A Place Of Our Own (Contemporary Cowboy Romance) (Texas Heat series: Book 3, Jim and Maddies story) Read Online Free Page A

no disrespect when I say this, but Andrew went to a lot of trouble a few years ago to make Jim look incompetent and it rankled with my grandfather. Did you know Andrew hired someone to go around and open the gates that time when your cattle got loose and almost ended up in Clarendon?”
     
    “No, I didn’t, but how can you know something like that, assuming there’s a grain of truth in it?”
     
    “I was asleep in the old Circle O cabin – I used to go and sleep there sometimes after I’d argued with my grandfather about changing how the ranch is run. I woke up when I heard voices outside and I could hear a couple of guys arguing about whether or not to cut the fence as well as open the gates. They settled for opening the gates after deciding Andrew would be pissed off if they cut the fences too.”
     
    Red looked embarrassed, remembering how he’d berated Jim for forgetting to close the gates. And it had happened on more than one occasion. Andrew had generously passed it off as understandable, seeing that Jim was forever thinking about Maddie, young love and all.
     
    “I didn’t know, Maddie, and would never have thought Andrew capable of doing something like that.”
     
    “Well, he did. I’m sure he thought it was for the best and a good way of showing my grandfather that Jim was not the ideal prospect for buying the Dupont Ranch. And you know how Jim and I were always keen to raise Angora goats? Well, I can tell you for sure that the thing with the goats and letting the cattle out convinced my grandfather like nothing else could, that selling to Jim was a bad idea.”
     
    “And you think Andrew’s been biding his time until your grandfather has no other options?”
     
    “Bluntly, yes.”
     
    “Well, it’s starting to add up now. I found out by accident a few months ago that Andrew has been shortchanging Jim’s wages by around half. Says boundary riding is not proper ranch work and there’s nothing wrong with the Circle O’s fences. I was just talking to Jim about it this morning when I rode out to visit him.”
     
    “I need to think about what you’ve told me, Maddie, because Jim has been very depressed and I’m starting to think that breaking up with you is only a part of it. When I saw him this morning, it was like he just doesn’t care anymore and he doesn’t have the drive to drag himself out of it.”
     
    “Red, I don’t think Andrew is a bad person. He just doesn’t have a grip on how people feel and he puts making a profit above everything else.”
     
    “That’s what motivates him, for sure, Maddie, but that doesn’t give him the right to play games with people’s lives. I know he thinks he’s doing the right thing, making the Circle O as good as it can be, but this is going to affect your grandparents, not just Jim and yourself. I’m glad you decided to trust me enough to tell me about this. I know it couldn’t have been easy for you.”
     
    “Like I said before, Red, I want Jim and I want the Dupont Ranch. And yes, you’re right. It affects my grandparents now, too. I’m going to take your advice and ride out and see Jim, today. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed him. And to think, I broke up with him because I wanted to live in a place of my own. I still want that and I just hope Jim does too.”
     
    “You’ll just have to go and see him and find out, Maddie, but I don’t think anything has changed with what he wants either. And I think I know how I can help you both get it.”
     
    Red took both of her hands in his across the table. “Do you trust me enough to try and work something out?”
     
    Maddie smiled and her face lit up, just like it used to when she and Jim were an item. “Sure, Red, I’ll trust you. With a bit of luck, you’re going to be my father in law really soon.”
     
    They stood up, ready to leave.
     
    “You go and see Jim. I have some arrangements to make. Now, how about we all meet back here tomorrow at 11.00 AM. Tell Jim I