Second Chance Cowboy Read Online Free Page A

in one long braid that fell across her shoulder, past her breasts, to the pointed nubs that were visible through her wet shirt. Patrick gulped as his pants suddenly became tighter.
    “Do you know there’s a law against women wearing men’s clothing?” Patrick asked.
    Sabrina crossed her arms across her shirt, hiding his view. “So, arrest me,” she taunted. “Then again, you’re no longer a Texas Ranger.”
    “Decent women don’t run around dressed like men!” Patrick informed Sabrina, his voice rising in bitterness at the mention of his days as a lawman.
    “Are you calling me indecent? Because if you are, that’s like the pot calling the kettle black.”
    Patrick shifted in his saddle. “Yeah, well any other man would be tempted to take advantage of your displayed charms, but not me!”
    Sabrina glared at Patrick, watching him out of the corner of her eye, darting quick glances down at herself. “Darn, and I wore them especially for you.”
    Patrick ignored her sarcasm. “I’ll just bet you did.” Sabrina smiled, her luscious strawberry lips curling up, causing Patrick more discomfort “You’re entitled to your opinion. I’m entitled to mine.”
    Why did he feel he’d lost that round? Somehow he felt like she was laughing at him. She’d been laughing ever since that day in court when her brother had made a fool of him and she’d backed her brother not her fiancé.
    “If you’re just going to sit there and gawk at me with that scowl on your face, I’m walking home.”
    “Good. Maybe by the time you get there, you’ll smell better,” Patrick replied. “I won’t have to worry about the Indians taking you; one smell and they’d run.”
    “What Indians?”
    He flashed her a slow grin. “Run along home, little girl.”
    “Answer me! What Indians are you talking about?” Sabrina questioned. “Have there been more attacks?”
    Patrick threw a leg over the side of his horse and stepped down. He walked to the edge of the pond, ignoring Sabrina, knowing it was driving her crazy.
    He turned and gazed at her, smiling with insolence. “No, there have been no other attacks. At least not direct ones. Some rustled cattle, the attack on your father, a scalping or two, but nothing serious.”
    Her sapphire eyes grew large with surprise and fear as she gazed at Patrick. “I don’t believe you.”
    “I’m surprised Jed let you go off riding by yourself.’
    “I didn’t tell him.”
    Patrick rolled his eyes. “I should have known.”
    She gazed across the countryside, weighing her choices, uneasiness apparent in her restless manner. Finally, she turned her gaze upon Patrick and took a deep breath. She asked, “Would you take me home?”
    How could he refuse her? Patrick walked over and opened his saddlebags. He pulled out the extra clothes he always carried.
    He held up his extra shirt and pants, like an offering. “Yesterday you got a free ride; today I have a proposition for you. Clean clothes and a ride home in exchange for first and last dance at the Jarvis’ party.” His lips turned up in a playful grin, “And a kiss.”
    What had caused him to ask for a kiss? Puzzled by his actions, Patrick watched Sabrina turn red. One kiss would prove he no longer had feelings for her. Once and for all, he would be able to say he was truly over Sabrina.
    “That’s crazy! I’m not making any deal with you.”
    “Then I guess you’ll have to walk.” He watched her sapphire eyes turn to ice as he continued. “I’m not riding with you and your sweet odor.”
    “You wouldn’t leave me out here all alone!” she charged.
    “Watch me.” His deep voice held a challenge, and he started to walk away, still holding the extra clothes.
    “Wait,” she pleaded.
    “Are you ready to deal?” His eyes went magnetically to those long, slender legs. He had a weakness for legs, and hers were an exceptional pair in those tight, wet pants.
    Sabrina glared at him. “Why are you doing this?”
    Patrick smiled. How