Cowboy Kisses Read Online Free Page A

sympathetic. “ All of us work, remember? Besides, I have to drive you to and from your dumb job at that stable, which is miles out of my way. ”
    Kenzie tossed back his earlier comment. “ Tough! ”
    Adam scowled. “ Better believe it, ” he mut tered. Then he turned back. “ By the way, I almost forgot—you have a phone call. ” Unfortunately, the pillow Kenzie threw at him missed.
    She dashed to the family room and grabbed the phone. “ Hello? ”
    “ Kenzie? It’s Paul. What took you so long? ”
    “ A genetic problem in the form of a brother. ” Kenzie sighed. “ Thanks for waiting. ”
    “ You’re worth it, ” Paul said. “ Anyway, I called about our double date tomorrow night with Brad and Jeanette. I forgot that it’s my mom’s birthday. We’re having a big family party and I can’t escape. I’m really sorry, Kenz. ”
    Though Kenzie was disappointed, she said, “ That’s okay. I’ll tell Jeanette when I see her at the club tomorrow. I don’t think she and Brad will mind if we don’t tag along. ”
    Paul chuckled. “ You’re right about that! I’ll see you on Saturday. Don’t forget we’re going for pizza after Ali gets settled in. ”
    “ I need the phone, sister dear, ” Adam said loudly from behind her.
    Kenzie slapped his hand as he reached for the receiver. “ Sorry, Paul—I have to go, ” she said. “ See you Saturday. ”
    But before Adam could make his call, M r. Sullivan walked into the room. “ Have you two worked ou t your commuting schedule for next week? ” he asked.
    If she heard the word schedule one mor e time tonight, Kenzie thought she’d sc re am. “ Adam’s not too happy about driving m e around, ” she replied. That was the understate ment of the year!
    Mr. Sullivan turned to Adam. “ Unless yo u have another solution, Adam, you’re the chau f feur, ” he said wearily. Adam didn’t say an y thing. “ Then I suggest you two get a paper and pencil and start coordinating your transpo rta tion timetable. ”
    Kenzie hated seeing her father look so tired and discouraged. She wanted to help, she re ally did. But she couldn’t pretend that this n ew life-style was anything but a total disaster.
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
    On Saturday, Kenzie turned around and checked the horse trailer behind Brad’s Jeep for the tenth time in as many miles. All she could see of Ali was his ears and they looked fairly calm, though Kenzie’d had some trouble loading him at Silver Hills Stables. The gelding obviously didn’t want to leave his luxurious home. Kenzie only hoped he wouldn’t be too miserable at the Lucky R.
    Kenzie’s worries came to an abrupt halt when Brad drove through the Lucky R gate and pulled up in front of the barn .
    “ This place sure is in the middle of nowhere, ” Brad said as they got out.
    Jeanette jumped to the defensive. “ I think it’s a perfect location for a ranch. ”
    Paul leaned casually against the side of the Jeep, his arms folded across his chest. “ Especially one as run-down as this, ” he remarked, nodding at the weathered outbuildings.
    Kenzie wished with all her heart that her frien ds hadn’t insisted on helping with Ali. The soo ner they got out of here, the better. “ Nothing a fe w nails and a little paint can’t fix, ” she said lightly .
    Suddenly Paul nudged Brad in the side. “ Is that who I think it is? ”
    Four pairs of eyes stared at the girl in to rn jeans and a faded shirt who was leaving one of the far corrals. Recognizing the slump-shoulde red walk and the long brown hair drooping on each side of her face, Kenzie muttered in dismay. “ Silent Sarah Whitman! ” Given the nicknam e because she seldom spoke to anyone at school, Sarah Whitman was considered an eccentri c loner.
    Paul shook his head dolefully. “ If that’s what working in th is dump does to a person, I think we’d better take Kenzie home right now. ”
    Brad laughed. “ Look on the bright sid e Paul, ” he said. “ Maybe some of