By the Book Bride: Ryder (A BBW Western Romance) (Matchmaking A Marriage 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

comfortable and would look forward to returning to the library, the way she felt around Ryder was a new experience. And it wasn’t simply because he was a man—she dealt with those too. A lot of fathers brought their children to story time or to check out a book for a school report, and she didn’t go all shy and tongue-tied around them. There was just something about Ryder that made her… jumpy. Like her skin was too tight and a fire had been lit in her belly.
    “I wanted a job where I could be more in charge, you know? Plan the programs instead of just doing what other people told me to do.”
    Ryder nodded, agreeing with her. “I do know what you mean.”
    “That’s right, you have two older brothers, don’t you?”
    “Yep, and they can be bossy as hell.” Ryder bent over to do another section of trim. The movement drew the denim of his jeans tight against his buttocks. Georgia tried to look away, she really did. She blushed when he straightened back up and caught her looking. He didn’t say anything, thank goodness, as he resumed the tedious job.
    “My sisters aren’t older, but they are just as bossy.”
    “Are they your only siblings?”
    “Yep. Daddy decided three girls were more than enough. What about your family? Did your mama decide three boys were enough?” Georgia glanced down at Ryder and realized by the stiffness in his stance that her question must have a hit too close to home. “Ryder, I didn’t mean—”
    He laid down the tape, grabbed a paint roller and turned towards her. Gone was the cowboy whose smile had captured her heart. This was a man who had known heartache. Before she could think about what she was doing, she was climbing off the ladder to go to him.
    “My parents died when I was young.”
    Georgia laid her paint brush on top of her can of paint. “I’m so sorry, Ryder. I don’t know what I would do if my parents were gone.”
    Georgia had to fight the urge to raise on her tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Why don’t we take a break? I made some tea this morning.”
    “Sounds good.” The grin was back on his face, even if it was a little lackluster. Who could blame him? She really had no idea how one coped with the death of one’s parents, especially at what she assumed was a young age.
    Ryder followed Georgia into the small kitchen, watching the sway of her rounded hips yet again. What was it about her roundness that called to something inside him like never before? He watched her from the doorway, unwilling to be next to her in such close quarters. To distract himself, he ran an eye over the room. It was still in good condition. The appliances were relatively new, the house having been used as a foreman’s house a few years back. The linoleum could be replaced, he thought. Maybe tile? He imagined Georgia would like that.
    “Here you go.”
    His self-distraction had worked so well that he hadn’t heard her approach. She stood before him, her small hand clutching a large glass filled to the top with ice and the familiar amber liquid. Today, she wore her hair pulled back from the face, gathered into a barrette at the nape of her neck. Small tendrils had already worked themselves loose during the hour or so he’d been here. He took a long drink of his tea to prevent himself from reaching out and stroking it behind her ear.
    Georgia watched with fascinated eyes as Ryder drank his tea. He tilted back his head, his strong throat working as he emptied the glass. A small streak of paint marred his forearm, drawing her gaze to the rest of his well-built body.
    “Wow, that was really good.”
    Her gaze followed his tongue as he licked his lips. Immediately, thoughts of tracing those lips with her own tongue flooded her mind. Was she a naughty librarian or what? She took his glass and turned away. Away from temptation. “So what exactly do you do on the Ace in the Hole?”
    “We mostly breed and train cutting horses.”
    She refilled his glass and took a seat at the small