The Bull Rider's Collection Read Online Free Page B

he’d woken inside her last night reminded her of the woman she was. A woman she’d kept under wraps since that summer evening long ago when she realized she’d never be first in his life. Jesse held the place with an iron fist.
    “It’s complicated,” she whispered, even as another part of her said, This is what you’ve been wanting. A father for JR. A partner for you.
    Panic struck her. What if James tried to take her son away from her?
    Suddenly feeling like breakfast would never stay down, she stood. “I’ve-I’ve… ” Clutching her stomach, she bolted.
    “Lizzie?” James called after her.
    Once in front of the sink, she forced herself to calm down. Maybe James finding out about JR wouldn’t be the end of the world. And maybe JR could be convinced that a summer of visiting rodeos wasn’t better than a summer at home, gardening and working the cabins with his mom. Who was she kidding? Of course he would be convinced! Hell, she’d take a summer without chores if she had the chance. No. Somehow she’d get through Sunday without James finding out and then she and JR would be safe. All they had to do was get through the weekend. Then the Sullivan brothers would be gone and her life would go back to normal.
    She nodded to the mirror. Keep James in the dark about JR. Nice, clean, simple. Good. She had a plan. On a deep breath, she left to return to the table —
    Where she found Jesse sitting in her spot eating her untouched pancakes.
    Speak of the damned devil.
    “Good morning, Lizard.” Jesse smiled up at her.
    “Don’t call me Lizard. It’s Elizabeth to you.” She slipped into the booth next to James. Of course he was the devil she knew.
    She grabbed the fork from Jesse’s hands. “You know that’s my food, right?”
    Grinning, Jesse nodded. “What James said, seemed like you weren’t feeling too well. Couldn’t let these beautiful things go to waste.”
    “Insufferable.”
    James leaned toward her. “Jesse’s right. Are you okay?”
    “Fine.” She glared at James.
    Jesse’s right. Jesse’s always right.
    Sighing, she gave in. She was too tired to fight this fight. All she had to do was keep James from learning about JR before he left and everything would be back to normal.
    “Dude, let’s go check out the bulls. We need to talk.” Jesse pushed the plates of food at Lizzie and stood.
    She rose, too, to let James out of the booth.
    He put his hand on her arm, a question forming on his face. “I’ll see you at the parade?”
    “Sure, why not.”
    James stood and pulled her close. “I don’t have to go with him. I’ll can stay so we can finish this.”
    “Right, you say no to Jesse?” She glared at him. “Go. I need some time to think anyway.”
    “You guys know I’m standing here and can hear you, right?” Jesse joked.
    “Jesse, shut up.” James leaned down, put his lips near Lizzie’s ear.
    She jerked away and slipped back into her seat. “I’ll see you at the parade.”
    “I’ll see you at the parade then.”
    James walked away but not before Lizzie heard Jesse’s parting shot, “Man, what’s got her goat?”
    Cash brought over the coffee pot and filled her cup. “Walking through the past is a pain, isn’t it?”
    She laughed bitterly. “You have no idea.”
    “I might. More than you know. I do it every day.” Cash’s half-grin was bittersweet. “You want me to tell him to back off? That we’re serious? I can be that guy, Lizzie. I want to.”
    Lizzie looked hard at him, tempted. Then she shook her head. “Thanks, Cash, but no. It’s gotta be done, I’m going to do it without that kind of help.”
    “So you know, the offer stands.” Cash smiled. “Now come on and let me put a smile back on your pretty face. Dinner and the play. I’ll buy ice cream.”
    Lizzie pursed her lips. A week from now this emotional crisis would be a memory, James and the rodeo would be history and the world as she lived it would again be right side up. What did she have to