Read Online The Cowboy Soldier by Roz Denny Fox - Free Book Online Page B

stilted when she heard it. “By all means, don’t strain yourself thanking me.”
    Rafe clammed up and turned his attention to his food.
    As a result, they finished breakfast in total silence, until Alexa hopped up and cleared the table, including Rafe’s unfinished coffee.
    “Hey,” he said, waving a hand over the empty spot.
    He must have noticed how the air around them fairly crackled as Alexa slapped dishes into the dishwasher. She knew she was behaving badly, but she couldn’t help herself.
    He stood up. “Time to hightail it outta here, Dog.” Rafe beat a hasty retreat out the back door, letting the door slam shut behind him.
    At the sink, miffed as she was, Alexa parted the window curtain and watched him saunter to the barn. She waved a cooling hand in front of her face. Hoo-wee! In his new boots, Rafe had the hip-rolling cowboy gait down pat—the one that made women all over Texas and elsewhere weak-kneed. How could she stay peeved at a man who had that effect on her?
    By reminding herself Rafe was just her patient.
    Bobby had been the only other patient who’d moved in with her during his illness. Which was like comparing apples and oranges. Outside of her friendship with Bobby, Alexa had precious little experience dealing with men and their temperaments.
    She had to admit they had both acted passive-aggressively today. Not very adultlike. And here she was, once again letting herself feel too much for Rafe. She was eyeing him like a piece of chocolate. That had to change, Alexa vowed as she pulled on her gloves and went out to work with Tano.
    She needed only half a corral. And Rafe wisely kept Esperanza well out of her way. They had scant reason to talk as they both worked.
    A pickup wheeled into the clearing about the time they finished up and were leading their horses back to the barn.
    “Is that Sierra?” Rafe asked, pausing when he heard the vehicle brake to a stop. “Isn’t she a week early?”
    “It’s Paul Goodman, one of the park rangers.” Alexa waved as the man climbed from the cab bearing the park logo. “Halloo!” she hailed him. “I’ll be with you in a jiffy.”

    W HAT RESONATED IMMEDIATELY with Rafe was the happy lilt to Alexa’s voice as she greeted the man. Rafe’s defenses went on full alert.
    “We need to move these horses inside,” Alexa told him. “Paul’s gone to the back of his pickup. I see a cage, which means he’s brought me another injured wild animal. It could spook the horses.”
    “What kind of animal?”
    “I’ve no idea, but the scent is already making Esperanza edgy. Hurry, let’s move them inside in case it’s another mountain cat.”
    Rafe tightened his grip on the snorting mare. He slid a forefinger through the halter ring and spoke soothingly.
    Alexa opened both stall doors. Tano went straight to his water bucket. The mare whinnied and wouldn’t stand still so Rafe could unhook her rope.
    Stepping into the stall, Alexa handed Rafe a chunk of apple to entice Esperanza.
    “We’ll leave Compadre in the barn, too, until I see what Paul’s brought,” she said.
    Rafe could volunteer to stay behind with the dog, but he was curious about this Paul Goodman guy. He didn’t want to use the term jealous, but he had to admit there might be a little of that. He followed the sound of Alexa’s boots crunching across the gravel.
    “Paul, it’s good to see you,” Alexa said.
    “It’s been too long,” came the smooth reply.
    Rafe felt it the minute the other man entered his space. Sensed it the same way he knew Alexa had stripped off her gloves and tucked them in her back pocket. He didn’t know if a quieter brush of flesh on flesh was a handshake or if their greeting was more kissy-face. Not knowing left Rafe grinding his back teeth, and he missed the pair’s verbal exchange before Alexa said, “Paul, I’d like you to meet Rafe Eaglefeather. He’s helping me train horses.”
    Next thing Rafe knew, Alexa took his elbow and guided his hand into