Read Online The Cowboy and the Princess by Myrna Mackenzie - Free Book Online

life to be about regret or to end badly.
    Despite her desire to see the sights, there was no question that going out with Owen could be dangerous. She had to protect herself from making another horrible mistake. Instantly, Delfyne went into full princess mode, standing taller, staring directly into Owen’s eyes, her chin tilted slightly. “I’m sorry. I can’t possibly oblige you by leaving now. I’m not finished here yet.”
    He grinned, a strong, full grin that made her toes curl. “We’ll compromise. I’ll wait. I’ll give you time to finish this room and then we’re going.” He started to leave.
    “Wait. I haven’t said yes yet.” She crossed her arms and frowned.
    “Say yes.” Owen turned and stared at her dead-on, and all that masculine energy, that…edge that was such an intriguing part of him seemed to wrap around her and lay waste to every ounce of common sense and willpower she possessed.
    Oh, she wanted to say yes, badly. But she clutched her broom and tilted her chin higher. “I’m not Ennis or Len,” she said.
    His answering smile was slow, his amusement evident. “No question of that.” They stood silently for maybe five seconds. Not long at all, but every second seemed like forever in the presence of this man who radiated such virility. Then, just when she thought he was going to go away, just when she thought she could start breathing normally again and stop thinking about words like virility , he gave her a slight, terse nod of his head. “Please. Say yes, Delfyne,” he added, and she got the feeling that please wasn’t a word he used often or with ease. The fact that he had made the effort melted something in her that she didn’t want to melt.
    “Maybe,” she said.
    “Stubborn.”
    Now she smiled. “I’m taking time off from having my life ordered for me.”
    Immediately he turned sober. “You’re right. You’re my guest, and even if you weren’t…it’s not my place to order you around.”
    He turned to leave. She had won. She also realized what he had offered and she had turned down. A chance to go out and see the town. People. Sights. The chance to appear in public as an ordinary person, not a royal.
    Running after him, broom still in hand, Delfyne reached the top of the stairs. “Owen?”
    He turned and looked up at her. And waited.
    “I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes. I’m a little wet,” she said,looking down at the way her blouse was plastered to her skin from cleaning the bathroom.
    “I noticed.” His gaze darkened. “Wet looks good on you.”
    She shivered inside but managed to maintain a cool facade. At least she hoped she did. “That’s a compliment?”
    “That’s a fact. Probably one I shouldn’t have mentioned.”
    But he had, she thought as he strode away, and now her heart was thudding with anticipation. She was going to town with Owen. As a regular woman, not as a princess.
    She fully intended to make the most of the situation.

CHAPTER FIVE

    T HE woman was getting under his skin and having an unwanted effect on him. No doubt about that, Owen thought. They’d been halfway to the town of Bigsby when he’d realized he had whisked her away without so much as a word to Nicholas and Theron.
    “It won’t be a problem as long as we’re not gone too long,” Delfyne had said. “I told them I needed a little privacy, so they’ve retreated to the bunkhouse for a couple of hours. We can’t go out in public with a telltale entourage.”
    So…the clock was ticking, Owen realized as he ushered her into the Molly and Me restaurant in the town of Bigsby.
    Immediately, heads turned and people called out greetings.
    “It’s been too long since you came in, Owen,” the owner of the restaurant said. Molly was wearing her customary white blouse and black skirt. She looked severe as always, until she turned to Delfyne and smiled. “And I see you brought a guest. An elegant lady guest.” Molly turned to him expectantly.
    Of course, her comments were