A Cowboy's Redemption by Marin Thomas

Author:Marin Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-09-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

It was midnight and Cruz still hadn’t returned from the rodeo. Sara stood in the backyard, staring at the dark trailer. She’d gone to bed at ten-thirty but had tossed and turned until she’d finally given up and stepped outside for fresh air.

The day had passed quietly without Cruz’s presence—no hammering or sawing sounds coming from the barn. Just a stillness that reminded her she was alone. Not physically alone—she had Dani and José with her—but emotionally alone. After grieving for Tony, Sara had given herself permission to move on. She hadn’t been looking to date or get involved with any men, but she’d decided if one happened along, she’d be open to the possibility of a new relationship.

She never thought she’d test the waters with a man like Cruz Rivera. In some ways, she felt guilty for wanting a deeper connection with Cruz but not a long-term relationship. She’d already experienced being with a man who focused only on himself and his goals. She’d be a fool to believe that after getting out of prison Cruz would be ready to put the needs of others first. It would only be natural for him to focus on himself. To go where he wanted to after being behind bars for twelve years. She didn’t want to put limits on that freedom. He deserved to pursue his own goals and dreams and she refused to stand in his way.

But she was lonely and yearned for intimacy. The passion and attraction she’d once felt for Tony had faded a tiny bit each night he’d come home from the clinic and regaled her with stories of people he’d helped rather than listen to her tell him about her or Dani’s day. On the rare occasion when they made love, it was just sex—a quick fix before Tony ran out the door in the morning.

The sound of a truck engine pulling into town caught her attention. She released a deep breath, grateful Cruz had returned. She hadn’t been worried that he’d take off and leave for good—not after spending the morning cleaning the trailer and doing his laundry. And snooping. Yes, she admitted she hoped to find something in his personal possessions that would tell her a little more about him. But there had been nothing. No books. No letters from home. Not even a watch or a ring. It made her sad that he possessed so little—everyone should have something they treasured.

A crunching sound met her ears before Cruz’s shadow cleared the edge of the house. He stopped walking when he noticed her. There was just enough light from the moon to make out his dark figure. Only the occasional chirp of a cricket broke the silence.

Heart pounding, Sara moved closer. “How did you do?”

“I lost.”

She smiled at his disgruntled tone. “There’s always next time.” She secretly rejoiced in his loss. He’d have to stick around longer and earn more money to pay the next entry fee.

“You’re up late. Everything okay?”

“Fine. I dusted the trailer today and put your clean clothes on the couch.

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