Josh's Justice, Cowboy Romance (Bad in Boots, Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

womanizer or something—” Sabrina paused and quickly shook her head. “No, wait. I’m not supposed to ask.”
    Colt’s phone started to ring, distracting them. Colt walked into the kitchen and swiped it from the counter.
    Elise shook her head. “He’s not a womanizer that I know of. That’s not it—”
    “I know Josh has a thing for you, Elise,” Sabrina said in a lowered voice once Colt walked into the hall to talk. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. If my interest in him makes you uncomfortable, I’ll forget about it.”
    Her friend put a hand on her arm. “No worries, Sabrina. And, yes there was a bit of rivalry between Josh and Colt, but that’s in the past. It’s just that—”
    “Elise, it’s your mom.” Colt approached from the doorway, phone in hand, a curious look on his face. “She couldn’t get you on your cell, so she called mine.”
    “Excuse me for a second.” Elise took the phone from her husband. “Hey, Mom,” she said, then her face quickly pinched in concern. “Is he all right?” Colt put his hands on his wife’s shoulders and pulled her close, mouthing, “Your father?” When Elise nodded, he massaged her shoulders, giving her his support.
    Sabrina’s stomach tumbled as her friend’s face grew pale. What’s wrong? Not her dad too!
    “When’s the surgery? I’ll be on the next plane out. I know he doesn’t want me to worry, but I want to be there when he wakes up.” Elise’s voice broke when she finished, “Mom, just in case… tell Dad I love him.”
    Tears fell once she ended the call. Colt turned her around and pulled her close. Kissing her forehead, he said, “I’m going with you, darlin’.”
    “But you can’t go,” she said between sniffles. “You’ve got all your travel plans made.”
    Colt shook his head. “Mace can go in my place. You’re not going home alone. Just in case, I want to be there with you.”
    Elise hugged his waist and pressed a kiss to his jaw. “This is why I love you so much, Colt Tanner.”
    Sabrina’s heart swelled for her friend and the obvious love she and her husband shared. She stood up from the table when Elise let go of Colt and walked over to her, a worried look on her face. “My dad had some heart pains and when he went to his doctor, they wouldn’t let him leave for fear he’d have a heart attack. He’s on the verge of one with clogged arteries. They’ve scheduled an emergency angioplasty tomorrow.”
    Sabrina’s eyes teared. “Oh, Elise. I’m so sorry. I hope the surgery goes well. I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
    Elise reached for her hand and shook her head. “Absolutely not! I’m only going to be gone for a couple of days. My dad’s as tough as nails. He’ll love the fact I’m there, but I’ll be ready to come back once I know he’s out of the woods.”
    “Are you sure?” Sabrina didn’t want her friend to feel the need to accommodate her.
    Elise squeezed her fingers. “Very much so.”
    While Colt called to make flight reservations, Sabrina asked in a low voice, “You started to say something about Josh…”
    “Yes, I did…” Elise began, then paused. Holding Sabrina’s gaze for a second, she pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear, “Go for it, Bri. Grab life by the horns. You never know when you’re going to get thrown, so you may as well savor the ride while it lasts.”
    Sabrina knew Elise was thinking about her father. She whispered back, “Your dad’s going to be fine. I know it.”
    “I know he will.” Elise clasped her tight, then leaned away and smiled. “I’m sure Josh would be happy to keep you company while I’m gone. I’ll call him in the morning before I leave and tell him we’ll have to hold off on the horse trade until I get back. Then I’ll casually mention, ‘But I do have a houseguest who might be bored out of her mind while I’m gone…’”
    Sabrina grimaced. “Um, I’d prefer not to be so blatant.”
    “And acting on your