COWBOY FOR SALE--A Second-Chances Spicy Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

child. She knew it would be too much for her fragile heart.
    And she would look for someone her age, or even a little younger, someone fun and adventuresome.
    She also decided to focus on physical traits opposite of Dirk. She would look for tall and blond—it had taken weeks to stop seeing Dirk in every dark-haired man she saw in the mall. And: financially secure, she'd added to the list, hating the fact that Dirk had hidden his precarious situation from her. No, she would only settle for an equal partner, someone with a stable income and a blossoming career. She ended the list with the requirement that her mystery man must respect and encourage her career, and enjoy her independence. Her profession was extremely important to her—actually the most secure part of her life—and her career was nothing she would give up for anything... or anyone.
    Lacey returned her attention to the jam-packed dance floor and smiled a small, secret smile, reciting her mantra to herself: I can do this .
    “How 'bout a dance, pretty lady?”
    Lacey jumped a little at the sound of the voice so close to her ear, then turned to look into Hank's bright blue eyes and caught her breath. “Sure, but I'm not very good and—”
    Hank smiled and said, “Well, I’ll teach ya—c'mon.” He took Lacey's hand and led her to the edge of the dance floor, behind the line dancers.
    Lacey’s heartbeat thumped in her ears. Maybe finding a cowboy would be achieved in record time after all. That thought was followed by: be careful what you wish for.
    Expertly, Hank scooped her into his arms and began to two-step.
    Amazingly, she found herself naturally falling into the rhythm of the two-step. She felt secure in Hank's hold and had to admit how nice it felt to be held tightly, being expertly steered behind the other spinning couples that ringed the dance floor. She slid her left hand down a bit onto Hank’s forearm, mimicking the position of the other dancers, noticing his firm bicep that flexed as he turned her, from time to time, or guided her around a slower couple.
    She was definitely getting the hang of it, though she was still glad she’d gotten through that first dance out on the deck.
    When she looked up Hank flashed a dimpled smile at her. She couldn’t help but smile back. The man was even better looking at this close distance.
    As Hank guided her in front of the stage, Lacey caught Jared’s gaze. He mouthed something— doing great , maybe?—and smiled, though to her it seemed the smile never reached his eyes.
    “Either I'm a great teacher, Lacey, or you don't need lessons,” Hank said, then pulled her even closer as they circled the dance floor.
    The song ended abruptly with a yee-ha shout from the line dancers and Lacey pulled away from Hank to join in the applause, more than pleased with herself for having made it through without a stumble or a toe stomp.
    She felt Hank’s hand on her elbow and he led her toward the front door, saying, “How 'bout some air? It's pretty nice outside.”
    At the entrance Hank took her hand, drawing her outside onto the long front porch. He pointed and they made their way to an empty loveseat made of delicate, bent willow branches. She sat down, fanning herself with her hand, definitely feeling a little overheated from the dancing, or else it was a reaction to being in Hank’s arms.
    Hank removed his cowboy hat and fanned her with it, offering his dimpled smile that definitely reached his eyes. “So, where have you been all my life, Lacey?”
    She returned his irresistible smile with a genuine one of her own. “Thank you for asking me—I’d heard you were a good dancer.”
    “Entirely my pleasure,” he said, leaning in closer.
    Lacey's looked down at her hands, clasping them, afraid her fingers might tremble. She wasn’t feeling all that comfortable sitting so close, but she didn’t really want Hank to know she was nervous. And why did she feel nervous anyway… goodness, it was only a dance. She