Her Midnight Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page A

sucked in air until his burning lungs refused to hold any more, and then exhaled with force. He pitched forward, grabbing hold of the stall board, and grunting.
    The grunt turned into a groan. His life had gone to hell in a handbasket here at Heaven on Earth. He’d accepted the foreman’s job because he didn’t want anyone else seeing to Angel’s welfare, but he hadn’t moved into the ranch house. Had flat-out refused. Knowing Angel slept in that big house—alone—was pure torture.
    But this past week had been worse. She’d completely ignored him, to the point that her gaze never even came his way. Her absence consumed him, and the lack of sleep made him edgy and cross. The cowhands saw it, though to their credit, they didn’t comment.
    Damn Ellis Clayton and his trip across the ocean. Rowdy almost wished the ship would sink. A shudder ran across his shoulders, as if a goose had walked across his grave. Damnation, that was a terrible thought for a man to have—wishing another ill.
    He lifted his head. Templeton was staring at him as if the animal was afraid Rowdy was dying. He wondered if he was. A kiss like that was enough to stop a man’s heart.
    After another deep breath, he turned, glancing through the open barn door toward the ranch house. He liked her, all right. That was the problem. Pushing away from the stall, he grabbed both hats off the barn floor. Enough was enough.
    By the time he reached the front porch, his footsteps had become determined and hurried. Without knocking, he entered the large home. A gasp made him swivel and peer into the front parlor. Angel sat on the divan, her expressive eyes wide and glowing, her curls tousled. His heart started racing again. She was so damn irresistible.
    He tossed her hat on a small table and leaned against the door frame, giving his heart a moment to slow down—as if that could happen. Flinching at the thought, Rowdy tightened every muscle, determined to prove it could.
    Angel stood, looking at him questioningly and twisting her hands together.
    “The invitations?” They weren’t why he’d come, but now seemed like a good excuse. The wherewithal to tell her that kiss should never have happened had disappeared.
    “I—I haven’t written them yet.”
    “Why?”
    “Why?” Her spine stiffened. The action thrust her breasts forward.
    Rowdy fought to keep his eyes off the skin revealed by the open V of her blouse. “Yes, why?”
    Her hands went to her hips. “Because I just walked into the house.”
    “Looked to me like you were sitting on the sofa, not doing much of anything.” He bit the inside of his cheek. Seeing her flustered was damn near as exhilarating as tasting her smoldering kisses. He took a step into the room. “If you want me to take them to town, you’d better get writing.”
    She stepped forward in turn, and her gaze, washing over him from head to toe, sent a thrill through him. These battles were getting harder and harder to win. “Angel—” He broke off as their gazes locked.
    She stared at him as if lost in thought.. “Rowdy, do you remember when you first came here?”
    Caught off guard by her change in subject, and the way her tone had become soft and gentle, he frowned. “Of course.”
    She turned, waving around the room. “You and my father sat here while he interviewed you. He normally uses his office, but Constance and I were waxing the floor in there.”
    Ellis had explained that. Rowdy remained silent.
    “I came down the hall and heard your voice.” Angel turned to face him. “I had to peek in, see who was in here, because you sounded familiar.”
    His pulse knocked against his skin. “I’d just arrived in Wyoming. We’d never met before then.”
    She stepped forward, her big brown eyes searching his. “I know. I listened outside the door to the entire interview.”
    His fingers itched to touch her hair. He allowed them to gently brush the curls off her shoulders. “Why?”
    “Because I wanted to know everything