How to Rope a Real Man Read Online Free Page B

been in their family for generations. Victories like that were the reason he’d become a lawyer and were the legacy he wanted to leave. Even if he wasn’t destined to start his own family, he could help other families stay intact.
    “Getting any closer to biting the bullet and opening up your clinic?” Kellan asked as they sidled up to the bar.
    Matt had dreamed about opening the low-cost legal clinic since law school, a business that would get him out of his corporate job at the law firm and into helping down-on-their-luck families full-time. He’d been socking away money and building industry connections for years, and a month ago, he’d finally gotten serious about going after his dream and hired a Realtor to help him find the perfect storefront.
    They’d narrowed the choices to two locations—one in downtown Santa Fe, near his family, and the other in Catcher Creek, the heart of oil country. The trouble was, some gut-level instinct was holding him back from making a choice and he couldn’t for the life of him figure out why he was dragging his feet.
    Matt signaled for two beers from the bartender. “I’ve got the paperwork and loans figured out, but it’s a scary prospect, giving up my salary and security at the firm.” That had nothing to do with it, but it was an excuse people readily accepted. Matt was in a unique position not to care about such things. Not only did he live a modest lifestyle, but he didn’t have a family to worry about providing for and he lived on his family’s property, which meant he had no mortgage or major expenses.
    “Will the senior partners at your firm support you striking out on your own?”
    “Yes. Absolutely. I’ve talked extensively with them about my plans and they’re being great about it. They don’t do much pro bono work, so I won’t be any sort of real competition.”
    “Glad to hear it. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Catcher Creek would be lucky to have you. Vaughn’s old house is on the market, now that he’s living out with Rachel on the farm. I’m sure he’d be thrilled to sell it to a friend.”
    The beers arrived, their sides dripping with icy water. Matt snagged one and relished the bite of cold, bubbly brew sliding down his throat. “That’s definitely something to consider. The storefront I’m looking at in Catcher Creek is more affordable than the one in Santa Fe and it’d make my clinic easy to find for Quay County folks who need help.” But Jenna was here and he wasn’t sure he could stand seeing her on a regular basis, knowing she could never be his.
    “How do you think your folks would handle their baby boy moving off the homestead?”
    “Aw, do you have to put it like that? It’s not like I live under their roof like some overgrown slacker. Our houses aren’t even in shouting distance of each other. And that’s by design.”
    Kellan pounded the last of his old beer and picked up the next. “Just bustin’ your balls. Santa Fe’s only three hours away from Catcher Creek, so it wouldn’t be like you’re moving to Mars.”
    “Too true. How are you faring with the wedding? Nervous about tomorrow?”
    After another swig of beer, Kellan shrugged. “Nah. Ready to get the show over with so I can whisk Amy away on our honeymoon.”
    “The Caribbean, right?”
    Kellan chortled. “I don’t see why we have to spend a whole day traveling to get to a private room with a comfortable bed, but apparently it’ll make Amy happy to know the ocean’s right outside our door, even if we never get around to seeing it.”
    He dug for his wallet, but Matt waved him away and threw a twenty on the counter. “What time is your brother getting in for the wedding?”
    Kellan’s face turned stony, and Matt knew he’d stepped in it. Jake wasn’t coming. Shit.
    “I’m sorry,” Matt said.
    “Me too.” He squinted at a blank space on the far wall.
    The awkward silence that ensued had Matt debating his next move. Change the subject or