Finally Home Read Online Free PDF Page B

glanced away, feeling frantic, knowing she was being unfair. “You’re not ready to settle down, Colt.”
    â€œ I’m not or you’re not?”
    â€œWhat about your career?”
    â€œWhat about it?”
    â€œYou’re a bronc rider.”
    â€œI was. ”
    â€œWas? What are you talking about? You’re ranked thirteenth in the world.” She shook her head, feeling frantic. “You can’t just give that up.”
    â€œIf Niagara can, I can.”
    She scowled. “What?”
    â€œNiagara Falls, the horse that threw me in Dallas. Gave me this.” He pointed to the crease in his brow, watching her steadily. “Maybe knocked a little sense into me. I heard they’re retiring her. I might make them an offer.”
    â€œFor . . .” Casie shook her head.
    He shrugged. “Could be I owe her something. For the life lessons.”
    She opened her mouth, nerves jittery with hope, but she shushed them with a stern command. “You could never make the kind of money ranching that you made on the circuit.”
    â€œProbably true.”
    She scowled, entirely uncertain where to go from there, but she hurried on, sure there were a thousand reasons she should discourage him. “And what about . . . about . . .”
    â€œWhat?” He narrowed his eyes at her.
    She pursed her lips. Silence lingered between them.
    â€œThe women?” he asked.
    She raised her chin. “You’re a bronc rider,” she said again, tone steadier now. “The term is practically synonymous with playboy.”
    â€œAre you serious?” he asked and took a step toward her.
    She stood her ground. “Yes, I’m serious,” she said. “Jess—”
    â€œI told you I’m sorry about Jess.”
    â€œSorry?” She laughed. “Holy cow, Colt, she was going to have your baby!”
    â€œAnd you were going to marry Bradley. Now you’re not.”
    â€œI . . .” She shook her head, trying to muster her thoughts. Glancing out the window, she sighed. “You don’t want this,” she said. “Not really.”
    â€œWhat don’t I want?”
    â€œThe endless hours, the monotony, the—”
    â€œThe monotony? Are you kidding me?” he asked and waved a wild hand toward the door. “A teenage girl with daddy issues and a grudge just about shot us two minutes ago.”
    â€œAnd that’s another thing you don’t want . . . the kids. They’re . . .” She shook her head, breathing hard. “They’ll make you crazy. Just the other day—”
    â€œYou must be joking.”
    â€œNo, I’m not joking. It’s really hard. They need—”
    â€œYou think I don’t know what they need?” he asked and took the few steps that remained between them. “Dammit, Case, what do you think I’ve been doing for the past two months?”
    â€œTwo months? As far as I know these kids are here for good, so this is a life sentence, Dickenson. This is up at dawn, to bed at midnight, with sporadic periods of insanity in between. This is dirty diapers and clogged drains and lawsuits and—”
    â€œI know what I’m getting into.”
    â€œListen, you’ve been great.” She felt as if the air had suddenly evaporated from her lungs, but she dared not back down. Not for her own sake and not for his. “And I really appreciate it, Colt. I do, but—”
    â€œWho do you think rushed Emily to the hospital when she was in false labor? Who do you think saved Curly and got Ty away from his dumb-ass parents and rocks Bliss to sleep when she’s colicky?”
    The image of him with tiny Bliss tucked against his flannel-clad shoulder was almost her undoing. She responded with anger. “So fine! You’re Superman! Is that what you want to hear?”
    â€œNo! I’m not Superman. I’m just a man who—” he shouted, but he stopped