Colorado Cowboy by C.C. Coburn

Author:C.C. Coburn
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-10-12T04:00:00+00:00

MEGAN MADE IT BACK to the ranch and her bedroom, barely maintaining her composure. It was only when she’d closed the door to her room and stepped under the shower spray that she allowed her pent-up emotions free rein. Humiliated by Luke’s accusation and angry for succumbing yet again to his lovemaking, she wanted to rail against the world.

LUKE RODE BACK to the ranch cursing himself.

He’d thought he and Megan had a chance of making this work. He grimaced as he remembered the way she’d fumbled with the buttons and instead tied that scrap of fabric beneath her breasts and gotten up on Sage and galloped off as if she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.

“What’s bitin’ your butt?” Daisy asked when he rode up to the corral fence. He leaped off Rocket’s back, threw the reins over the railing and strode toward the house.

Luke turned. “Watch it, young lady,” he warned, in no mood for smart remarks. “Or the penalty box is going to be overflowing this week.”

Daisy liked hanging on to her money, so he knew she’d apologize.

“Sorry, Daddy. But Megan rode in here lookin’ really bad a while ago and now you’re comin’ from the same direction.”

Luke could see the hurt and confusion in Daisy’s eyes. He walked back to her and ruffled her hair. “Sorry, squirt. It was wrong of me to take my temper out on you—or Rocket,” he said, observing the gelding’s heaving sides. He’d crossed over the creek and ridden the horse hard into the foothills behind the meadow to check on his brood mares and their foals. From there he could see the ranch house in the far distance. His haven, his home.

Apart from his family, it was the only solid thing he could rely on in his life.

“S’okay,” she said, and shrugged out of his embrace.

“Can you give Rocket a brush-down, honey? I’ll pay the penalty box for you.”

Daisy brightened and said, “Sure.”

Luke bent and gave her nose a peck. Of all his children, Daisy was by far the most independent and least demonstrative. Well, at least until Cody showed up.

“I’ve been thinking I should increase your allowance. You do more than your fair share around here.”

Daisy’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Yep, really. And I might backdate it to the beginning of the year.”

That promise got the desired response as Daisy threw her arms around his waist. “I love you, Daddy,” she said.

“And I love you, squirt,” he said, hugging her back.

He knew he wasn’t demonstrative enough with his kids. He didn’t mean to be so distant, never imagined he’d be such a hard taskmaster as a father. Life had sent him down a path he wasn’t happy about traveling, but it wasn’t fair of him to take it out on his daughters.

His throat closed as Daisy continued to hug him. He coughed to clear it, then gently pried her away.

“I’ve got to go talk to Megan,” he said. “Can we discuss your raise a bit later?”

Smiling, Daisy shrugged. “Sure.” She picked up a brush and started to groom Rocket.

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