Tattoos and Transformations by Melody Snow Monroe Read Free Book Online Page A

She sat only because her legs had a hard time keeping her upright. Hmm . That didn’t go as she’d hoped, but it was as she’d expected.

    * * * *
     
    Holy shit . Clint had said Dakota had changed, but he never would have imagined she’d have made such a drastic transformation merely by dyeing her hair and taking out those damned piercings. She had the same charming smile and her eyes twinkled with mischief like they always had, but he knew that once her opening occurred and everyone learned what an amazing artist she was, she’d revert back to being punk Dakota at some time. He doubted the pink-lipstick phase would last long.
    Call him crazy, but anyone who would go to such extremes to get 48
     
    noticed wasn’t for him. All that freaky hair stuff and piercings screamed she had no desire for anyone to get close to her. He understood she had issues with her mom dying, but she was only six when that happened. Maybe he was being insensitive, but dyeing her hair all sorts of colors wouldn’t bring her mom back to life.
    Maybe what got him the angriest all those years ago was when she said she was going to go to Washington University in St. Louis, where both he and Clint ended up. But did she? No. She decided to stick around Intrigue and help Jade. While noble, she might have been a renowned artist by now if she’d followed her heart.
    When he first met her, she’d been the smallest girl he’d ever seen, but the most fearless at the same time. He was nine and a bit intimidated by her. Clint, however, followed her around like a puppy.
    Then they got smart and moved on, but Dakota appeared to be fascinated by both of them. Maybe that was why he didn’t want to dip his wick into her.
    He got to the barn and saddled his horse. Running a ranch was a big job and becoming more demanding each year. Too bad Clint loved creating beautiful yards out of dirt or he’d try to convince him to help. He knew all too well that people’s passions never changed.
    Clint loved design like Jade loved iron. He’d always be a horse man.
    Hell, maybe Dakota would always be an artist.
    The day was shaping up to be a warm one. So far, they’d had a nice summer and he hated to see the weather change. The cold would be here soon enough.
    Heading toward where the cows were congregating, he glanced over his land. While he didn’t own a spread anywhere near as big as his dad’s, this five-thousand-acre parcel was the perfect size for him.
    As he neared the herd, he spotted a piece of the fence down and rode to check it out.
    It looked like someone had driven a truck straight through the fence. “What the fuck?” He glanced over his shoulder and spotted two of his hands, who seemed oblivious to the possible hazard. Last thing
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    he needed was for his cattle to escape. His land was on the eastern edge of the Callen estate. Old man Whitaker’s place sat to the east of him, and the guy didn’t like stray cattle to trespass.
    Cord and Jack were inspecting the herd when he rode up to them.
    “Hey, Cord. You see that downed fence?”
    He looked up like he had no idea what his boss was talking about.
    “Huh?”
    Morgan pointed to the potential problem. “Can you do something about that? What the hell do I pay you for, anyway?” Cord jerked back as if he’d been hit. The man was lucky he hadn’t gotten off his horse and done just that. One fight a day was all he could stomach. Morgan turned his horse around and headed back to the barn. If he stayed around much longer, there was no telling how many people he’d alienate today.
    Dakota’s face flashed before him. He thought he’d more or less banished her from his mind years ago, but here she was again, trapping his heart. It was like they were nine and ten again. He remembered the time Clint suggested they all play doctor. Where Jade was at the time he didn’t recall, but it was just the three of them.
    As soon as he started to unbutton his shirt, Dakota took one look and ran away. After