My Heart Lingers (A Hearts of Misty Mesa Story): BWWM Interracial Romance by Brandi Boddie Read Free Book Online

drawer and withdrew a stack of papers thick as a small town phone book. “This is the hard copy of the files we need to complete for the center to get accredited. If you’re up to it, I’ll email you the digital version.”
    Kyra reached for the papers. The soft skin of her fingertips brushed over his knuckles. Cole caught the scent of her perfume. It was soft and airy, reminding him of clean linens set out to dry in the sunshine. He studied her as she skimmed through the paperwork. Her lips had a subtle sheen of pink gloss. She puckered them slightly in concentration as she read. He was almost tempted to lean over, take the papers from her, and kiss her right there on the spot. He fought the same urge the night before when he stood with her on her front porch. Cole imagined it was just him being nostalgic and on a high from winning a ribbon in the rodeo, but today he felt exactly the same, if not more attracted to Kyra.
    She set the stack of papers on his desk. “The deadline for filing this is in a couple weeks.”
    “So what’s the verdict, counselor? Do you think you can give me a hand?”
    She tilted her head and her ponytail grazed her shoulder. “I don’t see why not. There are a lot of forms to fill out, but most of them are pretty standard. I can come to the center during my breaks from housecleaning and work on them.”
    Cole was so pleased he almost clapped. “You have no idea how much I appreciate what you’re doing for me and for the kids.” The phone on his desk rang. “Excuse me.” He picked up. “Cole McCrea speaking.”
    “Cole, you have another visitor.” Daisy’s voice barely came through the line.
    “Daisy, could you speak up? I can hardly hear you.” He tapped the volume button.
    Static occurred on the other end. It sounded like Daisy was shifting places. “Are you still there?” This time, her voice was clear.
    “I am. Who’s out front?”
    “I didn’t want to bother you while you were meeting with that sweet young lady, but Mr. Rodriguez is here.” Daisy lowered the volume of her voice again. “I think it’s about you-know-what.”
    Cole held in a tired sigh. Michael Rodriquez used to be one of his old high school buddies. Now he was a nuisance, a money-hungry one at that. Ever since Cole broke land on his ranch for the youth center, Michael had been chasing him down to buy the land from him. He called himself a developer, but Cole saw the extent of Michael’s other properties in town. He left a share of vacant motels, strip bars, run down dives, and closed businesses in his wake, none of which Cole had any intention of letting happen to his property. “Tell him he’ll have to wait. I’m in a meeting.”
    “Alright-y.” Daisy sounded equally weary. “I’ll try telling him again.”
    Cole hung up the phone. “Sorry about that.”
    “No problem.” Kyra turned to the door when she heard the pitter-patter of sneakers and the clicking of tiny boot heels. “Are those the children I hear?”
    “Looks like lunchtime is over for them.”
    The door opened wider. Cole saw the top of a young boy’s red-banded cowboy hat. “Yes, Taylor?”
    Ten year-old Taylor peeked inside. “Mr. Cole, are you going to show us how to tie a lasso today?”
    “Later this afternoon.”
    “Good, ‘cause this is what I did so far.” He stuck his arm inside the office. He dangled a frayed rope, displaying a series of snarls and tangles he previously tried to fashion into a lasso knot.
    Kyra smiled at the little boy. Cole went around the desk and took the rope from Taylor. “First you have to learn to loop the rope like this.” He demonstrated with one end. “Then you can form a knot. Practice the first step, and I’ll show you the second later.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Cole.”
    “You’re welcome. We have a guest at the center today. What do you say to Miss Kyra?”
    The boy peered at Kyra from under the wide brim of his oversized hat. He had to lift it before it fell over his eyes.