Rodeo Romance (Contemporary Western Romance Short) Read Online Free

screamed when the howling started again.
    “Is that what you heard?” Tim grinned, glancing at Jake.
    “Yeah.” Cindy was practically climbing up Trisha. “What the hell is that?”
    “Sounds like a coyote,” Jake replied, cocking his head as if to listen closer. “But could be a wolf looking for his pack.”
    “Coyotes? Wolves?” Cindy headed toward the fence and began climbing. “I can almost smell that ocean breeze, Trish. I sure wouldn’t be heartbroken if you changed your mind. Please change your mind.”
    Trisha shook her head as she watched all three men rush to help Cindy over the fence. Within five seconds, Trisha was up and over before they even had Cindy on the ground, which she was sure Cindy was prolonging on purpose.
    “You should have waited. I would have helped you.” Jake frowned down at her.
    Without his hat on, Trisha noticed he was even more handsome. His hair was black as midnight with enough waves to make a woman want to run her hands through it. Ah, okay, where in the hell did that thought come from? “I’m fine, but thanks,” she replied, not knowing what to say especially after her thoughts of wanting to run her hands through his hair.
    “You could have hurt yourself.” He was looking at her oddly.
    “I’m fine. Really.” Uncomfortable by his intense gaze, it was as if he could see things she didn’t want him to see.
    He nodded as he finally released her from his stare. “Come on, Jeb.” Jake clapped him on the back. “You look like you could use a beer.”
    “You buyin?” Jeb walked beside Jake who towered over the old man.
    “Yep.” Jake’s deep laugh rumbled through the darkness.
    “Then I could use two,” Jeb grumbled as they made their way up the hill.
    “Ouch!” Trisha rubbed the back of her head where Cindy smacked her. “What the hell are you doing?”
    “Mosquito,” Cindy said to Tim, who was eyeing them oddly.
    One eyebrow rose, but he nodded. “You two coming up to the recreation center?”
    “Sure,” Cindy replied.
    “Was it a big one?” Trisha felt the back of her head.
    “What?” Cindy took her eyes off Tim, looking back at Trisha.
    “The mosquito.” Trisha hated bugs with a passion. “Was it big?”
    Cindy rolled her eyes. “There wasn’t a mosquito.”
    “Then why the hell did you hit me?”
    Cindy looked to make sure Jake, Jeb and Tim were out of hearing range. “What were we just talking about? Huh?” Cindy sighed when Trisha just continued to glare at her. “Wanting someone to curl your toes with kisses that set you on fire.”
    “Yeah, okay.” Trisha sounded as confused as she looked. “And that’s why you hit me?”
    “Ah, hello.” Cindy knocked on Trisha’s forehead with her knuckle.
    “I swear if you hit me in the head one more time, I’m going to kick your ass.” Trisha backed away. “What in the hell is wrong with you?”
    “Why didn’t you let him help you over the fence?” Cindy pointed at the fence before putting her hand on her hip.
    “Ah, because they were all helping you,” Trisha shot back. “Anyway, I can climb a damn fence without a man’s help, Cindy.”
    “But men like to help women, Trisha . It makes them feel, I don’t know, like men. A real man wants to take care of a lady.”
    “So what you’re saying is the next time, even though I can climb the damn fence, don’t.” Trisha sighed.
    “Exactly.” Cindy snapped her fingers. “Be helpless.”
    Trisha shook her head. “I don’t think I can do that.”
    “Sure you can.” Cindy nodded her head as Trisha shook hers. “I’ll help you.”
    Trisha just stared then spun, walking away. “God, help me.”
    “I heard that,” Cindy called out after her.
    “I’m not here for a man,” Trisha mumbled, her mood turning sour.
    “Heard that too and you’re wrong.” Cindy huffed behind her. “I bet my new Gucci purse you’ll be riding a cowboy and saving a horse before this trip is over.”
    Trisha slapped her hands over her ears as