in love with
Phoebe and I haven’t slept with her since I slept with you. And I have no
intention of sleeping with her again. You’re not just a piece of ass as Phoebe
so nicely put it. I care.”
    Tess fought the urge to stick her tongue out at Phoebe and
call her a lying bitch, but the crestfallen look on Phoebe’s face gave her
pause. She looked like she definitely had not anticipated what Shane just said
to her.
    He tugged on Tess’ hand. “Come on. We need to talk.”
    Phoebe didn’t say a word and got into her car as Shane and
Tess walked toward his apartment.
    He opened the door and stepped aside to let