Read Online The Rancher's Twin Troubles by Laura Marie Altom - Free Book Online Page B

really come off as that clumsy?
    â€œI didn’t intend it like that— Cut it out back there. I can’t hear myself think.”
    â€œYou’re mean!” Bonnie informed her father.
    â€œLike I was saying,” Dallas continued without acknowledging his child’s latest complaint, “that came out wrong. Actually, I meant seriously , as in I’m impressed.”
    â€œOh.” Oddly enough, she’d wanted to be upset with him. It would have made it easier to tell herself she wasn’t disappointed about missing out on a private night together.
    â€œHow about Friday?”
    â€œI can go to the fair any night, Daddy.” Suddenly tear-free, Betsy was all smiles.
    â€œYou’re not invited,” he noted. To Josie, he asked, “So? Up for a do-over?” His easy smile not only stole her breath, but crept into her long frozen heart.
    Though she knew better, Josie said, “Absolutely.”

Chapter Six
    â€œWhen I asked you to join me on this thing, I didn’t plan on staying up here the whole night.” Dallas peered over the edge of the Ferris wheel’s car, more than a little queasy about how small all of the people looked below.
    â€œI think it’s kind of cool.” Far from being spooked by the height, Josie gazed at the panoramic view with enough wide-eyed awe to suggest their predicament was a special treat. All of the midway’s bawdy sights and sounds and smells were still there, but muted, as if he were watching them in a movie.
    â€œUgh.” He edged closer to the seat’s center, in the process, pressing even closer to her. “Sorry about this. I’d hoped tonight would be fun, but it’s turning out to be a disaster.”
    â€œWhy, Mr. Buckhorn,” she teased, “are you afraid of heights?”
    â€œNope,” he said with a vehement shake of his head.
    â€œSo if I made the cart swing, you wouldn’t mind?” She bounced just enough to rock them with the magnitude of a 6.0 earthquake.
    â€œCrap on a cupcake,” he muttered with a white knuckled grip on the safety bar, “please stop.”
    â€œYou are scared.” Arm around his shoulders, she gave him a supportive squeeze. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pulled that last stunt.”
    â€œMight’ve been nice if you’d skipped it.” Teeth gritted, he willed his heart rate to slow. Damned embarrassing was what this was.
    â€œWhat brought this on?” When Josie took hold of his hands, he focused on her. The sincere warmth behind her brown eyes. The way a light breeze played with her curls. She was country pretty, freckles providing the only makeup needed.
    â€œWh-when my brothers and I were kids, Wyatt—he’s next oldest to me—dared me to jump off the barn roof and into a cattle tank. I’m thinking I must’ve been around eight or nine, but feeling immortal. I not only took him up on his dare, but broke my right leg in two places. Spent that whole summer cooped up in bed and the damned thing still hurts in the rain.” Focusing on Josie’s eyes, her soft lips, he forced a breath. “To this day, I can’t stand being higher than I sit up on my favorite horse.”
    â€œThen why did you suggest riding the tallest ride on the fairgrounds?”
    The simple logic behind her question brought on a smile. “Okay,” he admitted. “Truth? I wanted to show you how manly I am. But I loused that up good, didn’t I?”
    â€œMen…” She laughed, but something about the gesture struck him as sad. “I was more impressed by yourrecent handling of twin shenanigans than I would ever be by a daredevil stunt—even one as impressive as sitting on an upright track, slowly circling round and round.” Her sassy wink told him she was teasing, but her tone implied more.
    â€œTaking a wild stab in the dark,” he said, glad for the diversion, “why do I get