Lone Star Burn: Broncos & Bouquets (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free Page B

of hair stuff. Must belong to one of the other ranch hands. He tried a little and the result wasn’t too bad. This is as good as it’s gonna get.
    He climbed into one of the ranch’s pick-up trucks. He didn’t have his own vehicle. Tony had given him permission to use the ranch trucks whenever he needed, as long as he replaced the gas he used. His nerves went haywire as he drove away from the ranch and into town.
    He pulled up in front of Hank’s Hardware then walked toward the back entrance that led to the apartment above it. With a shaky hand, he rang the bell. Had he ever been so nervous before? The random hook-ups over the last few years had been as meaningless for the women as they’d been for him. That had been the point. This was so different, even though it technically wasn’t a date.
    But the second he laid eyes on Laney his nerves eased. His heart raced, but in a good way.
    “You look…stunning.” He tried not to stare as he drank her in. Golden hair in waves, the faintest pink on her lips. Jeans that hugged her curves.
    “Thanks. You look pretty good yourself.”
    He offered her his arm. “Ready to go?”
    “Yes.”
    She seemed hesitant to take it, but when she looped her hand through and held on to him tight, warmth filled his core. It felt right. More right than anything in his life.
    He led her to the truck. “I know this is technically not a date, but I couldn’t come empty-handed.”
    She looked at him quizzically. “I’m intrigued.”
    He opened the passenger side door, reached in, and pulled out a single red rose. “I know you see flowers all the time and I bet they’re not even that special to you anymore, but this one looked perfect to me and I wanted you to have it.”
    Laney’s cheeks were pink, and more so than just her makeup. “Thank you.”
    He helped her into the truck and when he opened his own door to climb in, he found her with the biggest, goofiest grin ever, her nose sunk deep in the flower.
    Sawyer drove the two miles to the edge of town and the new restaurant everyone had been raving about. The place had red and white-checkered tablecloths, brick walls, lights strung above them. Every table had a candle, giving the place a glow. Perfect for a romantic date. Which he had to keep reminding himself this was not. He gave his name to the hostess and they were seated at an intimate table for two. That did not help his cause.
    Conversation flowed easily, as it always did between them. He itched to touch her hand, only inches away from his. To lick the spot of pasta sauce on her lip. To tell her he was feeling things for her that he’d never felt before. But none of that was allowed. He’d promised.
    They shared a bottle of wine. Not his first choice. He was happy with a beer. And not this fancy microbrew crap, either. But this red stuff wasn’t half bad.
    The waitress cleared the table and promised to be back with the check.
    “Excuse me,” he said as he stood. “Little boys room.”
    He’d lied. And felt bad. But there was no way in hell—date or not—that he was letting her pay half the bill. He chased down the waitress and settled it, leaving her with a nice tip and a request.
    Sawyer returned to the table and moments later, the waitress laid the check wallet in front of them.
    Laney grabbed it, looked at it, then narrowed her eyes at him. “What did you do?”
    “Nothin’.”
    “It says we owe zero.” She turned it and showed it to him.
    “Lucky us. Ready to go?”
    “No. Not until you tell me the truth.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared him down, unable to hold her serious demeanor.
    “Fine! I paid the bill. I’m sorry if that makes me a bad guy.”
    “We had a deal.”
    “We did and I’m sorry.”
    “Apology accepted.” She stood and slung her purse over her shoulder, a self-satisfied grin. “This just means that it’s on me next time.”
    She turned and headed for the door, not giving him the chance to refuse. Instead she gave him