One Brave Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page B

continued to speak in hushed tones while Mark went right on attending to the kittens. He was protecting himself in ways that she could not, but still she would do what she could. Maybe he didn’t hear, but she believed he could, andwhen he was ready, he would. Meanwhile, he had keen senses, and she would not have him treated other wise.
    She moved past Greg and caught Mark’s attention. “Let’s go have a look at the mustangs.”
    â€œHell with the mustangs,” Greg bellowed. “Next thing I know, you’ll have him wandering into the path of a pack of wild horses.”
    â€œThey run in herds,” Cougar said.
    â€œPut the cats down, Mark.” Greg grabbed Mark by the elbow and urged him to his feet. “We’re going to Rapid City. We’ll catch the snake show.” His big hand swallowed the child’s small one. “Like I said, I’ve got a lawyer. We’re not done yet, Cecilia. Not by a long shot.”
    Cougar stood in the doorway and watched the boy tag along with his father, stretching his leash arm to its limit, dragging his toes in the dirt. He tamped down the urge to go after them, spring the ham-fisted trap and release the kid. Why wasn’t there some kind of law against adults using kids to even a score? Maybe Cougar should make one. He’d gladly enforce it.
    Come on, Mark’s father, sue me.
    â€œI’m sorry about that.” Celia’s soft voice drew him back into her company, where his anger began to cool. “I guess you could tell, we aren’t exactly on friendly terms. I try not to say very much when he gets going like that. It’s pointless to try to talk withhim.” She touched his arm. “Thank you for understanding.”
    â€œThe guy already pissed me off once today, so the understanding part was easy. The hard part is watching Mark. He doesn’t want to go.”
    â€œI know. But Greg has his new court order.” She didn’t sound too happy about it. “And his lawyer.”
    â€œIt’s none of my business,” he reminded himself aloud. “Unless he wants it to be. In that case, bring it on.”
    â€œI hope not,” she said with a sigh. “I’m tired of fighting. It’s a distraction from figuring out what’s best for Mark.”
    She sure sounded tired, and he felt bad about that, even though he was pretty sure whatever distraction he’d just caused hadn’t been a bad thing. The truth was, he’d headed straight for the barn when he saw the bread delivery truck parked beside her little blue Chevy. He was in the habit of filing away the details of every vehicle he saw, where he saw it and whether it might blow up in his face down the road. After the conversation he’d had with Mark’s father at the store, he’d done the math in his head—ex plus ex—and he’d chosen to butt in. It had taken him all of two minutes to develop a strong dislike for the man and become Celia’s natural ally.
    Which might have just added to her difficulties, dumbass. You don’t know what’s going on between these two people. When did you become lifeguard on this beach?
    I saved a life yesterday, didn’t I?
    You came within an inch of ending one. Two, if you count yours.
    â€œI don’t have to pick out a horse today,” Cougar said. “I can wait for Mark.” Which was just a thought, in case anyone inside his head was listening.
    â€œHe loves them all. Whichever you choose, tell him you’ll share. Come look.” Celia gestured toward the far side of the barn. She led, and he followed.
    They rounded the corner of the building, clambered up the tall rail fence and peered past a set of corrals. At least a dozen young horses milled about in a small pasture.
    â€œThey’ll let you handle it any way you want. Run them all into the pens for a close look, turn out the ones that don’t interest you, let you run your own