Cowboy's Bride by Barbara McMahon Read Free Book Online Page B

answered her questions with a
laugh, amused by her avid interest, drawing the conversation to a
close saying, "Well, ma'am, almost every cowboy does a rodeo or
two. Only the really good ones make any money at it. Like
Trace."
    "Trace did rodeos?" She looked ahead where he
and Jose discussed a section of fencing that needed repair. She
could envision him riding some wild horse or bull.
    "Rode, ma'am. Trace rode the rodeos. And did
damn well at it. He made big money before he quit. That's how he—"
Tim closed his mouth and looked at Trace.
    "How he what?"
    He urged his horse faster, catching up with
the two other men.
    "How he what?" Kalli repeated as she drew
even with than, her eyes involuntarily going to Trace, even though
she was still waiting for Josh's reply.
    "Trace, I was telling Kalli how you used to
ride the rodeos," Tim said, almost desperately.
    Trace nodded, his eyes studying Kalli.
    "You didn't tell me," she said, holding his
gaze.
    "Never came up."
    "Josh wouldn't tell me the rest," she said,
her curiosity rampant.
    “ That's how I made my
living when I was younger. But it's a sport for the young. These
old bones wouldn't stand for it now."
    She grinned. "Why, Trace, you don't look a
day over forty." That ought to pay him back some for saying she
wasn't up to ranching.
    "Forty! Hell, woman, I'm only
thirty-four!"
    She laughed. "Excuse me. I thought you said
you were old."
    "Too old for rodeoing. Are you here to learn
about ranching or to insult me?"
    She caught her lower lip between her teeth,
laughter still shimmering in her eyes. "Learn, oh wise elder." She
giggled softly, daring him to ignore the humor.
    The soft lights in his eyes gave him away.
But he turned to Jose and began laying out plans for replacing the
section of fencing that leaned so far over it looked like it’d
touch ground soon.
    Kalli listened with half an ear, wondering
why Josh had looked so worried. Was there more to Trace's riding
the rodeo than they wanted her to know? She was intrigued.
    What other aspects of her foreman should she
be aware of? Or were they wondering if she knew who he was? That he
was the one offering to buy her out?
    She wished she could have seen him at a
rodeo, all cocky and arrogant, strutting around like the cowboys
she'd seen. She'd only been to a couple of rodeos in her life and
had found than fascinating. She would make sure she went to any
held in the area.
    "Daydreaming again, Boss Lady?" Trace asked
as he pushed his horse against hers, his hard thigh brushing
hers.
    She looked up. Jose and Josh were already
several dozen yards across the section, heading up a steep incline.
Trace watched her with those dark eyes, his look holding hers.
    "I was thinking about rodeos," she admitted
reluctantly. "Are there any around here?"
    "Will be later on. Jackson has a big one
later in the summer. If you're still here, I'll take you."
    "If I'm still here? Oh, I assure you, Trace
Longford, I'll still be here whenever it comes to town." She tilted
her chin and kicked the side of her horse, moving to catch up to
Jose and Josh before Trace could stop her. How like him to tell her
she'd go with him. Maybe she'd find another date. Or maybe...
    Maybe she would go with him. Her heart sped
up a little at the thought. Who better to escort her than someone
who knew all about rodeos?
    It was early afternoon by the time they
returned to the homestead. Kalli was so tired and sore she could
scarcely stay in the saddle. Yet every time she felt Trace's eyes
on her, she made an effort to sit up and look at ease. She wouldn't
admit to any weakness before him. He already didn't think she'd
make the grade. She refused to give him any ammunition to
strengthen that belief.
    But when they pulled up by the corral she
looked longingly at her house. Would it be possible to ride the
horse up to her bedroom window, flip open the screen and fall
directly into bed? She wasn't sure she could walk the distance. She
hurt!
    Trace, Jose and Josh quickly