Cowboy Come Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

as he offered a pat on Griff’s shoulder before taking his hand away, “Mrs. Widdaker always takes home the blue ribbon. She wouldn’t take any competition lightly.”
    Griff nodded, but he was distracted by those warm fingers that continued to hold on to him. Finally, he tugged on his hand, and Camille jumped, as if she’d forgotten what she held. He leaned over. “Did you think I needed protection?”
    Her cheeks bloomed with color, only increasing her beauty, but she didn’t look at him. “I—I was concerned.”
    Because the comfort she offered was unusual, charming, tempting, he spoke more coolly than he should have. “I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself.”
    “Of course. Excuse me.” If he’d been cool, Camille’s tone was frigid. Before he could offer an apology, she moved away.
    He looked guiltily at Jake.
    “You say something wrong?” he asked.
    “She—I—I guess so.”
    “So you apologize later. She’ll forgive you.”
    “It might be best if I don’t, Jake. I may have given all of you the wrong idea. I have no interest in—in a relationship. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.”
    Jake raised an eyebrow. “You sound like some of my brothers when I urged them to marry.”
    Griff couldn’t help smiling at the speculative look in Jake’s eye. “Don’t even think it, cousin. I’d be a whole lot tougher sell than those guys.”
    “Why do you think that?”
    “Because romantic love wasn’t a happy topic at our house. My mother never forgave the man who betrayed her. She never found comfort with another man. I grew up hearing the catechism of pain and heartbreak.”
    “Look around you, Griff. I’m sorry for your mother, but others find true happiness.” Jake focused his gaze on his wife, holding Caroline as she chatted with the neighbors. “Some of us get so lucky we’re afraid to breathe.”
    “My point exactly. I don’t have any trouble breathing, because I’m in control of my happiness.” Griff caught his gaze drifting to a certain blonde, but he jerked his gaze away before anyone could notice. He hoped.
    “Uh-huh,” Jake agreed, but there was laughter in his voice. “We’ll see.”
    “Besides, I’m leaving in the morning.”
    “Why?”
    Jake’s question startled Griff, the second time he’d been shaken from his thoughts this afternoon. “Because I’ve done what I came to do.”
    CAMILLE COULDN’T BELIEVE she’d embarrassed herself as she had. She had no connection to Griffin Randall, and he’d made it clear he had no interest in her.
    But her heart ached for him.
    She wasn’t in love with him. No, that was a game she wasn’t anxious to play again so soon. But he was hurting. Like the puppy she’d brought home one day. Or the friend whose family life was awful. Or the children she’d tried to help through one of the charities she sponsored.
    She’d suffered through her father’s death six months ago. She knew how much it hurt to lose both parents.
    She’d only been trying to help Griffin, but he thought she was coming on to him. Well, he could suffer on his own now. She wasn’t getting near him again.
    “What happened?” B.J. asked, stopping beside Camille. “Did he take Jake’s offer?”
    “What? Who?” Camille asked.
    “Griff. Did Jake make his offer?”
    “Not while I was around. Nothing happened.”
    B.J. studied her. “Did he say something to upset you?”
    “No. I’m fine. Shall we clear the food? People are starting to leave.”
    “No. We’ll all gather around the table and have supper in a little while. I doubt if many of us got much to eat.”
    “B.J.?” Jake called from across the room, motioning for her to join him.
    “Want me to take Caroline?” Camille immediately offered. “Is she ready for her nap?”
    “Oh, bless you, Camille. Yes, she is. Would you mind taking her upstairs?”
    In answer, Camille reached out for the little girl. She’d been willing to help with the kids ever since she arrived. After all, it