Boots and Buckles Read Online Free PDF

smiling and laughing, flashed through his mind. The fire in her eyes as she’d slapped his face for kissing him had only made him want to kiss her more.
    Speaking of Grant, where was the man? Had he found a woman to go home with? Maybe the tall blonde drink of water he’d danced with?
    Sam grinned. About time. The man had been celibate since he and Sam had become partners. He deserved to find someone who made him happy.
    Which was why Sam hung out at the Ugly Stick at closing time. He told himself it was to make sure Mona left without being accosted by some of the rowdier drunks. Truth was, he wanted to see her again.
    She exited through the back door and strode to a red, vintage Camaro sports car and fumbled for her keys.
    Sam watched from his truck, feeling a bit like a stalker. He almost turned his truck around and left, but something made him wait.
    A big man in a dark cowboy hat lurched out of the shadows and made for where Mona stood beside her car, digging through her purse.
    Warning bells went off in Sam’s head and he opened his door to get out of his truck.
    The man was on her before Sam could get to her, wrapping his arm around her neck.
    Mona dropped her purse, grabbed the man’s arm and tucked her body, throwing the hulk of a human over her shoulder.
    He landed on his back, hard. Still holding his arm, Mona bent his thumb all the way back and stared down at her attacker. “Wanna go for round two, George?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    “Then get your ass home to your wife and don’t ever attack another woman. Ever. Or I’ll come after you, cut off your balls and feed them to the coyotes.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” George moaned from the ground. “You gonna let go of my thumb afore ya break it?”
    “I’m thinking about it.” Finally she let go of the man and nudged him with her cowboy boot. “Go on, get out of here before I sic the sheriff on you.”
    The man rolled to his feet and ambled off. He climbed into a pickup and gunned the engine, kicking up gravel as he left the parking lot and hit the highway home.
    Sam leaned against the side of the Ugly Stick Saloon and chuckled.
    Mona spun, ready to take on her next attacker.
    Stepping out of the shadows, he let her see it was him.
    Instead of relief, her forehead dipped into a frown. “What are you laughing about?”
    “I’m impressed.” He bent to help her collect the items that had fallen from her purse when she’d dropped it. “I thought I was sticking around to rescue you should someone try to attack you as you left work. Looked more like George needed the rescuing.”
    “He’s a dumbass too full of whiskey to be thinking, much less driving.”
    “Then why did you let him go?”
    “Deputy Cramer is just down the road. He’ll pull him over and give him a free night’s sleep in the Temptation jailhouse. Why are you here? I thought you left a long time ago.”
    “I wasn’t tired enough to sleep. And some pretty little brunette with a body that doesn’t quit and an attitude bigger than her boots kept me awake.”
    “You’ll get over it.” She clicked the unlock button, her door lock popped up and she yanked open the door.
    “I’m not so sure.”
    “Trust me. In the next town, you’ll meet another girl just like me. Difference is, maybe she’ll let you sleep with her. I’m not in the market for a one-night stand.”
    “Your sign is out and I read the fine print. Don’t kiss her and don’t expect sex. ”
    “Good, I wasn’t sure you’d gotten the message.” She leaned down to get into her car.
    A woman stepped out of the back of the saloon and locked the door behind her. When she turned around, she frowned and walked toward Mona. “Mona, are you okay? This man isn’t bothering you, is he?”
    “I’m fine. And no, he’s not bothering me. He was just leaving.”
    Sam tipped his hat at the woman and held out his hand. “Sam Whitefeather, I’m here for the rodeo.”
    “Audrey Anderson. I own the Ugly Stick.”
    “Nice