Come On Over by Debbi Rawlins Read Free Book Online Page A

living right on the property, Shelby would never have made the impulsive decision to stay. By the same token, it was Violet who had given her hope that Shelby’s grandfather’s bequest was valid. And if she ever needed a time for that to be true, it was now. She’d never felt so lost, not when her parents had divorced or when she’d changed high schools in the middle of junior year and immediately become the girl with the ugly glasses.
    â€œWait,” he said, when she turned back toward the house. “I’m pissed off at this engine. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
    â€œI don’t blame you for being upset.” She wasn’t fibbing, though she’d also decided that being nice to him could benefit her restricted living conditions. “I appear out of the blue, disrupt your life. If the situation were reversed I’d be upset.”
    â€œYeah, well...” He rubbed a hand down his face and rolled his neck, grimacing with the effort. “I’ve been doing some thinking. Obviously you didn’t show up here on a whim. You believe you have a stake in the place, and from what Violet said, you just might,” he said, squinting at her. Then yanked up the hem of his shirt and blotted the sweat from his eyes.
    She stared at his bare belly, tanned and ridged with muscle. How did a cowboy get a six-pack like that?
    â€œDon’t get too excited.”
    With a soft gasp, she snapped her gaze up to his face. He hadn’t caught her gawking. He was still wiping his face.
    â€œOur great-grandpas might’ve been partners at some point, but it seems the Kimballs ended up sticking around and making something of the place.”
    Could’ve fooled her. The barn, even the sheds looked horribly run-down. With the exception of the large, freshly painted structure closest to the corral. “Is that the stable?”
    â€œYep.”
    â€œDo you have horses?”
    â€œWhy? You want those, too?”
    Shelby bristled. Here she’d thought they were moving toward détente. Still, no point in antagonizing him. She forced a smile. “Just making conversation.”
    â€œI have two quarter horses. One is a racehorse. That’s what I do—I train them.”
    â€œOh.” Now it made sense that the stable was in such great condition. Beside it was parked a very nice horse trailer that probably cost a chunk. “So you’re not really a rancher or farmer.”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œI thought I saw some chickens.”
    He studied her a moment. “I have a milk cow, too. But the horses are my main focus.”
    â€œMay I see them?”
    â€œI’m sure you will,” he said, resigned. “Just not right now.”
    â€œOkay.” She looked up at the sky, then toward the Rockies. “It’s pretty around here.” She smiled, and ignored the suspicion in his narrowed eyes. “Peaceful,” she added, wondering if now was the time to ask again about using the fridge.
    She had a better idea. “Well, sorry I bothered you. I came out to get something from my car.” She popped open the trunk and lifted the cooler, then balanced it against her hip while she closed the trunk.
    She slowly carried it down the walkway to the front door, fairly sure he was watching her. Halfway there he said, “Wait.”
    Bingo.
    Him offering the fridge instead of her asking again would be better in the long run. Let him lord his generosity over her, she didn’t care. She got her cocky grin in check before turning to him.
    â€œWhile you’re out here, I might as well show you to your bathroom,” he said, nodding toward the barn, a little smile betraying his amusement.
    She could only stare at him.
    What a prick.
    * * *
    W HILE HE WAS still working outside, Shelby hurriedly took a shower. In the house. Afterward, she pulled on a pair of old khaki shorts and a comfy T-shirt, then wiped down everything, until the