The Cowboy and the Princess by Lori Wilde Read Free Book Online

many times have you been in a fix like this over a woman? A smart man would have learned his lesson by now. But you? Oh no. Not the cowboy in the white hat. And for what? You don’t know this Annie character. She could be a pickpocket, a thief. She could be a lot lizard. She’s hiding something. You know she’s hiding something. That is the one thing that is clear about her. She’s harboring secrets. She’s a liar. And now you’ve gone and gotten yourself cut up over a liar. Smart, Talmadge. Real smart.
    In spite of the lack of cooperation from his own conscience, he managed to wrest the knife from the drunken man’s hand. In the distance he heard sirens. Saw people pouring out of the restaurant to watch the fight. He thought of having to stick around to fill out a police report. He had somewhere to be and he had a feeling that Annie, with her secret, didn’t want to get involved with the police any more than he did.
    Drawing every bit of strength he had left, Brady cocked back his hand and delivered a mighty blow to the man’s chin.
    The guy’s head flopped back. He was out cold.
    Brady shoved the ex-con off him and staggered to his feet. He looked up at the cluster of people watching slack-jawed. “Don’t let this guy leave. When the police get here tell them he attacked a lady in the parking lot.”
    The group gave a collective nod.
    He pulled a bandana from his back pocket, wiped at the hot, sticky ooze tracking down his face, and staggered toward his truck and gooseneck trailer. His vision was hazy. He couldn’t see through the rain soaking his eyelashes.
    An arm went around his waist. Soft and feminine. Annie. Immediately, his spirits soared and he felt better.
    The sirens screamed closer.
    “Let’s get out of here,” he said.
    She didn’t argue. Brady opened the passenger side door and she climbed in.
    “Are you okay?” Briefly, he put a hand on her shoulder.
    She nodded, wide-eyed, steely-jawed. Her dichotomy plucked at his curiosity. Her vulnerability tugged at his heartstrings.
    “He didn’t hurt you?”
    “No.”
    “How about Lady Astor?”
    Annie stuck her hand inside the satchel, petted the dog’s head. “She is fine.”
    Relief filled his mouth. He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s seat and swung into the cab. He took a minute to draw in a deep breath and then started the engine and drove away.
    “You’re bleeding,” Annie gasped as he pulled onto the highway entrance ramp.
    “Flesh wound. It’s nothing.” He kept the bandana pressed to his right jaw.
    “That man cut you because you were helping me.”
    “That about sums it up.”
    “You are in pain because of me.”
    “It’s not the first time a pretty woman caused me pain.”
    “This is terrible.”
    He shrugged. “I’ve suffered worse.”
    “I am so sorry.”
    “It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have gone off and left you. I should have given you a ride. Leaving you alone back there was like ignoring a toddler on the freeway. I’m culpable.”
    “Pardon me?” Irritation tinged her voice.
    “What?” He winced against the pain. “You’re pissed off at me now?”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “You compared me to a toddler.”
    “I don’t know where you’re from, lady, but you’re out of your league here. It might be nice if instead of giving me the stink eye, you might acknowledge that.”
    “What is this stink eye?”
    “The dirty looks you’re sending me.”
    “I am allowed to express my displeasure at your comparison.”
    “I did save your fanny.” He slipped a glance over at her.
    “You did,” she relented. “Thank you for protecting me. I am very grateful. I should have said that before.”
    “Don’t mention it.”
    “But I am not a toddler on the freeway. I have—” She broke off abruptly.
    “You have what?” he prodded, his curiosity whetted.
    “Never mind.”
    “You really like your secrets, don’t you?”
    “That is none of your business.”
    “It is if