Once Upon a Cowboy Read Online Free Page B

the looped end into the air and twirled it. To her utter delight, not to mention amazement, it worked. A large spinning circle appeared above her head. She looked over at Holt and grinned.
    "Where'd you like it, pardner?" she drawled.
    "Lasso the post next to Gabby. The post," he emphasized, "not my foreman."
    "You got it." She snapped her right arm back and then forward, toward the post. The rope obediently flew off behind her. It never reappeared. Instead, the rope went taut and she heard an anguished howl. She whipped around and stared in horror.
    "Congratulations," Holt said. "You roped my sheepdog. Any time we need Git hogtied, I'll know who to call."
    "Lord have mercy!" she exclaimed, running for the dog. Gently she eased the rope from around the animal. He gave her hand a pitiful little lick and flopped onto his back. "I'm sorry, Git," she said earnestly. "Truly, sorry."
    Holt strolled over and peered down at the dog. "I do believe he surrenders. If you can convince the cows to do that, we've got it made." He eyed her sternly. "Now, would you care to tell me what you do with a rope that's so all-fired impressive?"
    "Hang swings," she admitted.
    "Come again?"
    She cleared her throat. "I... I hung a couple swings for the neighborhood kids. Their parents were very grateful. When I asked for references, they were happy to oblige."
    "You're kidding."
    "Am not. I have a real knack for knots, too. And one other thing." She dug deep into her pocket and pulled out her spare yo-yo. "I can rope something fierce with this."
    "The hell you can."
    She looked him straight in the eye and said, "The hell I can, too."
    "That's not even a rope," he scoffed. "It's a string."
    She shrugged. "Rope, string. It's all the same. Only difference is the thickness."
    He shoved his hat back on his head, clearly put out. "I'd call that a rather significant difference. Wouldn't you?"
    "No. Just watch."
    She jumped to her feet and stood a comfortable distance from the post he'd wanted her to lasso. Planting one heel firmly in the dust, she gave the yo-yo a few warm up spins. Ready, she jerked her wrist and sent the yo-yo flying toward the post. It whistled by Gabby, spun around the post and tied in a pretty knot.
    Gabby nearly tipped off the railing. "Son of a bitch!"
    Holt folded his arms across his chest. "Is that what you plan on doing to my longhorns? I've got news for you."
    Cami frowned. "It won't work?"
    "Glad you agree."
    "But don't you see? I'm a natural with ropes." She glanced at the yo-yo. "Okay, with strings. But I can graduate to ropes. I know I can. The only difference is—"
    "Thickness. So you say. Fact is, I need a wrangler who's already good with ropes. Not with yo-yos," he added, stemming her attempts to argue. "With ropes."
    "Strike one?" she asked.
    He inclined his head. "Strike one. Let's see how you do with horses." He examined the papers in his hand. "Says here you're a natural with livestock and you first sat a horse when you were three."
    "True. Every word."
    "Uh-huh. Well, don't just stand there. Go get your horse saddled."
    Cami scuffed her boots in the dirt. Would this be the right time to point out that her resumé didn't mention anything about saddling horses? Perhaps not. Somehow she doubted Holt would appreciate the distinction. Besides, how hard could it be?
    "Er, what's his—" She peeked at the animal's hindquarters. "Her name?"
    "Petunia."
    "Good. A Petunia." Anything named after a flower couldn't be too bad. "I can handle a Petunia. Sure I can." With a decisive nod, she headed for to the corral fence.
    The horse stood ten yards away, swishing flies with her tail. Reacting to the jangle of spurs, the animal swung her head around and gave Cami the once-over. Apparently unimpressed, Petunia turned away with a noisy snort.
    "Hey, there," Cami called. "Nice day, isn't it?"
    The horse ignored her. Was it her imagination, or had the animal suddenly grown? Not that it mattered. Huge or not, she'd have to find a way to