Most Eligible Cowboy (Peach Valley Romance Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

That ranch has been in the family for five generations. Nooooo way will he let his dad sell it. So, in ninety days Jackson will be married.” As she said the last part, she bounced up and down.
    “Well, we better get going, Aliza. Have a good afternoon.” Aunt Patty slid out of the booth.
    “Oh, right. Absolutely.” Aliza stood and Maya followed. “It was so good to meet you.” She patted Maya on the arm. “Hey, if you want to hang out, meet some more people, me and the girls are going to get drinks at Peaches Bar tonight?”
    “Sounds good, but probably not tonight. I’m in serious need of a good night’s sleep.” She didn’t mention that she didn’t like to drink. It was a personal choice.
    “Yeah, okay. But if you change your mind, we’ll be there around nine o’clock. I’m sure we’re gonna discuss strategy.”
    “Strategy?” Maya raised her eyebrows.
    “Yeah, when you go huntin’ you always gotta have a strategy?”
    Maya shrugged.
    “Come on, I’m talking about Jackson.”
    “Right. Well, good luck with your strategizing.”

    * * *
    A unt Patty apologized for Aliza when they returned to the cottages, but Maya told her it was fine. The girl seemed harmless. She hugged her aunt, promising to let her show Maya around the Palace and the sixty-five acres tomorrow. She went inside her adorable new place that already felt more like home than her apartment ever had. Exhausted, she took off her shoes, and lay down. The bed was so comfortable. She tucked her hands behind her head and found herself thinking about Jackson. He was incredibly handsome, with a rugged exterior, but there was softness in his eyes, and kindness too. She’d immediately wanted to get to know him better. His blue eyes and the slight scruff on his tanned face had her heart pounding, just thinking about him. And that was strange because he was so different than Quin. She turned onto her side, shaking any thought of her ex out of her mind, and before she knew it, she’d fallen asleep.
    When she woke, it was nearing sunset. She’d slept for nearly four hours. After using the bathroom and brushing her teeth, she went out onto her porch to witness the sun setting. The way the rays broke through the leaves on the peach trees took her breath away. She ran back inside to get her camera.
    Maya started out, taking pictures from her porch, but within minutes she’d stepped down and moved into the grove. She lay on her back and snapped pictures of the sunlight pouring through the branches from above. After that, she stood, and she continued on, taking pictures of the peaches and a bumblebee on a wild daisy that had found a way to grow between two trees. Before she knew it, she was at the fence on the other side of the orchard.
    In the distance, a group of men in cowboy hats were on horses. They were whooping and hollering and laughing. Dust mingled with the dying light. It filled Maya with such a heady buzz that she laughed and then covered her mouth sheepishly. Then she proceeded to take picture after picture. Before she knew it, tears had filled her eyes. She didn’t even understand why, but she felt alive. For the first time in years, she really felt alive!
    It was well after the sunset before she put down her camera, feeling elated and content. But that lasted only briefly until she comprehended that it was dark. Really dark. The guys had started a bonfire and it appeared as though they were just getting started with their night. The sound of crackling firewood mingled with the men’s conversation. Smoke filled the air, its aroma cutting through the sweetness of the over ripened peaches. She was saddened that the light from the fire didn’t reach her.
    Maya glanced back toward home, through the grove of peach trees. She could make out shadows, but it was so dark they looked menacing. She searched for the Palace, hoping to get her bearings. It surprised her that she couldn’t see it. A quick look up at the sky revealed nothing