My Kind of Trouble by Becky McGraw Read Free Book Online Page B

forever. He was a decent
cook, but he didn't have time in the morning usually. On weekends,
he'd often eat breakfast at the Bluebird, but their offerings
didn't hold a candle to this.
     
    Cassie looked over at him and she licked her
lips her eyes filled with more than a little heat. He wanted to
moan again, and was tempted to lean over and lick her lips too, but
he restrained himself and dragged his attention back to his
breakfast. The stool scraped on the floor when she pushed herself
off then walked around to put her plate in the sink. "Is daddy up
yet?"
     
    "No, and he needs to stay in bed. I brought
him his breakfast there."
     
    "I agree. I'll be out in the barn if you
need me."
     
    "Okay, Cassie Bee. I'll have lunch ready
around noon. I'll ring the bell for ya."
     
    "Thanks," she said and kissed Imelda's cheek
again "I'm not sure I'll be in for lunch though," she said then
walked to the back door without looking his way again.
     
    Cassie found Bud sitting at the long farm
table inside the bunkhouse drinking coffee and munching on one of
Imelda's biscuits. He glanced over to her when she came through the
door and smiled. Or at least she thought he did, his thick gray
beard covered most of his lower face. "Well, look what the cat
dragged in," he said and set down his cup and biscuit before
sliding a leg over the bench to stand up and open his arms to
her.
     
    She ran into them and squeezed him tight.
Bud whopped then lifted her up in a big bear hug. "Darlin', I've
missed you somethin fierce."
     
    "I've missed you too...so much." she managed
to mumble against this broad flannel-covered chest then felt the
sting of tears behind her eyes. The only regrets she had since
she'd left town was not seeing Bud or Imelda, and not being able to
explain why she'd left them ten years ago without saying goodbye.
She knew it must've hurt them.
     
    "Well, you're back now...when your daddy
needs you. That's what matters," he told her in his gravelly
voice.
     
    Cassie sniffled and rubbed an arm across her
eyes when he finally put her back on her feet. "Yeah, he does need
me. I'm here to help, tell me what I can do."
     
    "Well, you've already got off to a good
start. Thanks for feeding the horses."
     
    "You know you don't need to thank me Bud, it
was...fun."
     
    He snorted. "Fun? Jesus, girl you've been
off the ranch too long for sure if you think that's fun."
     
    "It was fun. I've missed all this,"
she admitted honestly.
     
    "Why the hell did you leave it then?"
     
    "I had to Bud...but I can't talk about it.
Phoenix has been good to me. I have a business there and a fiancé
now." She shoved her finger toward him and showed him the large
engagement ring James had given her.
     
    "Lordy, girl that thing could choke a
mule..." he said then squinted his eyes to take a better look. "You
should put it up someplace safe if you're gonna be working out
here."
     
    She hadn't thought about that. He was right,
she'd probably either lose it or damage it wearing it out here. At
the very least get it full of horseshit or dirt. "I'll put it up
when I go in for lunch. I'll just put it in my pocket for now." She
slid off the large diamond ring and stuffed it in her pocket.
     
    Cassie looked around the room and then asked
him. "So, where are the other hands?"
     
    "I told them I'd be gone this morning so I
told them to come in late. I'm gonna have them out mending the
fence in the south pasture."
     
    "What can I do to help. I don't know your
routine with daddy, and it's been a long time..."
     
    He smiled. "Yep, it's time for you to get
back in the saddle for sure."
     
    Cassie groaned, it had been ten years since
she'd ridden. Riding today meant she'd be sore as shit tomorrow
from using the core muscles that she only pretended to keep in
shape from her twice weekly workouts at the gym at home.
     
    "Really? I thought I'd clean the horse
stalls."
     
    "Nah, we can do that this evening. I need to
ride out and cut a few of the high-risk cows