Read Online Cassie's Cowboy Daddy by Kathie DeNosky - Free Book Online

to Buffalo Gals and tie one on last night?”
    Logan shook his head. “I wish I had. I’d probably feel better.” He jammed his hat on his head and met his friend’s curious gaze. “I’ve got to get her off the Lazy Ace.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œYou know who.” Logan propped his forearms on his knees and stared at his boots. “She’s turning the house into a spit-and-polished showplace thatlooks like a picture out of one of those women’s magazines. And you can’t walk on the floors. I damned near busted my ass twice last night trying to go upstairs to bed.”
    Sitting down beside him, Hank shrugged. “But it smells real nice.”
    Logan jerked his head up to meet his friend’s philosophical gaze. “It smells like women.”
    â€œI know,” Hank said, grinning.
    Logan scowled, but the man’s grin just widened. “I’m not going to be able to count on your help getting Cassie and her brood to leave, am I?”
    â€œNope.” Hank laughed. “I’m determined to see that Ginny stays right here with me.”
    â€œYou’re setting yourself up for a fall, old buddy.”
    Hank’s expression grew serious. “I don’t think so, Logan. But at least I’ve got the guts to take that gamble. What about you?”
    If they hadn’t been friends since grade school, Logan would have hauled off and slugged the man. “Dammit, Hank, you know what happens to women out here. They either go stir-crazy or wind up dying well before their time.”
    Hank shook his head. “Look at old lady Watkins. She’s eighty-four and still goin’ strong.” He paused, then in a low voice added, “What happened to your mom was just one of those freak things, Logan. There was no way of knowin’ she’d catch pneumonia, or that a blizzard would keep your dad from gettin’ her to town for help.”
    â€œShe was only thirty-three. That’s too young to die.” Logan’s gut twisted. “If we’d lived closer to town, she’d still be alive.”
    â€œYou don’t know that,” Hank said reasonably. “People in town get sick and die just the same as folks who live out here.” He took a deep breath, then met Logan’s gaze. “Let it go. No matter what your dad said about her dying as a result of pulling you out of that pond, you didn’t cause your mom’s death.”
    Rationally, Logan knew Hank was right. But the thought of Cassie or one of her cute little kids becoming ill and him not being able to get medical attention for them made his stomach churn. “I’ve got to get her to see reason.”
    â€œYou know, I think you’re just feelin’ a little crowded right now,” Hank said. “You’ll get used to it.” He chuckled. “Who knows? You might even get to like the idea of havin’ them around.”
    â€œNo, I won’t.” Logan shook his head. His peace of mind just couldn’t afford it. “And I for damned sure don’t like the way she’s decorating the place. I liked Morty hanging over the mantel.”
    Hank grinned. “I figured you’d take it hard about havin’ Morty and the dogs stored in the attic.” He paused, looking thoughtful. “You know, you do have another option.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” Logan couldn’t think of any, but he was more than willing to listen to any suggestion that would get Cassie and her family out of his house.
    â€œWell, I’m the foreman of this spread, but I’ve always lived up here.”
    â€œIt didn’t make sense to have you live down there in the foreman’s cabin when I’ve got five bedrooms.” Logan brightened as he began to understand what Hank was driving at. “The cabin.”
    Nodding, Hank smiled. “Yep. It needs some repairs, but I’d say we could have it ready in a few