Christmas in Cowboy Country Read Online Free PDF Page A

whirled around. Marshall Stone’s face was inches from hers, his mouth curved at the corners in a faint smile. This close, she could see how unfairly thick his eyelashes were and the rough trace of stubble along his jawline. His strong hand rested on the metal chair that Tyrell had just vacated.
    She glanced toward the front row where her father was now ensconced between his wife and Nell. “Doesn’t look like it.”
    â€œWould you mind if I sat with you?”
    â€œNo.” That was the truth. The one-word reply didn’t sound too eager. He couldn’t read anything into it.
    Stone stepped between the rows of chairs in the back, excusing himself without much need to. Lean as he was, he didn’t bump into anyone.
    â€œI wasn’t expecting to see you here,” he murmured, easing down next to her in the confined space.
    â€œMy parents’ idea. I’m supposed to be learning something.”
    â€œAny luck?” He gave the appearance of paying attention to the speakers, but his profile showed a real smile this time.
    â€œNot yet. So why did you come?”
    â€œChuck Pfeffer asked me to attend,” was Stone’s reply.
    â€œOh.” His reply made her uneasy. He didn’t offer any more information.
    The rangy man was still leaning against the wall, his hands now jammed in his pants pockets. Pfeffer was never going to be pals with her dad, but they shared a property boundary and it would be best if they resolved their differences on that subject peaceably.
    Where Marshall Stone fit into that issue was something that puzzled her. His presence at the meeting was a surprise. Why Stone was hanging around Velde after completing the surveying assignment for their neighbor was a mystery.
    She hadn’t spotted him out their way since Tyrell had ordered him off their land yesterday. Annie made an idle note or two. She wasn’t going to tell him that she’d been looking for the bright yellow gizmo atop the tall tripod, something that would be pretty easy to spot in open fields. So was he.
    It occurred to her that he must be staying somewhere in town, since it was now the second day since his arrival. No doubt Nell had obtained some information on that, or tried to.
    The council members spoke into microphones with the volume cranked high enough to cover her low-pitched exchange with the man at her side. No one complained or even looked at them. Annie kept half an ear on the proceedings.
    Stone’s presence distracted her.
    If he were any closer, she’d be in his lap. The folding chair was simply too small for him. Cautiously, he extended one long leg under the seat in front of him, trying to get comfortable.
    As if he were trying to minimize his bulk, he folded his arms across his chest. Different shirt, she noticed. Same muscles. Holy cow. He radiated masculinity. And heat. It was warm enough already in here.
    The council members droned on for a long while and then took questions from the audience. Annie checked her watch. It was past nine.
    The questions turned to zoning issues and then someone asked about a new ordinance requiring residents to prove title and have property lines redrawn for land some families had owned for generations.
    Up front, Tyrell Bennett sat straight up, listening closely, and so did her mother. The atmosphere in the hall began to crackle with tension.
    She noticed that Chuck Pfeffer was no longer holding up the wall under the exit sign. He had walked to the front to join the council members and face the townspeople. Someone handed him a wireless microphone.
    â€œIt’s getting late, so we won’t keep you much longer,” Chuck began.
    We? Chuck wasn’t an elected official, Annie thought. He wasn’t even an appointee.
    â€œI’d like to introduce a consultant to the town council who has the expertise to help us all,” Chuck continued. “This is Shep Connally. Shep, would you like to say a few