Cowboy Up Read Online Free PDF

said.
    “Sure you are. You’re thinking that I’m an old fool who imagines his daughter is going to magically fall in love with ranching.”
    Clay sighed. “You’re not an old fool, but it would be only natural if you—”
    “Don’t worry. I made that mistake with her mother. I knew California was where Jeri wanted to be, but I thought I could convince her otherwise.”
    Something in Emmett’s expression told Clay that those wounds had never healed. That might be another reason Emmett hadn’t taken many trips to see Emily. He would have had to see his ex, too, which would have been painful if he was still in love with her.
    Clay thought he might be and wondered if Pam Mulholland had any inkling of that. The two had been dating for more than a year without making a commitment. Emmett said that was because Pam had way more money than he did, but that might not be the whole story.
    By now the dining room was empty except for Clay, Emmett and Watson, who had recently started helping Mary Lou clear the dishes in exchange for extra dessert.
    Mary Lou bustled over, her gray hair in disarray as usual and her cheeks pink from working in a warm kitchen. “Did you two get enough to eat? I’m about to serve Watson an extra piece of cherry pie, and you’re welcome to have a second serving if you want one.”
    Emmett patted his flat stomach. “Thanks, Mary Lou, but I couldn’t fit in another bite. You outdid yourself again.”
    “Thanks, Emmett.” She beamed at the praise. “I do love my job. How about you, Clay? More pie?”
    “It’s tempting, but no thanks.”
    “All right, then.” She began stacking the dessert plates from each place setting at their table.
    Watkins came out of the kitchen and headed toward them. “Hey, quit doing my job, Lou-Lou.”
    Her cheeks turned a shade pinker. “Then speed it up there, Watkins. We need to get this place clean.”
    “We will, we will. Leave those for me and go cut me a nice big piece of your delicious pie. And put some ice cream on top.” The stocky cowboy winked at her as he reached for the dishes in her hand.
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake. If you insist.” She handed over the dishes and walked back toward the kitchen.
    Instead of stacking plates, Watkins gazed after her. “What a woman.”
    Clay watched in fascination. He’d thought something might be going on between Watkins and Mary Lou, but he hadn’t been sure until now. “Are you sweet on her, Watkins?”
    Watkins nodded, which made his handlebar mustache twitch. “Have been for years. Once I tried to get her to marry me, but she claims she’s never marrying anybody. So I backed off, but lately…let’s just say I might be making progress.”
    Emmett clapped him on the shoulder. “Clearing dishes and complimenting her on her cooking just might get the job done. Not that I’m an expert on women. What’s your opinion, Clay?”
    Clay held up both hands. “Don’t ask me about women. They’re a mystery.”
    “Ain’t that the truth.” Watkins glanced toward the kitchen. “Well, my pie should be about ready. Catch you later, boys.”
    After he left, Clay looked at Emmett and raised his eyebrows.
    Emmett shrugged. “He’s been carrying a torch for a long time,” he said in a low voice. “You may not believe it, but she used to be a real babe.”
    “You know, I can believe it. And I’ve always loved her spunky attitude. I—” He stopped talking when Emily walked into the room. Talk about a babe. The snug T-shirt and form-fitting jeans would make any guy take a second look, but Clay had a thing about women in cowboy hats.
    This one was tan straw, a warm-weather alternative to felt. The brim curved downward in both the front and back so it partly shielded her eyes in a sexy, flirty way. The more Emily adopted a Western style, the more Clay liked what he saw.
    “How’s this?” she asked as she came toward them.
    Clay dialed back his response several notches. “It’ll do.”
    “Good choice.”