Read Online My True Cowboy by Shelley Galloway - Free Book Online

was five o’clock.
    It had been a busy day.
    But, she realized as she walked out to the parking lot, she hardly remembered a thing about it except for Cal Riddell’s visit.
    â€œLord have mercy,” she murmured, stealing Paula’s line. “What a man.”

Chapter Five
    â€œHow much longer?”
    â€œWe’re looking at movies, Hank. Pick one out.”
    â€œThere’s nothing here I want to see. Plus, you’ve been looking at books, too.”
    Her son said books as if she was looking at Uzis. Though, chances were he’d be way more interested in guns than anything in the library.
    â€œYou’re just going to have to be patient, Henry,” she said as she tried to hold on to her own patience.
    Hank turned away with an exaggerated sigh.
    Susan felt like doing the same thing. Her boy’s feelings about the library were the exact opposite of hers. Sometimes it was hard to come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t a reader and had no interest in ever becoming one.
    Whenever her mother had taken her to the library, she’d scampered off to the children’s section and had gotten lost among the stacks. Without fail, her mother would have to ask her time and again to limit her stack of books to just five. She’d also practically dragged Susan out when it was time to leave.
    Hank, however, had stayed by her side from the moment they’d entered. Furthermore, he seemed especially intent on claiming her attention every ten seconds, mainly to encourage her to leave.
    â€œMom? Mom! Did you see who’s here?”
    â€œNo. And hush.”
    Hank pulled on her sleeve. “Mom, it’s that man from the hospital.”
    â€œShh,” she admonished.
    â€œMom. Mo-om. Are you listening? He’s still there. He’s comin’ closer.”
    â€œI’m listening to you talk too much,” she said as sternly as she was able. “We are in the library. You need to be quiet.”
    â€œBut it’s Mr. Riddell. ”
    Just like that, her whole body went tingly. “Oh. Really?”
    Funny, how when she was at the Lodge, the only Riddell she thought about was a sixty-two-year-old who could swear up a blue streak.
    But when she wasn’t working, well, a whole different Riddell man captured her thoughts, and he wore a white Stetson real well.
    â€œUh-huh. He’s standing right over there. Want to go say hey?”
    â€œNo, I do not. Besides, we need to leave him alone. A person should be able to go to the library without being pestered.”
    â€œOh, Mom. How are you supposed to make friends if you’re always too scared to say hello?”
    She was not scared. She was just reserved. And there was nothing wrong with that…. “Hank, let me finish here, and then we’ll go get something to eat.”
    â€œIn a sec. I’ll be right back, Mom.” In a flash, he left her side and trotted across the aisle to where the new mysteries were shelved. “Hey, Mr. Riddell. Hi! I can’t believe I just looked over, and there you were.” Without hardly taking a breath, he continued, “I told my mom I saw you, but shesaid I should leave you alone. But I think she only said that ’cause she didn’t want to come over here and say hello.”
    Susan went from embarrassed to shocked to mortified. Right there in four seconds flat. Way too slowly, her brain caught up with Hank’s motormouth and she stilled.
    Feeling his icy-hot glare, she turned.
    Yes. There he was. Gorgeous in faded jeans, a wrinkled plaid shirt and a pair of scuffed work boots. After reading the inside flap of the book he was holding, Cal leaned down to Hank and almost looked peppy. Well, as peppy as a man who didn’t smile could look. “Hey, yourself.”
    Hank lifted a foot out, almost kicking Cal’s shin. “I got me some new boots.”
    Susan held her breath, waiting for Cal to snap at him.
    But instead, he crouched