Read Online Mistletoe Rodeo (Welcome to Ramblewood) by Amanda Renee - Free Book Online

coverage of the family over the years, Nola had never heard anyone speak harshly against Joe Langtry. He had been a tough yet fair businessman who had aided many fallen ranchers in the community by offering them above-market value for their land so they wouldn’t go into foreclosure. Sometimes he had leased it back to them when they chose to stay in business. Other times he had absorbed the land into Bridle Dance, growing it to the size it was today.
    Scott David wasn’t specific in his jabs, but it was clear the man had an ax to grind. Then again, what was a handful of negative comments amid thousands of good ones?
    Nola closed her laptop and dug through her bag for her phone. She hadn’t checked her messages since George had left, and she prayed she hadn’t missed a call from the station. Normally she didn’t silence her ringer, but she hadn’t wanted to offend her hosts by having it go off in the middle of the meal. Engrossed in the Langtry family revelry, she’d forgotten to turn it back on afterward.
    There was one voice mail from Pete asking Nola to meet with him in the morning and two texts from George: Was I right? Followed by another, two hours later: Since I haven’t heard back from you, I take that as a yes. Lunch is on you tomorrow.
    Checking the time, Nola decided it wasn’t too late to call George to see if he’d heard anything from the station.
    The cameraman’s deep chuckle resonated through the phone. “I can’t decide if I want fish tacos from Jimmy’s or vodka rigatoni from Clark’s.”
    “You’re that sure of yourself?” Nola knew enough not to play coy with George. He’d see right through her.
    “You’re not using your normal exasperated tone, so...yes, I am.”
    “Okay, you win, but don’t expect me to kiss and tell, so—”
    “You kissed him?” George fumbled with the phone. “Hey, Betty, she kissed him.”
    Nola heard George’s wife in the background cheering at the news. She hadn’t meant to give away their kiss, and normally she wouldn’t have if Chase hadn’t left her so flustered.
    “You’re not getting another thing out of me.” Nola wanted to steer the conversation away from her love life, if you could call it that. “I got a voice mail from Pete telling me to meet with him tomorrow. Have you heard any rumblings on what it’s about?”
    “I stopped at the studio after I left the ranch. I know they liked the segment, but keep in mind, Nola, it’s not what they asked for.”
    No, it wasn’t. Nola knew she’d be up all night worrying about it.
    “I won’t keep you. I’ll give you a call after my meeting tomorrow.”
    “I’m sure it’s nothing big,” George reassured her. “Pete probably wants to know the direction you’re taking this story.”
    “I hope so. Have a good night.”
    “Sweet dreams. Not that I have to tell you that—I’m sure you’ll be dreaming of Prince Charming.”
    “Hush up.” Nola hung up the phone. George was half right. She would be thinking of Chase, but the inflection in Pete’s voice had left her uneasy. She was grateful for her job and gave it her all, even when she was covering the local 4-H livestock competition.
    Nola decided on a cup of chamomile tea to help calm her nerves. While she waited for the water to boil, she looked out over her combination kitchen, dining and living room. The stark walls in the long, narrow room were cold in comparison to the warmth of the Langtrys’ home. Her small condo had always been her refuge at the end of the day, but tonight it felt more like a prison.
    She vowed to call her cousin Kylie the next day to catch up, and maybe she’d even stop in and visit with her aunt and uncle in Ramblewood. She couldn’t remember when they were last together. Maybe a year ago? Too long, considering they were the only family she had stateside.
Family
wasn’t a word Nola thought of often, but it was fast becoming one she missed.
    * * *
    C HASE AWOKE THE following morning with Nola on his mind. He