The Rancher's Second Chance Read Online Free PDF Page A

coughed. “This isn’t the Outback. It’s a ranch half an hour outside Passion Creek.”
    “Didn’t I tell you to shut up?”
    Mrs. Harris pursed her lips. “Cole—”
    “No. Not interested in those kinds of people. I don’t need a socialite in my life.”
    His friend leaned forward, poking his fork in Cole’s direction. “I never knew you were such a prick.”
    “You took the words right out of my mouth, Gage!” Mrs. H said, standing and tossing her napkin on the table. She glared down at him, hands on her wide hips.
    He couldn’t believe this. He looked up at Mrs. H. “Prick? Really? That’s what you were thinking?”
    She frowned and puffed up like a rooster. “Precisely what I was thinking.”
    “Good morning,” Melanie called out as she entered the room. Everyone turned to her, Mrs. H suddenly beaming as she jostled over.
    This morning Melanie’s dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and though he thought it looked gorgeous down around her shoulders, this seemed to make her features more prominent, their delicate perfection more noticeable. But he shouldn’t be observing any of this.
    Cole mumbled out a greeting and then glowered into his coffee mug. He did look up, though, to witness Gage ambling over to her. God, his friend could lay it on thick. His arm was stretched out, braced against the counter as he mumbled something probably completely inappropriate. Melanie’s laughter filled the room along with Gage’s deep voice. Gage was doing his best to play the part of the charming cowboy. Mrs. H and his friend fussed over her, pouring coffee and fixing up a plate of food. Her warm laughter stirred something deep inside him that he couldn’t ignore. “I feel kind of silly. There’s hardly any snow out there,” Melanie said with a shake of her head, somehow managing to emerge from Gage’s little trap. She focused on the window behind him. Cole frowned slightly when he realized she was avoiding eye contact with him.
    “Better safe than sorry,” Mrs. H said, patting her hand. “Besides, it was wonderful having a guest.”
    “You’re so sweet, Mrs. H,” Melanie said taking a long drink of orange juice. When she licked the moisture from her lips, Cole shifted uncomfortably in his seat. She settled in the chair beside Gage, opposite him. She was wearing one of Cori’s sweaters, and he swore Mrs. H was responsible for this outfit too. It was a clingy, scoop-neck, soft-looking sweater, and the way Mel filled it out made him want to reach out an—
    “So, anything I can help you with today? I’ve got all morning free if you need an extra pair of hands for your wedding-planning tasks,” Gage said, leaning closer to her. Cole ground his back teeth until they hurt. He knew exactly where Gage would like to be putting his hands. Cole was hoping his friend would start eating soon, his table manners were atrocious, certainly off-putting to someone like Melanie. She was completely unaware of his friend’s motives, so she just smiled at him.
    “I’m sure I’ll manage. I just need to take a look at a few things in the dining room,” she said, chewing on a forkful of eggs. “I should be out of your hair in less than two hours.”
    “Melanie, you are welcome to stay as long as you need. Saturdays are pretty slow around here,” Mrs. Harris said, picking up his plate even though there was still food left on it. “Maybe you’ll be able to stay for lunch, too. I’m planning on making some warm beef sandwiches with last night’s leftovers.”
    Cole could not believe this. Mrs. Harris was like some mastermind matchmaker.
    “That does sound delicious, but I do have appointments lined up this afternoon and I really need to get back into town.”
    The vibrating of his phone sent everyone looking in his direction, assuming there might be news about Cori. His heart hammered as he glanced down at the display.
    “Sorry, not Adam.” He knew that’s what they were anticipating. “But I do need to take