No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

too long, and frankly, he didn’t know how much longer he’d stick around. But being single, his interest was piqued. “What’s that all about?”
    Rein shrugged into his Carhartt jacket. “Every spring the town’s Chamber puts on what they call the Montana Buckle Ball. It’s normally held at the high school gym. I went one year, but Wyatt and Dalton could never be convinced.”
    “Convinced… of what?” Clay flipped through his wallet to check his finances for the evening.
    “To take part in the bachelor auction. They get five or so single guys in town, dress them up, and auction them off to the highest bidder for a date.”
    Clay glanced up. Was he serious?
    Rein continued, “The proceeds from the bids go toward charity. One year it was the End of the Line fire department; another it was the Billings Children’s Hospital. I heard they were talking about the recipient being the Billings Women’s and Children’s Shelter that Ellie just opened this past year.  Heard she was already running out of room in that big old house we helped her with. That lady does some amazing work down there.”
    While Clay agreed, and he’d happily offer a donation to Ellie for her shelter, he knew how to say no. “Thanks for the two-minute warning. Might be a good idea for Tyler, though. Seems like he’s kind of ready to settle down.”
    Rein scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, I tried to find a way to hook him up with Sally.”
    Clay nodded. “Yeah, I heard something about that.”
    “You did?” Rein asked.
    “Pretty much the whole town knows, bro.” Clay smiled. Did the guy really not get how fast news like that can travel in a small town? “Sally didn’t seem too keen on the idea when Dalton asked her about it.”
    His friend sighed. “Yeah. I’ve known Sally a long time. She and I tried dating once or twice.”
    “And?” Why this bit of information should interest him, he didn’t know, but it did.
    “Didn’t really work out. We decided we were better off as friends,” Rein answered.
    His reply dredged up a few questions in Clay’s mind, but he thought it best to let them slide. “Well, listen, I better head out. See you later?”
    Clay wasn’t thrilled about the idea of being in a crowded room of potentially drunk folks tonight. Most of his weekend nights had been spent down in his cabin, parked on his couch watching old movies or practicing his shooting skills in Call of Duty. Still, Tyler had asked him and so he stuffed his keys in his pocket and sauntered up to the door.
    Despite the no-smoking sign on the door, it was clear that at one time it’d been allowed. The musty odor of stale smoke seemed infused in the rough-hewn floors, and walls. Clay had come up to Dusty’s a couple of times with Dalton. He liked Dusty. Seemed like a nice guy. Treated everyone the same.
    “Hey, Clay, good to see you. The place is pretty full tonight.” Dusty leaned against the end of the bar, talking to Clay as though he was the only guy in the place. “If you’re looking for Dalton, I haven’t seen him.”
    Clay scanned the room, and while he told himself he was looking for Tyler, he knew that was a lie. His gaze landed on Sally Andersen seated in a booth at the end of the room. She was with Liberty, Aimee, and Angelique and a young woman who’d pulled up a chair at the end.
    Not that he cared. His gaze zeroed in on that insanely red hair she had wrapped up in some clip, a few corkscrew tendrils falling gently around her face. Travesty for hair like that to be held prisoner in a hair clip. She glanced over. He was pleased when her eyes met his. He felt a sucker punch to his gut and forced a quick smile.
    “Clay!”
    He glanced with half-interest toward where he’d heard his name being called. There was Tyler, hand raised, waving him to a table. He checked only once as he wove through the crowded tables to see if Sally was watching, but she’d gone back to her friends.
    “Hey, glad you could make it. I was