The Cowboy And The Debutante by Stella Bagwell Read Free Book Online Page A

“but I needed to talk to you before you left for Alamogordo this morning. And I remembered this place had never had a telephone.”
    He pulled the towel from his neck and wiped the remaining shaving cream from his jaws and upper lip. “I have a cellular in case of emergencies.”
    Her mother had failed to tell her that bit of information. The idea Chloe was deliberately throwing her at Miguel deepened the frown that was already marring Anna’s face.
    â€œI didn’t know,” she admitted.
    His weight shifted from one boot to the other as though he was waiting for her to continue and was irritated that she hadn’t. “Has something happened?” he asked.
    She nodded, and he motioned with his head for her to follow him inside. As soon as she passed through the small foyer and into the large living room. Anna was immediately struck by the difference in the place. All of Lester’s and his wife’s things were gone, along with the clutter and hominess the older couple lent to the place. The room was now sparsely decorated, yet surprisingly neat and comfortable.
    Without waiting for an invitation, she took a seat on a plump sofa covered with brown suede.
    â€œDid you know my twin had gone to South America?” she asked without preamble.
    Miguel stood facing her in the middle of the large room, as though sitting would encourage her to stay longer than necessary. Well, he needn’t worry, Anna thought. She was going to be out of here like a shot as soon as she got her mother’s message over with.
    â€œYes. Your father had talked to me about his leaving. He hated to see his son go, but he thought it would be good for him and his work.”
    Anna nodded. “Well, it seems Adam was involved in some sort of accident, and my parents have flown down there to be with him. They left early this morning around two o’clock.”
    Miguel looked at her sharply. “Was he hurt badly?”
    Anna shook her head. “We don’t think so. I mean, a broken leg is bad enough, but it doesn’t appear to be life threatening.”
    His expression eased. “Thank God for that.”
    Anna sighed. “I do.”
    â€œSo was there something else your mother wanted me to know or do? Does she want me to see after her horses while she’s away, or does she want me to hire someone?”
    â€œI’ll be taking care of the horses.”
    Anna rose to her feet, then suddenly wished she hadn’t. She could feel Miguel’s dark eyes running up and down the length of her as though he were sizing her up and found her totally lacking.
    â€œYou?”
    â€œThat’s what I said. Do you have a problem with that?”
    Other than the faint lift of his brows, his expression didn’t alter. “Why don’t you go into the kitchen and pour yourself a cup of coffee while I finish dressing.”
    Why was he going to bother with dressing now? she wondered wildly. She’d already gotten an eyeful, and she hated him for being so blatantly sexy. Now whenever she looked at him, she wouldn’t be seeing him in a work shirt. She’d be seeing thick, muscled shoulders and arms, a broad chest and washboard stomach. She wouldn’t have to wonder if his face was darker than the rest of him. She would know that beneath his clothes he was a smooth, delicious coffee brown.
    Unbidden heat filled her cheeks, and she hoped to heaven he was far enough away to dismiss it for makeup. “Do you have any made?”
    He nodded. “But I haven’t eaten breakfast yet, have you?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t want any.”
    He frowned. “Do you know how to cook or does your mama have to do that for you, too?”
    She tried not to show her bristles. “My mama doesn’t have to do anything for me,” she said crisply. “And I know how to cook. Do you?”
    He shot her a little mocking smile. “Of course.” He turned to