Read Online Somebody Like You by Lynnette Austin - Free Book Online

quarter till nine.
    The only other time Annelise had been in Texas, she’d come with her grandfather. They’d flown in, been picked up at the Dallas airport by one of his friends, and had stayed in his sprawling condo, cocooned in air-conditioned comfort. When they’d ventured back outside, the interior of the limo waiting to deliver them to the fund-raiser was cool enough she’d needed a wrap around her shoulders. After the obligatory smiles, handshakes, and rubber chicken, they’d jetted home. Nary a drop of sweat had been shed.
    Cash’s world was far different and dominated by unfettered heat. Heat he seemed unaffected by.
    She studied him. Whatever had gone on between him and his grandmother had sure put him in a sour mood. Gone was the laughing man who’d swung her around the dance floor. He played with his spoon, twirling it on the wooden table, his eyes avoiding hers, while his grandmother, legs crossed, skirt riding high, perched on a stool at the bar—watching them.
    Grandma appeared to be very interested in her grandson and his dining companion and didn’t try in the least to hide it.
    Had to be a story here, and Annelise sure as heck wished she knew what it was.
    “You ready?”
    His deep voice jolted her, and she nearly spilled the coffee she’d only picked up.
    “Yes, I am.” She set down her cup. “Anything I should know?”
    “Nope.”
    “Okay then.” She placed her napkin on the table and started to rise.
    He grabbed her wrist, stopping her. “Here’s the deal.” His voice sounded unlike him. Harsh. “My grandfather met and married Vivi on a weekend trip to Vegas. Eight months later, he died. I sure as hell wish he hadn’t done either. But he did.”
    Cash shrugged. “Nothing for you to worry about, though. It won’t impact your work on the ranch. Believe me, Vivi gives the barn a wide berth.”
    “Do you live with her?”
    Instantly, she wished she could withdraw the question. Whatever was between Cash and his grandmother wasn’t any of her business. After all, didn’t she hate people prying into her private life? Cash deserved the same respect.
    His laugh spilled out before she could tell him it didn’t matter. “No, ma’am. She lives in the big house. The white one at the end of the drive. I’ve got my own place down by the lake.”
    “I see.”
    “I don’t think you do, Annie. It’s a mess. But it’s my mess.”
    She frowned. Back off, Annelise. You’re out of line.
    “It’s not important,” he said. “Let’s get out of here. Morning alarm’s gonna be going off before we know it.”
    Annelise bit back a groan. So true. She’d been up before the sun this morning and would be again tomorrow. Ranchers kept grueling hours. Who’d have guessed? When she wanted milk, she went to the refrigerator. If she wanted a steak, she asked Cook for one or ordered it at her favorite restaurant. There’d been no thought about the men and women who raised that beef or crawled out of bed before dawn to milk those cows. It had never crossed her mind.
    She smiled. “You’re so right.” When she stood, he put a hand under her elbow. A gentleman through and through , she thought. Good old-fashioned manners. Refreshing.
    Despite the heat, the venomous look Vivi sent her as they passed could have induced hypothermia. Cash didn’t seem to notice. He tipped his hat at the bartender. “Night, Bubba. Food was good as always.”
    The bartender swiped at the counter with his rag. “Night, Cash.” He dipped his chin. “Ma’am.”
    They stepped outside. Crickets chirped, and some scary sounding animal howled off in the distance. It reminded her of a movie set.
    Annelise raised her eyes, and the breath caught in her throat. The Texas sky was huge and strewn with twinkling stars, so big and bright she fancied she could almost touch them. A sliver of a moon hung overhead as if it had been waiting for them to come admire it.
    “Cash, it’s…breathtaking.”
    He thumbed back his cowboy hat