Read Online Takin' The Reins by Stacey Coverstone - Free Book Online Page A

“That woman likes you.”
    “She likes anyone in pants,” he replied casually as he studied the menu options.
    “That’s a mean thing to say.”
    Cole looked up. His blue eyes were wide. “I didn’t mean to be rude. That’s just the way it is. Everyone knows that about her. She’s not discriminating when it comes to dating.” He went back to skimming the menu.
    Cole didn’t sound mean-spirited so Jordan let it go. “You’re not having the usual today?” She remembered him ordering the usual yesterday, whatever that was.
    “I’m feeling dangerous. Think I’ll go for my second usual today.” He wiggled his forehead and flashed his toothy grin. Jordan had just closed the menu and unrolled her napkin of silverware when a person scooted in beside her and drawled,
    “Afternoon.”
    She jumped. Wyatt Brannigan’s shoulder pressed against hers as he snuggled in close.
    “Gosh, you scared me.” Her hand splayed over her heart, and she teasingly smacked his arm.
    “Sorry about that. I’ve never seen this place so full. Hope you two don’t mind me sitting with you. There’s not another seat to be had.” He grinned at Jordan. As an afterthought, he said,
    “Howdy, Cole.”
    “Hi, Wyatt. Looks like you’ve already made yourself at home.”
    “Looks that way.” He opened the menu and closed it just as quickly. “I already know what I want. I come here a lot.” His green eyes raked over Jordan in that same intense way that caused her to squirm beneath her clothes. “You look like a ray of sunshine, Jordan.”
    “Thank you, Brannigan.”
    “What have the two of you been up to this morning?” he asked.
    There was no hiding the truth. Anyway, she found herself interested in his reaction. “Cole has been giving me a tour of the town. It’s so different from where I come from. It’s a quirky and charming place. I think it’s going to grow on me.”
    “So, you’re really going to stay and revive the Lucky Seven?” he wanted to know.
    “Yeah, with a little help from my new friends.”
    He slapped his hand on the table. “Hot dog! Tag will be so happy when I tell him the news. He really likes you.” He winked, and Jordan burst out laughing. Cole interjected, obviously wanting to switch the subject.
    “What are you doing in town today, Wyatt?”
    “Oh, you know. The usual. Just hanging around.”
    Jordan’s head tilted. He made it sound like he was unemployed. She thought he was a rancher. What kind she didn’t know. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen any cattle on his spread. As she thought that over, she realized Wyatt’s attention was only directed at her—as if Cole weren’t sitting there.
    “Say, Jordan. I called the house this morning, but you didn’t answer. I thought I’d run over and check to see how you were doing after all the ruckus last night.”
    “That was you? Cole and I were just leaving the house when I heard the phone ring. I’m sorry I missed you.”
    “It’s okay,” he smiled. “I’m here now. I much prefer seeing you in person anyway.”
    Cole cleared his throat loudly. With a half-teasing grin of his own, he said, “Don’t you ever work, Wyatt?”
    Brannigan shifted his body and stared. “What do you mean, buddy?”
    “I always see you hanging around town and every time I come to the café, you seem to be here chatting with folks. How do you manage to pay your bills when it seems you spend more time socializing than you do working?”
    Wyatt leaned back against the booth. “You don’t have to worry about me, champ. My ranch is paid off, as is my truck, and I don’t have any credit card debt. Can you say the same?”
    Cole’s face deepened. “No.”
    “Then if I were you, I wouldn’t worry about how much socializing I do.”
    He smiled, but behind the smile, Jordan sensed a proud man who would be pushed only so far. Her gaze swept between the two men. The testosterone hovered thick in the air. Thank goodness, Nicki approached the table again and