Read Online A Cowboy's Touch by Denise Hunter - Free Book Online Page A

wallet.
    “We can settle up afterward.”
    He nodded once and turned his attention to the calf.
    One issue down. One more to go. “We’re thinking of having a picnic lunch soon as it warms up, going for a swim. I know you’re busy, but maybe you could join us.”
    Wade tugged his hat. “Got my hands full right now.”
    “You have to eat.” She laughed lightly. “How about a picnic dinner? We could have a moonlight swim.” She kept her tone light, but the look in his eyes heated her skin through. Gave her images of a swim that didn’t include Maddy at all.
    What’s gotten into you, Abigail? He’s your boss .
    Just as quickly, Wade looked away, pulled off his gloves. “Too cold at night.”
    “A Sunday afternoon then.” She didn’t mind using her day off. If it brought father and daughter closer, it was worth it.
    “We’ll see.”
    She knew a blow-off when she heard one. “Maddy could use some attention. Girls need their daddies, you know.”
    His posture stiffened. “Thought you said she was fine.”
    “She is fine, but that’s not to say—”
    “I love my daughter. Reckon I know what’s best for her.”
    “I didn’t mean—”
    “Don’t come in here and presume to know what’s what. You’ve known Maddy a week. I’ve had her since the day she was born. I’ve raised her alone since—” He looked away, then back in Abigail’s general direction. “We’ve been on our own for a while, and we’re doing just fine. I’ll thank you to remember that.”
    Warmth flooded Abigail’s face. She hadn’t been scolded in years, certainly not by a boss. “I’m sorry.” She felt the sudden sting of tears and a desperate need to escape before she humiliated herself. “I think I’ll turn in now. Good night.”
    She brushed past him, made her way out of the barn and toward the house. She was only trying to help. So much for her walk. Wade had shattered her peace. How could he be so tender with a sick cow yet disregard his daughter’s needs? He was the only parent the girl had. Couldn’t he see she needed him?
    Abigail blinked away the tears, quickening her steps. Why’d he have to be so snippy anyway? He’d asked how Maddy was, and Maddy’s business was Abigail’s business. It wasn’t like she’d butted into his private affairs.
    When she entered the house, she saw her laptop on the coffee table. The shower was running upstairs. With Maddy readying for bed and Wade in the barn, it was a good time to call Reagan . . . and put the confrontation with Wade from her mind.
    In her room, she retrieved her cell phone and placed the call.
    “Sis!” Reagan said. “How’s life in the boonies?”
    At the sound of Reagan’s voice, some of Abigail’s stress drained away. “Much as you’d imagine. I would’ve called you earlier, but I figured you’d have a hot date.”
    “I did—with an appendix.”
    “He make it?”
    “ She made it just fine.” Reagan filled in the details until Abigail was sorry she asked.
    “I have a question for you,” Abigail said when Reagan wrapped up her surgery summary. She lowered her voice, just in case. “You remember anything about a rodeo star named J. W. Ryan in the news several years ago?”
    “Well, duh, who doesn’t.”
    “Me?”
    “If only you read the tabloids . . .”
    “Spare me.”
    Reagan chuckled. “He was a cowboy, a total hunk, in every celeb magazine you could find. His wife died—or got murdered, depending on whom you ask. There was a lot of speculation, then he just disappeared. Which, of course, made everyone suspicious.”
    “What do you mean, disappeared ?”
    “I mean fell off the face of the planet. No more interviews, reporters gossiping about what happened to him and his daughter. Why the sudden interest?”
    Abigail was supposed to be resting, and having a potential murderer for a boss wasn’t exactly restful. “I ran across some articles online and was curious.”
    “You were doing research! Stay off the Internet, Abigail, or