TAKE A CHANCE (Chance Colorado Series) Read Online Free Page B

her arm through Allie’s. “You look great. But what the heck was in your head to convince you to wear shoes like that? Ten feet from the car and I’d be curled up on the ground, writhing in absolute agony.”
    “But they look awesome,” Dulcie added as she joined them, leaning in to kiss Allie on the cheek. “I’m so glad you finally decided to move back home. We’ve all been so worried about Aunt Susie.”
    Allie allowed Desi to lead her forward, keeping her eyes focused ahead of her, refusing to acknowledge Dulcie’s comment. That was the thing about her family. Always had been. Even one of her favorites like Dulcie. Right in the middle of the most mundane conversation, the Flynns could always manage to serve up a load of guilt, whether they meant to or not.
    “Well, would you look at that,” Desi murmured. “Who is that hunk of gorgeous?”
    Dulcie shrugged. “Probably somebody from up at the resort. You see who he’s with, don’t you? I heard she’s been hanging out at the bar up there pretty regular.”
    “He is flat out drool-worthy.” Desi tugged on Allie’s arm. “You think you could move any faster in those darn shoes?”
    “You are not going to tell me that you’re in a hurry because of him?” Dulcie stopped in front of them, blocking their path, hands on her hips. “Honest to God, Desdemona Flynn! What’s wrong with you? I swear, girl, you have the worst taste in men ever.”
    “I have excellent taste in men,” Desi said with a grin. “It just leans more toward the bad-boy end of the scale. Anyway, just because he’s hanging with a skank doesn’t make him all bad.”
    Dulcie shrugged. “Fine. You can think whatever you want. But I have to think that any guy hanging with Shayla Jenkins is only after one thing.”
    Shayla Jenkins?
    Allie stumbled to a stop and peered around her cousin to scan the growing crowd just ahead of them. The guy Desi ogled was out there somewhere with Shayla Jenkins? How was that even possible? And how was Shayla still a Jenkins?
    “Maybe you should just kick those things off,” Desi suggested, tugging at Allie’s arm once again. “We could move a whole lot faster.”
    “No, I’m fine,” Allie answered, her thoughts a million miles from her feet. “You said that guy is with Shayla? But what happened to Shayla and Logan? When I left town, they were all but a done deal.”
    “Oh, sweetie… you have been gone a long time, haven’t you?” Dulcie patted her arm as they started walking again. “That whole relationship blew up a year or two after you moved away. In fact, I remember the ugliest scene down at the Dairy Dipper one afternoon that summer—”
    “Logan made a scene?” That seemed so unlike the quiet young man she remembered.
    “Oh, no, not Logan. It was his grandma! Right after Logan and Shayla broke up. Dot has always been such a pistol anyway, and that day she was parked at the Dairy Dipper when Shayla walked up, all wiggling her butt like she always does. Well, let me tell you, Dot O’Connor jumped out of her pickup and went after Shayla, who took off running, squealing like she thought she was done for.” Dulcie could hardly get the story out for giggling. “And Dot was so mad, if she could’ve caught up with that girl, it very well might have been the end of her!”
    “I remember that,” Desi added with a smile. “Had the whole town talking for weeks. Then again, it doesn’t take too much to set tongues wagging in Chance. That much hasn’t changed a bit since you left. And it’s Shayla Jenkins-Gold now. Hyphenated, mind you. Now hush up, you two. We’re going to just casually saunter on over there like normal people and see if we can find out who Mr. Gorgeous is.”
    “You go ahead and saunter,” Allie said, pulling her arm from Desi’s grasp. “I need to go check on Mom and Matt. I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
    Though she did want to check on how her mother was holding up, what she really needed was a moment to