Heart of Texas Volume 1: Lonesome Cowboy. Debbie Macomber

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СКАЧАТЬ beautiful,” Laredo said. The light pink bud, perfectly formed, lay like a jewel in the palm of his hand.

      “They truly are exquisite, aren’t they?” The sheer joy and excitement she’d felt on discovering the roses quickened her voice. “I just couldn’t be happier! It’s so much more than I hoped to find!”

      His gaze held hers and he nodded, seeming to share her enthusiasm.

      Warming to her subject, Savannah added, “It’s incredible to think they’ve survived all these years without anyone to care for them.”

      Laredo gently withdrew his hand from the rosebud.

      “Would you be more comfortable if I rode in the back, ma’am?” he asked.

      “Savannah,” she insisted.

      The smile returned again, briefly. “Savannah,” he echoed.

      “You’re welcome to ride in front with me.”

      He climbed slowly into the cab and she could see that the action pained him considerably.

      “I don’t suppose you know anyone who’s looking for a good wrangler?” he asked.

      “I’m sorry, I don’t,” she said with sincere regret.

      He nodded and winced, pressing his hand against his ribs.

      “You’ve been hurt,” she said.

      “A cracked rib or two,” he answered, obviously embarrassed by her concern. “My own damn fault,” he muttered.

      “A horse?”

      “Not exactly.” His voice was rueful, a bit ironic. “I got shoved against a fence by a bull. You’d think that after all these years working ranches, I’d know better than to let myself get cornered by a bull.”

      “My daddy cracked a rib once and he said it left him feeling like he’d been gnawed by a coyote, then dumped over a cliff.”

      Laredo chuckled. “Your daddy sounds like he’s got quite a sense of humor.”

      “He did,” Savannah agreed softly, starting the engine. She knew the tires hitting the ruts in the road would hurt him, so she drove slowly and carefully.

      Laredo glanced over his shoulder—to check on his saddle, Savannah suspected. She was surprised when he mentioned the roses a second time. “I never thought to smell roses like those again.”

      “I’m so glad I found them!” she burst out. “These are the best ones yet.” Their scent was sweet and strong and pure, far more aromatic than modern hybrids. These roses from Bitter End were probably White Lady Banks—a rare and precious find.

      Savannah talked excitedly about her roses; the cowboy encouraged her, asking interested and knowledgeable questions.

      What surprised Savannah was how comfortable she felt with Laredo Smith. They could have talked for hours. Generally when it came to conversation with a man, especially a stranger, Savannah was shy and reticent. The ease with which she talked to Laredo was unprecedented.

      It wasn’t just roses they talked about, either. Soon Savannah found herself telling him about her gardens at the ranch and the love her mother, Barbara, had for flowers. One topic led swiftly to another. She described Promise and assured him it was a friendly town. He asked about having his truck repaired and she mentioned a couple of reliable garages.

      “Oh, my,” she said, and held her palm to her mouth.

      “Is something wrong?”

      “I got to chatting away and almost missed the turnoff for the ranch.” Such a thing had never happened before. Then, hardly knowing what she was doing, she glanced over at him and said, “The fact is, Laredo, the Yellow Rose could use an extra hand. If you need a job, we’d be happy to offer you one.”

      Laredo brightened visibly. “I’m good with horses and I’m willing to work hard.”

      “Grady’ll probably have a few questions for you.” She added this second part knowing her brother wasn’t going to be pleased with her hiring a stranger. In the past he’d always been the one to do the hiring and firing, but if he took offense, he could discuss the matter with her. Every instinct she possessed told her Laredo Smith was worthy of their trust. Besides, they needed extra help, whether Grady was willing to admit it or not.

      Laredo grew quiet, and then she felt his eyes on her. “Since you offered me the job, I think it’s only fair to tell you I was fired from my last position.” He told her he’d been accused of theft, wrongly accused. He neither cast nor accepted blame. “I may be a lot of things, but a thief isn’t one of them. If you change your mind, I’ll understand.”

      “I won’t,” she said, but the instincts that had felt so right moments earlier wavered like dry grass whipped by a harsh summer wind. “I...I appreciate your being honest enough to tell me,” Savannah said. Naturally the first thing Grady would want from a stranger, especially one she’d taken it upon herself to hire, was references. Well—like everything else about this day—she’d cross that bridge when she came to it.

      “You won’t be disappointed,” Laredo added. “You have my word on that.”

      A plume of dust followed them as they headed down the pitched dirt driveway leading off the highway. No sooner had Savannah pulled into the yard and turned off the engine than Grady dashed out of the barn and stalked toward her like an avenging angel.

      “Just where the bloody hell have you been all afternoon?” her brother demanded, ignoring the shambling black dog that trailed him and nudged the fist clenched at his side.

      Savannah inhaled deeply and held her breath while she climbed out of the truck. If she hadn’t stopped to pick up Laredo, she might have returned before Grady rode in from the range. Rather than answer his questions, she leaned over and scratched Rocket’s ears. The old dog, who’d once belonged to their father, was now well past his prime. He wagged his tail in appreciation.

      “You might have left a note.” Her brother’s ranting continued despite her lack of response.

      “I apologize, but—” She wasn’t allowed to finish.

      “I don’t want an apology. I want to know where you were all afternoon.” His eyes narrowed on the man beside her. “And I have a feeling I’m not going to like the answer.”

      It mortified her to have her brother yell at her like this in front of Laredo. “Grady,” she said urgently, “perhaps we could discuss this inside.”

      “You did it, didn’t you? Even though I warned you! I told you not to look for Bitter End! Doesn’t anyone listen to me anymore? I thought you were smarter than this! Anything could happen to you up in those hills all by yourself. What’s the matter with you, anyway? You should know better than to risk your fool neck over something as ridiculous as a stupid rosebush.” His face had turned red with anger.

      Disregarding Laredo, her brother advanced toward her. Two steps was as close as he got before her newfound friend moved protectively in front of her, directly in Grady’s path.

      “Who СКАЧАТЬ