Hang Tough Read Online Free Page A

the house came into view, she couldn’t contain her laugh. GG’s place was a mishmash of styles, a cross between a Grimms’ fairy-tale cabin and something out of a Dr. Seuss book. The front door, curved on the top and painted a glossy purple, made it seem like you could walk through an eggplant.
    But her amusement was short-lived when that door opened and a big guy, wearing the kind of cowboy clothes she’d seen on TV, stepped out to block access to the house. With his arms crossed, his legs braced, his face hidden beneath his hat, his body language was perfectly clear:
You will have to go through me to get inside.
    That got Jade’s back up. Who did this macho yokel think he was? She was Garnet’s granddaughter. She had every right to be here. Him? Not so much.
    Before Jade decided the best way to circumvent Mr. Large and In Charge, GG appeared beside him. She paused, grinned, clapped her hands and barreled down the steps.
    Jade scrambled out of the car and met GG halfway.
    GG had always been stronger than she looked, but still, GG shocked her when she picked Jade up and spun her around in a circle. Then she set her down and hugged her hard.
    â€œYou are as beautiful as ever.” GG trapped Jade’s face in her hands. “But I’m a little ticked off that your dad sent you to do his dirty work.”
    Jade knew her best defense was an attempt at ignorance. “GG—”
    â€œDon’t deny it, K, cutie pie? It’ll save us both a lot of round and round if we lay our cards on the table from the start.”
    â€œI am happy to be here and very happy to see you.”
    â€œI’m happy to see that you didn’t pull up in a dadgum U-Haul.” Her eyes narrowed. “Or are you the lead car and there’s a parade of moving vans behind you?”
    So she
was
paranoid. “No, GG. It’s just me.”
    GG looped her arm through Jade’s and started toward the steps. “You’re here in time for lunch.”
    When they reached the porch, Jade noticed the cowboy sentinel now blocked access to the stairs.
    â€œTobin, you can lower them hackles. Come over here and meet my granddaughter.”
    His boot heels struck the wooden planks in measured steps that seemed to echo the beat of Jade’s heart. She didn’t look up until the man cast a shadow over her.
    And her heart stopped completely. Oh man. He was steal-your-breath-and-common-sense handsome. Tall and broad and just . . . big all over. The stubble on his jaw wasn’t affected like the city guys she knew who didn’t shave in an effort to appear more manly. This guy probably scared his razor away. He probably hadn’t shaved because he had important manly stuff to do and didn’t waste time with trivial stuff like running a blade over that beautifully chiseled face.
    Her gaze wandered up to his eyes, which were an arresting blue-green. Had to be contacts. No one’s eyes were that color without enhancement. Regardless. Those eyes were as cool as his standoffish demeanor. His lips were flattened into a thin line too.
    She bristled when his gaze slowly took in every nuance of her face as if attempting to put the pieces together. That scrutiny prompted her to step forward until they were boot tips to flip-flops, their bodies almost touching. Mr. Rugged Sexy-Eyed Cowboy needed to know that he didn’t intimidate her.
    â€œI’m GG’s only granddaughter, Jade Evans. I can see by your confusionthat I wasn’t what you expected, so let me clear it up for you. Yes, I was adopted as a baby, but that doesn’t mean—”
    â€œWhoa, there, tiger. I wasn’t questioning your parentage. And since I haven’t seen pictures of you or your parents—
ever
—anywhere in this house, let alone seen any of you bother to step foot in Wyoming, I had no preconceived ideas about you.”
    Not the answer she’d been expecting. But he had managed to get