02 Buck Naked Read Online Free PDF Page B

muddled thoughts, letting the conversation wash over her, that she wasn’t aware Matt was speaking to her.
    “Amy?” He reached across the table and snapped his fingers in front of her. “Earth to Amy. You with us, kiddo?”
    “What?” She blinked. “Sorry. I must have zoned out for a minute.” Heat crept up her cheeks. “What did I miss?”
    Matt grinned. “I asked you what you thought about the cattle Buck bought at the auction.”
    Cattle? Auction?
    She wanted to smack herself in the face to jog her brain into place.
    “Oh, um, yes. The auction.” She gave everyone what she hoped was a warm smile. “I’d say he made some good purchases. Good start for his herd.”
    “Thanks.” The deep timbre of his voice vibrated through her. “I value your opinion as much as your brother’s. Matt says ranching’s in the Stark blood, and I’m beginning to believe it.”
    Conversation seemed to flow easily, at least for Buck, her brother and her sister-in-law. Amy did her best to pay attention, all the while reminding herself that Buck Montgomery was bad medicine for her. A man who gave out mixed signals where women were concerned. Or at least where she was concerned. She’d had enough of that from the jerks she’d dated. If he and Matt became close friends she’d deal with it, just like she’d have to deal with the feelings he stirred in her. But it wasn’t as easy as she wished. And sitting this close to him didn’t help any.
    She finally decided it was time to move the evening along. Finishing the last of her beer, she looked over at Matt. “How’s that fire coming, Matt? About ready for the steaks?”
    He glanced at it. “I’d say it’s just about right. Reenie, you and Amy want to bring out the goods?”
    “Sure.” Reenie finished her drink and stood. “Come on, Amze. I’m getting hungry too.” The moment they were in the kitchen, she grabbed Amy’s arm. “What on earth is going on with you and Buck? The air between the two of you practically sparks with all the electricity.”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about. There’s nothing going on with us. Nothing.” Amy jerked her arm away, pulled the steaks out of the fridge where they’d been marinating and opened the patio door with her elbow. “I’ll just take these right out to Matt.”
    “Wait,” Reenie called after her.
    Amy ignored her and made her way to the grill, where Matt was poking at the wood chips over the hot coals. Buck had risen and was standing next to Matt, drinking a diet cola. It suddenly occurred to her that was all she’d seen him drink. Hmm. No beer? No booze? A teetotaler? That was pretty hard to find in Texas. Maybe he had an allergy of some kind. She’d heard that happened in rare instances.
    Except not usually in a cowboy. Or was he? A real cowboy? Maybe she’d have a chance to ask him without looking too rude. She wouldn’t be so curious if he weren’t so secretive, but it had become something like a thorn in her foot, an irritant.
    Right now, though, she focused on the food and on occupying herself enough that Reenie had no time to pepper her with questions
    “Here you go.” She placed the tray on the extended shelf of the grill, ignoring Buck. “Make mine medium rare.” She smiled. “Please.”
    “Is there any other way?”
    The patio door slid open again and she heard Reenie’s voice. “Amy? I could use a hand in here with the rest of this stuff.”
    “Go on,” Matt said. “I’ve got this under control.”
    Yeah, I’m sure, but you haven’t got your wife and her curiosity under control.
    “Come on,” Reenie called again.
    Amy sighed and headed back inside.
    “No questions,” she said firmly before her sister-in-law could say a word. “Not one word.”
    “Oh, come on,” Reenie teased. “Holy crap, Amy. The way he looks at you I expect both of you to self-combust.”
    “Hot looks don’t mean a damn thing.” She grabbed the stuffed baked potatoes that had been resting in the