Reuniting with the Cowboy Read Online Free Page A

curious.” He shrugged. “Back when we were in high school, you dreamed right along with Caitlyn about getting married.”
    â€œI did, didn’t I?” Her voice went soft and she settled on a hay bale facing him, elbows propped on her knees. “My parents married right out of high school and Mom never worked outside the home. She didn’t have a clue about how to get a job, balance the checkbook or pay the bills.”
    She picked up the gray kitten and cuddled it. “Dad had done everything for her. For a while after he died, I thought I’d have to give up college and stay home to take care of her. It made me realize I never want to need anyone that much.”
    â€œEverybody needs somebody.”
    â€œLook who’s talking.” She caught his gaze. “Mr. I’m-Never-Getting-Married-so-I-Can-Travel-and-Do-What-I-Want.”
    â€œI guess it got old.” But it really hadn’t. Not until he’d seen her again. Only one thing was certain. Being close to her drove it home. If he didn’t have a bubble in his head, he’d go after way more than friendship with Ally.
    He had to stop thinking about things he couldn’t pursue. “I could build you a few extra pens above the ones you already have to solve your cat problem.”
    â€œI’d always planned to do that, just haven’t had time.” She bit her lip. “That would be great, but if you really want to help me, there is something else you can do.”
    â€œJust ask.”
    â€œWould you sell me a few acres? I had my eye on five, but one would get me out of a bind.”
    He’d have loved to. But the problem with that was that he was only leasing. Yet he needed his family to believe he was willingly retiring to become a rancher. Otherwise, they’d get curious and if they learned about his health situation, they’d hover and he’d have no peace while he decided what to do.
    He couldn’t burden her with his secret.
    â€œWell?”
    â€œAlly?” A man’s voice called out, cutting off any response he might have given her.
    â€œOver in the neighbor’s barn,” she yelled.
    Footfalls crunched across the gravel and a shadow fell over the doorway.
    A gray-haired man wearing scrubs stepped inside. “Everything go okay with the mastiff?”
    â€œShe’ll be fine.” She nodded. “The car just grazed her. Lacerations and contusions, but no internal injuries or broken bones. Most of her damage came from the highway.”
    â€œOuch.” The man winced. “Poor girl. I finished the vaccinations. Derek filled out all the records and he’s putting the ranch file in the office. Just thought I’d check in before I go.”
    Ally gestured to the man. “This is Dr. Lance Bridges, the other vet here at my clinic. Cody is our new neighbor. He took Bruno and the three strays I got in yesterday, just in the knick of time. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”
    â€œNice meeting you.” Cody clasped hands with Lance.
    â€œLikewise.”
    â€œYou go on home. I’m sure Erin has your supper ready.”
    â€œSee you tomorrow.” As Dr. Bridges turned away, a younger man approached. Blond, midtwenties.
    â€œSome first day, huh, Derek?”
    â€œI loved every minute of it.” The younger man smiled, scratched the kitten Ally held under its chin. His hand dangerously close to hers.
    Huh? Was he flirting with Ally?
    Was this guy an assistant? Or working on being her boyfriend?
    Ally pushed stray strands of hair away from her face. “You tell that sweet wife of yours I’ll try not to keep you this late on a daily basis.”
    Whew. Thankfully the guy was married.
    But what should it matter? Ally’s love life was none of Cody’s concern. It couldn’t be.
    â€œDon’t worry. Brandy understands my work.” The guy turned to the door.
    â€œWhere are my manners?” Ally stood,