Read Online Austin (New Horizon Ranch Book 8) by Debra Clopton - Free Book Online Page B

us you were coming with her.”
    “We’re running late,” Norma Sue chimed in. “Roy Don, my husband, called me at the last minute and I had to run out to the ranch and see if I could fix the hay baler.”
    Jolene wasn’t sure what to say to that. And it must have shown in her expression because Esther Mae chuckled.
    “Norma Sue can fix anything and hay season is not a happy time for her.”
    “Aw, it’s not so bad but I swear that baler has limped along for too long. I told him not to call me another time on it because he could either get a new one or find a new wife.”
    “I’m sure he believed you too,” Adela said, calmly.
    Norma Sue shook her head. “That man knows I’m not going anywhere but he knows I’m serious. There will be a new John Deere in the pasture before next week.” She winked. “A woman has to put her foot down sometimes and remind a man not to take her talents for granted. Austin, you remember that when you find you a wife.”
    “Yes, ma’am, I’ll do that. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I was just about to have a short word with Jolene and then she’ll be joining the group again.”
    Jolene saw something flicker in the redhead’s gaze and her mouth quirked up on the edges. “Really?” Her interested gaze suddenly made Jolene a little uncomfortable. “You two go right on ahead. We’ll be inside.”
    Austin stepped up and placed his hand at the base of her back to urge her forward. She was acutely aware of the warm touch and tingles radiated from it, sending warmth all through her.
    She moved away, feeling relieved to be heading away from everyone at last.
    “This way.” He walked beside her and led the way to the vacant lot on the far side of the diner. They were, for the moment, away from the large windows of the diner and any prying eyes.
    She spun on him the moment they were hidden from everyone. “Why did you kiss me today? What were you thinking?”
    “Jolene, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I need to apologize for that. If my behavior caused you any embarrassment with the men you work with or anyone, then I’m sorry. I behaved badly.” He dipped his chin and hitched his brows up as he studied her intently.
    Aw, man . She saw the sincerity in his eyes and it diffused some of the anger she’d been using to mask other feelings. Now, with her anger waffling, she felt the fluttering butterflies in her stomach that the anger had disguised. And she noticed just how beautiful his vibrant green eyes were.
    “Nothing I can’t handle,” she snapped, determined to not let him off easy. To not give in to the way she was drawn to him.
    They stared at each other. She had no idea what to say. Then he smiled, just a little, and it sent the butterflies into freefall.
    “Jolene, do you dislike me as much as I think or are you fighting this attraction that I’m feeling?”
    She groaned and ripped her gaze off him to look away.
    “This would never work. You obviously don’t like what I do. Why is that?” She had her reasons for avoiding the pull she felt more with every passing second and very much more since he’d kissed her.
    “My brother-in-law was killed in a horse wreck seven months ago. He’d been bucked off plenty in his career and walked away. This time the horse tromped him good, busted his spleen and we lost him. He left behind my sister and my niece to mourn him.”
    So that explained it. Some of it, anyway. “I’m really sorry for your loss. For your sister and his little girl too. But,” she paused, giving in to sympathy for their loss, “but I’ve heard displeasure for my life choices before, from my mother and my step-dad. I had to fight them to do what I loved and to this day they still don’t get it. Our relationship is strained.” Her mother wanted her to be more like her sister, who’d become an executive in a high-rise in California. No, thank you. And why am I telling him this? “I could get in my truck and get killed quicker than I can get