Read Online The Trouble With Lacy Brown by Debra Clopton - Free Book Online Page B

not in her plans.

Chapter Six
    C lint took a breath. He felt as if he were having heatstroke himself looking at Lacy’s lovely face. There was no denying that she was appealing.
    His heart thudded when her gaze rested on his lips like a gentle butterfly, then flitted upward to meet his gaze.
    Of its own accord, his hand lifted and pushed a damp swath of hair from her temple. “I,” he started, shifting closer still. “I—”
    “I’m sorry,” she filled in, straightening suddenly. “I tend to be a bit headstrong. I didn’t mean to cause you so much trouble.” She was chattering. “And I called you all kinds of silly names—not to mention killing your Jeep. Can you forgive me?”
    He swallowed a groan as she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
    What had he been thinking? He stumbled up and back like he’d been zapped with a cattle prod. “Stay put,” he growled, backing toward the door, wanting to run before he did something really stupid like hauling her up and giving her a real kiss. “Don’t venture out that door again today.”
    “But I have to finish. I need to be opened when the women start coming.”
    He paused at the door, savoring the look of her. “You really think this cockamamie scheme will work?”
    “Not think—I know it’s going to work.”
    Clint pushed his hat back a tad, feeling frustrated. “You don’t say. Are you always so positive?”
    A loud laugh rang out from Sheri, who had been silent until now. “If you only knew.”
    Lacy Brown was going to be the ruination of some poor fella. And it wouldn’t be him, he reminded himself.
    “Like I said,” he said curtly, before Lacy could interrupt, “stay put. My men will take care of painting the outside. You work inside, out of the sun. It’s safer that way.”
    Before she could say anything else—and he was certain she would—Clint spun on his heel and exited the building. He needed to cool off and get his head back on straight. He’d done his duty. He’d acted neighborly, had his men giving a helping hand and now he needed to get back to work. His work.
    He didn’t quite make it. Norma Sue halted him on the sidewalk. “Howdy-doody, Clint,” she said, hurtling to a stop beside him. “Roy Don called and told me how neighborly you were being to Lacy. I think that’s right nice of you. I thought the girls might like to come on over to the house for grilled burgers and fries later on tonight. Didn’t think you’d mind, seeing how accommodating you’ve been.”
    Clint scowled. Norma Sue and Roy Don lived in the foreman’s house on the ranch. It was just a hop, skip and a jump from his place. Lacy Brown on his territory—he wasn’t all too lit up with the idea, but Norma Sue had a right to invite whoever she wanted. “Suit yourself. I’m tracking rustlers again tonight.” He started to walk off.
    “Now, Clint, hold on a minute. You know those coots will still be there after supper. You come on over and welcome these girls. Wouldn’t be right if you didn’t.”
    “Norma Sue—”
    “Don’t you Norma Sue me! I’ve changed your diapers and swatted your backside while you were waiting to fill your daddy’s boots. He’d have come and so will you. It’s the right thing to do.”
    The right thing to do for who? “I’ll be there. But I’m not staying for coffee.”
    “Fine. I’m sure with a sweet thing like Lacy, I won’t have any trouble getting one of your hired hands to come over for polite conversation after supper.”
    “Polite,” Clint scoffed. “Have you met Lacy Brown? The woman wouldn’t know polite if she fell in it.” Well, that’s not completely true.
    Norma Sue chuckled. “This is good, Clint. Your feathers haven’t been this riled up in…ever. Boy, you ain’t had this happen to you before. Have you?”
    “If by that you mean, have I ever met a woman made for trouble like that one in there? Then the answer would be no. Never. And I really don’t reckon this time has made my day.