Read Online The Rancher's Lullaby (Glades County Cowboys) by Leigh Duncan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Leigh Duncan
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quietly.
“Me, neither.” Deliberately she reached for all the reasons why starting up with Garrett was a bad idea. As for the sharp twinge his too-easy compliance sent through her heart, she ignored it. “I just got divorced. I don’t want to rush into something. Besides, we have to work together. At least through the roundup, I think it’d be best if we kept things professional between us,” she finished.
“Friends and coworkers, and nothing more.” Garrett nodded, his eyes shuttered. “That’s good enough for me. Mind if I get washed up?”
“Bathroom’s upstairs on the left.” She shut out the rejection that sang an aria in her head. While Garrett hiked up the stairs, she straightened the two mugs on the counter. Scrounging around in the cupboard, she found a packet of sugar left over from a coffee run. Then, uncertain, she reached into the minifridge and drew out a small carton of milk.
What had she been thinking, having sex with Garrett Judd? She hadn’t even known him long enough to know how he took his coffee. Giving in to the heat of the moment had been a mistake, and the only thing worse would be repeating it. She should be thankful he’d agreed to respect her boundaries. But, heaven help her, crossing that line again was all she could think about.
* * *
G ARRETT DRANK IN the light floral scent that floated in the wisps of steam. A scent that, no matter what happened between Lisa and him, he knew he’d always associate with this new stage of his life. He wasn’t sure what had triggered the change. Maybe it was his recent close brush with death. Maybe it was simply time for the grieving process to end. Maybe it was the storm that had worn itself out while he and Lisa were, um, wearing themselves out in a very good way in the music room. Whatever the reason, his life was finally moving forward again, whether or not the direction was the one he’d planned.
Take the sudden rush of desire, for instance. He certainly hadn’t anticipated that. Any more than the heady mix of emotions that had stampeded his senses when he held Lisa in his arms. Her eagerness had matched his. Her hunger had stirred him, made him want to please her. Her tiny gasps of pleasure, the way her breath had caught in her throat when he touched her, how she’d come apart in his arms—even now he felt his blood rushing south, fueling a desire to do it all again and soon.
But not today. She said there’d be no repeat performance, and while he didn’t believe that for a minute, she wasn’t the only one who needed time to think about what had happened between them. Tucking his shirt into his Wranglers, he wondered if he should make his excuses and leave, or if he was expected to stick around for a while. He hadn’t been a player in high school, or even when he was riding the rodeo circuit. He wasn’t sure of the protocol. One thing for certain—he didn’t want to be
that
guy, the one who got what he wanted and headed out the door. Lisa deserved better. At the same time, for LJ’s sake, he needed to get that case of formula in his truck back to the Circle P.
He frowned as an image of LJ tugged on his conscience. Lost in his own grief and pain, he hadn’t been a very good father to the boy. But he’d come close to dying, so close that he could almost taste bitter ashes. He’d meant every word when he’d sworn to change. Starting today, he’d put his oath into practice. He’d take a bigger interest in his child’s life. Yeah, he had work to do, men to oversee and a thousand head of cattle to herd. But at night...at night there was no reason he couldn’t rock his son to sleep in the same rocking chair his mom and dad had used when he was a baby. He’d change diapers, give the boy a bottle. When the baby fussed, he’d play his guitar and stand watch over the little tyke until LJ drifted off to sleep.
Unease flickered in his chest as he hummed the opening bars of the “Angels” song. He brushed his concerns to
“Me, neither.” Deliberately she reached for all the reasons why starting up with Garrett was a bad idea. As for the sharp twinge his too-easy compliance sent through her heart, she ignored it. “I just got divorced. I don’t want to rush into something. Besides, we have to work together. At least through the roundup, I think it’d be best if we kept things professional between us,” she finished.
“Friends and coworkers, and nothing more.” Garrett nodded, his eyes shuttered. “That’s good enough for me. Mind if I get washed up?”
“Bathroom’s upstairs on the left.” She shut out the rejection that sang an aria in her head. While Garrett hiked up the stairs, she straightened the two mugs on the counter. Scrounging around in the cupboard, she found a packet of sugar left over from a coffee run. Then, uncertain, she reached into the minifridge and drew out a small carton of milk.
What had she been thinking, having sex with Garrett Judd? She hadn’t even known him long enough to know how he took his coffee. Giving in to the heat of the moment had been a mistake, and the only thing worse would be repeating it. She should be thankful he’d agreed to respect her boundaries. But, heaven help her, crossing that line again was all she could think about.
* * *
G ARRETT DRANK IN the light floral scent that floated in the wisps of steam. A scent that, no matter what happened between Lisa and him, he knew he’d always associate with this new stage of his life. He wasn’t sure what had triggered the change. Maybe it was his recent close brush with death. Maybe it was simply time for the grieving process to end. Maybe it was the storm that had worn itself out while he and Lisa were, um, wearing themselves out in a very good way in the music room. Whatever the reason, his life was finally moving forward again, whether or not the direction was the one he’d planned.
Take the sudden rush of desire, for instance. He certainly hadn’t anticipated that. Any more than the heady mix of emotions that had stampeded his senses when he held Lisa in his arms. Her eagerness had matched his. Her hunger had stirred him, made him want to please her. Her tiny gasps of pleasure, the way her breath had caught in her throat when he touched her, how she’d come apart in his arms—even now he felt his blood rushing south, fueling a desire to do it all again and soon.
But not today. She said there’d be no repeat performance, and while he didn’t believe that for a minute, she wasn’t the only one who needed time to think about what had happened between them. Tucking his shirt into his Wranglers, he wondered if he should make his excuses and leave, or if he was expected to stick around for a while. He hadn’t been a player in high school, or even when he was riding the rodeo circuit. He wasn’t sure of the protocol. One thing for certain—he didn’t want to be
that
guy, the one who got what he wanted and headed out the door. Lisa deserved better. At the same time, for LJ’s sake, he needed to get that case of formula in his truck back to the Circle P.
He frowned as an image of LJ tugged on his conscience. Lost in his own grief and pain, he hadn’t been a very good father to the boy. But he’d come close to dying, so close that he could almost taste bitter ashes. He’d meant every word when he’d sworn to change. Starting today, he’d put his oath into practice. He’d take a bigger interest in his child’s life. Yeah, he had work to do, men to oversee and a thousand head of cattle to herd. But at night...at night there was no reason he couldn’t rock his son to sleep in the same rocking chair his mom and dad had used when he was a baby. He’d change diapers, give the boy a bottle. When the baby fussed, he’d play his guitar and stand watch over the little tyke until LJ drifted off to sleep.
Unease flickered in his chest as he hummed the opening bars of the “Angels” song. He brushed his concerns to
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