Her Forever Cowboy. Debra Clopton

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ his feet to the ground. He felt like he’d been run over by a truck. This was most likely how Susan had been feeling last night when she’d run off the road.

      “It’s five. And from App and Stanley’s account it sounds like you’ve been busy since arriving last night.”

      Cole gave him a groggy nod. Good ole Applegate and Stanley. “Yeah, you could say so. Susan’s going to love knowing everyone in town knows she fell asleep at the wheel.”

      “That’s the honest truth,” Seth grunted. “You look like the dickens, bro.” Seth strode into the kitchen, separated from the living room by only an ancient dining table.

      “Feel like it, too.”

      “You could have given me a call. I would have come and helped out.” He grabbed the coffeepot and began filling it with water.

      “Yeah, with the cell-phone coverage Mule Hollow has I’d have been wasting my time.”

      “True, but the phone here works and I could have at least picked you up after you drove Susan’s truck to the clinic.”

      “Believe me, as hot as I was at you this morning—you wanted me to get some shut-eye before you saw me.” That drew Seth’s attention. “What were you thinking letting that woman leave your barn in the shape she was in last night?” Cole stood up and felt his blood pressure rise thinking about Susan barreling toward those trees as he’d topped the hill. “She was so tired she very nearly got herself killed falling asleep at the wheel.”

      “For starters, one doesn’t tell a man how to run his business. Same goes for Susan. She’s worked hard to get where she is with her business and she doesn’t take kindly to being separated out. She assured me she was fine—”

      It was the same thing App and Stanley said. Still, Cole pointed out, “She looked like death warmed over—”

      “Hey, I took her at her word. Like I would have a man in that situation. Didn’t say I liked it, but that’s the way she wants it.”

      Cole padded angrily into the kitchen, not willing to take that as an excuse. “She wasn’t fine. She was dead on her feet. She’d been up three nights in a row. Did you know that?”

      “Yeah, I did,” Seth snapped, jabbing the on button to the coffeepot before swinging to face him.

      “Then what were you thinking? You would have been responsible if—”

      “Now just hold on, Cole. I hate that she had to work that much, but it couldn’t be helped. None of us call her out like that unless absolutely necessary. I’d have had a dead cow and calf this morning if not for her efforts last night. If I’d let them die so she could get some sleep, Susan would have taken it as a slap in the face. You know good and well she’s my friend, but we tread a fine line where Susan is concerned.”

      Cole rubbed his aching neck and told himself to back down. He didn’t like it, but he also knew his brother. Seth was levelheaded and kind, and Susan really was his friend. “Sorry, I get your drift,” he grumbled, still frustrated. “But it’d sure be a shame if something happened to her.”

      Seth nodded and his serious expression said he was sincere. “We’ll all rest easier when Susan gets moved into town. Did she tell you about all that?”

      “Yeah, she told me. Only after I asked her. Applegate told me she was moving into town this morning—or Stanley. One of the fellas did—their conversation ran together in my brain.”

      Seth looked amused. “App and Stanley’s conversations tend to run together even on a good night’s sleep.”

      “You have a point.” They both chuckled, easing the tension.

      “So how long are you here for? I’m here to wake you up and haul your sorry hide back over to the house so Melody can interrogate you. But it should be a fair trade since she’s hard at work cookin’ up a meal fit for a king.”

      Cole took the cup of coffee Seth handed him and held it aloft. “Then let me drink this, and then I’ll hop in the shower so I’m presentable to my new sister-in-law. I already have one hometown gal irritated with me, I wouldn’t want to make that sweet bride of yours unhappy with me, too. How’d you get so lucky anyway?”

      “Not lucky, but blessed, thanks to the good Lord and Wyatt.”

      Cole took a swig of coffee. “Our big bro the matchmaker. Never in a thousand years would I have expected that six-foot-four-inch hunk of hot air to be a little Cupid!”

      That got a big laugh from Seth. “Boy, does that paint some kind of picture!”

      Cole grimaced. “True. Still, it is amazing that he met Melody one day and knew she was the match for you.” He cocked a brow at Seth, who reciprocated. It had been a weird thing when Wyatt met Melody and decided instantly to have her do some research on the family history. History that Seth hadn’t wanted researched. It had thrown the two of them into a battle of wills and then into a hunt for long-lost treasure.

      “Wyatt wouldn’t be such a great lawyer unless he was good at reading people,” Seth mused. “Maybe that was it.”

      Cole didn’t know what it was, but serious, levelheaded Seth was happier and more relaxed than Cole had thought possible. He deserved it. “You look good, Seth,” he said, drawing his own thoughts away from Lori. Thoughts of how happy they could have been if things hadn’t been…the way they’d been.

      “I am happy. Melody—”

      “Completes you,” Cole teased with the famous movie line, forcing the door to his past shut.

      “You laugh, but it’s so true.”

      “I’m not laughing. I like it. Wyatt might have missed his calling.”

      “Maybe he’ll do the same for you.”

      “Oh, no,” Cole said. “I’ve got places to be and things to see. I’m not settling down—but it sure looks good on you.”

      “So, any clues why Wyatt wanted you home or what he had to do to get you here? What’s up with that?”

      “He said he’d tell me when he showed up tomorrow.” Cole set his coffee down and headed toward the hall, tugging his shirt up over his head as he went. “But I came because I decided it was time to come see how married life was treatin’ you.”

      “Well, in that case it should be clear that I’m doin’ well.”

      Cole halted at the doorway to the hall. “I can see that, but I want to get a gander at Melody and make sure she’s got the same goofy grin on her face. I’ll be out in a minute.”

      “Cole, hold up a minute. About Susan.”

      “What about her?”

      “I’m guessing you’re in town for a short visit and, well, you should know Susan is looking for a real relationship. One that includes a future and a family. I hope you keep that in mind while you’re here.”

      Cole shot Seth a warning look. “I didn’t come back here to break any hearts, if that’s what СКАЧАТЬ