Never Marry a Cowboy by Lorraine Heath Read Free Book Online Page A

do.”
    â€œDo you deny that you charm women?”
    â€œI don’t deny that, but a woman’s heart is like delicate hand-blown glass, and I treat it so.”
    She plucked another blackberry from the bowl, not wishing to know about all the women’s hearts he had handled. “Tell me about Galveston.”
    â€œHave you never been?”
    She shook her head. “I was hoping we might make it to the coast, but David is anxious to get back to Dallas. Madeline is expecting a child in the next month or so. So he not only misses her, he’s worried.”
    â€œBut he left her to bring you here.”
    â€œI could have saved him the trip if he’d told me his plans.” She placed her hand over his. “I’m so sorry he put you in such an awkward position. He never should have asked of you what he did.”
    â€œI’m sorry I could not have obliged him and given you your wish.”
    â€œUncle Kit, Pa says you need to git yourself over here,” the oldest boy said.
    â€œAll right, Johnny, I’ll be there in a moment.” He held her gaze. “Actually, I didn’t come over here to make you eat, but to gain a favor.”
    â€œWhat favor?”
    â€œYour hair ribbon.”
    She touched the black silk that held her hair in place. What could he possibly want with it?
    Then it dawned on her so clearly that she was almost giddy with delight. A joust, knights, a favorfrom a damsel. She removed the ribbon and handed it to him. “Sir knight, you honor me.”
    With devilment reflected in his eyes, he brought it to his lips. “The honor is mine, sweet lady.” He tapped the bowl. “Finish these off so my efforts weren’t wasted.”
    She watched with interest as he unfolded his body and strode toward the buggy. Sleek and powerful. She could not imagine why he didn’t already have a wife of his own. Any woman would be a fool not to want him as a husband. David could not have selected a more enticing groom for her. A shame his idea held so little merit.
    Her breath caught as Kit removed his cravat, jacket, and shirt, placing them carefully in the buggy. “Magnificent” was the only word to enter her head. Her heart thundered as though to announce the arrival of a storm.
    He swung into the saddle, and the horse pranced around as confident as his master. The other two men had also removed their shirts, but they didn’t hold her attention as Kit did. Bronzed flesh stretched taut across his chest and back. His hardened muscles rippled as he took the lance from the boy, tied her ribbon around one end, and tucked the long, thin pole beneath his arm.
    With a brusque nod, he kicked his horse’s flanks and barreled along the track, the lance snatching ring after ring from the poles. Six in all.
    For a fleeting instant, she wasn’t in Texas. She was in England, surrounded by pageantry and gallantry.Little wonder David had chosen Christian Montgomery. In one afternoon, he had her heart beating as though it had never beaten before.
    He trotted the horse toward her, victory emanating from him. To have such strength, such confidence.
    â€œImpressed?” he asked.
    She smiled brightly. “Very.”
    â€œWant to give it a go?”
    The air backed up in her lungs. “I beg your pardon?”
    â€œWould you like to try your hand at some tournament play?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t think I can.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œIf I were to fall, David would have a fit.” She stared at him as comprehension dawned. “That’s why you didn’t let him come.”
    â€œI’m sure he means well, but he’s suffocating you as much as your illness.” He dismounted. “The horse is gentle and trained. I’ll ride behind you to hold the lance steady.”
    She set the bowl aside and slowly rose to her feet. “I’m not properly dressed. If I sit astride, my skirt will hike