Read Online Not My 1st Rodeo by Donna Alward - Free Book Online

looking for to complement our operation, but my budget isn’t limitless. I’ve got one more chance, but if the other party counters, I’m out.”
    And wouldn’t that make Melissa happy. Except someone else would still be buying the property. She had to realize that the problem wouldn’t go away even if he were out of the picture.
    It took him two more days to work up the nerve to send her a simple text that said “Can we talk?” And a day after that for her to reply with a blunt, “About what?”
    He waited until work was done for the day and his parents were inside watching the evening news. Part of the reason he was excited about the prospect of expansion was the chance to get out on his own again. Since the divorce, he’d stayed at his childhood home while his house had sold and the proceeds split between himself and Sherry. It was time. A man his age had no place worrying about a phone conversation being interrupted by his parents.
    The June evening was mild, and he sat on the back porch, overlooking a hayfield that would be ready for cutting in another week or two. He dialed her number and waited. By the third ring, he assumed it was just going to go to voice mail. Instead, there was a click and her breathless voice said, “Hello?”
    â€œMel? It’s Brett.”
    A beat of silence. “Hi.”
    She was breathing hard and he felt compelled to ask, “Is this a bad time?”
    â€œI was out for a run.”
    He pictured her in short shorts and a T-shirt with her hair in a ponytail and thought she probably looked both adorable and formidable. “I can call back.”
    â€œNo, it’s fine.” Her tone said anything but, but he hadn’t expected a warm greeting.
    â€œListen, I just want to talk. About what happened, about what you think happened. I don’t like how we left things, you know?”
    She’d still been naked and wrapped in a blanket when he’d walked out of her apartment.
    â€œYou’re the one who left.”
    â€œI was offended. And…hurt, to be honest. And unless I was reading things wrong, you were really upset. I’m not sure staying would have helped to clear the air much.”
    She sighed. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
    It was a start.
    â€œMaybe we can meet up this weekend. Sunday afternoon or something,” he suggested.
    â€œI’ve got plans on Sunday.”
    She was not making this easy. And damn it, he hadn’t even done anything wrong. He ran his hand over his hair, wondering what to say next, when she spoke again.
    â€œI could stop by on Saturday. I’m driving up to Great Falls for a baby shower Saturday night.”
    â€œSaturday afternoon would be fine.” He swallowed, inexplicably nervous again. What was it about this woman that got under his skin so easily? “Do you want to meet for coffee again somewhere? Or you could come here. That way you’re not locked in to a specific time. I’ll be here all day.”
    â€œYou mean come to the Lazy H?”
    â€œOnly if you want to.”
    There was another long pause. “Let me think about it, okay?”
    â€œOf course.”
    His excited mood deflated. Thinking about it would probably mean waiting a day or two and then cancelling, saying something had come up. But he’d tried. And he did feel better knowing he’d at least reached out to her.
    â€œMel?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI swear I didn’t know who you were. Please believe me.”
    â€œI’ll be in touch,” she replied, her voice tight. “Bye, Brett.”
    The connection clicked off in his ear and he frowned, dropping the phone into his lap as he stared out over the fields.
    Two dates. It really shouldn’t matter what she thought. But it did. More than he cared to admit. If nothing else happened between them, he’d at least convince her that he wasn’t guilty of using her.
    Mel figured