One Texas Cowboy Too Many (Burnt Boot, Texas) by Carolyn Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

school?”
    “I never thought about whether I liked it or not. I got an education so I could teach at our school, but sometimes I wish all the kids in Burnt Boot went to the same school.”
    “Why?”
    “It would better fit them for the world. They only see kids from River Bend and don’t get as much outside contact as they need, and I’m tired of this feud.”
    “Did you go to the private school?”
    “Yes, I did, and then to college, but I was not at all prepared for the world.”
    They bent to pick up their tackle boxes and her hair brushed against the side of his face. He gently tucked it behind her ear, and the soft, dreamy look in her eyes drew him closer and closer until his lips found hers in a sweet kiss. It was impulse, spur of the moment, letting the heart lead the mind. And chaste as it was, it absolutely rocked Rhett’s emotions to the core.
    “Hey, can I have your phone number in case I need someone to talk to later tonight?” he asked.
    Leah hesitated but then she rattled it off. “You won’t remember it, but I don’t have a thing to write with or anything to write it on.”
    “I’ll remember,” he said. “See you later, Leah Brennan.”
    * * *
    Leah mumbled something like, “See you later,” before she turned abruptly and hurried to her four-wheeler. Her heart pounded like a bass drum in her chest all the way back to River Bend. She parked it beside the house, forgot all about her fishing equipment and cooler, and made her way through the kitchen and up the stairs without being seen.
    One glance in the bathroom mirror said she was every bit as red as she felt. Her lips tingled and her hands trembled. She still couldn’t believe that he’d kissed her or how one simple little kiss could stir such emotion.
    “God Almighty, Leah Brennan, it was an impulsive thing out there on the riverbank. It probably didn’t mean a thing to him, and it shouldn’t mean anything to you, and what if someone saw him kissing you?” She fussed at her reflection.
    She groaned when she checked the small clock on the bathroom vanity. She had exactly fifteen minutes to take a shower, wash the sweat from her hair, and get to the dining room for supper.
    She made it on time, but supper was tense, with her grandmother glaring at her through most of it. Her father had left to go to Dallas for a tractor part of some kind.
    Fine excuse , she thought as she chewed food that tasted like sawdust. If she’d thought ahead, she could have told her grandmother that she was going to Kinsey and Quaid’s to play dominoes or watch a movie. But she’d been so bogged down trying to sort out her feelings for Rhett that she’d let the opportunity get past her. Now she was having supper with only her grandmother at the table. Declan had even begged off with some reason or other, leaving her to face the dragon alone.
    “I meant what I said,” Mavis finally said.
    “I don’t doubt it for a minute, but like I said, I’m old enough to make my own decisions,” Leah said.
    Supper seemed like it lasted an hour, when in reality it was barely thirty minutes. When Leah had swallowed her last bite of chocolate cake, she excused herself and went straight to her room. Throwing herself back on her bed, she stared at the ceiling. Things had sure gotten to be a tangled mess in a few short days.
    Her phone rang at eight thirty. She figured it was Honey or Kinsey calling to quarrel with her for sitting on the riverbank with Rhett. As fast as rumors traveled, it surprised her that Mavis didn’t mention it at the supper table.
    “Hello, and if you called to fuss at me, then you can hang up now.”
    “Trust me. I’m not going to fight with you.” Rhett chuckled.
    His deep drawl sent a shiver down her spine. “Hello, Rhett.”
    “Hi, Leah. Want to go for a midnight ride on my cycle?”
    Her breath caught in her chest. “Not tonight. Can I have a rain check?”
    “Sure you can. Did you save my phone number?”
    She nodded.
    “Anytime you