Read Online Montana Mavericks Weddings by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online

gray boots. But his face didn’t match the elegance of his clothing. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days and he needed a shave.
    Abby stared at him from dead eyes. “Why are you back?” she asked.
    â€œWhat do you mean, you aren’t marrying Troy?” he demanded without preamble.
    Her eyebrows arched. “I haven’t told you anything about it.”
    â€œYou’re the only one who hasn’t! Troy’s father phoned me in Hollywood and asked why you’d broken off the engagement. He said it was the talk of the community, along with that damned wedding dress I bought you!”
    â€œYou didn’t buy me a wedding dress,” she said solemnly. “I phoned Madame Lili the very next day and canceled it. Someone else will wear it to the altar,” she added coldly. “Someone who’s loved and wanted and appreciated.” She laughed harshly. “That description certainly doesn’t fit me!”
    â€œTroy loves you!”
    â€œThe devil he does!” she flashed back, furious at her situation and his sudden interest in it after a month’s absence. “He’s crazy for Eve Payne. Once he realizes that he loves her, they’ll get married and live happily ever after. She’s been eating her heart out for him for years!” Which was the truth, even if Abby had only just found it out from a mutual acquaintance, anxious to know if that was why Abby and Troy had canceled their wedding.
    â€œAnd what about you?” he asked curtly.
    â€œI have job interviews in Helena next Monday,” she said, turning to go into the house.
    â€œHelena?”
    She paused with her hand on the screen door handle. “Yes, Helena! I’m going to work there. Aren’t you glad?” she asked with flashing gray eyes. “You’ll be able to come back and live in your own house. You won’t even have to go to such great lengths to avoid me anymore!”
    She went into the house, ignoring the hot, furious curses that followed her.
    She didn’t stop. She went straight up the stairs to her room, ignoring Becky’s quick call as well. Once inside the door, she locked it, and went to her chair by the window. She was shaking all over. Chayce had come home at last, but only to demand to know why she’d canceled her wedding. She really wondered why she’d expected anything more from him. If he’d wanted her at all, he’d never have left four years ago.
    A few minutes later, there was a sharp knock at her door. She got up from the chair to answer it, expecting Becky to be standing there, concerned.
    It wasn’t Becky. It was Chayce. He’d changed into jeans and a patterned brown shirt, and he was wearing boots and his beige working Stetson and worn leather chaps.
    â€œWell?” she asked belligerently.
    His eyes went over her exquisite figure in tight jeans and tank top. “Put on your boots and grab a hat.”
    â€œAm I going somewhere?” she asked.
    â€œPut a long-sleeved shirt over that,” he added, nodding toward the tank top that hinted of the sweet curves underneath. “So you don’t get sunburned.”
    â€œI have to…”
    He put his thumb squarely over her mouth. “You have to change clothes.”
    She didn’t know how to take this sudden change of attitude. She almost refused. But even a few stolen minutes in Chayce’s company was such a tempting thought that she didn’t have the will to refuse him.
    She nodded and turned back into the room. Surprisingly he followed her, closing it behind him.
    She pulled out a long-sleeved shirt from her closet, glanced at him and started to put it over the tank top.
    â€œYou’ll burn up. It’s hot out there.”
    She hesitated and then turned toward the bathroom, since it was evident that he didn’t plan to leave.
    But even as she took a step in that direction, he moved in front of her. He tossed the shirt