Read Online When the Glitter Fades (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) by Renee Peterson - Free Book Online Page A

alert her to any arrivals. After several false starts, she gave up trying to read her novel. Instead, she deliberated on what to do about Jeremy. A rather absurd question, because what could she do? She couldn’t deny she was attracted to him still. That would be an outright lie. And she agreed with Allie; Jeremy had changed for the better, but that didn’t erase the past.  Getting back together was not an option whatsoever. 
    Maybe her problem was that she’d hadn’t been with a man in what seemed like forever and sexual frustration was playing mind games with her. Clay and she hadn’t gone further than some steamy kisses; a status quo he’d made obvious that he was willing to change.  They’d been dating several months now and she was a thirty year old mother. It’s not like she was a virginal bride, innocent of what happened between a man and woman. She knew the pleasures a man could bring her body and missed them.
    Pulling out her phone, she dialed Clay’s number before she could change her mind.
    “Hi gorgeous.” 
    She grinned, picturing him on the other line, balancing the phone between his ear and shoulder while he finished whatever it was he was doing. “What are you doing tonight?”
    “Closing up in an hour then going home to dream of you.”
    Laughing at his cheesy line, she wasn’t sure if he meant it as a joke. “Why dream when you can have the real thing?” she teased in what she hoped came out as a sultry voice. She was rather unpracticed in the art of seduction. A clank sounded and she knew he’d set down whatever was in his hands. She had his full attention.
    “Just what are you proposing?” he asked, his voice lowering.
    “Come over around nine and you’ll find out,” she flirted.
    “Just to clarify, before I get all worked up, are you serious?
    She chuckled. “Absolutely.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “Oh, and Clay, drop by the drugstore first.”
    She hung up laughing, at his long drawn out ‘ohhhhhhh’.
    A movement on the security camera caught her attention. A small compact car pulled up to the driveway, and what seemed to be two young women stepped out. Hmm, Allie hadn’t mentioned a group of women arriving. She went out to the front desk to greet them.
    They stepped inside, laughing and chatting, quieting when they spotted her. Both had reddish hair, not too dark and not too bright, just the right shade that drove men crazy. 
    “Hi, we’re the Mackey’s,” the taller one stepped forward to announce.
    Oh. Allie hadn’t mentioned the couple was two females. “Welcome to Whispering Winds.”
    “Sorry for the short notice.” The more petite one stepped forward.  “My cousin and I both graduated college this summer and are on a road trip. We decided not to make any plans and fly by the seat of our pants. Some friends told us this was a great place to stay.”
    Ah, cousins. Lanie glanced down at the forms Allie had already completed to see which room they’d been assigned.  Of course; one with a single queen bed, as they’d been expecting a couple.  She’d have to switch rooms on them and pray another one was ready; fortunately, Whispering Winds had a great housekeeper.
    “We’re glad you chose to stay with us.” She opened the folder and spread it on the counter. “This is your welcome packet. In it, you’ll find everything you need to know for your stay including meal times, ranch policies and available activities. There are maps for hiking and horseback riding if you choose. If you come with me, I’ll show you to your room.”
    She led them to the stairs, pointing out the game room and dining room on the way. “At this time of year, the evenings can be pretty quiet.”
    “We’re early to bed, early to rise people anyway,” the taller one she now knew as Amy, replied.
    “If you are hungry or thirsty, there are vending machines in the game room. We also have light snacks available in the foyer.” Approaching the door to their reassigned room, Lanie