Read Online The Doctor Wears A Stetson (Contemporary Western Romance) by Anne Marie Novark - Free Book Online Page A

something more, but didn't. He quickly
flipped through the day's receipts and handed Cameron his bill.
    ****
    Jessie scattered seed for the chickens, then
gathered the eggs, placing them gently in her wicker basket. She
replenished their water before herding the matronly brood into the
henhouse for the night. After locking the door against nightly
marauders, she headed for the house with Sherlock and Katnip
following closely at her heels.
    Dusk cloaked the barnyard as night settled
in; the lone evening star twinkled in the sky. Crickets chirped
their night song, and a soft breeze rustled the last of the leaves
on the big oak tree near the back door. As the sun gave up its last
vestiges of light, the halogen lamp on the tall pole in front of
the house flickered on, casting a comforting glow around the
yard.
    Jessie stopped a moment under the lamp pole
and breathed in a deep lungful of fresh air, enjoying the night
sounds all around. What a stressful day it had been. In Lubbock,
she'd seen her lawyer and set the groundwork to lease the oil
rights she owned on the Diamondback Ranch. She hadn't actually
committed the vile deed yet, but everything was in place. One phone
call to Mr. Bennett, and he'd put the wheels in motion and make it
happen.
    Jessie kept hoping against hope that a
miracle would occur--maybe she'd win the lottery or something, so
she wouldn't have to make that call. But in reality, there were no
other options available. Jessie knew she was going to be forced to
renege on the promise she'd made to Ruth McCade. She didn't see any
other way to get the money she desperately needed. She would have
to warn Ruth; she owed her that much.
    Jessie spotted the headlights of a car
through the grove of mesquite trees bordering the dirt road leading
to the house. Sherlock took exception to the newcomer and dashed to
the edge of the lawn, barking loudly.
    When the black Jaguar pulled up, Jessie's
heart plummeted. She'd purposely stayed away from the shop today
because she'd wanted to avoid another meeting with Cameron. She had
tried not to think of the night before and that incredible kiss
behind the cafe, but her traitorous body wouldn't let her forget.
Her breasts ached and the feeling of emptiness deep inside reminded
her of her lonely state.
    Setting the basket of eggs beside the door,
she gathered her courage and waited. And waited. Cameron made no
move to get out of the car. Sherlock stood at the door on the
driver's side, growling ferociously, his sharp teeth gleaming in
the lamplight. For a split second, Jessie had a good mind to go in
the house and leave Cameron to his fate. But that was the coward's
way out and she wasn't a coward. She'd have to face him sooner or
later. With a deep breath for courage, she called Sherlock to heel.
The big German shepherd barked a few more times before
relinquishing his position.
    Slowly opening the door, Cameron eased out
of the sports car. "That's some guard dog you've got there."
    Jessie patted Sherlock, who had taken a
defensive stand by her side. "He keeps unwanted visitors away."
    Cameron squatted on his haunches in front of
Jessie and spoke to Sherlock in a soothing voice, allowing the dog
to sniff his hand, finally petting him on the scruff of the neck.
"Am I an unwanted visitor, Jess?"
    Oh no. She wanted him and that was the
problem in a nutshell .
    "Well, it depends on your intentions," she
said. "You come waltzing into town, after being gone for years, and
expect me to fall into bed with you. I can't do it, Cameron. I
don't know you very well. We went out exactly one time when we were
kids. I can't deny the attraction between us, but that's not enough
for me. I need more, and I don't think you're willing to give
it."
    There. She'd said her piece and
unburdened her heart. Now, Cameron would go back to Houston and
she'd never see him again. Never feel his arms around her . . .
never lie in bed with him . . .
    Cameron rose to his feet and grasped her by
the shoulders. An odd