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

know it was hard on you, Levi, what you did back then for me. I hope you realize that getting Carrie off the ranch and into college in the city is what she needed.”
    The mug wobbled in his hand. Levi gripped it hard. Hardly a day had gone by that he didn’t wonder what life would have been like if he hadn’t listened to Darren all those years ago and, instead of leaving Carrie behind, asked her to go with him. Sometimes the images in his head were good ones—her waiting at the military base for him when he returned from deployment, having her at his side as often as possible.
    Mostly, though, he ruminated on how hard the life of a military spouse would have been on her. She’d have been alone, in a strange place far from home, moving as soon as it began to feel familiar. Always waiting on him, and him always worrying that she was healthy and safe while he was gone.
    Sending Carrie to Wyoming to live with her aunts had been a smart plan. There she had people to watch over her while she went to college. He couldn’t be her protector, her lover, when he was thousands of miles away for months at a time. No, as much as he regretted everything they’d lost, he wouldn’t change anything. Pushing her away had been the right thing to do.
    A low hum started in his ears. “Yeah,” he heard himself respond. Life on a ranch wouldn’t have been safe for Carrie any more than life as a military wife.
    “She’ll be going back to Wyoming soon.” Darren threw a hay bale and pushed it into place with his knee. “No sense in getting her too wrapped up in the changes going on around here. Being stressed and all ain’t good for her blood sugar.”
    She’d always been a spitfire, quick-tempered and stubborn as all hell. Considering how she’d come to see him, mad as could be, things hadn’t changed much. Levi swallowed his irritation and wiped a forearm over his face. No good ever came from keeping her in the dark—it just upset her more. And why shouldn’t it?
    They weren’t kids anymore. She was a grown woman, and he was going to treat her like one. That included keeping her in the loop like she’d asked him to. He hitched a leg and cranked his head back to stretch out some of the tension that had gathered across his shoulders.
    Darren took off his hat and ran a hand over his silver hair. “I suppose the two of you’ll have a few things to say to each other, too. Just as long as you keep in mind that she’s going back to Wyoming.” The icy glare in the older man’s eyes cut Levi deep and pissed him off equally.
    “Whatever happens between your daughter and me is our business.” Levi pulled off his gloves. “What happens here at Agate Falls in our business.” He pointed between himself and Darren. “That’s the way it’s going to be. Sir.” He squared his shoulders, waiting for whatever response Darren might throw his way. Did he want to clear the air with Carrie about their past? Of course. Didn’t mean he was looking forward to it, or had illusions about things being anything but friendly for them. He was well aware she had a life in Wyoming, and it was her choice if she wanted to go back to it or not. Really, he had no idea what she wanted—not yet.
    Darren gave him a sideways glance before nodding and turning back to his work. “Fair enough.”
    Two short words, but they ended the conversation amicably. He might be Agate Falls’ investor, but Darren was still his elder and he respected the man. He had no desire to go head-to-head with him.
    Voices from outside drew Levi’s attention, especially the feminine one mixed with the deeper male tones.
    “How much fence?” Carrie’s voice was soft and sleepy as she walked in with two ranch hands at her side. Immersed in conversation with the man next to her, she didn’t seem to notice Levi at first. The cowboy leaned in as if telling her a secret, and she smiled. Levi clenched his jaw, grinding his molars so hard a shot of pain went straight up to his