His Cowgirl Bride Read Online Free PDF

that famous or anything. His picture had been on the front page of those tabloids two years ago…. Thankfully, hardly anyone recognized him these days. If they did, it was only because they were connected to the rodeo circuit in some way. Sam hadn’t cared one way or the other. Normally, he didn’t let it bother him if someone knew him and mentioned his past stupidity—dating TV stars and acting like he was somebody special. Tina’s accident had sobered him up in moreways than one. Knowing Tacy had read all that trash about him—it bothered him. More than he wanted it to.
    The woman was something—“Something else,” he growled. A distraction he wouldn’t mind as long as she stayed out of the horse pen.
    When he pulled up in front of the diner, two older men were disappearing through the swinging door ahead of him.
    He removed his hat as he entered, realizing they were the first patrons of the morning.
    â€œYou came back,” Sam said, grinning as Brent sat down on the same stool he’d chosen the day before.
    â€œI’m back, but—” he held up his hands “—I don’t believe I’ll be having the meat loaf.”
    The two older men had set their checkerboard on the table by the front window and come to stand at the counter. They studied him. At the mention of meat loaf, their dour looks turned into grins.
    â€œSo yor the one that ate the meat loaf?” the thin one said loudly. “Big TV star like yourself got hoodwinked, didn’t ya?”
    Brent’s palms dampened at the mention of the TV spots. Sam hadn’t said anything about that, but Brent should have known he’d seen the commercials. Brent had snagged a few endorsements during his bid for the championship.
    The other man shook his balding head. “That’s not a good thang. Not good at all.”
    Brent didn’t know if the man was referring to the meat-loaf episode or the TV spots. Brent was in agreement on both counts.
    Sam chuckled and set a cup of coffee in front of Brent. “I told y’all Tacy got him. She recommended the meat loaf and didn’t tell him about all the peppers I load it up with.”
    That got a hoot from all three of them and Brent couldn’t help chuckling along with them. He was relieved that they seemed more interested in Tacy’s reactions than his past. She’d definitely pulled a smooth one on him.
    â€œSo what’d ya do ta make her mad at ya?”
    Brent looked at the skinny guy. “I asked her what she recommended. She said the meat loaf.”
    â€œThat’s Tacy. She’s a root-tootin’ live wire. By the way, I’m Applegate Thornton, but you can call me App,” the skinny guy said, holding out his hand.
    Brent shook, glad App didn’t lock on to his hand with the same grip that Sam had.
    â€œAnd I’m Stanley. Stanley Orr. Glad ta make yor acquaintance. Sam said you was here ta train horses fer Pace.”
    â€œYes, sir. That’s true.”
    Sam had been grinning through the whole exchange. “That thar’s why Tacy tricked him into eatin’ the meat loaf. He surprised her out thar. Poor gal didn’t have a clue you was showin’ up here.”
    â€œYou mean she didn’t know?” App’s eyes widened beneath bushy brows.
    Sam shook his head. “Shore didn’t. Pace and Sheri never said nothin’.”
    Stanley let out a low whistle. “She didn’t get mad, did she? She got even.” He and his two buddies got a good laugh out of that.
    â€œSerious, though,” Stanley said, “why would that make her mad? Yor good with horses, so you kin teach her same as Pace was goin’ to. Right?”
    Brent didn’t want to get into this, but it couldn’t be helped. “No. I won’t teach her.”
    Three groans went up around him.
    â€œShe know that?” Stanley asked as his buddies leaned in with raised bushy