Ropin' Trouble (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

with women who hung out at Mosley’s on a nightly basis. The rest of the guys were at the pool table, and Ben wasn’t in the mood. Finishing his bottle, he set it down with a thud and slid off the stool.
    Pulling his keys from his front pocket, he held them up, motioning to Dade. “I’m leaving,” Ben gave him a quick wave then stepped outside, taking a deep breath. He shouldn’t have come. Instead of relaxing, he felt on edge. He just couldn’t get his mind to rest.
    He walked toward his truck and heard a jangling sound coming from the hotel across the parking lot. In the dimly lit vending area, he spotted a woman dropping coins into one of the machines. He continued his pace, hit the unlock button on his key pad, and opened the door.
    “Shit! Shit! Shit!” The woman was pounding on the machine and then gave it a good kick with her foot. Must have eaten her coins .  Ben chuckled and shook his head.
    The shadows shifted and he adjusted his eyes, narrowing in on movement along the dark side of the hotel’s walkway. A man stepped into the lighted area close to the woman who was focused on abusing the machine. From the man’s swaying amble, Ben guessed the stranger had left the bar and was looking for his room. The woman was completely unaware that she was no longer alone.
    Ben waited and watched. He knew the area wasn’t high in crime, but it wasn’t safe for a woman to be out alone at this hour.
    The woman’s head came up just as the wobbling man approached her. She backed up, pressed her body against the machine and in the overhead light he could see her wide-eyed expression. Ben’s protective instincts slammed into gear and he managed to cross the parking lot in three paces.
    “Is there a problem here?” Ben asked as he stepped into the light.
    The woman didn’t acknowledge him, but the drunk turned his head toward Ben. The smell of whiskey was strong and sour. “Just chekin’ to see if the lady needs a hand,” the man slurred.
    The lady in reference, still holding the machine like a lifeline, looked at Ben and his chest tightened. It was her! Cara…from the bio he’d read earlier. He’d know the eyes anywhere—and the pouty lips and pale skin that looked pasty under the bad lighting.  But what was she doing here?  She wasn’t due at Nirvana until tomorrow. She looked as vulnerable as a baby kitten facing a wolf. “I don’t think the lady wants your help, partner.”
    “Let the lady speak fir herself, paaartner.” The man leaned in and started to go down, but he caught his balance.
    “I-I don’t need any help. Thank you, anyway.” There was a quiver to her small voice.
    “Well, there you have it. The lady has spoken. Now walk on.” Ben took a step closer, so close the stench of stale liquor singed his nostrils.
    The stranger lifted his chin, attempting to make eye contact with Ben, who was over a head taller, and at least fifty pounds heavier. “I’m just aimin’ to help. I ain’t gonna hurt the sweet thing.”
    “Yes, I’m sure you have clean intentions here, pal, but you’re one sip away from face-planting the sidewalk. Call it a night, ya hear?” Ben infused more force to his voice this time. He’d hate to have to ‘help’ the man to his room.
    Realizing he wasn’t going to get anywhere with Cara or Ben, the man pushed off the vending machine and stumbled up the sidewalk. Once he was gone from sight, Ben turned to Cara and offered her a smile. “You can peel yourself off the soda machine now, ma’am.” He tilted his hat in greeting.
    Some of the worry left her expression. She moved to the side, but crossed her arms over her chest as if she still was in danger. Ben took a step back, allowing her space. If only this woman could understand that he’d never hurt her, and that he’d done nothing but think of her since he saw her picture. No, he couldn’t tell her that. She’d think he was as creepy as the man who’d just disappeared into the shadows.
    “Th-thank you. I