THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET by Patricia Thayer Read Free Book Online

there.”
    “Not sure Colt will be happy about that. I doubt he wants anyone to see him weak.”
    “Well, he’s going to have to get used to it, because he doesn’t have a choice.”
    Vance couldn’t help but smile. Ana was definitely her father’s daughter.
    “I also want to apologize to you.”
    He liked her being feisty; it helped him keep a safe distance from her. “For what?”
    “For arguing about the room. We’re both too tired to go looking for another hotel. We’re adults and can handle sharing a space for one night.”
    He nodded, but wasn’t so sure. He hadn’t been able to spend much time with Ana in the last few years. He’d hoped that would dim his feelings for her. No such luck. He ran his fingers through his hair. “Seems we’ve been thrown together in an awkward situation. It’s been years since we’ve spent any time together. I can see where you’d feel we’re strangers.”
    She fought a grin. “Yeah, you’re the brother I never wanted.”
    He’d never felt brotherly about her. “Was that why you pretty much hated my guts?”
    She frowned. “ Hate is a strong word. Angry, maybe, because of the attention you got from Dad.”
    “I wish I could have helped that situation.”
    Ana shook her head. “No one crossed Colt Slater.”
    Not true. Vance had one time, when he’d broken that promise to stay away from Colt’s daughters. Ana had been the only one who tempted him, that day in the barn when he’d kissed her.
    He shook away the memory. “I wish I could have helped, anyway.”
    A knock sounded on the door. “That’s fast.” He answered it, expecting supper, but found a bellman with an ice bucket holding a bottle of wine and two glasses.
    “Mr. Rivers. Compliments of the management,” he said, and waited as Vance stepped aside for him to enter the room. The man set the wine next to the table and began to uncork the bottle. He poured a small amount in a glass and held it out to Vance, who took a taste and nodded. “Very good.”
    “Thank you, sir. It’s from a local winery just north of Los Angeles.”
    As he filled both glasses, Vance took out some bills and handed them to the waiter, who then left.
    “Seems you made an impression on a certain desk clerk,” Ana said.
    Vance picked up one glass and handed it to her. “Jessica is the assistant manager.”
    Ana hesitated, but accepted it. “I’m not much of a drinker.”
    “Nor am I, but I think tonight one glass wouldn’t hurt.” He raised his glass to her in a toast, then took another drink. “Come see the L.A. stars.”
    Ana wasn’t sure if drinking alcohol was a good idea, but she didn’t have to go anywhere. She walked to the big window. “Where?”
    He pointed downward. “They’re down there. See all the lights.”
    She smiled, aware of the big man standing very near to her. “Oh, my. That’s a lot of houses.”
    “It looks crowded, too. How do they stand being so close together?”
    Ana took another sip, enjoying the taste as the liquid slid down easily. She sipped again and her body began to relax. “And the noise? How do they stand all the noise and traffic?”
    He shrugged. “I have no idea. I feel I was pretty lucky to end up at the Lazy S.”
    “I know.” She faced him, feeling overwhelmed by everything that had happened the past week. “I don’t want to lose the ranch, Vance. I can’t.”
    He looked down at her. “I promise, Ana. I won’t let that happen.”
    “So you’ll help me?”
    She realized that his gaze dropped to her mouth. And she suddenly remembered another time when he looked at her that same way. Right before he kissed her. “You don’t even have to ask, bright eyes.”
    His deep, husky voice caused a warm shiver to rush down her spine. She took another sip and suddenly felt light-headed, not knowing if it was the wine or the man. She reached out and touched his forearm to steady herself. Big mistake, looking into his dark eyes. “I like when you call me that.” Did she