Reuniting with the Cowboy Read Online Free Page B

brushed the hay off the seat of her jeans. “This is Cody Warren. We were friends all through school, and now he lives next door. Derek Tatum is my new veterinary technician.”
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ally.”
    â€œMake that Tuesday. Have a nice, long Labor Day weekend. With so many ranches in Aubrey, we have more cattle vacs scheduled as usual. But maybe there won’t be any emergencies.”
    â€œBut you’re working tomorrow and Monday. If it’s all the same to you, I’d just as soon do the same.”
    â€œIf you’re sure.”
    â€œI am.” With a wave, Derek left them alone.
    Ally set the kitten down and it curled around her ankle. “So what about the land?”
    He’d hoped she’d forget about the issue. “I can’t sell you any of it.”
    â€œWhy not?” Her shoulders slumped. “Just an acre? A half an acre?”
    His only option was to be as honest as he could. “I’m only leasing it.” What were the odds of her talking to his parents about his land anyway?
    â€œBut yesterday you said you bought it.”
    â€œNo, you said I bought it. I decided to test the ranching thing out before doing anything permanent.” Great. He’d just reinforced her notion that he had commitment issues.
    â€œOh.” The corners of her mouth tipped down and she stood. “I’m really tired and I can’t wait to get cleaned up. Do you want me to walk you across the yard?”
    It was tempting to lean on her. But not advisable.
    â€œI’ll be fine. I’ll go nice and slow.” He opened the door for her.
    She exited and he followed. By the time he’d made five steps, she’d already reached her back door. Not sparing him another glance, she slipped inside and closed it.
    So much for talking about the kiss. It seemed as if without saying a word, they both agreed to forget it. At least things weren’t quite as strained between them. Though maybe that would’ve been preferable.
    Ally was his friend. And that was all she could be. So why did he have to keep reminding himself of that?
    * * *
    Ally stepped into the mudroom, where excited yips greeted her. “Hey, Foxy. Hey, Wolf.” The two puffballs danced for her attention. “Did y’all miss me today?”
    Peering through the blinds, she watched Cody slowly hobble to his house. He’d saved her from a written reprimand. But he wouldn’t sell her any land, because he was only leasing. Which meant he probably wasn’t staying.
    He frustrated the daylights out of her. So she wouldn’t coddle him. He was an adult. If he was goofy enough to insist on living alone and walking on his bad leg without any help, that was his problem. She didn’t have the time or energy to babysit him while he played rancher next door. On the land he’d leased right out from under her.
    She pulled off her manure-caked boots and picked a Pom up in each arm, snuggling them close. They stilled, except for their noses.
    â€œBusted. Mama traitored—petting countless other dogs and cats again.” The sniffing stopped and kisses took over. With both cheeks sufficiently licked, she set them down.
    â€œMom?”
    â€œIn the living room. Did the emergency surgery go okay?”
    â€œYep, she’ll be fine. Derek was a great help to Lance with the vaccinations.” She strolled into the living room. Home. She loved this house. The worn plank flooring and walls, beams across the ceilings, and ancient windows. Comfortable, unpretentious and cozy.
    â€œDid Dr. Bridges leave already?” Mom was in her jammies, curled up on the couch with a book.
    â€œA few minutes ago.” Ally couldn’t wait to soak in the bathtub for an hour. Except for Mom’s weekly book club meetings, they both were usually in for the evening by six o’clock. Such exciting lives they led. Probably should get out