Riding Hard by Vicki Lewis Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

who’s said some hurtful things, but I’m desperate. Please stay. And take the guest room.”
    He took a deep breath. “Okay.” Once the crisis was over, they’d both be like dry kindling ready to ignite. He’d have to get the hell out of there before one of them lit the fire.

4
    O N SOME LEVEL , Tracy knew she was taking a huge chance by having Drake close by, but she simply couldn’t handle this alone. She walked out to the truck with him. “Since you’re staying, I’ll share the money Regan and Lily pay me for house-sitting.”
    “I wouldn’t consider it.” He opened the back end of the truck. “You need that money for school.”
    “I do, but if you’re doing part of my job here, then it’s only fair that...wait a minute. How did you know I’m going to school?”
    He gave her a deer-in-the-lights look followed by an expression that clearly said oh, shit. He tried to pass it off with a shrug. “That’s the way it is around here with secrets. Word gets out.”
    “Sure it does, but not to you. You don’t talk to anybody except Regan and Lily. At least not about anything significant. One of them told you, didn’t they?”
    “Regan told me and then asked me not to mention it, which I just did. Blame it on my big mouth instead of Regan blabbing. He was trying to respect your privacy, but he thought I might want to know.”
    “Why?”
    “He thought...” A dull red colored his throat and moved up to his cheeks. “Never mind. It’s not important.” He leaned into the truck and began sorting through Regan’s supplies.
    “Okay.” She was ready to let the subject drop, at least for now. Apparently her previous high anxiety had blocked her sexual awareness of Drake, because as it fell, her heat level rose. And here she was, within the three-foot limit, which hadn’t been a problem when she was hyperventilating over the possibility she’d have to deliver a foal.
    Now it was a problem, especially with him leaning over like that, which showcased his tight buns. She backed away from the truck. “I need to feed the pigs and chickens. When I discovered Dottie leaking, I lost track of everything else.”
    “Sure. Go ahead.” Rustling noises indicated he was still gathering supplies. He didn’t turn around. “I’ll take care of things here.”
    Then she realized something else. She should offer to feed him —another sticky wicket because logically they’d have to eat the meal together. He might have to spend considerable time within her three-foot limit. Maybe they could sit at opposite ends of Lily and Regan’s dining table as if they were a couple living in a manor house with servants.
    Then there was the menu. She doubted it would suit him, but she had to give it a shot. She’d talked him into occupying the premises, and the guy needed nourishment. A small town like Shoshone didn’t have a pizza parlor that delivered.
    She screwed up her courage. “After I feed the pigs and chickens, I’ll warm up some dinner for us.”
    He turned around, a box in one hand. “That would be great.” He gave her a quick smile.
    The effect was potent. She backed up another step. “I should warn you that Lily’s a vegetarian and Regan’s reverted to vegetarianism, too.”
    “I know. I’ve been over for dinner a few times.”
    “Right. I guess you would have.” So maybe this food situation would work out okay, after all. “Anyway, she was nice enough to prepare and freeze some food for me. I’ve thawed a container of lentil soup for tonight. There’s plenty for both of us, and she also made corn bread.”
    “I’m good with that.”
    She detected a distinct lack of enthusiasm, but she wasn’t surprised. Not a lot of guys became excited over lentil soup. “There’s also a huge chocolate cake.”
    “ Now we’re talkin’!”
    She couldn’t help laughing. “Do you want dessert first?”
    “No, I do not. I’m not five. I’ll eat my lentil soup like a good boy.”
    “All right.” She did her