Read Online Coming Home by Shirlee Busbee - Free Book Online Page B

trailer shuddered violently and rocked as more than half a ton of furious momma cow plunged inside. Jeb dumped the calf on the floor at the front of the trailer and feeling the hot breath of may hem on his back, plunged out the safety door at the side of the stock trailer. He misjudged it slightly and, intent on escape, wasn't aware of banging his head on the metal frame or the trickle of blood that ran down the side of his face. All he'd wanted was out. Now. Once outside, he hung on to the side of the trailer and shoved the door shut behind him. Breathless, laughing, and foolishly pleased with himself, he lowered himself to the ground and leaned against the side of the stock trailer as Acey and Nick, right on the heels of the cow, swung out of the saddle and swiftly slammed the two rear doors shut. One cow and calf safely loaded.
    Roman and Roxanne ran up to join the others by the trailer. For several minutes, there was laughter, whooping and backslapping and congratulating.
    When the initial adrenaline rush had ebbed, his dark eyes dancing with amusement, Jeb said to Nick, “Cut it a little close there, didn't you, boys?”
    “Nah,” replied Nick, grinning, “for a big guy you ran like a deer and we figured the cow needed better odds.”
    “Jesus, Jeb,” Roman said with a chuckle, “I thought you were a memory for sure. That cow had to be right on your neck when you hit the trailer.”
    Jeb laughed, absently wiping away the streak of blood. “You're not far wrong. All I could think was don't stumble, don't trip, 'cause if you do, it'll be last thing you
ever
do.”
    Eyeing the slice through his eyebrow and the blood on the side of his face, Roxanne felt her heart lurch. What was the matter with her? So what if the big jerk got a cut? He deserved it. It had been a juvenile trick he'd pulled. Picking up that calf and trying to outrun its mother. Stupid. And just like a man.
    Acey broke into her thoughts. “Guess we ought to mosey on home,” he said, glancing down at the pocket watch he wore. He looked at Roxanne and wiggled his mustaches. “Maria's baking one of her deelicious apple pies for me. Don't want to be late.”

Chapter
4
    A cey, echoed by Nick and Roman, invited Roxanne and Jeb to join them at Nick's place, but Roxanne passed. Tindale was due some time this morning—she had not given him a definite time and didn't know when the architect would likely arrive. “Some other time,” she said with a smile.
    Jeb waved them on. “Thanks, guys—you know me and Maria's apple pie—never pass it up. Go on ahead, I'll be along behind you in a few minutes.”
    Roxanne stiffened. “Don't let me keep you.”
    Jeb looked at her. “Don't start. I just want to have a couple of words with you and then I'll be out of your hair.”
    With Roman driving and Acey and Nick following on horseback, they gradually disappeared from sight, a cloud of dust churned up by their passing soon the only sign they had ever been there. Roxanne had watched them leave with misgivings. If there was one thing in life that she didn't want it was to be left alone tt with Jeb Delaney…and here she was alone with Jeb Delaney.
    The heat was almost suffocating and feeling a trickle of perspiration slide down her back, she took a deep breath and muttered, “Well, hurry up and say what you want to—it's absolutely beastly out here.”
    Jeb rubbed the side of his jaw. “Now if you were a polite sort of woman, you'd invite me inside.”
    She snorted. “And we both know, I'm not polite—to you.”
    “I wonder why that is?”
    “Probably because you're not very polite to me.”
    “Think?”
    “Oh, for crying out loud. It's too hot for this sort of argument. Come on inside and I'll give you a glass of iced tea and you can wash that cut of yours.” She glared at him. “And don't even mention that I'm being polite to you or I'll take the offer back.”
    Jeb grinned at her. “Yes, ma'am,” he said meekly and followed her inside the