What She'd Do for Love Read Online Free PDF

imagined Ryder’s familiarity with her parents. “I met him,” she said. “How do you know him?”
    “Oh, we met somewhere in town.” Mom gave a vague wave. “Such a nice young man, and about your age.”
    Of course. Her mother saw Ryder Oakes as a potential match for her twenty-six-year-old-and-still-single daughter. “Paul Raybourn at the bank introduced me to Ryder,” she said.
    “What did you think? He’s very handsome, isn’t he?”
    “He is.” She couldn’t very well lie; with that thick sandy hair, brilliant blue eyes, dimpled smile and broad shoulders, Ryder was classically handsome. And he seemed like a nice guy. “But I really don’t have time to date anyone while I’m here. I have to focus on finding a new job, and a new place to live after that. Besides, Ryder is probably already involved with someone else.” The great guys always were.
    “I’m sure he isn’t,” Mom said. “I think he’s been out with a few women, but Etta Mae says he’s never come into the café with the same woman twice. And did you know he went to the University of Texas, too?”
    “Paul mentioned it.” As if graduating from the same university guaranteed they’d hit it off.
    “Ryder has a good head on his shoulders. I like him.”
    Christa stared at her father. This assessment of a stranger was the equivalent of the Pope’s blessing—at least in her house. Dad wasn’t one to throw around praise, and over the years Christa couldn’t remember him having much to say about any of the boys and men she’d dated. “How do you know Ryder?” she asked.
    “Oh, we’ve talked a time or two.” He turned away. “Call me when supper’s ready.”
    “How does Dad know Ryder Oakes?” Christa asked after her father had left the room. The casual acquaintance her mom had alluded to didn’t add up to the praise Dad had given the man.
    Mom lifted the lid on the slow cooker and studied the roast. “I suppose they ran into each other in town. At Cattlemen’s Club meetings and things like that.” She reached for the salt shaker.
    “But Ryder isn’t a rancher,” Christa said. “Why would he be at a Cattlemen’s Club meeting?”
    Mom replaced the lid on the cooker. “I don’t know, dear. Why don’t you go freshen up? I’ll call you when supper’s ready.”
    “I can help, Mom. Just tell me what to do.”
    “That’s all right, dear. Go on.” She made shooing motions with her hand.
    Christa started to argue, but decided to give in, for tonight, at least. She drifted into the living room, where Dad had assumed his usual place in his recliner, Jet in his lap.
    “Kelly told me there’s a public meeting tonight about the new highway,” Christa said as she settled onto the sofa. “I’m thinking of going.”
    “That’s a good idea.”
    “Maybe you and Mom would like to go with me.”
    “I don’t think so, honey.” He stroked the dog, whose head was resting on her dad’s knee.
    “Aren’t you curious to know what the state has to say? How they can justify destroying the town?”
    “Cedar Grove was dying a slow death before the idea of this highway project ever came along,” Dad said. “The new highway could actually be a good thing.”
    “I don’t see how.” Her father’s easy acceptance of such a big change bothered her. He’d lived in Cedar Grove all his life; was he really content to let the town just fade away?
    “Maybe going to the meeting tonight will help you see things in a different light,” Dad said.
    “Maybe.” Though she doubted it. Her father’s eyes were already closed. Was he really napping, or merely avoiding discussing this with her?
    She stood. “I guess I’ll go freshen up before dinner.”
    “Say hello to Ryder for me when you see him tonight.”
    She froze halfway to the door. “I’m going to the meeting with Kelly, Dad. I won’t be seeing Ryder.” Did he think the meeting was some kind of excuse for a secret rendezvous with Ryder Oakes? She hadn’t done that kind of