Midnight Thunder(INCR) Read Online Free PDF Page A

magnet for animals—and people. She was only one of many who’d longed to be close to this warmhearted but complicated man. As she stepped back from the open door to let Cade walk in, Ringo eyed her as if suspecting she had plans to separate him from the person he adored.
    She had enough experience with cats to know that releasing Ringo into a large house where he could find all sorts of hidey-holes was a bad idea. “Let me open a can of tuna, and then we’ll take him into the guest bath so he’ll be contained in one spot. The tuna might distract him enough for you to slip out of here without too much fuss.”
    â€œGood idea.”
    â€œI’ll be right back.” She started toward the kitchen.
    â€œYou look great, by the way.”
    She glanced over her shoulder to find him watching her with warmth in his green eyes. “Thanks. You, too.” Her heart beat faster as she hurried into the kitchen. She knew that look far too well. It had gotten her into a lot of trouble in the past. She didn’t need that kind of trouble now.
    Rosie’s pantry was neatly organized, which made the tuna easy to find. As Lexi carried it over to the electric can opener sitting on the counter, she heard Cade murmuring to the cat. The soft rumble of his voice stirred more hot memories, damn it. She shoved the tuna under the can opener’s blade so the sharp buzz of the motor could drown him out. She’d seriously underestimated his ability to arouse her just by being Cade.
    Then his murmurs turned to a surprised “Hey!” A second later Ringo wound his furry body through her legs, his plaintive meow announcing that he’d smelled the tuna.
    â€œSorry about that.” Cade appeared in the kitchen. “I didn’t anticipate his leap for freedom. He’s probably really hungry.”
    â€œHow about you?”
    â€œI’m fine. I’ll get something after I see Mom.”
    â€œOkay.” Lexi tamped down the urge to offer a sandwich for the road. She didn’t need to leap into her former role of nurturing girlfriend. He was a grown man who’d managed to take care of himself without her help for the past five years.
    Instead she opened a cupboard, took out a shallow bowl and dumped the tuna into it. “I’ll bet if I carry this into the bathroom, he’ll follow me. You might as well go unload your horse and save some time.”
    â€œHang on—let me see if Mom has carrots.” He opened the refrigerator door and rummaged in the vegetable bin with the ease of someone who’d done it thousands of times. “Perfect. I’m outta here.” He edged the door closed with his hip and backed out of the kitchen while keeping his attention on the cat. Ringo stayed right by Lexi’s feet and continued his frantic meowing.
    Once Lexi heard the front door shut, she walked down the hallway and into the guest bath with Ringo in hot pursuit. She set the bowl on the tile, and he buried his nose in it. Quietly she backed out and closed the bathroom door. Later she’d find something to use as a litter box.
    After putting on her boots and jacket, she stepped outside in time to see a large black horse backing slowly down the trailer ramp. Cade had a gentle grip on the lead rope. And he was singing.
    He had a decent voice, one of the few things about him she’d forgotten over the years. She remembered it now as she listened to his rendition of “ Red River Valley .” The kids had sung it around the campfire at Thunder Mountain. Back then she’d joined the others in making fun of the sentimental words, but tonight they made her heart ache.
    Cade completed the maneuver and paused at the bottom of the ramp to reward the horse with a piece of carrot. Apparently a sound track helped the animal behave. Her career had brought her in contact with a riding instructor who encouraged her students to hum or sing when they were nervous. Lexi had adopted