Once Upon a Cowboy Read Online Free

fine buckle?"
    "A buckle like that demands respect. A lot of respect." He glanced downward at his torn shirt again. "And a lot of distance."
    She peered at him hopefully. "Then I can keep it on?"
    He wasn't that stupid. "No."
    She sighed, handing over the belt. "Okay. You're the boss."
    "You got that straight." He held the thing gingerly by one horn and jerked his thumb toward the family of redheads. She took the hint.
    She jangled onto the porch and faced the Radburns with an encouraging smile. "Okay, boys, everybody grab a suitcase or bag and haul it to the car." Rhonda clung to the arms of the rocker and moaned.
    "Can't we stay here?" Rufus demanded. "I wanna be with you."
    Cami ruffled his hair. "I wish you could, buster. But it seems you belong next door. Now get going. Rollie, you let that mouse out of your pocket before you get in the car. Rob? Think it'll be too much trouble to reassemble the roof rack?"
    "Not at all. I'll get right on it, Cami." He hustled toward the car.
    "Rhonda, you come with me, honey. Now, now. Whimpering won't solve anything. Give me the baby. Heavens, looks like there's been a flood south of the border. We'll have him changed in no time."
    Holt watched in amazement as, without missing a step, she plucked the diaper bag from the pile of luggage, settled the wriggling baby on top of a canvas tote and commenced to buff, puff, and dust. In no time, she'd restored a cooing infant to his mother's arms and convinced the contrary woman to return to her car. Once they were settled, Cami poked her head in the window.
    "Here you go, boys. Take my yo-yo and do some practicing. I've got plenty more where that one came from. I expect next time I see you, you'll put me to shame with the stunts you can do. No, no, Rusty. Bopping your poor momma is not a good trick." She pulled back and waved. "Don't be strangers, now. We're just one big, happy family around here. So, you come and visit real soon. Hear?"
    "Well, now," Gabby muttered. "If that don't beat all."
    Frank nodded in agreement. "Wish I could stick around and see if she's as smooth a wrangler as she is a talker. But I better start for home. Once my housekeeper gets a load of those Radburns, she's gonna up and quit on me. No question about it."
    Holt gave them a look of disgust. "Nobody who dresses like that has been within spittin' distance of a ranch, and you both know it." He folded his arms across his chest. "She's no wrangler. I'd bet my bottom dollar on it."
    His gaze wandered in her direction. No, he realized grimly, she wasn't a wrangler, but she was trouble. He didn't doubt for a minute Tex could sweet talk a chicken out of the jaws of a starving coyote. He didn't intend to let her sweet talk him. No, sir. Not him.
    And yet... Doggone it. With all that black hair hanging halfway to her waist in tight, shiny curls, even the back of her appealed. Not to mention her nipped-in waist, a pert little rump and long, lean legs that could clamp around his saddlebags any day of the week. She was too pretty by half. Which meant the only way to protect himself was to get her off his ranch. Pronto. Before she opened her mouth and changed his mind for him.
    She turned and practically sashayed across the dusty yard to his side. He forced himself to be fair. With those ridiculous chaps and jeans, sashaying was probably the only way she could move. He spoke before she had the chance. No point in giving her an unfair advantage. "I'm calling your bluff, Tex. Time to put up or pack up."
    She didn't seem the least concerned. "I'm ready when you are," she said.
    He gave an abrupt nod. "I'll go find your resumé and we'll get this nonsense over and done with." He strode toward the ranch house and snagged his foreman by the arm. "Get Petunia," he ordered in a quiet aside.
    Gabby started. "Petunia? You sure?"
    Holt risked a quick look over his shoulder. Tex stood in the middle of the drive as soft and fresh as newly churned butter. He almost changed his mind. Almost.