One Last Sunset (The Long Ranch Series Book 1) by Michel Prince Read Free Book Online Page A

sense.”
    “Please Bitch, I’m fabulous.” Kendra tossed her braids back. “Now that I’ve saved a cow, how about I save a horse?” Her eyebrow arched.
    Melody got the reference immediately. Thankfully, Doc didn’t listen to popular country music. Mel looked at the clock and was glad to see it was close enough to lunch that she could take off. “How about I take Kendra to lunch and I’ll run a gas spectrometer test on hair when I get back?”
    “Sounds like a plan,” Doc said, then scanned Kendra one more time. “You might want to stop by the store before lunch. Last thing you need to do is blind people who are trying to eat.”
    “I really went too far, huh?” Kendra asked.
    “Look, I get we’re not steeple chasing debutants like you, but we’re not cartoon characters.”
    “You mean she can ride a horse?” Doc asked.
    “She’s quite skilled actually,” Mel replied. “She’s used to riding boots and a helmet.”
    “A wimp and a snob.”
    “Yep, what can I say, she’s the sister I never knew I had.”
    A quick trip to Randall’s Boot and Hat Emporium down graded the sparkle factor by nine, but a girl still needed a bit of bling. Now Kendra sported cowboy boots with a stitched fleur de lis on the side. “How do you handle being in jeans all the time?” Kendra asked as she fanned herself while they entered the Hard Root. “Seriously, it’s hotter than Satan’s Jacuzzi in this town. No wonder you cut your hair down.”
    “I’m in scrubs right now, but when I’m on the ranch I’d rather be a smidge warm than bit by some random animal or cut by equipment.”
    “Well, I’m just glad you let the girls breathe,” Kendra said while dabbing her breasts with a tissue. “Now what dark hell are you dragging me to?”
    The lights did stay low, even in the daytime since there was no natural light, but the food was off the chain. Normally, Mel got her lunch to go. Today may not be any different if Kendra was staying over night.
    “So, how long are you planning to grace me with your presence?” she asked as they sat on stools at the end of the bar.
    “About that…”
    “Oh, Lord.” Melody rested her chin on her hand.
    “I was hoping you’d be willing to take me in for the night.”
    “Something I should know?”
    “The roommate I picked didn’t work out. She’s moving out and I’d rather avoid the bullshit of it all.” She groaned a bit. “El Paso isn’t a terrible drive.”
    “I’m sorry, did your black card get declined? Why did you even get a roommate?”
    “It’s all because of you. I’m used to one now, plus I needed someone to help with Cuddles.”
    “Are you serious? Get a dog walker or something.”
    “I’m going to be at the hospital for days at a time.”
    Mel had to admit she did miss the bratty spoiled puppy with his diamond color and yap that was as threatening as a ladybug.
    “Hey Melody, you want your usual?” Darla Parker asked as she came up to the women from behind the bar. There was something off about her face today and it was hard for Mel not to stare.
    “Sounds good, but my friend here will need a menu.”
    “Menu?” Darla said as she fumbled to find one behind the bar. “It’s been weeks since I’ve been asked for one.”
    “Not a lot of new customers?” Kendra asked.
    “Yeah, we pretty much have the same people all the time. It’ll be good for Carlo to have a new order.”
    “A challenge,” Kendra smiled. “Let me really have fun with this menu.”
    “Why must you be a bother to people all the time?”
    “I told you, I’m fucking fabulous.”
    While Kendra figured out her order, Mel looked around at the regular lunch crowd. They were older than the nightly crowd. Mostly men who used to be part of the night crowd before they locked themselves into a relationship.
    At the end of the bar, Sunny sat picking at a plate of nachos while scratching away at a notebook.
    She must have stared too long at the way the light from behind the bar