The Bull Rider's Collection Read Online Free Page A

you here to talk about Jesse.”
    “No?” Lizzie sat forward belligerently and pushed the button. She didn’t have anything to lose. “We always talk about Jesse. What Jesse wants, where Jesse is, how Jesse’s feeling. What else is there to talk about?”
    “It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
    How could he honestly not realize? “James, we didn’t even go to prom because Jesse got drunk beforehand and threw up on his date’s three hundred dollar dress and you had to fix things for him.”
    James grinned. “Yeah, but I remember we did something a lot better than dancing when I got back.”
    Lizzie blushed. Sitting down by the river on a plaid blanket, the kissing had turned into more. That night had been their first attempt at making love.
    The waitress slid two plates of food in front of her, giving her a time to compose herself before she spoke. “And that’s what you want to talk about? One night on the river?” Lizzie’s words were as harsh as her tone. But to keep James at a distance in order to protect JR, she needed to be harsh. She took a bite of cubed potatoes fried together with onions, bacon bits, ham, and green peppers, and covered with a handful of melted shredded cheddar. The flavor would have been heaven if not for James.
    “Hold on a second. You brought up prom night, not me.” He poured huckleberry syrup over his pancakes and passed it to her. “You want some of this?”
    “Of course. Breakfast in town’s a treat these days.” Lizzie watched as he poured syrup over her stack. “Whoa, that’ll do.”
    “You always cried uncle first.” James grinned and reached over to grab her hand. Rubbing the palm with his thumb, he locked gazes with her. “I want to get to know you again. Look, I screwed up before. I admit it. I should have followed you to Portland and stood outside your dorm room until you gave up and talked to me. But I let Jesse pull me away.”
    Lizzie tried to pull her hand away, but James tightened his grip. “Yes, you did.”
    “Stop, let me finish.” He waited for her to stop squirming and look at him. “I want to court you. I’ll admit, it will be long distance during the rodeo season, but I can fly back here at least once a month. And maybe you could come meet me a weekend or two.”
    Stunned, Lizzie stared at him, her food forgotten. James wanted to date her? Only one problem, JR. When James found out about him, this entire conversation would be done. She knew how strongly James felt about family — about blood kin. Hadn’t he showed his cards many years ago when he’d chosen Jesse over her? Hadn’t he said it even, when he told her how he couldn’t even consider leaving Shawnee until Jesse graduated high school the year after them?
    On the other hand, now that she had the trump card in her hand, maybe James would be equally determined to make their relationship work. Her lips twisted. Even if it shouldn’t.
    “My life is pretty complicated right now. Besides, how do you know I’m not with someone?”
    “Who? Cash? Don’t you think if you were serious you would have taken the next step?” James released her hand and cut into his short stack. “Just think about it Lizzie. We’re good together.”
    “Were good together, James. In high school, when we weren’t fighting about Jesse. Maybe too much time has passed for us to recreate that — or even something better. Something new.” Lizzie froze as a thought hit her. If James could figure out her love life in the first twenty-four hours since he arrived in town, what chance did she have of keeping JR a secret? Especially when her dad planned on bringing JR to the parade. Trouble, this was trouble. She glanced around the crowded restaurant.
    You’re playing with fire here, Lizzie.
    James barked out a laugh breaking into her thoughts. “Not if my dreams are any indication. I shouldn’t say this but I’ve thought of nothing but you since last night.”
    Lizzie stared at the man in front of her. The feelings