Wishing on a Rodeo Moon (Women of Character) Read Online Free PDF Page A

that he had tossed and turned most of the
night. He wouldn’t have been surprised to hear a vehicle arrive to pick
up Tye.
    He came
to an abrupt halt at the barn door, surprised to see Tye in the barn. There was
no wheelchair, just her, standing there on her own. Another quick look at his
watch assured him it was barely six, but there she was, staring out over his
pasture, a relaxed, almost tranquil expression on her face. Jake swallowed hard
and shoved his hands into his pants pockets. Long ago he had dreamed of sharing
every morning with her. His mouth twisted. They both had been so young.
    Jake
figured the gentlemanly thing would be to let her have some privacy. He should
turn and walk away. She probably wouldn't be happy to see him this morning.
    "Good
morning, Tye," he said instead. As if he had startled her, she swiftly turned
her head. At least she didn't look nearly as tired. Even tired, she looked
damned good.
    Tye
walked toward him, slim in worn jeans and a gray cotton T-shirt. Her gait was
somewhat awkward, but she wore a determined smile on her face, and he couldn't help
but stare at her blue, blue eyes. She had shown up yesterday looking bone tired
and sitting in a wheelchair. Today, with her prosthesis in place, he got the
message that she wanted to act as if everything was normal. As far as he was
concerned, normal was good. The way she was watching him, Jake had a feeling
this was a trial of sorts. Was she testing him, or anyone who came into contact
with her? Jake squashed the voice that warned him he’d made a mistake in
letting her come here.
    "Good
morning, Jake. I wanted to see your stock. Mind if I look around?"
    "No,
feel free. The horses are pretty friendly. They’re always interested in
carrots or treats."
    "Are
they yours, Jake?"
    "Yes.
A friend fell on some hard times and needed somewhere to park the horses. That
was three years ago. I ended up buying the trio."
    Jake
watched Tye lean a moment against a fence post. He wondered about her leg, if
it bothered her, but something in her face warned him not to ask. He balled his
fists deeper in his pockets and said with determination, "Are you, do you
need any help?" Inwardly, he cursed his own awkwardness, cursing inwardly.
She narrowed her eyes but he ignored the warning. "If you find you need
anything or I've forgotten something, I'll be around later this afternoon. Look
around at whatever you like, Tye. I'll be leaving for work in the next
hour." He made himself walk away from her. Everything in him wanted to
stick around and talk to her, make sure she was okay. But her wary expression
told him she had to make the first move. Jake pushed the barn gate closed and
latched it.
    "Jake?"
    He
turned quickly, then cursed his eagerness. What was the matter with him?
    "Do
you usually work on Saturdays?"
    "Not
usually. In a little while I have to go in and check a few things and meet with
some people."
    "I’m
not used to seeing you in a suit," she remarked.
    Jake
smoothed his tie, feeling the cool breeze, seeing it lift several strands of
Tye’s hair. "I run a manufacturing company. I have a lot of business
meetings ― that's the reason for the suit." He couldn’t resist
adding, "I’m not the same man you knew, Tye."
    "I
know what you do. I do remember your father's business." There was a
slight curve to Tye’s mouth, as if something amused her. Jake wondered at
the quick, almost assessing glance she ran over him. A ripple of awareness
moved between them as their gazes met. He slid a finger under his suddenly
tight collar. Did she think he was the same gullible kid with her? Holding back
from taking their kisses too far.
    It
piqued Jake that Tye seemed to ignore him as she turned her gaze back to his
pasture. He wondered if she saw the same beauty in the flat, desolate expanse
as he did. He loved this land. It was his, something he had worked hard for. A
place of permanence he came back to at the end of a long day.
    "I
really appreciate you stocking the