Conall's Legacy Read Online Free PDF Page A

pile trash--”
    Drake’s temper flared. “It’s not trash. It’s--” He brushed his hair away from his forehead. “It’s art.” And salvation.
    “Art?”
    He watched curiosity war with temper. The lady was intrigued. He shifted from one leg to the other and rested one hip against the dusty truck. “Hobby, really. I do metal sculptures. I’m just here to relax and create if that’s okay with you.” He knew he’d stay whether it was or not. His job depended on it.
    Luisa twisted the reins in her long fingers, and then slapped the end on her thigh. Her gaze slid over him, across his truck and trailer, assessing everything it covered. She wanted in the worst way to throw him out on his ass; he could see it in her eyes. She didn’t have a choice any more than he did.
    “All right,” she said. “You have anything valuable in there?”
    “No.”
    “Then you can put your stuff in that three-sided shed over there. It should give you a place to ... work. The bunkhouse is the one on the far side. Do me a favor and don’t move that rig until I get Knight back in the barn.” She moved away but stopped and turned back. “I work with my animals from five to eight in the evening. You can work on your ... art ... any time except then.”
    She led her horse away leaving Drake wondering how best to avoid the queen bee of the ranch--a woman living fifty feet from him--for the next several weeks.

CHAPTER FOUR

    The twang of an aluminum pan on the counter brought Rooster at a run. He skidded around the table peddling uselessly on the linoleum and slid into Luisa’s legs. He sat at her feet, placed one paw on her calf, and yipped hopefully.
    “Not now, I’m having my soup first tonight. You’ll have to wait.”
    She glanced at the dog, saw the pleading in his eyes, and heard his tiny whimper. “Oh, all right. How is it you always get around me?” she asked with a smile. She poured a small amount of the rich, homemade soup into his bowl, added some water to cool it, and then watched as he joyfully lapped up his treat. Why can’t life be that simple? she wondered.
    Luisa slipped a grilled cheese sandwich from griddle to plate and carried her meal to the table. The clanging noises made by the stranger as he threw pieces of metal onto a stack in the shed had disturbed her peace and quiet--and her routine. Knowing he was unloading and settling in a few yards from her home unnerved her. She had so counted on peace and quiet for a few months to work and think about everything Cindy had told her. Luisa knew she needed to let the past go once and for all, but was she ready?
    Nibbling on the edge of her sandwich, Luisa thought of the man she’d barely spoken to. Dark hair fringed a face that she doubted had seen a smile in an eon. His steel-blue eyes reflected soul-deep pain. Compassion clutched her heart, and squeezed.
    Why had he gone to so much trouble to be this isolated? Luisa ran her fingertips over the ridged scar on her cheek. Maybe he was hiding as she once had. Maybe Cindy was right. She was still hiding to a certain degree. She’d have to leave her hair loose when he was around, and she hated it getting in her way. However, she hated more the pitying looks she always got when people first saw her face. Still, he didn’t seem like the kind of man to pity people. She scoffed at the impression.
    “Since when are you the expert people reader?” she asked herself. “You haven’t seen three people in the last year.” At least not up close and personal .
    What else could go wrong today? She took a bite out of her sandwich. Damn . How’d he find out about her ranch anyway? Luisa pushed her half-eaten food aside with a disgusted sigh. The shrill ring of the phone made her jump.
    “ That’s what else could go wrong. Another darn phone call,” she grumbled, and snatched up the phone. “Hello.”
    “Luisa?”
    “Hi, Mother.” She’d postponed calling her mother and now it was too late.
    “How are you,