True-Blue Cowboy Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

keep coming over if you’re not supposed to.”
    Her whole face lit up. “But I can come over if I have permission?”
    â€œWell, sure. I’m not always home, but I’d be happy to have some company.”
    Kate clapped her hands together, then grabbed Summer’s. “Come on. You just have to make Daddy say yes.”
    â€œI don’t know—” But Kate was pulling, and Summer couldn’t bring herself not to follow. It sounded like the girl did need some fun time, if all she had were a working father and a yelling-at-the-TV grandfather. Summer had to wonder if Kate had friends at school, or if that was against the rules too. Would she have friends to trick-or-treat with or spend Christmas break making snowmen with?
    Kate pulled Summer to the door of the stables and then inside. The ground was covered with hay, and there were rows of stalls. Where Shaw only had two horses, this place had at least eight, in a range of different colors. Their sleek heads stuck out over the gates of their stalls.
    Kate’s father stepped out of one stall, carrying a shovel full of horse poop. He had in earbuds, apparently listening to music as he worked.
    The stable was warm, so Summer let the shawl fall to the crook of her elbows. She supposed she should be the one to say something first, but he disappeared into a corner.
    Kate marched toward him undeterred, but Summer felt suddenly wary. When he came back into view, he was hefting a bag of feed from a back corner, a low humming sound coming from his mouth.
    His back was three-quarters of the way toward them, broad and strong and…um. Wow. He was… strong .
    The glow of overhead lights glinted against his dark hair and what looked to be a day or two of whisker growth.
    Summer tried to swallow or look away or something, but her eyes were glued to the outline of his arm underneath the heavy fabric of his work shirt.
    She didn’t like this man, so there was certainly no way she could be attracted to him. Besides, he…he…
    Muscles.
    He happened to glance to the side, then swore, dropping the feed as he turned. He tugged the earbuds free. “You scared the…” He pressed his mouth into a firm line, arms crossed over his impressive chest as he glared daggers at her.
    No, it was not an impressive chest. She’d met lots of cowboys—er—ranchers since she’d moved to Blue Valley, and a lot of them were in decent shape and…
    Old.
    And plenty were attractive and…
    Old.
    He wasn’t old. He wasn’t family either. He was…hot.
    She squeezed her eyes shut for a second, trying to draw in a cleansing breath. So what if he was hot? So what if his eyes were a kind of unearthly green? She shook her head. He was a jerk, and his poor little girl needed a friend. So she opened her eyes.
    â€œWhat did you do, Kate?” he demanded of the girl standing next to her, her shoulders back, charming smile in place.
    â€œWell, Daddy…um. I wanted to ask you if I could…” Kate tugged on Summer’s shirt until Summer somehow, with way more effort than should be necessary, looked away from the imposing, angry, hot —no—
    Kate motioned her close, and Summer bent down so her ear was close to Kate’s mouth.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” she whispered.
    â€œOh, um.” Summer glanced at Kate’s father, who looked like he was about to charge across the room, toss her over his shoulder, and…
    Oh, wow, no. That was not a turn-on. It was menacing and scary. Or so she was going to tell herself.
    â€œSummer. My name is Summer,” she replied, forgetting to whisper.
    â€œGo inside, Katherine.”
    â€œBut, Daddy, Summer said I can go over to her house if I have permission. And I think it’d be really fun to—”
    â€œInside. Now.”
    Kate turned and looked at Summer, rolling her eyes in a gesture so teen-like that Summer had to fight a smile. But