Read Online The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:) by Maggie Carpenter - Free Book Online

sandy-haired architect.
    “Jeez, don’t creep on people like that,” she declared. “You scared me.”
    “I’m sorry,” he apologized softly. “The last thing I’d want to do is scare you. A beautiful lady like you should never be scared, not of anything.”
    His smile radiated confidence and warmth, and as he moved towards her she felt a strange pull.
    “Where’s that cute dog?” he asked, scanning the area around them.
    “He’s on his way with Jeb and Tommy,” she lied, thinking she’d answered him a tad too quickly.
    “Ah. Are they on a mission?” he inquired, continuing to move closer.
    “They’re going to bed the stalls, and they’re bringing up my tack trunks and saddles, my riding stuff,” she answered.
    A part of her wanted to turn away from him, but another part of her felt drawn him, to his smile and twinkling, mischievous eyes.
    “Nice ring,” he remarked.
    He was almost next to her, and grateful that he’d given her a reason to take her eyes off him she shifted her gaze.
    “It’s the perfect size,” she nodded. “I haven’t walked it yet, I need to check the footing.”
    “Don’t let me stop you,” he smiled. “I’m sure you’re dying to test it out.”
    “I am,” she replied, and snatching the excuse she walked forward and opened the gate.
    The ground beneath her feet felt soft and spongy; Chad had been true to his word and brought in the very best.
    “Does it feel good?” Jason asked.
    His voice sounded closer than she thought it should have, and turning her head she found him only a few feet behind her.
    “Again with the creeping up,” she quipped, trying to make a joke.
    “Hmmm, yes, I suppose I am rather good at that. Maybe I missed my calling, maybe I should be a cat burglar,” he chuckled.
    “Maybe you should, dogs don’t seem to like you very much,” she laughed.
    “Good point,” he laughed.
    The sound of an approaching truck caught her attention, and looking across the ring she saw Jeb and Tommy rolling forward, the bed of the pickup carrying bags of shavings and her tack trunks.
    Thank God, the cavalry, she sighed.
    She watched it slowly drive around the ring towards her, and assuming Jason was still standing behind her she turned to say goodbye, but to her surprise there was no sign of him.
    Huh, that’s weird. Maybe I need to tell Chad about this.
    “Ring looks great, Cassie,” Jeb called as he climbed out of the cab.
    “It does, it’s amazing,” she grinned. “I guess we’re going to have to lay some pipes and put in sprinklers.”
    “Yep, that’s planned for the week after the clinic,” he nodded. “Better get crackin’ on beddin’ the stalls.”
    The three worked as a team, with Jeb and Tommy unloading the heavy bags and carrying them into each stall, and Cassie cutting them open and raking the contents. It took them an hour to finish the job, and though she wanted to make a start on organizing the tack room she decided to follow the boys back down; she had no desire to be alone with the good-looking, charming, mysterious architect/laborer again.
    Seems like they’re all back at work, she thought climbing into her car, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take a coffee break.
    She drove straight to the house and made her way to Chad’s office, eager to tell him what she thought of the new barn, and the strange meeting with Jason Lewis.
    As usual Chad was on the phone, but when she walked in he lifted his eyes in a warm welcome. It only took a minute for her to realize it was an intense conversation, something about one of Mindy’s shows, so she moved into the bedroom, and stripping quickly she stepped into the shower.
    As the hot water splashed around her she closed her eyes, relishing the dust and dirt being washed away. The odd meeting with Jason was still in her thoughts, but as she began to towel off and dress she wondered if she’d overreacted.
    He didn’t do anything overt. I don’t want to get him fired if he was just being