Read Online Not My 1st Rodeo by Donna Alward - Free Book Online Page A

she had to be ten kinds of crazy to be visiting the Lazy H after all that had happened. But she was curious. How prosperous was the ranch anyway, that he could afford to beat every offer her cousin had been able to scrounge together? Dustin had offered ten thousand more than Brett’s last—her parents had told her that yesterday. And Brett hadn’t countered. Maybe he was finally letting it go.
    That encouraging thought was the only reason she was driving up the dirt lane leading to Brett’s house. Maybe there was some hope for them after all. He’d been the one to call her. He’d invited her here. Maybe, just maybe, he’d reconsidered and was going to tell her to her face.
    The Lazy H spread was huge. As Mel drove closer to the house, she saw several barns and outbuildings, long lines of fencing sectioning the rolling hills, and a big, rambling ranch house with a front porch that looked welcoming and a bit worn, in need of a fresh coat of paint. She could tell it was a much bigger operation than her family’s. A couple of trucks were parked next to a long building, and she recognized Brett’s as one of them.
    She pulled up close to the house, next to a silver sedan that looked out of place among all the pickups, and took a breath. He said he’d be home. She’d texted for directions, but that was it. They hadn’t actually spoken. Now she was nervous as hell.
    The last time she’d seen him, they’d had sex. Mind-numbing, fantastic, amazing sex. And then they’d argued.
    What on earth was she going to say?
    She cut the engine and took a deep breath, only to have it come out in a whoosh as a woman appeared on the porch. A pregnant woman, she noticed, and one who looked a lot like Brett. Her hair was darker, but the face shape was the same, and so was the mouth. Was this his twin sister, Manda? The one he claimed had set them up?
    Maybe this was her chance to go directly to the source for the truth.
    Melly pasted on her best meet-the-parents smile and got out of the car. “Hi there,” she called, keeping her tone light and pleasant. “I’m Melissa. I’m looking for Brett?”
    The woman came down the steps, matching Melly’s polite smile with one of her own—but Melly saw that it didn’t reach the woman’s eyes.
    â€œI’m Manda, Brett’s twin sister.”
    Melly fought back the butterflies in her stomach. “I thought so. You look a lot alike.” She would be friendly. It was hardly her first awkward conversation.
    â€œBrett’s down in the barn. I can let him know you’re here or take you there.”
    â€œWhatever’s most convenient,” Melly replied.
    â€œThe barn it is,” Manda said, and started to walk across the grass towards the outbuildings.
    Melly moved to catch up. “Listen, Manda—”
    Manda shrugged. “If you’re going to ask, the answer is yes. Yes, I set up his profile and answered your emails. Brett didn’t target you because of your folks’ ranch. He’s mighty put out that you thought he’d do something like that.”
    Wow, talk about not pulling any punches. Forget polite chit chat then. “Did you?” She asked the question bluntly.
    â€œDid I what?” Manda stopped and faced her, her eyebrows pulled together in what appeared to be confusion.
    â€œDid you know?”
    Manda stared at her for several seconds, but Melly held the gaze steadily even though her insides were quaking.
    â€œNo,” Manda said finally. “Melissa, you need to remember there aren’t even any last names on the site, so how would I go about doing that anyway?” Her frown deepened. “He could ask the same of you, you know.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œI mean, it’s just as plausible that you knew he was trying to buy your folks’ place and you hooked up with him to change his mind.”
    A mix of fury and