Crazy for Lovin’ You Read Online Free Page B

He was a bachelor, but definitely not eligible. He’d once heard nothing was as bad as your first love gone south. The hurt of it was something you never forgot. Jen was smart, beautiful, socially accepted, the kind of woman a guy like him wasn’t supposed to have. And he’d found out he couldn’t have her.
    â€œI’m glad Jen’s okay. I wish her all the best in her life,” he said. “I don’t hold a grudge, Taylor.”
    â€œI’m glad,” she said fervently. “I wish my dad could see you now. What a success you are.”
    Would he be such a success if Zach had lived? He liked to think the rivalry made them both better and that he would have beaten Zach Adams. The only thinghe’d ever wanted was to be number one, fair and square. Now he would never know.
    â€œI heard your dad passed away.”
    She nodded. “Heart attack. A little over a year ago.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    She nodded. “He wasn’t a hard man. In fact just the opposite.”
    â€œIf you say so.”
    â€œHe just had trouble showing his feelings. Even with Jen and I. It was his way of building character. But he never missed a school or sporting event. I don’t think he disliked rodeo as much as he worried about me participating.”
    â€œYou knew him better than I did.”
    â€œYou’re right. And he would be glad you’re so successful.”
    â€œYeah. And pigs can fly,” he scoffed.
    â€œIt’s true. In fact, you remind me a lot of him.”
    â€œThem’s fightin’ words,” he said.
    She cocked her head to the side and her eyes twinkled. “Did you just make a joke?”
    â€œIf it gets out I’ll deny it. And wherever he is, I don’t think your dad would take kindly to you comparing me to him. You’ll be dodging lightning bolts if you’re not careful.”
    â€œGo ahead. Make fun of me. But he wasn’t a man to let on that he cared about the people in his life. It was only okay to be openly emotional about the ranch. I think you hide your softer side like that, too.”
    â€œI used to. When I was younger. But I had a lot to prove back then.”
    She slid him a speculative, appraising look. “So what does your softer side care about?”
    â€œLike I said—rodeo.” It was safe to care about that.It was business and only as personal as he cared to get about anything.
    â€œSo you’re not really back to prove something?” she asked, looking as if she could see something he couldn’t.
    He shook his head. “I’m here to make sure there are championships. That’s all.”
    He still wasn’t sure why he’d agreed to Dev’s suggestion that he fill in as commissioner. He’d meant to say no and the next thing he knew, he’d agreed.
    â€œObviously you know I’m interested in having it here?”
    He nodded. “Dev Hart told me. We’ve kept in touch. I suppose you already know that he took over the stock business from his dad.”
    Taylor nodded. “We still feed and take care of some of his rodeo animals.”
    â€œThat’s right,” he said, feeling as if a video in his head was replaying pictures. More to himself than her he said, “I used to work at the gas station in town to earn the ten bucks a ride your dad charged to let me practice on the bulls. That’s how I first met your sister,” he added, then kicked himself.
    He thought he’d forgotten all that. Was it the familiar surroundings bringing it all back?
    â€œSo what did you and Dev talk about?” she asked, ignoring the personal and turning the conversation back to business.
    Fine with him, Mitch thought. He needed to end this stroll down memory lane. “Dev supplies prime stock to local rodeos as well as events all over the country. When I asked him if he had any suggestions for a site to hold the championships, he suggested the Circle