Read Online Count on a Cowboy by Patricia Thayer - Free Book Online

going into town anyway to eat at this barbecue place that has the best ribs anywhere. I just thought you might like to go. If not, I guess I can go alone.”
    When he started for the door, Brooke stopped him. “You’re really going into town?”
    He turned and nodded. “You bet. Their secret family sauce is definitely worth the fifteen-mile trip. I’ve been around the world, and Joe’s barbecue sauce is the best I’ve tasted. Mouthwatering with beef or pork.”
    She started laughing and held up her hands. “Okay, okay. You’ve sold me. I’ll go.”
    “You sure? I don’t want to pressure you.” She could see he was fighting a grin.
    “No pressure at all.” She went to get her purse off the coffee table. “But I’m paying my way.”
    “We’ll see about that.”
    She stopped suddenly, turned around to agree and ran into the solid wall of Trent’s chest. She gasped as he gripped her by the arms to steady her, just as her palms pressed against his muscular body. She raised her head and caught a gleam in his chocolate eyes.
    She quickly removed her hands. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to run you down.”
    He didn’t let go of her right way. “Darlin’, you’d have to pack on another hundred pounds to do any damage.”
    He was the type of man who could easily distract her from the reason she was here. She never had time to flirt with men, or much desire, after seeing her mother in action. “I’ll remember that.”
    He winked. “Just letting you know that you didn’t hurt me.”
    She quickly stepped back and headed toward the door. “Come, let’s get some of that barbecue you’ve been boasting about.” She grabbed her jacket, and Trent opened the door and they went out to the porch.
    “Joe’s lives up to the hype. As soon as we get there, I can prove my point.”
    Once at his truck, he opened the door, then proceeded to lift her into the high seat. “I didn’t ask, because you’d probably argue about my helping you.” He grumbled something about independent women before he closed the door.
    Brooke smiled to herself. It was nice to have a man take charge for a change and do something for her. Yet, she’d learned the hard way that she was better off being independent and self-sufficient.
    The handsome cowboy opened the driver’s-side door and climbed in. No matter how handsome, she had to stop reacting to him. She had no idea how things here would turn out when the Quinns came home. She could get thrown off the property, or would they open their arms to her?
    She looked across the cab to Trent. He didn’t know the entire truth about her, and right now, she didn’t know him well enough to reveal the complicated story. She wasn’t even sure if she could tell Rory. Right now her concern was to bring Laurel back to Las Vegas to see Coralee.
    * * *
    T WENTY MINUTES LATER , Trent arrived with Brooke at Joe’s Barbecue Smoke House. The spicy aroma greeted him first, then the noise as they stepped through the double doors. The large restaurant was always packed on a Sunday. A lot of families filled the large picnic-style tables and high-back booths. In a separate room, there was a long wooden bar lined with patrons, watching the several televisions playing the football game. You could also hear in the background the familiar voice of George Strait singing “Ace in the Hole.”
    Then another group of people came in the door, pushing Trent forward into Brooke. His body brushed against hers, immediately making him aware of her nice curves.
    He leaned down toward her ear and whispered, “Sorry. I forgot how crowded this place gets on the weekend.”
    She shivered and he stood close enough to see the goose bumps rise along her slender neck. How would she taste if he pressed his lips there? He blinked and pulled back. Damn. This was only dinner, and she wasn’t on the menu.
    She turned to him. “It’s okay. I have a feeling, with the wonderful aroma, the food is worth it.”
    Right, think about the barbecue