The Cowboys Heart 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

had
admired my grandmother. Despite refusing to move here while she was alive, it
was nice to know she had people around who cared about her. “She left this
place to me,” I said, looking around at the interior of the house.
    “You’re running it alone?” Hudson’s face turned a light
shade of pink, and I smiled, averting my gaze to my glass.
    “Yes. It’s just me and my son, Jamie.” It wasn’t the
smartest or safest thing to tell him, but I had a good feeling about Hudson. He
didn’t give me the creeps like those other guys had. “Do you know anything
about the Jennings’ brothers?”
    Hudson’s face went stoic, and if I wasn’t mistaken, anger
clouded his eyes. “You’d be best off to avoid those boys. They ain’t nothing
but trouble.”
    I sighed. It was nice to know my suspicions and instincts
were still accurate. Now, more than ever, I was glad I’d declined their offer.
Even if they had come through with payment, I was sure doing business with them
would’ve been a nightmare.
    “Do you have help around here?” Hudson asked, disrupting my
thoughts. “This is one of the largest ranches in the area. Your grandmother was
a strong woman, but even she had a lot of help.”
    “I have about six men who stayed on to help, but I’ll be
honest, I have no idea what I’m doing.” I laughed.
    Hudson smiled and took another drink of his tea. “Well, if
you need an extra pair of hands, I’d be happy to help out. Until you’re on
track with things, of course.”
    I raised my eyebrows in shock. “You’d do that?” People in
the city were never this friendly, and most of the time they wouldn’t volunteer
to help out unless they expected something in return. “I can’t pay you.” I
frowned.
    He chuckled, the sound like a virtual caress. “Good because I’m
not looking for a job. I’m just being neighborly, helping a pretty woman in
need.” He winked.
    I felt my face flush with warmth, and I was again diverted
my attention to something else. Looking at him for too long was like staring at
the sun – exciting but dangerous. “Well, thank you. I’m meeting with my ranch
supervisor tomorrow morning to go over a list of chores. Could you come for
that? It would be nice to have someone else here who knows what’s supposed to
be done.”
    “What time?”
    “Six in the morning.” I scrunched up my face expecting him
to tell me I was crazy. But all he did was smile.
    “I’ll be here.”
    “Really?” Did I sound too excited about that? I cleared my
throat. “Thanks. Again.” I laughed. “I can pay you for tomorrow with eggs and
bacon.”
    “Now that’s the best form of payment.” He chuckled and
finished his tea. Then he stood. “I’ll be heading back now. I recall you saying
you had dinner plans this evening. Don’t want to hold you up.”
    I was surprised he remembered that considering I’d said it to
Jamie in passing. I stood as well, searching for a reason to get him to stay. I
was enjoying talking with him – and staring at him – and I desperately wanted
him to stay longer. “Oh, those plans.” I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture.
“They weren’t anything too important. In fact, I’ll probably just order a
pizza. You’re welcome to stay and join us.” I chewed on my bottom lip as I
waited for him to answer.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.” I smiled. “It’s the least I can do.” I felt like I
owed him a huge debt for how nice he’s been to me. And I couldn’t deny I was
physically attracted to him. I hadn’t been on a date with anyone since my
divorce. There hadn’t been anyone I was interested in – until now. I glanced at
his left hand. No wedding band, and no tan line to indicate he’d had one and
removed it. That was good.
    “All right. I’m going to take Carter home then I’ll be back.
He doesn’t do so well at night.”
    I gave him a confused look. Carter? Oh, right. “Your horse.”
    He laughed. “He’s more like my trusty sidekick, but