Montana Cowboy (Big Sky Mavericks Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

came in handy in politics.
    "Here's a beach towel. Wrap up in this and I'll toss your clothes in the washing machine. My parents taught us never to track barn stuff into the house."
    He took the towel. "No washing necessary. Just give me a trash bag."
    She crossed her arms. "You mean to throw away a perfectly fine pair of jeans because they're stinky? You've got to be kidding."
    "They're my pants."
    She didn't argue. But he could tell she didn't approve. "I'll be right back. If I can remember where I put the trash bags."
    He used the privacy to pull off his boots. No easy task since he couldn't sit on one of the padded lawn chairs and the picnic table looked too rickety to support his weight. He hopped and grunted and nearly fell on his ass again, but, finally, he stood in stocking feet on the cracked sidewalk.
    He undid his belt and removed it from the loops then hesitated. He wasn't a prude, but the last thing he needed was for somebody to accuse him of indecent exposure.
    Serena returned before he could unzip. She seemed flustered. The look flattered her, made her appear less rigid and well out of her comfort zone.
    "I'm out of garbage bags."
    A twitch in her left eye told him that was a lie.
    "Leave your clothes on the table. I'll wash and return them tomorrow. I promise."
    "They're just jeans."
    She looked him up and down before letting out a sigh. "My parents are old hippies. From day one, I was taught to do more with less for the sake of the planet. Gratuitous waste makes me a little sick, actually." She sounded apologetic. "My brother wears Diesel. I bought him a pair for Christmas. I know how much they cost. And I know I should be okay with you burning them if you want. They're your pants, but...I've landed in my share of shit, so I know it will wash off."
    She dashed off before he could reply.
    "It will wash off," he repeated, peeling off the wet, stinky pants. He stepped behind the table for a small degree of privacy and yanked off his undershorts. His shirt showed a suspicious stain so it went into the pile, too.
    I've landed in my share of shit.
    The jury remained out on whether or not Austen's tumble into the political toilet would leave a permanent stain on his career. Friends like Sheri Fast insisted his debacle would be old news by the end of summer. In his gut, Austen knew that wasn't true. Not when he had his own personal blogger who was hell bent to see Austen fry for his so-called crimes.
    At the moment, Helena seemed like a reality TV show he'd voted himself off. Screw Helena. Screw politics. And screw Serena James. He'd barbecue his stinking pants if he wanted.
    He added his socks to the pile and walked...hobbled, actually, given the deteriorating condition of his brother's sidewalk to the house. The bathroom, which he found without a problem, screamed Paul Zabrinski remodel. Pale mocha, twelve-by-twelve tile with tight grout fittings and high-end fixtures, including a square stainless steel rain-type showerhead.
    "Nice," he murmured stepping onto the pebble floor.
    One glance at his shampoo and conditioner choices told him, Serena James lived alone—and didn't have any male friends who showered here. Lilac and lavender appeared to be her favorite scents.
    Not that he could fault either. When she'd brought him the clothes, he'd gotten a whiff of her non-barn scent. Girly. Sweet. Nice.
    So not his type.
    She'd hung a new, tag-still-on nylon mesh scrubber on the door handle. He squeezed a large dollop of liquid soap into the hot pink mesh and started to scrub. The texture felt good. Just the right amount of abrasion to rid his skin of the stink.
    He rinsed and scrubbed a second time. As he worked up a lather, he closed his eyes and pictured his new neighbor. In addition to being sweet and nice, Serena James also showed spunk, independence, and moral certitude. All things sadly lacking in his choice of women of late.
    Excluding Sheri, who was the one pursuing him.
    They'd gotten together at a benefit a