Texas Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn't want to change her, someone who liked Maddie for exactly who she was.
    Her stomach rumbled. The aroma wafting up the stairwell reminded her it had been early this morning since she'd last had food. But downstairs, she would have to contend with Boone and this mess that Sam had left her.
    Maddie straightened and shook her hair in defiance. The glowering giant would be her test at standing up for herself. She ran a quick brush through her hair and bounded down the stairs.
    * * *
    Boone toed his boots off outside the back door, leaving them on the porch out of years of long habit. His mother had trained them well.
    Something smelled terrific, and he was starving. He and Gulliver had enjoyed their run, and he had found Jim and worked out tomorrow's plans. There were problems here, for sure, but nothing that couldn't be handled by buckling down to hard work, something he'd never minded. Both Jim and Sonny Chavez, a hand who worked as needed, had seemed glad to see someone at the helm again. Now all Boone wanted was a shower, something to eat and to fall into bed until sunup.
    When he opened the back door, laughter greeted him, Vondell's rusty cackle mingling with a full, rich laugh that landed a punch to his gut. Maddie laughed like she talked, throaty and low, filled with life and sparkle. Their backs were turned to him, both bent over the counter, studying something intently.
    "I swear, I will never get the hang of this, gal."
    "Sure you will, Vondell. You've already got the top petals right. You're a quick study."
    He could see one side of Vondell's face and the quick blush that stained her cheeks.
    Blush? Vondell?
    He closed the door behind him, and both jumped and whirled. He couldn't tell who looked more guilty.
    "Boone, I didn't expect—uh, supper's not quite ready."
    Boone glanced back and forth, wondering what it was that Vondell hid behind her back. "Didn't mean to startle you," he replied. Despite feeling like his bones could sink into the floor, curiosity tickled at his resolve to head straight for the shower. "You all right?"
    "Oh—sure—sure. Never better," Vondell blustered.
    Maddie simply watched him, chin up but eyes sparkling.
    "Need some help?"
    "Me?" Vondell squeaked. "Why, no, not at all. Uh, Maddie's helping me."
    Boone turned to study Maddie. "You know how to cook, do you?"
    She fought a grin he didn't understand. "A little."
    Vondell shot her a shocked glance. "But, Maddie, you're a—"
    "A quick learner," Maddie supplied.
    "Now I don't know why you're being so modest. Maddie here is a genuine gourmet chef from New York."
    Boone watched a shadow cross over the mischief in Maddie's eyes. "Is that right? Well, not much call for gourmet chefs in this part of Texas. There is The Dinner Bell over on the highway, but I'm afraid it won't quite measure up to your standards."
    Maddie's chin jutted upward. "Good food is good food, wherever it's served."
    "So why would a gourmet chef leave a fancy restaurant in New York to come to this little burg? Who's doing the cooking while you're rescuing calves?"
    The shadows darkened for a moment, but then came the sparks. Had he been standing closer, his hide would have been singed. Boone decided he liked the sparks better than the shadows.
    "I had a small share in a restaurant, but my partner bought me out. I'm trying to decide whether to accept one of several offers or open my own place when I go back."
    "And they'll wait for you to decide? You must be good."
    Maddie locked her gaze on his and gave him a slow, wicked smile that could suck the breath out of a man's lungs. "I'm very good."
    Boone couldn't respond yet. He was still trying to draw a good breath. "Well..." He stirred, slapping his hands on denim-covered thighs. "Guess I'd better grab a shower before Vondell throws my supper out."
    As he crossed the room, Vondell turned her body in tandem with his motion so her back stayed hidden. Boone shot her a curious glance, but Vondell only blushed again.
    Vondell