Cowboy's Chocolate Roses Read Online Free Page B

not sure exactly. I know I'll need it tonight, but I don't know if that's it. I might be staying longer." It would all depend on what Josh's response to her news would be.
    Bri still couldn't remember everything that had happened that night, but she just knew the kind eyes and gentle smile had been real. She hoped they could spend some time together and get to know each other better. Maybe a bit backwards, but she had never really been good at conforming.
    Regardless of what happened between them, though, Bri had made her mind up; Josh would be a part of this baby's life. Charlotte hadn't been too happy about that. Bri shook her head, thinking of all the times Charlotte had told her how nice and sweet Josh had been, only for her to turn around and be suspicious. Apparently, she saw it as too much of a coincidence that he had just struck a deal with their father. Everyone knew daddy had a clause in his contracts, one that clearly stated he could pull out of any deal within the first five months. He couldn't walk away clear and free, but it wouldn't hurt his business, only the reputation of the other business. Brian Evans never backed out unless he had a reason, and his opinion held a lot of power.
    "Well, okay then. One room, queen?" Adele asked.
    "Yes, please."
    "If you don't mind me asking, what brings you to our little town, dear? Bricker isn't a very big place, and only so many people live here," she inquired.
    "Actually, I'm here to see Josh Kell. You wouldn't happen to know how best to get to the Silver Stone Ranch, would you?"
    Adele's face closed down, and Bri fully expected to be asked to leave any minute.
    "Now, what could you want from Josh? You're not from one of those big city newspapers, wanting to interview our local hero, are you?" Adele asked, looking outside at the car Bri drove as if it carried a sign announcing her as a journalist.
    "Um, no. I-I'm not here for business. It's p-personal," Bri stuttered, her face flushing. "He's a hero?"
    "Oh. Well, all right then," Adele said, giving her a knowing smile.
    Oh, if only she knew.
    "He sure is. Saved some young boys who'd had too much to drink, and then thought it would be a good idea to go for a merry drive. Anyway, let's get you a room and settle you in, then I'll write down the best way to get to the Silver Stone."
    Her mind still spinning from the new information, she nodded, following the smaller woman up the stairs.
    "All righty, make yourself at home, and then we'll see about getting you on your way to Josh's place." Adele smiled, leaving a key in Bri's hand while she stood in an open doorway to the room she assumed would be hers.
    Okie dokie, then.

Chapter Four
     
    Josh pulled his shirt off and used it to wipe the sweat dripping from his brow. The temperature had already risen into the nineties, and March had only just begun; he didn't want to think of what it would be like once the summer actually hit. At least they'd managed to mend the two fences damaged by the damn kids from town. Josh had been stunned when the car lost control and tore through the barbed wire before landing in the river that ran along the edge of the property. Thank God he had been sitting on his veranda and could holler for his men. The water had been deep enough that night after some heavy rain, the fools were lucky the entire vehicle hadn't been completely submerged.
    Josh shuddered at the imagery that thought induced. The incident could have very well ended in death.
    He shook his head in disgust, remembering the state he'd found them in. He'd never been so reckless and stupid at their age.
    Josh stretched, easing the ache he felt in his muscles. On the way back to his truck, his phone started ringing. Looking down, one of his ranch hand's name displayed. He wouldn't call Josh unless something had happened.
    He answered. "Hey, Loch, what's up?"
    "Hey, boss man. Um, I don't exactly know what's going on, but there's a lady here askin' for you. She said she ain't a reporter, but