Ryelee's Cowboy Read Online Free Page A

could give
him some perspective on the situation. He really felt out of his
depth here.
    Clint poked his head in the kitchen
and told Ryelee he was going over to the Dawson’s for a while. True
to form, Ryelee didn’t even look at him when she nodded.
    Clint stopped to admire the horses
frolicking in the pasture. His breeding program was coming right
along. They had finally obtained ownership of King’s Crown, a
prize-winning stud. In fact, the horse had been a gift to Annie
from her husband Burke. The stallion had covered most of the mares,
and in a day or two, they would test for pregnancy. Things were
looking good.
    It was a long-range plan, breeding
horses. Right now, they were able to sell King’s Crowns services.
They also had quite a few requests for artificial insemination,
which brought in an amazing amount of money. Once the mares threw
their foals, they would be able to charge even more. Clint felt
confident that he was breeding prizewinners.
    The other half of the
operation—more dear to his heart—was breeding, buying, and training
Quarter Horses. These horses were his heart. Smart, fast, and perfect for ranching,
they were quick and well-balanced and possessed strong back legs.
Clint loved how they could sprint, turn, and stop.
    Although he didn’t own the ranch, he
enjoyed it here. He still yearned for the land he had lost in
foreclosure. The ranch had been in his family since right after the
Civil War. Each generation of Maloneys had their own battle to hold
onto the land, and being the one to fail seized his heart. Medical
bills for his wife and Rheenie had cost him his ranch. He was
thankful for the house and job Annie Dawson had provided for
him.
    He knocked lightly on the front door.
Mrs. Harvy, the Dawson’s slender housekeeper, answered the door
with a smile. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and
her blue eyes twinkled.
    “’ Bout time you came to
visit,” she scolded. “We hardly ever see you anymore.”
    Clint winked at the older woman. “I’m
here today, love.”
    Mrs. Harvy laughed and ushered him
into the family room of the big farmhouse. “I’ll bring some tea,
and you’re in luck—I just made cookies.”
    “That’s the best offer I’ve had all
week.”
    Annie looked up from her book giving
him a glimpse of her green eyes and smiled. “Hey, cowboy. What’s
up?”
    Clint smiled. “Women
problems.”
    Annie chuckled and pushed a few curls
of auburn hair back away from her face. “‘Women’ as in
many?”
    Clint sat down in a chair opposite
hers. “Yes. I just don’t understand them. I’m having problems with
Ryelee, Rheenie, Dottie, and even Noreen.”
    Annie’s eyes glowed with mirth.
“Certainly not Noreen! What did you do to get on her bad side? Did
you maybe take Dottie Long into her place?”
    Clint groaned. “Don’t tell me the
Weltworth grapevine is working overtime.”
    “Mrs. Harvy told me an hour ago. I
guess Noreen and Dottie have some long-standing feud. It’s
something about Dottie and Noreen’s son. Whatever happened,
Noreen’s son hasn’t been back in town for about two years now.” She
gave him a sympathetic smile. “I guess you didn’t know.”
    Clint’s jaw dropped. “No, I didn’t
know. I ended up looking like a jackass. Why didn’t Dottie tell me?
I wouldn’t have gone there with her if she had.”
    “Maybe she wants you any way she can
get you.” When Clint stared at her in confusion, Annie smiled.
“She’s trying to lasso you, cowboy. Didn’t you know? From what I
hear she’s mentioned marriage a few times since she’s been seeing
you.”
    “You have got to kidding me!” This
revelation shocked and dismayed him. He had never given Dottie any
reason to believe that they were getting married. He’d been very
casual about their relationship. Heck, he’d barely kissed her,
although she always seemed to want more.
    Mrs. Harvy walked in with a tray of
tea and freshly baked cookies. She placed them on the coffee