Tying You Down Read Online Free PDF Page A

generosity.
    She’d also dropped everything in her former life to return to Prescott for her sister because Charlee had been alone in the world once her mother had died. Jo was loving and protective, and from everything he knew and from what others had said, Jo had a heart of gold.
    He had a feeling she used her sophisticated appearance as a shield. He wasn’t sure from what, but he knew she was hiding something and that deep down inside she was still that little country girl he’d known when they’d just been kids.
    Just as he reached his truck, he saw Jo and Charlee walking out of some kind of beauty salon several doors down from where he stood. Jo’s radiant smile as she talked with her sister made his heart thump a little faster and his gut tightened.
    Damn, but Jo looked great in a pair of black pants and a russet brown blouse that draped softly over her breasts and tapered in at her waist. Her long red hair fell over her shoulders and down her back and her slender but curvy figure made his fingers itch to touch her everywhere.
    He braced one palm on the hood of his truck and watched as the sisters hugged each other. As they drew apart, Charlee noticed him and gave him a little wave. Jo turned to see who Charlee was waving at and a hesitant smile touched her lips as she met his gaze.
    “See you, Tate,” Charlee called out before turning and heading in the opposite direction.
    He pushed away from the truck and walked toward Jo. She remained standing just outside the salon.
    She pushed hair over her shoulder and looked almost nervous before straightening and putting on one of her sexy smiles. He liked the moment of vulnerability she’d shown that he knew she hadn’t intended to reveal.
    He reached her. “Ready for tomorrow?”
    She tilted her head to the side. “Maybe. If I knew what we were doing I might be more prepared.”
    He couldn’t help a grin. “That would ruin the surprise.”
    The corners of her mouth tipped up. “Jeans, huh?”
    With a nod he said, “Yep.” He drew out his cell phone and checked the time. “How about a little lunch? It’s almost noon.”
    She hesitated. “All right.” She glanced across the street. “At the Hummingbird?”
    He tucked his cell phone back into its holster. “Sounds as good a place as any.”
    They fell into step beside each other as they crossed the quiet street. The day was sunny but on the cool side and it smelled of an Arizona fall.
    He held the door open for her and they walked into the formerly struggling but now thriving restaurant. All of the booths were filled and the hostess seated them at a small table and gave each a menu. Tate didn’t recognize the new hostess. At one time, before she’d started working for Gage, Tess had usually served as midday hostess. She had often served as bartender in the evenings for Nectars which was the bar side of the Hummingbird.
    Tate set his western hat on one of the empty chairs at the table. “Hi, Penny.” He gave the waitress a smile as she stopped by their table.
    “Hey, Tate.” Penny looked from him to Jo. “How are you doing, Jo?”
    “Good.” Jo smiled. “I’m just going to have my usual, so whenever you’re ready to order is fine,” she said to Tate.
    He nodded to Jo. “Go ahead.”
    Jo ordered a club sandwich on whole grain with coleslaw, and Tate said he’d like a bowl of chili with cornbread. Both asked for iced tea with extra lemon to drink.
    “What are you doing in town?” Jo asked Tate after Penny left.
    He settled back in his chair. “Had a bunch of errands to run and my hair was getting a little long at the collar.”
    Jo let her gaze drift over him and a smile tugged the corner of his mouth. “You look good,” she said.
    He leaned forward with his forearms on the table. “And you look absolutely gorgeous.”
    If he wasn’t mistaken she blushed at the compliment. He found that sexy as hell. A woman who looked as good as she did had to be accustomed to being told she was