His Tempting Bride (The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Spicy Version Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

wasn’t what caught Miriam’s attention. The next person through the restaurant door behind them was none other than Cody Montrose. He was dressed in his native costume too, complete with tough trousers, a long coat, thick-soled boots, and a Stetson, which he was in the process of removing. His rugged good looks plucked at the strings of Miriam’s heart the way Juan plucked sensual notes from his guitar.
    A moment later, Cody’s searching glance landed directly on Miriam. For one shining moment, his face lit up in a smile. Then it collapsed into a frown.
    “Oh, dear.” A tiny wail squeaked out of Miriam’s lungs as he strode across the restaurant toward her table.
    “Now, now.” Libby reached for Miriam’s hand. “Cody is just a man. I’m sure he understands all of the reasons you chose not to marry him before. You have nothing to worry about.”
    “Are you certain?”
    Libby never had the chance to answer.
    “Ladies.” Cody came to a stop beside their table, nodding curtly.
    “Cody, how nice to see you,” Libby greeted him. “It’s such a rare treat to see you in town in the middle of the afternoon on a Wednesday.” Her eyes flashed as if she knew something Miriam didn’t. “Why don’t you pull up a chair and join us?”
    “Oh, I couldn’t impose, I just thought I’d—”
    “I insist,” Libby said in a voice that absolutely, positively insisted.
    Cody snapped his mouth shut. Miriam swallowed hard, eyes unable to focus on any one thing, and definitely not able to meet his. She reached for the teapot and poured a shaky cup of tea, spilling on her saucer.
    “Allow me.” Mr. Gunn appeared out of nowhere, sweeping a chair away from an empty table and positioning it at Miriam and Libby’s table. He gestured once, and Olga was back at the table with a third teacup and napkin.
    Within seconds, Cody had joined the tea as if he’d been invited from the beginning. Miriam’s heart trembled with fear and attraction.
    “Miriam was just telling me about the members of her performance troupe.” Libby attempted to begin a conversation. “What did you say the troupe was called, Miriam?”
    There was nothing left to do but put on her best imitation smile and pretend that tea with Cody was exactly what she wanted right then. “The Kopanari Company,” she answered. Her teeth sparkled with the intensity of her smile as she sloshed tea into Cody’s cup.
    “Kopanari.” Cody sniffed, holding his hand out when she’d poured enough. “Yeah, Juan said that was the name of the guy from the train station, and that he keeps you all organized. Says he’s a bit of a sissy.” He lowered his voice, casting a quick glance to the other side of the crowded restaurant where Miles sat having tea and conversation with his mother.
    Miriam’s back snapped straight. She was halfway through tipping the teapot back, and her sudden movement sent hot liquid jetting across Cody’s place, a bit splashing on his coat.
    “Miles is a respectable gentleman who has the impossible burden of caring for the members of his company,” she fired at Cody—careful not to speak loud enough for anyone else to hear—as she plunked the teapot down. Its porcelain lid rattled. “He is not a sissy .”
    “I didn’t call him a sissy.” Cody raised his voice a hair. “Juan did.”
    “Juan would never ,” Miriam informed him.
    “Juan said he was—and I quote—the kind of man who keeps his collars crisp and his ducks in a row.” Cody narrowed his eyes.
    “That means he’s fastidious and well-organized,” Miriam hissed, eyes narrowing.
    The sharpness in Cody’s eyes faltered. “Doesn’t ‘fastidious’ mean, you know ?”
    Miriam licked and pursed her lips, willing herself not to fly off the handle. “No, Mr. Montrose, it means that he has discerning tastes and wants the best for himself and for his troupe . It means that for the last four months since I met him, he has gone out of his way to care for his employees above himself,