Love Under Two Cowboys by Cara Covington Read Free Book Online Page B

or gold involved.”
    “You guys are way too easy,” Carrie teased. “Okay, let’s get this party started.”
    Chase grinned at his brother. They’d managed to take the first step with their woman, and a significant step it was, too. She’d be here on a regular basis over the next while, and in that time they could court her. And since they told her to fix the place up to her own liking, she’d be sure to be comfortable here, once they asked her to move in with them.

Chapter 4
     
    “Well, it’s almost that time. Are you ready for the outside world, son?”
    George Lockwood kept a tight rein on his emotions, and his polite face in place. He gave the pastor a gentle smile and a nod—what he believed would be the response of a humble man. He felt pleased when the pastor clasped his shoulder in turn.
    Sucker .
    Because he thought a few words were warranted and because he really was anxious to get the hell out of prison, he said, “I am, Pastor Jack. I’m looking forward to settling down right here in Huntsville and starting my life all over again. I’ll find myself a good job, I promise you. I’ve been working hard, and I got my certificate from that computer course I took. I do appreciate you helping me out the way you have. I especially appreciate that you’re here for me today. That’s right kind of you.”
    “I’m pleased to be here for you. You’re a good man, George. A changed man, I can tell. I’ve watched you these last ten years, and I know this to be true. The course upgrades you took and the time you’ve spent in Bible study are going to be a big help in securing employment for you. Learning how to use computers, how to write programs—that was a smart move on your part, accepting my counseling. You’re living proof that it’s just like I’ve always said. Once you confessed your sins, and resolved to become a better man, everything began to go your way.” Pastor Jack smiled at him, as if sharing a great secret.
    George nodded, actually agreeing with the pompous asshole. He didn’t mind that the pastor more or less took credit for having led him to God and affecting his rehabilitation. Let him . Actually the interfering bastard’s poking his nose in had suited George. It had suited him personally and served his purposes to have the pastor believe himself the instrument of divine intervention.
    Appearing to be a member of the man’s pious flock had scored him lots of privileges in this hellhole, including learning all about the Internet. The deluded pastor really had it only partly right, though.
    Once George had decided on his course of action, once he came up with a detailed plan, and once he’d focused himself completely on carrying out that plan, only then had everything begun to go his way.
    Discipline, total, complete, and absolute, was the key to success. He’d always believed it to be so. Now, on this morning—the morning of his liberation—he believed it even more.
    Looking back, he could absolutely admit that things had only gone wrong for him when he’d lost his focus. When he’d let his anger at his woman’s betrayal consume him, he’d lashed out in heated temper and in so doing had made a serious mistake.
    Now he said, with total honesty, “I’ve made grave mistakes, Pastor Jack. Horrible mistakes that I promise you, I will never, ever make again.”
    “I believe you, George. I’m so proud of you, and so grateful to God that he’s seen fit to work in you, through me. As soon as you’re processed, I’ll drive you over to Second Chance House. They’re expecting you. The room isn’t much—just a bed and a dresser. But it’s private and you can consider it your home for now. You’ll be pleased to know your mother sent me some clothes for you. My wife laundered them, and I’ve already delivered them there.”
    His mother could go to flaming hell. If it hadn’t been for her, he would have been able to keep closer tabs on his woman. It was all her fault the bitch