Bad News Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page A

out of line, or out of the ordinary, at least. “No,” she said, begrudgingly.
    â€œThen why are you acting like I dipped your pigtails in ink?” he asked, taking the stairs two at a time, making uncomfortable eye contact with her in the low evening light.
    She looked down. “I’m not.”
    â€œI seem to piss you off all the time lately,” he said, closing the distance between them while her throat closed itself up tight.
    â€œYou don’t. It’s just...teasing stuff. Don’t worry about it.”
    Jack kept looking at her, pausing for a moment. She felt awkward standing there but also unable to break away. “Okay. Hey, I was thinking...”
    â€œUh-oh. That never ends well,” she said, trying to force a smile.
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œI’ve heard the stories Connor and Eli tell. Any time you think of something, it ends in...well, sometimes broken bones.”
    â€œSure,” he said, chuckling and leaning against the side of his truck. “But not this time. Well, maybe this time since it centers around the rodeo.”
    â€œYou don’t ride anymore,” she said, feeling stupid for pointing out something he already knew.
    â€œWell, I might. I was sort of thinking of working with the association to add an extra day onto the rodeo when they pass through. A charity day. Half-price tickets. Maybe some amateur events. And all the proceeds going to...well, to a fund for women who are starting over. A certain amount should go to Alison’s bakery. She’s helping people get jobs. Get hope. I wish there had been something like that for us when I was a kid.”
    Kate didn’t know anything about Jack’s dad. As long as she’d known him, he hadn’t had one. And he never talked about it.
    But she got the sense that whatever the situation, it hadn’t been a happy one.
    And now mixed in with all the annoyance and her desire to avoid him was a strange tightening in her chest.
    â€œLife can be a bitch,” she said, hating the strident tone that laced its way through her voice.
    â€œI’ve never much liked that characterization. In my estimation life is a lot more like a pissed-off bull. You hang on as long as you can, even though the ride is uncomfortable. No matter how bad it is on, you sure as hell don’t want to get bucked off.”
    â€œYeah, that sounds about like you.”
    â€œProfound?”
    â€œLike a guy who’s been kicked in the head a few times.”
    â€œFair enough. Anyway, what do you think about the charity?”
    Warmth bloomed in her stomach. “Honestly? I think it’s a great idea.” She couldn’t even give him a hard time about this, because it was just so damn nice. “We only have a couple of months until the rodeo, though. Do you think we can pull it off?”
    â€œWe?”
    Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. “Well, yeah. I think it’s a good idea. And I would like to contribute in any way I can. Even if it just means helping the pros tack up or something.”
    â€œWhen are you going to turn pro, Katie?”
    She gritted her teeth, and it had nothing to do with his unwanted nickname for her. “When I’m ready. I’m not going to waste a whole bunch of money traveling all over the country, entering all kinds of events and paying for association cards when I don’t have a hope in hell of winning.”
    â€œWho says you don’t have a hope in hell of winning?” he asked, frowning. “I’ve seen you ride. You’re good.”
    The compliment flowed through her like cool water on parched earth. She cleared her throat, not sure where to look or what to say. “Roo is young. She has another year or so before she’s mature. I probably do, too.”
    He reached out and wrapped his hand around her braid, tugging gently. “You’re closer than you think.”
    Something about his look, about that