To Court a Cowgirl by Jeannie Watt Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t so perfect and there were dark circles under her eyes.
    Liz hesitated, then let out a shaky sigh. “It’s Zach.” She sank down into one of the tiny chairs next to the kindergarten table as if no longer able to support herself. “He rolled in at four o’clock this morning. I was worried sick about him, so now that he’s home safely, I’m furious.”
    â€œOf course you are.”
    â€œAnd I blame Derek as much as I blame Zach.”
    Allie sat in the small chair on the other side of the table. She reached out and touched Liz’s hand. Liz and her husband had broken up less than a year ago and their high-school-age son, Zach, had been coping fairly well until his dad moved his new girlfriend onto the family ranch a few weeks ago and told Liz that he didn’t think that Zach should work for him as planned that spring.
    â€œNow I wish I hadn’t encouraged him to graduate early so that he could work for his dad...and now I know why Derek kept putting off having Zach move to the ranch.”
    It was not a good situation and there wasn’t one thing Allie, the problem solver, could do about it, except listen.
    â€œAt least I have the day to cool off before I deal with him.” Liz looked up at the ceiling briefly as if blinking back tears.
    â€œI’m so sorry,” Allie said. “If I can do anything to help...let me know.” Although she couldn’t think of anything she could do, except to listen, and she was happy to do that.
    â€œWill do.” Liz got to her feet and headed for the lower elementary science section while Allie booted up her computer. A few minutes later, her friend left the library with the butterfly books and Allie let out a sigh before focusing back on her keyboard.
    She knew how rough it was to get divorced, but she could only imagine what it felt like to have a failed marriage affect your child.
    * * *
    B Y THE TIME Allie returned from work, Jason was feeling more in control—almost to the point of being ready to go home and take a few hits. Kate had texted him earlier to say that she was leaving Max in Uncle Jimmy’s capable hands and all Jason could think was that it served Jimmy right for being in cahoots with his father. Let him get a taste of the wrath of Max.
    Allie went straight into the house after parking, but he figured she’d be out to inspect soon. It took her longer than he’d expected, but eventually she came out of the house dressed in jeans and a V-neck T-shirt that looked pretty damned good on her. Her long blond hair was caught in a messy knot that gave her a disheveled, just-tumbled-out-of-bed look that could spark a fantasy or two if he allowed himself. And then she spoke.
    â€œThis is taking longer than I thought it would.”
    â€œIt’d go faster if I didn’t take those naps in the afternoon.”
    Her head snapped around and then color rose from the neckline of her shirt as she realized he was playing her.
    â€œIf you mess with the boss, she’ll dock your pay,” she said. She propped a hand on her hip, looking him up and down. “But you’re here more for the workout than the paycheck, right?”
    â€œAllie?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œWhy are you being so snarky toward me?”
    She frowned as her lips parted. But she didn’t say anything. He held her gaze, refusing to let her off the hook. She moistened her lips. “I, uh, am perhaps taking my day out on you?”
    A question. As in “Would you accept this as an explanation?” No, he would not.
    â€œI know you explained it all in detail in Culver Ranch and Feed, but I admit, I still don’t get where all the animosity is coming from. Do you hate all football players?”
    â€œI...”
    â€œOr all people with money?”
    â€œJust those that try to buy my ranch when it isn’t for sale.” She’d gotten an unexpected toehold.
    â€œI don’t want your