Round-the-Clock Temptation Read Online Free PDF

break me.”
    He could see her hackles rising. “So, what? Are you saying I’m a charity case?”
    He shook his head. She did have pride by the bucket-load. “How about this? I’ll help you out at the farm and you can teach me everything you know about raising horses.”
    â€œLike a trade?”
    â€œYeah, like a trade. Then it all comes out even.”
    She eyed him suspiciously. “You would want to learn?”
    â€œSure, why not? I like to learn new things.”
    â€œAnd while we’re at it, I’ll teach you to ride. Since you’re looking a little—” she gave his backside a meaningful look “—uncomfortable.”
    â€œIt’s that obvious, huh?”
    â€œI’m just very observant,” she said, and he could swear there was a suggestive lilt in her tone, in the way she let her eyes wander over him. She was the last woman in the world he would have expected to be a flirt, but here she was doing just that. And doing it well.
    â€œSo we’ve got a deal?” he asked.
    She considered it a minute, then nodded. “Yeah, we’ve got a deal. Now, how about some lunch at the Royal Diner. With Jane gone there’s no one to do the cooking and I’m starved. If I botch another meal the way I did breakfast, the men are gonna string me up by my toes. They said my cooking is about as appetizing as horse feed.”
    Connor let a grin slip through. He was feeling a bit hungry himself. “The Royal Diner it is.”
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    Though some people preferred the fine French cuisine of Claire’s, the Royal Diner would always be Nita’s favorite. She loved the red vinyl booths and stools, the long counter where you could always find a friendly companion to share lunch with. She breathed in thescent of frying burgers and the mouthwatering tang of Manny’s famous chili. But most of all, Nita liked it because her sister told her their momma liked to take them there. They would have burgers and milkshakes and their momma always gave them a penny for the gumball machine. Even though Nita didn’t remember it, it was one more small connection, one link to the mother she wished she could remember.
    â€œCan I take your order, folks?”
    Nita looked up from her menu, expecting Sheila, the regular waitress. Instead she found Valerie Raines, the new, younger addition to the restaurant staff. She was a speck of a thing, skinny and petite, with eyes that made Nita think of shuttered windows. She was friendly enough, but always seemed a bit on the wary side, always on her guard.
    â€œHi, Valerie, I’ll have a cheeseburger, fries and a soda.”
    â€œSounds good,” Connor said. “I’ll have the same.”
    â€œAnd I’ll take one of your sweet smiles,” someone said, and all three of them turned to see Gavin O’Neal approaching the booth from the back of the diner. He flashed Valerie a charming grin. The Cattlemen Club men sure were a good-looking bunch, although Valerie looked less than impressed.
    â€œSheriff,” she said, her eyes going from wary to ice-cold, before she turned on her heel and walked away.
    â€œWhoa, talk about the cold shoulder,” Connor said.
    â€œWhat did you do?” Nita teased. “Leave her a lousy tip?”
    Gavin shook his head. “I don’t get it. I leave her a good tip and I’m sweet as candy to her but she seems inclined to dislike me. Must be the badge.”
    â€œCare to join us?” Connor asked.
    â€œNo, thanks. I was on my way out. I just wanted to stop and see how your father is doing.”
    â€œBetter,” Nita said. “He should be home in the next day or two.”
    â€œGlad to hear it. Give him my best,” he said, and turned to Connor. “Your brother mentioned that you have experience reading maps. Is that true?”
    â€œSome, sure.”
    â€œI’d like you to take a look at a copy of the map from the museum.