Cowboy at Midnight Read Online Free PDF

hat. So dark and virile and absolutely adorable. Intending to push the hat away, she pulled it toward her and stroked the brim with a trembling fingertip.
    â€œYou’re way too serious,” Rasa persisted.
    Why should I listen to advice from someone I’ve known all of two hours? Someone who doesn’t have a clue what kind of person I really am?
    â€œYou should try to be friendly.” Rasa’s hand squeezed hers gently. “Maybe then you’d meet some interesting people and move on.” Her voice softened. “Betsy says you bury yourself alive.”
    â€œMaybe I don’t want to move on.”
    â€œOr maybe you just need a helping hand.”
    Amy yanked her hand free and drained the last of her Flirtita. “Betsy’s a big one to talk.”
    â€œHey, he just looked at you again.”
    Amy didn’t smile or look his way or even look at Rasa, who was staring at her way too intently now. The words dead and bury had Amy too tense and scared to think what she should do. She had to get out of here. She had to get back to her safe, controlled life.
    â€œRasa, you said one drink and we’d go to dinner.”
    â€œAnd I haven’t finished my drink.”
    â€œBecause you won’t drink it.”
    Rasa laughed.
    â€œIf only Betsy were here,” Amy said.
    â€œYou wouldn’t be here if Betsy were here. You two would be at that boring restaurant she told me about. You’d be taking a rash of heat over the cell phone from your number-one client, and she’d be reading her book.”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œOuch.” Rasa laughed.
    Betsy Pinkley, Amy’s best friend, who had mousy brown hair and thick glasses and who was even duller than she was, if that were possible, had ditched her to stay home and read because her allergies had flared up.
    Tonight when Amy had dropped by Betsy’s apartment to pick her up, a red-eyed Betsy had been sitting on her couch in her pajamas dabbing tissues at her running eyes and nose.
    â€œIt’s the cedar again. I’m too sick to go out,” she’dsaid miserably. “But not to worry. I didn’t call you because Rasa can go with you instead.”
    â€œRasa? I don’t know a Rasa.”
    â€œMy next-door neighbor’s baby sister.” Betsy had blown her nose messily and then plucked handfuls of tissues from the box beside. “Rasa’s from out of town. Her brother Trell had a date, and she’s dying to see the action on Sixth Street. So I thought since you want to go out and she wants to go out…bingo!”
    â€œI don’t want to go out with just anybody! And not to Sixth Street! I want to have dinner with you. Just you.” Amy’s cell phone rang. When she saw it was her mother, she didn’t answer it.
    â€œDon’t you care that I’m sick at all? I made these special arrangements for you even when my head was killing me.”
    â€œOf course I care. But can’t you pop an allergy pill?”
    â€œWait until you meet Rasa,” Betsy said.
    â€œI’m leaving.” But just as Amy switched off her cell phone and headed for the door, the bell rang and Rasa burst inside, only to stop and stare at Amy. Rasa wore a revealing, low, tight red sheath and lots of gold bangles while Amy was swathed from head to toe in gray silk.
    â€œRasa, this is Amy. Amy—”
    â€œGlad to meet you, baby, but, hey… I thought we were gonna have some fun tonight. What’s with the gray shroud?” She turned to Betsy. “How come you didn’t tell me your friend was a nun?”
    â€œWhat?” Amy said. “Now I’m being stood up and insulted!”
    Rasa rolled her almond-shaped eyes. “Hey, sorry. Sometimes I come on a little strong.”
    â€œA little?”
    â€œSorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. You’re great looking. The question is—why are you hiding that fact?” Rasa lifted her