Ryelee's Cowboy Read Online Free

desk.
    Ryelee sat on the edge of the seat,
fearing the outcome of their conversation, but when she lifted her
eyes to Clint, the tenderness in his brown eyes surprised her. She
had always watched him from afar, too intimidated to look at him
when he was close. She loved his rough, angular face and black
curly hair. He usually kept it quite short, but it definitely
needed a cut. Her eyes traveled downward to his strong, broad
shoulders, and she wished she could lay her head on his shoulder
and cry. She had a feeling that having his arms around her would
make her feel protected. Suddenly, she realized she was staring and
brought her gaze back up to his amused one.
    “I’m sorry about this afternoon,”
Ryelee started uneasily. “Rheenie asked about Texas history, and,
well, the next thing I knew we were playing cowboys and Indians.”
Not wanting to see the censure in his eyes, she looked down at her
hands. “I didn’t know that Dottie would be here.”
    “Ryelee, look at me,” Clint said, his
voice gentle and coaxing. “This is your home too, and if you and
Rheenie are having fun—safe fun—then so be it. The look of joy on
her face when I drove up was priceless. That's what matter's. I
heard some of what Dottie said to you, and it’s
inexcusable.”
    “It’s not true.”
    “What’s not true?”
    “I’m not ignorant. In fact, I’ve taken
a few college classes,” she said with a tinge of defensiveness in
her tone. It had been hard going but she did it. She completed each
lesson and each assignment. Her grades had been good, but no one
cared.
    “Huh. Dottie said you dropped out of
school.”
    “I did only after she made it
impossible for me to go to school without being ridiculed for being
poor, having to get my clothes from the Church bin, and for being
the town drunk's kid. Mrs. Steven the librarian took an interest in
me. She helped me get my GED and take a few on-line college
classes.”
    Clint got out of his chair, came
around, and leaned against the front of his desk. Reaching down, he
took Ryelee’s hand. “I’m sorry that you were bullied in school.
It’s not right. But getting your GED and taking college courses are
accomplishments that you should be proud of.”
    Ryelee simply nodded her head. She
didn’t feel proud. She knew she never would again, not after all
the unspeakable things her father had done to her.
    “Are the few clothes I’ve seen all
that you have?”
    Ryelee’s face flamed and she pulled
her hand back. “Yes,” she whispered. “There was never any money
and…”
    “I pay you well enough, why don’t you
go to town and get yourself a few new things?”
    “I have to save every penny.” She
turned away from him. “I need to have enough cash for when you
throw me away, like my father did.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “I know,” Ryelee said sadly. “I’ll get
dinner going.” She stood.
    “Wait a minute, Ryelee. Annie told me
that you had nowhere to go. I guess I didn’t give it much
thought.”
    “There’s not much to tell. My father
kicked me out. Noreen from the diner let me stay with her for a
week or so. I waitressed to earn my keep. Then this job came up,
and I jumped at it. I’ve always liked kids, and you have a good
reputation in town.”
    Clint nodded. “You’ve had a hard time
of it. I’m sorry.”
    Ryelee shrugged her shoulders. “Like I
said, there’s not much to tell. I have to get dinner ready.” She
didn’t wait for a reply. She wasn’t up to any more questions. She
made a hasty escape.
    Closing the door behind her, she
sagged against it. Too many questions that she didn't want to
answer. It hurt to know that her past would always be a black mark
against her. What she'd give for a clean slate.
     
    * * * *
     
    Clint wondered what was going on in
that mind of hers. He never could understand women. Lord knows his
wife had told him so often enough. Sighing, he rubbed the back of
his neck. He decided to go over to see Annie. Maybe she