Midnight Wrangler Read Online Free Page A

paper and drew his brows down in a frown. “How much did that thing you’re wearing cost me?”
    Her mouth fell open, about to protest that she’d paid for it herself, when her mother came into the room. “Bonnie saved up her money from her babysitting jobs and bought it herself.”
    Her father scowled. “Waste of money, if you ask me. When will she ever wear something like that again?”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. It’s the prom.” Bonnie’s mother laid a hand on her shoulder. “Doesn’t she look nice?”
    He looked her over, from the top of her head all the way down to her kitten-heeled shoes and back up again. “She’s wearing too much makeup. It makes her look like a streetwalker.”
    With that he raised the paper, and Bonnie was very happy to be dismissed. She hadn’t expected much from her father. She should be happy she’d gotten away with just that little bit of criticism and not more.
    â€œCome on, Mom. Let’s go.”
    â€œI want to take your picture first.”
    â€œCan we please take it outside? Okay?”
    â€œThat’s a good idea, sweetie. Then I won’t need to use the flash. Stand by the tree next to the driveway. That might be a pretty shot.”
    How could her mother not see that Bonnie couldn’t get away from this house fast enough?
    Bonnie nodded and moved in a daze to the front door. She only had to endure two quick pictures, then they could leave.
    â€œI’m just dropping Bonnie off at the school, then I’ll be home and we can eat.”
    â€œDon’t drag your feet getting home. I’m hungry.” The sound of her father’s voice followed them out the front door. It grated on Bonnie’s already jagged nerves as she felt her shoulders tighten.
    She forced a smile long enough for her mother to snap her pictures. Then, thankfully, her mom was happy and Bonnie was allowed to get into the car, where she slumped in the passenger seat.
    Surrounded by the pouf of the dress she’d loved above all else, right up until the moment her father had deflated her happiness bubble, Bonnie watched the scenery pass by.
    Every mile took her farther from home, even if it was just for a little while. That was good enough for her.
    Blue and white helium balloons tied to the fence at the entrance had Bonnie’s heart quickening. It was going to be a great night, even if she didn’t have a date. And unlike her father, she didn’t care how much the dress had cost. It made her feel beautiful and that made it worth more than all the money in the world.

Chapter Three
    Summer, 2015 (Present Day)
    In his office, Rohn took a seat at the desk. The old rolling desk chair creaked under his weight. Hell, it could just as well be his bones creaking, given the way he felt lately.
    He was bone-deep weary, but he had to cut the guys’ checks. He paid them every two weeks and today was both a payday and a Friday—double cause for celebration for the young and wild cowboys of Oklahoma.
    The single guys would likely cash their checks and go out on the town, throwing money around buying ladies drinks and hoping to get lucky. Tyler, now that he’d settled down, might use his money to take Janie out to dinner. Though more than likely, knowing the kid and how he loved to tinker, he’d spend a good chunk of his pay on parts for the old truck he insisted on restoring and driving rather than buying a new one.
    The day of the week didn’t matter to Rohn. Why should it when one day was just like the next? He’d sit in his house alone and hope there was something on television that didn’t make him want to blow his brains out.
    Rallying his energy after that depressing thought, Rohn leaned forward and reached for the pen. That’s when he spotted the small yellow sticky note stuck to the cover of the checkbook. He slid his reading glasses onto his nose and grabbed the note.
    In what had