Claiming the Rancher's Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

so…” Stacie struggled to find the words that would convey her feelings without insulting her friend.
    Anna met her gaze. “Deceitful?”
    Stacie nodded, relieved that Anna finally understood. “We were matched, but we aren’t a couple.”
    “I believe,” Anna pressed a finger to her lips, a contemplative look on her face, “you’re thinking too hard.”
    Stacie blinked, stunned. It was the type of dismissive response she usually got from her family…as if she were too stupid to understand. She expected it from them, not from her roommate.
    She lifted her chin, but when she met Anna’s gaze, there was no condescension in the liquid blue depths.
    “Why do you think most of the guys filled out the survey?” Anna asked when she remained silent.
    “Because your brother made ’em.”
    “Good answer.” Anna smiled. “Why else?”
    “Because they’re lonely and looking for their soul mates.”
    “Perhaps,” Anna conceded. “Why else?”
    Stacie shifted under Anna’s expectant stare.
    “Marriage or even a long-term relationship isn’t really what Lauren’s study is about,” Anna explained.
    “It’s not?” Stacie couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice. Though Lauren’s dissertation topic wasn’t fixed in her mind, she’d been sure the bottom line was matchmaking.
    “You and Josh have a lot in common, right?”
    Stacie thought for a moment. “I like to cook. He likes to eat.”
    Anna’s lips twitched. “What else?”
    “We both love animals,” Stacie added, warming to the topic. “And he’s easy to talk to.”
    “You enjoyed his company,” Anna said matter-of-factly. “He enjoyed yours.”
    Stacie nodded. She couldn’t deny it. In fact, when Josh had driven her home that night, he’d taken the long way, giving them more time to talk. He hadn’t been uncomfortable, despite what happened. And though he hadn’t kissed her again, the look in his eyes had told her he wanted to…
    “Some guys are looking for a wife.” Anna stood and moved to the mirror, pulling her long blond hair up in a ponytail before letting it drop back down. “But a lot of them would be satisfied with simply meeting someone who enjoys their company. Someone to go out with and have a good time. Someone to be their friend and take the edge off their loneliness.”
    Stacie took a moment to digest Anna’s words. She thought back to her evening with Josh. She’d had fun and knew he had, too. Maybe that was enough.
    “Okay. I’ll do it,” Stacie said reluctantly, hoping she wasn’t making a mistake. “I’ll do it. But I refuse to wear a hat. And square dancing is absolutely out.”

Chapter Four
    “A ll jump up and never come down, swing your pretty girl round and round.”
    Stacie twirled, the pink boots sliding on the sawdust-covered dance floor. Her breath came in short puffs and her heart danced a happy rhythm in her chest.
    The large wooden structure that housed the Sweet River Civic Center was filled to capacity. The dance floor, brought in specifically for the occasion, took up a good third of the building. The rest was filled with tables decorated with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths. Baskets of peanuts doubled as a centerpiece.
    Food supplied by ladies in the community sat on tables against a far wall, next to kegs of beer.
    Though many of the younger men and women had left the floor when the square-dance caller took the stage, Stacie and Josh had stayed. She adjusted Josh’s cowboy hat more firmly on her head during the promenade, a smile lifting the corners of her lips.
    She’d been determined to remain hat free. But when Josh teasingly plopped his Stetson on her head, declaring her the prettiest cowgirl he’d ever seen, it seemed right to leave it there. And when the square dance had started and he asked her to give it a try, she hadn’t had the heart to say no.
    Surprisingly Stacie found herself enjoying the experience. But she hadn’t realized how exhausting this style of dancing could