Can't Resist a Cowboy by Elizabeth Otto Read Free Book Online Page A

“Good-bye, Levi.”
    His grin was huge, infuriating, as he walked behind her to go to his own vehicle. His hand traced her lower back as he passed. “How about, ‘until later’? Because trust me, Sunshine, we’re nowhere near done.”

Chapter Seven
    The sun was struggling to wake up when Levi pulled into Agate Falls to help with their branding. Even through his flannel shirt and denim jacket, the chill tugged at his arms and the backs of his shoulders with a damp undertone that spoke of a brewing storm. He found Darren in the cattle barn. The older man handed him a mug of steaming coffee and they got to work gathering rope, veterinary supplies, and other odds and ends. Cowboys had gone out to herd the cattle from the high pasture down to the branding pens. Any time now, other ranchers would show up and they could get started.
    He just wasn’t into it today. His legs ached something terrible. Levi sucked it up and drained his coffee. Branding should go quickly, considering Agate Falls had fewer cattle than Paint River. He should probably take it easy today, but the thought of being idle made him restless. There was too much going on in his mind to go slow.
    “The survey went well,” he told Darren. “I should hear back from them in a week or so with the full report.”
    Darren nodded. “That’s good.” A few ranch hands went in and out. Half expecting Carrie to come walking in at any moment, Levi glanced to the door. She’d always loved branding. When they were younger, they’d ride out with the men early in the morning to round up the cattle and bring them to the pens. When her health got tricky, she’d do small things like help with lunch, or simply stand at the rails and watch. He’d always felt sorry for her that she couldn’t be riding and in the middle of the action, but she never complained.
    “Carrie come to see you yesterday?” Darren asked quietly, almost as if he’d been reading Levi’s mind.
    Levi grabbed a metal toolbox and added it to his pile to carry outside. “Yes, sir.”
    “What did you tell her?”
    That was a loaded question, depending on what exactly he was talking about. They’d slung a lot of words around yesterday and damn if he hadn’t almost kissed her. When she’d pulled his dog tag out of his shirt and held it in her palm, he’d nearly come undone. Emotions had flickered across her face in that moment, from sadness to anger to something that had looked a lot like regret. He’d felt each poignantly as they’d stood connected by that slip of metal.
    “I told her the truth about the survey crew. She’d seen them and asked me about it. I’m surprised the two of you hadn’t already talked about things, though.”
    Darren turned back to his work. “I was going to the other night, but she wasn’t feeling well. She went to bed early.” Before Levi could ask, the older man threw him a look over his shoulder. “She’ll be fine. Just a medication change is all.”
    Levi didn’t respond. How many times had he been with her when her blood sugar went low and she’d needed help? Countless. As she’d grown and her body started to adjust, things evened out and she stopped having so many problems. But diabetes was a lifelong condition, and hers was hard to regulate. The doctors had told her early on that she’d always struggle and have to be vigilant.
    He’d been vigilant with her, and so had her father. Always watching. Always worrying. He’d hoped over the years that things would get easier for her, that her body would find a rhythm with an insulin that worked well. Seemed as if she might still be struggling a bit, though.
    “That’s good.” Levi pulled a pair of gloves from his back pocket and slipped into them with the sudden urge to go check on her. She’d probably roll her eyes and order him out. It had been a little heated between them when they’d parted ways yesterday. He refilled his coffee from a thermos on the ground and did the same for Darren.
    “I