Mistletoe Rodeo (Welcome to Ramblewood) Read Online Free PDF Page B

That win spoke volumes in the industry and, once again, Chase felt like he’d let everyone down.
    * * *
    “W HERE ’ S THE STORY ?” Pete Devereaux, KWTT’s news director, boomed through the phone.
    “I don’t have it yet.” Nola tried to think of a way to tell Pete he wasn’t going to get the type of story he had expected. “I’m meeting Chase at Bridle Dance this afternoon.”
    “We sent you all the way to Las Vegas and back—first class, I might add—and you still don’t have anything. If we wanted you to get the story at the ranch, we could’ve saved ourselves a lot of money.”
    “I know.” Nola’s voice went dry. “He refused to give me an interview in the airport. I wasn’t going to hound him like a tabloid reporter. It’s not my style. Besides, the interview at the ranch was his idea.”
    “Of course it was. You’ll be on his home turf,” Pete grunted. “You’ve got to bring me something good if you want this co-anchor job. Dirk just locked down an exclusive tell-all interview with Senator Waegle about the
alleged
prostitute he was caught with. I’m sorry, but you need to top it or he will get the co-anchor position. I’d hate to do that when I know you are more than capable.”
    Sometimes Nola hated the news and wished they could call a cease-fire for the holidays. Life went on, wars continued, people died tragically and politicians cheated. She’d witnessed every sin imaginable and had even committed the ultimate one herself.
    Shaking her head to erase the memory, Nola ended her call with Pete. She brushed her hair one last time and checked her reflection in the mirror before heading out. This was not the way Nola wanted to start her afternoon with Chase. Correction—with Kay and Chase. It wasn’t a date and she shouldn’t have to remind herself she was working. Besides, George was going to be there, and nothing was more unromantic than having a burly cameraman by her side.
    The KWTT news van pulled up in front of her building. Normally she would’ve met George at the studio, but since her condo was on the way to the ranch, there was no sense in backtracking.
    George was a friend Nola trusted completely. A veteran himself, George had witnessed more than his share of fighting and tragedy after serving twenty years in the Navy. Unlike Nola, he’d come to town to retire and wind down, not climb the ladder of success. George was one of the few people who knew of Nola’s past and her current fears. Nola regarded him as a pinch-hitting father, and she was grateful George kept her secrets even though it must put a strain on his marriage.
    “I see you dressed down today.” George regarded her wardrobe choice and nodded. “I approve.”
    Nola looked down at her favorite buttery soft gray T-shirt, semi-faded jeans and cowboy boots. She was comfortable to a point but felt exposed without her Spanx. “I’m not sure how long I’m going to last in these boots. I bought them a couple years ago because everyone said I needed a pair in Texas, but I’ve hardly worn them. I’m going to get blisters.”
    George laughed at her. “You need to get out more and do some dancing to break them in.”
    “Why? To add blisters on top of my blisters? No, thanks. Besides, I don’t dance.”
    “You need to learn,” George said. “But have no fear. There’s still a pair of your nasty old black Converse sneakers in the back of the van. At least I think that’s what I smell.”
    “Why, you—” Nola hauled off and playfully smacked him. “That’s not right and you know it. Stop laughing and keep your eyes on the road.”
    George composed himself and cleared his throat. “You and Chase looked pretty chummy at the baggage claim.”
    “Chummy? How?” Nola hoped she hadn’t looked like a lovesick fan. Chase’s hard, chiseled features had softened during the flight and Nola had begun to see a side of him she hadn’t known existed.
    Chase had always come across as the quiet, watchful brother in