Read Online Counterfeit Cowboy by Gail MacMillan - Free Book Online

front of him to run a red-nailed finger down his left jaw. “Maybe, just maybe.” Eyes narrowing suggestively she looked up at him.
    “Sorry, ma’am? Maybe what?” He made what he hoped looked like a puzzled frown crease his forehead.
    “I like that…pure, earthy, innocent country.” She patted his cheek, then turned and headed back to her convertible. “See you around, nature boy,” she called as she slid into the seat. “As for you, Doctor,” she tossed Shelby’s pen in her direction. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe that stupid article will make some decent publicity. After all, I am billed as the bad girl on the show. What could be wilder than a horse rustler? Might even be able to use some sort of angle about my trying to rescue an animal from an abusive home. How would that be for turning the tables on you, Doctor ?”
    She started the engine, revved it three times, then shot out of the drive in a cloud of dust.
    “Well!” Jordan bent to retrieve Shelby’s pen. “Quite a handful. I’ll have to keep a tight grip on my jeans around that one.”
    He handed the ballpoint to her, winked, and headed back into the barn.
    “Don’t flatter yourself, chum!” Shelby called after him. “You’d only be another body in the queue. She’s been trying to make it to the big screen for years and I’ve no doubt she’s been doing all she can to get there, including bedding anyone who could help her to her goal.”
    ****
    “Hey, Shel!” Travis yelled from the yard. “Jake and I are heading into town to pick up that feed order. You need anything?”
    “You could have gone to the door to ask.” Jordan shook his head as he climbed into the driver’s seat of the old pickup.
    “Ah, don’t go getting all big brother on me, Jor…Jake.” Travis trotted around the truck to the passenger side. “Shel is used to me.”
    “Milk and eggs.” She came out onto the veranda in her white lab coat. “What about lunch? It’s nearly noon.”
    “We’ll grab something in town.” Travis climbed into the passenger seat.
    “You’re taking Jor…Jake’s truck?”
    “Sure. Jake has a nearly full tank of gas. Let’s go, Jake.”
    “See you later, boss.” Jordan looked up at her standing on the top step, touched the peak of his ball cap’s visor, winked, and shifted into first gear.
    “Don’t forget, you have your first lesson at two o’clock,” she reminded him.
    “Looking forward to it, ma’am.” He quirked a grin before he accelerated down the drive.
    “You okay with the place?” Travis slanted him an apprehensive glance as they turned out onto the road.
    “Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” Surprised at the younger man’s question, he returned the look.
    “Well, it’s just that it isn’t exactly the kind of place you’re used to. Shel should have invited you to stay in the guest room at the house. That old cabin isn’t very elegant.”
    “And how would that look, a hired hand living in the house when there’s a perfectly good bunkhouse just across the yard?”
    “Okay, guess you’re right. But still…”
    “Look, Travis, I didn’t grow up staying in mansions or five-star hotels. And if your sister hadn’t made ‘no back stories’ a condition of our agreement, I’d tell you about it. Just take my word for it. I feel right at home on your farm and the cabin suits me right down to the ground. Satisfied?”
    “Satisfied.” Travis shot him a grin, then settled back comfortably on the worn seat.
    I like this kid. He’s a lot like Kevin…in the good times.
    ****
    “Hey, Jake, let’s stop for a burger and fries.” Travis indicated the fast food place to their left as they were about to leave town, the cargo space filled with bags of feed. On the seat between them were two boxes, one containing a new pair of riding boots, the other the sneakers he’d abandoned in favor of the work boots he’d also purchased and now wore. “I’m really hungry, and Shel won’t have time to fix us lunch by the