Crazy for Lovin’ You Read Online Free Page A

mouth to say something and he jumped in. “The competition was good for publicity. They milked it for all it was worth.”
    â€œUntil Zach was killed.” Her gaze searched his face. “Were you there?”
    He shook his head. “I was sitting that one out. A pulled muscle.” But he’d heard. He’d tried to contact Jen. But he’d missed her or she hadn’t wanted to talk to him. Either way, it was a long time ago.
    â€œShe got her life together and moved forward.” Taylor released a huge sigh. “But they had so little time together. It’s so unfair.”
    Unfair? No kidding. But he could give lessons in unfair. The woman he’d believed was his had tossed him aside for his rival. Ten years ago, Jen had done what she’d had to. That was that. He’d gotten over her. Only one other time had he taken a chance. Another big mistake. These days he made it a point not to let down his guard for any woman and there was no reason to relax it now.
    He glanced around the kitchen, and noted the copper cow trivet just to Taylor’s left on the counter. The black-and-white bovine teakettle resting on the cook-top. Feminine touches were everywhere. Homeytouches. Emptiness kicked up inside him like rheumatism on a damp, cold day.
    â€œI learned something else you might want to think about,” he said more sharply than he intended.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œLife isn’t fair. And folks don’t much care about fair. They make their minds up and nothing short of an act of God will change it. They pretty much assume the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. And my family tree didn’t have any fruit—except for me. Or roots, either, for that matter. Your dad reminded me of that on a pretty regular basis.”
    â€œI know. But I can tell you’re not bitter,” she said, then bit her lip to stifle a smile.
    â€œOf course not.”
    The corners of his mouth turned up and the movement felt rusty. He’d forgotten how she could do that, even at fourteen. She was even better now. In just a few words she’d pointed out what an idiot he was making of himself and made him smile at the same time.
    â€œYou’re right about Dad,” she said. “But it probably wouldn’t do any good to say I’m sorry.”
    â€œNope. It was a long time ago.” He folded his arms over his chest. “It’s water under the bridge.”
    â€œIs it?” she asked. “With Jen, too?” She looked like his answer meant a lot to her.
    â€œYeah. I’m not the same green kid. And you said Jen’s moved forward. Now that she’s married, probably with a couple kids—”
    Taylor shook her head. “There hasn’t been anyone else—since Zach.”
    â€œThat’s hard to believe.”
    â€œAs pretty as she is?” she asked. Without waiting for an answer she continued. “She was busy with college and law school, then her career. But I think it’s more than that. She’s a one-man woman.” There was an edge to her voice, as if she was trying to convince him of the fact.
    â€œAre you a one-man woman, too?”
    Her cheeks flooded with color and her gaze lowered to his shirt collar. “We’re not talking about me.”
    â€œBut we could.”
    She shook her head. “No. I’d rather talk about you.”
    He nodded. He had nothing to lose by laying his cards on the table. “Okay. After Jen I moved on.”
    â€œI know.” Her gaze didn’t quite settle on his. “I still remember the stuff in the media. How did it feel to be on the Most Eligible Cowboy in Texas list? A buckle bunny in every port?”
    â€œI think that’s the navy. And don’t believe everything you read,” he warned her.
    The tension in her body said she wanted to climb back in the saddle and ride that one until she’d gentled it. But he wasn’t going there.