Read Online Texas Thunder by Kimberly Raye - Free Book Online Page B

hollowed out. “I’m not even a licensed Realtor.”
    Yet.
    She steeled herself against the thought, one which had nagged her for the past few years, since the moment Les had urged her to get her Realtor’s license. “I’m an office assistant. For now.” She wasn’t sure why she kept going except that she needed to do something with her mouth that didn’t involve kissing him, and rambling seemed like the only thing she could come up with. “As soon as I settle everything with my grandfather’s estate, I’m out of here. I’ve got a stack of resumes ready to send out to the Dallas Herald, the Houston Chronicle, and a dozen other publications. Everything from a few Texas travel magazines to a local Hill Country tabloid.”
    â€œSo you still want to be a journalist?”
    â€œAn investigative reporter.” She shrugged. “At least that’s what I’m hoping for eventually. Right now, I’ll settle for compiling traffic reports or doing human interest—anything to get my foot in the door. I’m doing a few stories here and there for the Rebel Yell, but nothing big. Just enough to keep my feet wet for now.”
    â€œI figured you would have taken off after that dream a long time ago.”
    She remembered how excited she’d been those months leading up to graduation. How hopeful because she’d gotten into one of the best journalism schools in the country. Her hope had died that night as she’d stood in the ER, listening to the doctor deliver the bad news that both her parents had passed away shortly after arriving at the trauma unit. She blinked against the sudden burning behind her eyes and shrugged. “Life doesn’t always work out the way we want.”
    â€œTell me about it,” he murmured and she noted the weariness around his own eyes.
    Something twisted in her chest. “I heard about your grandfather. How’s he doing?”
    â€œHe’s hanging in there.” He stiffened, as if fighting some internal battle. “I’m sure he’ll be back on his feet in no time.”
    â€œBut I thought he had Alzheimer’s?”
    â€œHe does, but he still has good days left. A lot of them.” His gaze locked with hers and she saw the glimmer of desperate hope, as if he was still holding on to the idea that everything could be okay. That it would be okay.
    She recognized the look because she’d told herself the same thing as she’d waited in the ER for news of her parents. Everything would be okay. Life would go on. Dreams would be achieved. “When he’s on his feet again and the ranch is in a better position, then I’ll hit the circuit again. I landed a new sponsor for this next tour. A big one.”
    â€œThat’s great.”
    â€œThey just delivered the contracts a few days ago. Once I sign I’ll be their spokesperson for the next five years.”
    â€œSo I’m guessing you’re just home temporarily.” He nodded and she felt a strange whisper of regret. A crazy reaction because it made little difference if he stuck around. She’d be long gone from Rebel just as soon as she figured a way out of the tax debt. “It’s good that you’re going back. It would be a shame to give up after that last ride.”
    â€œYou saw the Vegas run?”
    A smile tugged at her lips. “I may have been flipping channels and caught a glimpse of the finals on ESPN.” She didn’t mean to tell him, but the glimmer that lit his eyes prompted her to keep talking. “You were really great.”
    His mouth didn’t just hint at a grin in that next instant. Instead, she got the real thing as his sensuous lips crooked at the corner. His blue eyes twinkled and her heart stalled. “Sounds like you caught more than just a glimpse.”
    â€œEnough to know that you deserved that buckle.” And that he’d done not one victory lap around the