The Cowboys Heart 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

Richard. It’s no secret I’m struggling here. I
don’t know what I’m doing, and if I don’t have someone to help me, this place
is going to fail.” Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes. I couldn’t fail.
Grandmother would never forgive me. “Please. I’m begging you. Help me.”
    He let out a heavy sigh and nodded. “All right, I’ll help
and be the supervisor, but we need to sit down and go over some things. Noreen
was very clear on what she did and didn’t want us doing. I need to know the
same from you.”
    I squealed with delight and smiled. “Deal! First thing
tomorrow morning, we’ll sit down and go over everything. Be in here at six a.m.
I’ll have breakfast on the table.”
    Richard chuckled. “I can see why your grandmother adored you
so much. You’re just like here.” With another chuckle and a shake of his head,
he left.
    I blew out a breath, feeling mildly relieved. I knew things
were getting behind around here, but I had no idea how to fix that. Hopefully
now, with Richard’s help, we’d get this ranch back on track. In the distance, I
heard Jamie’s bus coming down the road. I flung open the door, intent on
meeting him near the car so he couldn’t lock himself in his room, when I came
face to face with a man on a horse, a cow on a rope trailing behind him.
    “I believe this belongs to you, ma’am,” he said, his voice
deep and velvety.

Chapter Four
    I was dumbstruck by his handsomeness, unable to
form a coherent thought let alone speak any actual words. So I stood there,
staring at him for far too long, but I just couldn’t help it. He was all man
with muscular arms, tanned skin, a strong jaw and deep, penetrating eyes. A
large, black Stetson sat atop his head, strands of dark brown hair curled
around his ears.
    “Ma’am?” He dismounted from his horse, and I watched his
long, lean legs as he hit the ground, that rope still clutched in his hand.
“Found your cow wandering through my pasture. It has your ranch tag on it, so
I’m just returning her.”
    “Uh, that’s my cow?” Of all the things to say, I had to say
that. I was so stupid at times. Heat crept up my neck and face. I fanned my
cheeks with my hands then quickly dropped them to my sides, feeling like a
jerk.
    The man smiled, and each side of his face caved in with two
of the most gorgeous dimples I’d ever seen. The effect they had on me was
surreal, and they should be illegal. My heart raced, and my breaths were
shallow.
    “Yes, ma’am.” He held out the rope, and I took it, unsure
what else to do.
    “Thanks.” I glanced around, hoping one of the ranch hands
were nearby, but of course they weren’t.
    He nodded, tilting his hat in her direction. “I noticed a
large hole in your fence over by my property line.” He turned and pointed off
to his left. “Pretty sure that’s where she escaped. You’ll want to get that
fixed.”
    “Yes, of course.” I clutched the rope tighter, and the cow
picked at the grass, chewing aimlessly, oblivious to me or the sexy stranger
who’d brought her home. “Thank you.”
    Jamie’s bus pulled to a stop at the end of the driveway. He
walked with his head down, ear buds tucked in his ears, completely ignoring
everyone. He walked by with a quick glance at me and the cow, a slightly longer
look at the stranger, then he bounded up the porch steps.
    “Don’t forget, Jamie, we have dinner plans tonight,” I
called after him. He didn’t give me any indication he’d heard me. I sighed.
Great. Now I’d have to fight with him to get him out of his room. Maybe I
should call my parents and invite them over here. It’d be easier.
    “Well, I won’t keep you.” The man turned back to his horse
and slipped one foot into the stirrup.
    “Wait,” I said a little louder than necessary. “I didn’t
even get your name.”
    He graced her with another amazing smile. “Hudson Lyle.”
    “Hudson.” I smiled. “I’m Heather Walsh.”
    “It’s a pleasure.” His gaze moved