Read Online Lone Star Courtship by Mae Nunn - Free Book Online Page A

glutton for punishment, that is, and punishment was exactly what he got an hour after consumption. Too much delicious but strange food had his insides in turmoil. It was fortunate Casey hadn’t wanted to sail or he might have embarrassed himself by losing his meal over the bow. A brief nap and a cool shower had put him to rights and now he was ready to pore over the documents she’d agreed to make available.
    Savannah must have heard his approach.
    â€œGood afternoon, Barrett.” She stood in the doorway and extended her hand. He shook it carefully, admired her gentle touch and wondered if the spunky brunette was Casey’s friend or strictly a professional understudy.
    â€œThe same to you, my dear. Where is everyone?”
    â€œThey’re dealing with a situation on the far side of the building, but I told the boss lady I’d stay here and take care of you.” She motioned and he followed her inside the cool structure.
    â€œI’ve set a pitcher of tea on the conference table and there are several folders Casey said you’d need. Please make yourself comfortable and yell if I can get you anything else.”
    He took a long swallow of the icy drink. The sweetness that had seemed syrupy at first try was amazingly refreshing and tasty. He was further amazed that Casey, a suspicious woman he’d met only yesterday, had overcome her mistrust and left a barrister in her workplace without supervision. He spread the folders before him, took out a legal pad and began to explore the details of Hearth and Home’s expansion plan.
    Halfway into his first page of notes, the door to the outer office sprang open with a thump to the wall behind him. Barrett heard heavy boots stomp across the threshold and then Cooper’s voice.
    â€œThis kind of stuff makes me want to give up my chew and go back to smokin’! Of all the bad luck Miss Casey could have, this takes first prize.”
    Barrett pushed his chair back and quickly strode to the reception area.
    â€œWhat’s happened to Casey? Has she fallen jeebie again?”
    â€œJeebie?” Cooper asked, his face a wrinkled mask of confusion and surprise. He obviously hadn’t expected to encounter Barrett.
    â€œWhere’d you hear that term?” Savannah moved closer, her lips puckered in concern.
    â€œFor a brief time this morning she wasn’t feeling well and that’s how she described her malaise.”
    He noted the way Savannah nodded slightly, and seemed to file the detail away before she changed the subject.
    â€œCasey’s okay. But there’s been a bit of a find on the property.”
    â€œA bit of a find?” Cooper’s voice rose, indicating the comment was an understatement. “A twenty in the hip pocket of your jeans is a bit of a find. Karankawan artifacts in your construction zone is a blasted nightmare. Those tree huggers will be crawlin’ on this place like ticks on a huntin’ dog.”
    â€œWould you mind explaining, sir?”
    Cooper spit tobacco juice into the ever-present disposable cup and jangled his keys. “Casey won’t like it, but there’s nothin’ gonna stop you from findin’ out, so you might as well go on over there and see for yourself.” Cooper stepped out on the porch.
    â€œLet me lock up and I’ll come with y’all.” Savannah pulled her ponytail through a baseball cap, put enormous sunglasses on her nose and yanked the door closed behind them, turning the key in the lock.
    â€œCoop, let’s take your Wrangler so we can go straight across.” The young woman squeezed between the two seats and settled on the back bench. “You ride shotgun, Barrett.”
    â€œShotgun?”
    â€œJust take the front seat, buckle up and hang on,” Cooper instructed gruffly, obviously in no mood to explain the firearms reference. He backed up abruptly, threw the vehicle into Drive and then went careening toward the area under