Read Online Her Texan Temptation by Shirley Rogers - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Shirley Rogers
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Scratching his cheek, he couldn’t imagine sinking any more money into the old heap. Apparently, maintaining the truck wasn’t high on Mary Beth’s list of priorities. Pulling out the oil dip stick, he shook his head. A black, gooey syrup that he presumed to be oil clung to it. Not to mention it was a quart low. He shook his head and wondered when she’d last had it changed.
More proof that Mary Beth needed money?
And what else hadn’t she mentioned? Maybe she’d been short and couldn’t pay Clyde. Was that why he’d quit? If so, it meant that she wouldn’t be able to afford to hire someone to take his place.
He pondered that thought as he continued checking parts on the truck. He figured he’d test his theory of her money troubles later, mention she should buy a newer model truck, then gauge her response.
In the end the problem with her truck turned out to be the alternator. Deke made a trip into town to pick up a new one, then decided to swing by the feed store for hay and feed. More than likely Mary Beth wouldn’t like it, but if she was really in financial straits, he’d be saving her the delivery charge.
Besides, he couldn’t stand the thought that if she got it in her head to pick up the supplies, she’d try to unload the bales by herself. Deke more than anyone else knew that once she got something on her mind, it took a stick of dynamite to make her change it.
Upon returning, Deke moved the hay and feed to the barn, then installed the new alternator, racing against what looked like another storm moving in. As he scanned the darkening sky, he could smell the cool scent of the incoming rain, feel the potency of the storm in the air. He glanced at the parched ground. They could use it.
Years ago at the Bar M, he and his brothers had installed an elaborate irrigation system. Not all ranchers had the resources to do the same. Deke shook his head in disgust as he looked over Mary Beth’s dry, cracked land. It was a shame that Hank hadn’t seen fit to invest the time and expense on irrigation for Paradise. If the right care were given, this ranch could be one of the finest around. One even he would be proud to own.
He turned his attention back to the truck and tightened the last bolt one more time. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and he wiped it from his brow with the bottom of his dirty, dark-blue T-shirt. Hoping that he’d solved the problem, he got inside the truck and gave the key a twist.The engine turned over, sputtered, then began running more smoothly. He switched it off, then tried it again, and it started right up.
Distant thunder rumbled as he started toward the house to check on Mary Beth. He frowned at the churning clouds as drops of water dotted his shirt. Just as he reached the door and stepped inside, the sky let loose.
He’d deliberately stayed outside all afternoon, determined to prove to himself that he could resist the temptation of being with her. A waste of time, he thought now as he hurried through the kitchen, calling her name. As much as he’d told himself that he could keep his distance, he was anxious to let her know that he’d fixed her truck. Oddly, doing something for her, however small, gave him a sense of satisfaction.
Unaware that she’d been sleeping, he walked into the living room. As he hung his hat on a rack, she jumped and stared at him, her eyes wide and soft.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She stretched her arms above her head, her body moving provocatively in slow motion, lifting her full breasts, jutting them at him. Deke thought for sure that he was being tested. He stared at her with his tongue practically hanging out. Hell, he was only human.
“It’s okay.” Mary Beth sleepily rubbed her eyes, then opened them again. She scooted into a sitting position.
It was far from okay from where he was standing, Deke thought. “How’s your ankle?”
“I think it’s getting better. It doesn’t hurt nearly as much now.” She
Scratching his cheek, he couldn’t imagine sinking any more money into the old heap. Apparently, maintaining the truck wasn’t high on Mary Beth’s list of priorities. Pulling out the oil dip stick, he shook his head. A black, gooey syrup that he presumed to be oil clung to it. Not to mention it was a quart low. He shook his head and wondered when she’d last had it changed.
More proof that Mary Beth needed money?
And what else hadn’t she mentioned? Maybe she’d been short and couldn’t pay Clyde. Was that why he’d quit? If so, it meant that she wouldn’t be able to afford to hire someone to take his place.
He pondered that thought as he continued checking parts on the truck. He figured he’d test his theory of her money troubles later, mention she should buy a newer model truck, then gauge her response.
In the end the problem with her truck turned out to be the alternator. Deke made a trip into town to pick up a new one, then decided to swing by the feed store for hay and feed. More than likely Mary Beth wouldn’t like it, but if she was really in financial straits, he’d be saving her the delivery charge.
Besides, he couldn’t stand the thought that if she got it in her head to pick up the supplies, she’d try to unload the bales by herself. Deke more than anyone else knew that once she got something on her mind, it took a stick of dynamite to make her change it.
Upon returning, Deke moved the hay and feed to the barn, then installed the new alternator, racing against what looked like another storm moving in. As he scanned the darkening sky, he could smell the cool scent of the incoming rain, feel the potency of the storm in the air. He glanced at the parched ground. They could use it.
Years ago at the Bar M, he and his brothers had installed an elaborate irrigation system. Not all ranchers had the resources to do the same. Deke shook his head in disgust as he looked over Mary Beth’s dry, cracked land. It was a shame that Hank hadn’t seen fit to invest the time and expense on irrigation for Paradise. If the right care were given, this ranch could be one of the finest around. One even he would be proud to own.
He turned his attention back to the truck and tightened the last bolt one more time. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and he wiped it from his brow with the bottom of his dirty, dark-blue T-shirt. Hoping that he’d solved the problem, he got inside the truck and gave the key a twist.The engine turned over, sputtered, then began running more smoothly. He switched it off, then tried it again, and it started right up.
Distant thunder rumbled as he started toward the house to check on Mary Beth. He frowned at the churning clouds as drops of water dotted his shirt. Just as he reached the door and stepped inside, the sky let loose.
He’d deliberately stayed outside all afternoon, determined to prove to himself that he could resist the temptation of being with her. A waste of time, he thought now as he hurried through the kitchen, calling her name. As much as he’d told himself that he could keep his distance, he was anxious to let her know that he’d fixed her truck. Oddly, doing something for her, however small, gave him a sense of satisfaction.
Unaware that she’d been sleeping, he walked into the living room. As he hung his hat on a rack, she jumped and stared at him, her eyes wide and soft.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She stretched her arms above her head, her body moving provocatively in slow motion, lifting her full breasts, jutting them at him. Deke thought for sure that he was being tested. He stared at her with his tongue practically hanging out. Hell, he was only human.
“It’s okay.” Mary Beth sleepily rubbed her eyes, then opened them again. She scooted into a sitting position.
It was far from okay from where he was standing, Deke thought. “How’s your ankle?”
“I think it’s getting better. It doesn’t hurt nearly as much now.” She
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