Fix Me Up, Cowboy by Stina Lindenblatt

Author:Stina Lindenblatt [Lindenblatt, Stina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-08T18:30:00+00:00

17

Noah

The sun is just above the horizon as I step out of Charlotte’s house the next morning. Kate was still asleep when I left her bed.

I hadn’t meant to spend the night. But after I took her for the second time, I didn’t have the will or the energy to leave.

As I shut the front door behind me, the distant sound of an engine alerts me to the new arrival. Kate never mentioned she was expecting anyone, especially before six a.m.

From the porch I watch the black SUV pull up in front of the house and park. Then a guy my age, wearing jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and black work boots climbs out and strides to the porch steps.

As soon as he spots me, a scowl appears on his face. “Who the fuck are you?”

I fold my arms across my chest. “The same can be asked about you.”

“I’m Troy, Kate’s cousin. Now, are you going to tell me who the fuck you are?”

Since I don’t know how much Kate has told him, I go with the simple answer. “Noah.”

He looks me over. Unlike his clothing, mine are messy and wrinkled—casualties of packing up Charlotte’s home yesterday and being left in a pile on the floor while I was getting to know Kate better.

“So you’re the person she hired to look after the two horses?” he asks. “Aren’t you here a little early for that?”

“I run a ranch. This isn’t early.” I still don’t move to let him past. “But the question is, why are you here so early? If you’re her cousin, then you’d know she isn’t an early morning person.”

His scowl deepens. “Who are you to say when I can see my cousin? You’re just the hired stable hand.” He stomps up the steps, his pissed-off gaze never leaving my face.

“Because she’s sleeping. So unless she’s expecting you, I’d suggest you come back later.” If we were both bulls, we’d be charging each other, battling for domination.

His eyes narrow. “If you’re the stable hand, how is it you know that she’s sleeping? And why are you on my cousin’s porch and not dealing with the horses?”

Good questions. Neither of which I have an answer for without revealing the truth about last night.

Before I’m able to bullshit my way out of things, he points at the door like I’m five years old and he’s my father. “Get inside.”

I snort a laugh. “I don’t have to do what you say. Besides, I have better things to do.”

“You have a choice. We either go inside and have Kate confirm who you are…or I call the police and have you charged for trespassing.”

What is it with this family and their desire to have me arrested?

I roll my eyes. “Fine.” I open the door and enter the foyer.

Sure, I could have just let him contact Austin or one of the deputies. But that would be even more awkward for Kate.

“So are you planning to wake her up?” I ask. “Or are we just shooting the breeze over coffee?” I don’t bother to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.