A Cowboy's Vow (Aster Ridge Ranch Book 2) by Kate Condie

Author:Kate Condie [Condie, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kate Condie
Published: 2021-07-01T22:00:00+00:00

MORNING FOUND THOMAS tending stock in the barn. Mud covered almost every inch of him, and the places that were free were drenched in sweat. Maxine’s words from last night echoed in his head. Filthy work. It was filthy, but someone had to do it. And why did the dirt involved make it any less valuable? “Doesn’t,” he grumbled, stabbing a pitchfork at the hay with more force than necessary.

“Pretending the hay is my mother?”

Thomas swung around. Ivete stood in the doorway, holding a cloth bundle, looking as clean and fresh as any pampered city lady would. The complete opposite of him. He chuckled. “Good morning.”

“I’m so sorry, Thomas. My mother ... she has plans for me, and I frustrate her.” She held out the cloth bundle. “These are from Eloise. She said she usually brings you breakfast.”

Thomas nodded. “Thank you.” When Ivete didn’t immediately leave, he led her to the office and sat to eat his meal. She sat across, sadness etching her face.

“How is Della?” he asked. His friend had likely not improved much from the evening before, but he wasn’t sure if Ivete’s sorrow was of the same vein.

“She’s fine. A bit better, I think.”

“That’s good news. She won’t get the chance to visit Simon’s grave as Bastien will. I hope it brings him comfort.”

Ivete picked at a string on her skirt. “Yes. Life is short.”

“Sometimes. Sometimes it is very, very long.”

Her gray eyes lifted to meet his. “I wonder. When do you plan on marrying?”

Thomas inhaled, a bit of biscuit sucking back and sending him to a coughing fit. Once he could breathe without choking, he asked, “Is this about your mother wishing you to marry?”

“No. I only wonder what men do for pleasure when it takes them so long to wed.”

Thomas gulped, grateful he hadn’t risked another bite. Surely he would have choked once more.

When he blinked at her, unable to respond, she added, “You say you do not want Eloise, but why not? Is it because you find your needs met elsewhere, like with that woman at the hotel?”

Thomas looked around the room, his eyes and chest filling with heat. He vaguely remembered a woman at the hotel on their way here. “I am far too busy to ride into town, just for ... that. Heavens, where is this coming from?” He ran a hand over his face.

Ivete looked at him in such a way that told him she was deciding whether to tell him what was on her mind.

Without a word, she slowly rose and walked around the desk. He gulped at her proximity. At her talk of brothels. She couldn’t possibly... She extended a hand and ran a finger along his hairline. Thomas briefly closed his eyes before he snapped them open and caught her wrist.

“What is this?” His voice sounded rough even to him.

“Do you not want me?”

“Want you? Ivete, your mother would be furious. Your brother ...” Thoughts of Bastien cooled his body’s rising temperature, and any desire that had risen with it was dampened to its rightful place.

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