Ride Me Cowboy #3 (The Cowboy Romance Series - Book #3) (7 page)

BOOK: Ride Me Cowboy #3 (The Cowboy Romance Series - Book #3)
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“Yes I am. I think that love is really hard to come
by and if you find it…and you’re not blood related to the guy, you shouldn’t be
looking for ways out. Sometimes I think the reason that you and I have had such
a hard time of it where men are concerned is because we’ve been so rigid about
a “type” that we’re looking for.”

“We’re not in love.”

She laughed. “Let’s go dance.”

“What are you laughing about? I am not in love with
this guy!”

She laughed again. “Okay. Let’s go dance.”

“Samantha!”

“Listen Lex…you can deny it to me and to your mom
and even to him…but you can’t deny it to yourself. Don’t deny yourself the
chance to be happy. I know your mom and I know that she wouldn’t want that
either.”

“But you don’t know Mark’s dad. This would cause so
many problems for Mark and my mom with him…”

“Want my final piece of advice on the subject…before
we go dance?”

I laughed. “Okay, give it to me.”

“First, look in your heart and decide what you want.
Then, talk to Mark and talk to your Mother. If he feels the same and your
mother tells you to be happy…which I know she will…then screw the wicked
step-father.”

“Please don’t hold back, Sam. Tell me how you really
feel.”

“You couldn’t handle that much truth,” she said with
a giggle. She slid off the stool and hooked her arm through mine, pulling me
down. “First we dance and then you give me some details about the cowboy
hook-up.”

Lexi and I danced and then as we were leaving the
dance floor she saw a guy that she knew from work. I excused myself and went to
the bathroom. While I was in there I felt my phone buzz. I looked at it. It was
a text from Mark. Damn him! Why can’t he just leave me alone? I hadn’t thought
about him for fifteen whole minutes at least. Damn it! I read the message and
it said,

“I’m
sorry about the misunderstanding. I hope you’ve had time to think it over. I’m
not leaving for the rodeo until day after tomorrow. Think about it, please.”

I text back,
“Don’t
hold your breath.”
I felt mean…but I also felt like he deserved it.

 

CHAPTER
EIGHT

MARK

By the time I got out of the shower, Lexi was gone.
I got dressed and left the house. Dad and Lydia were watching a movie and it
was the first night in a while that he’d stuck around and spent time with her
instead of avoiding the house like the plague so he didn’t run into me. I
didn’t want to ruin the evening for her, and I didn’t want to be alone, so I
got in my truck and went to the bar that I’d taken Lexi to the first time we
had…spent the night together. When I walked in, I scanned to see who was there
that I could talk to and take my mind off of things. A lot of the regulars were
there, so I ordered my beer and went over to a table full of guys that I’d
known since high school.

“Mark! How the hell are you?” Brayden Fisher was the
son of the man who owned the ranch that bordered ours along the south side. He
and I have always been friendly, but our fathers hate each other for reasons
unknown to either of us.

“I’m good, Brayden,” I lied, shaking his hand. “How
are you?”

“Good. I just got back from buying 300 head of
cattle in Texas. The guys took me out for a celebration.”

“For your dad?”

He looked excited and said, “No!
For
me.
I bought the Simpson place last week. Your dad didn’t tell you? He’s
been helping me out a lot.”

Embarrassed to tell him that my father hadn’t spoken
to me in a week or more I said, “You know, I think he did mention it. I’ve just
been on the road so much; I’m the one that forgets things. Congratulations. That’s
awesome.”

“Thanks! How about you? How’s the season coming
along?”

“Good. I’m in the number three spot and we’re
halfway through. If I maintain it, I’ll be riding that big neon bull in Vegas
come December.”

“Very cool!
I have a free two-night stay over there at Thomas and Mack. Maybe I’ll use it
and
come
see you walk away with six figures. You can
buy me a drink.”

“Hell yeah!”

“So who are you seeing these days? Graham said he
saw you at the Woodlake Rodeo with some hot little brunette. Are you holding
out on us?”

Son of a bitch! Graham is Brayden’s younger brother.
He’s a calf-roper. If Dad’s been helping him out, I’m sure that he knows all
about Lexi staying with us. If his brother saw us after my ride…that would be a
little hard to explain. Maybe that explains Dad’s mood lately. God, just what I
needed.

“She was just a girl I met on the road. Really sweet
and pretty, but I doubt I’ll see her again. She’s from out of state.” Taylor
was right about one thing, I am a big, fat liar.

“Aw, well that’s too bad. The pickings around here
can get slim sometimes. Don’t look now but the love of your life just walked
in. If you ever get desperate…”

I didn’t have to turn around to know he was talking
about Taylor. Everyone in town was aware of how long we were together and
everyone was surprised when we broke up. I guess they expected us to get
married and settle down on the ranch. I shudder at the thought of being married
to her and stuck out on that ranch with her…I turned around and sure enough,
there she was. She was wearing a Levi skit that I’m sure would give a clear
shot of her vagina when she sat down. She had on a skimpy little tube top that
left her midriff bare and a pair of hooker heels that had to be six or maybe
even eight inches high.

“Shit!”

“Not happy to see her?” Graham was grinning. He knew
how I felt about her.

“Not in the least,” I said. “She’s like a leach. I
can’t get rid of her. I’m going to grab a beer. I’ll talk to you in a bit.”
Taylor was headed in the opposite direction from the bar. My plan was to slip
out the door before she saw me. As luck would have it…I didn’t make it.

“Mark!” The sound of her voice made me cringe. I
turned around slowly and for the sake of everyone watching…not Taylor, I
offered a small, fake smile.

“Hey Taylor.
What’s up?”

“Are you leaving?” she asked me with that ridiculous
pout.

“Yeah, I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Aw, come on and hang with us for a while. It’s been
a long time since we’ve all been together. Jamie and Karen are here.” I looked
over where she pointed. Jamie and Karen had been our best friends in high
school. They were still together. A guy named Vic and his girlfriend Lily were
there too. Taylor seemed to be the only single one, and we seem to be the only
two who weren’t still stuck in high school. Or maybe, that was only me. I just wasn’t
interested in helping her out in the fifth wheel department. Not tonight and
not ever.

 
“Please,” she
said, now batting her eyes at me. I wasn’t impressed in the least. I have a
pair of dark brown eyes with long, thick chocolate lashes on my mind. Damn, I
miss her already.

“I’ll say hello to everyone, but then I have to go.”

She hooked her arm through mine and I pulled away.
She shot me a glare and said, “Where are you in such a hurry to get off to? You
have a date with…”

“Don’t say it, Taylor!”

She giggled. I wanted to choke her. Then she lowered
her voice and in a conspiratorial tone she whispered, “Okay, it’ll be our
secret that you’re fucking your step-sister. The more I think about it, it’s
kind of hot. I’ve never messed around with a guy who was banging his sister.” I
really almost hit her. Thank God for impulse control. Instead, I turned around
and left. I could hear her calling after me even after I was in the truck.
Maybe she has a death wish, I don’t know. She made what I felt for Lexi sound
so dirty. It wasn’t like that…but that was how everyone would see it, I’m sure.
I know my dad would.

I sighed. I can probably be sure that before I get
down the road, she’ll tell everyone her theory about
me and
Lexi
. This town loved a rumor. It would spread like wildfire and poor
Lydia would have to fend off questions every time she went into town. God, what
have I done to my family?

I couldn’t help that now….I guess I’d deal with the
fallout when I had to, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to follow the little witch
Taylor around and kiss her ass to keep her from telling. I stopped and got a
hamburger and took it back home. I also sent Lexi a text about the rodeo again.
Maybe if she went with me, this time instead of having sex, we could talk and
figure some of this out.

I parked the truck behind the barn, hoping Dad
wouldn’t hear me drive
up
. I got a text on my way into
the house. It said,
“Don’t hold your
breath.”
Damn! Harsh!

I passed the parlor where Dad and Lydia were
sitting. They were both looking at the television and I didn’t think either of
them saw me as I sneaked past. I should have known my luck wasn’t that good
lately. I was halfway up the stairs when I heard my father say,

“Mark!” Shit!

“Yeah Dad?”

“Bob needs some help rounding the calves up out on
the South side and bringing them up to the north side tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.” I started back up and I heard his footsteps.
I stopped again and he came to the edge of the stairs. Looking over his
shoulder to make sure that Lydia wasn’t listening he said,

“Maybe you can earn some of that money you’ve been
helping yourself to.”

I was finally pushed to my limit. Between Taylor and
Lexi and him…I felt like I’d lost all of my patience and all of my
self-control. I usually prided myself on my ability to stay cool in situations.
This time, I just couldn’t do it. “I came down the stairs and got in his face.
He didn’t flinch, or budge, but I could tell he was surprised. He was also
going to be pissed when he recovered from the fact that his son wasn’t really a
wimp after all. He’s used to picking on me without much of a visceral response
in return. I’m sure he has it in his head that I’m a wuss. The truth is it’s
just never been worth fighting over. Now, it was different. He was accusing me
of something that went against all I believed in.

“I am not a fucking thief; do you understand me, old
man?” I was pointing my finger into his chest. For a second, I thought he might
hit me. His face was bright red and the veins in his neck were bulging.

“You will not speak to me that way in my house.” He
looked over his shoulder again. He’s so afraid Lydia will hear us. Maybe he’s
the wuss.

“Really?
But, it’s okay for you to treat me like shit? Heaven forbid I stand up for
myself. You like me to just shut up and take it. Well, guess what, Dad? You
pushed me to the point where I can’t take it any longer. I don’t care if you
throw me out. I don’t care if you tell everyone in this county that I stole
from you…you want to know why…Dad? I’ll tell you why. I know that I’m not a
thief and I know that I do twice the work around here as you do when I’m home.
I have respect
for myself and what I do with my life
…I
don’t need yours. I don’t need your money and I’ve even lived without your love
for so long that I don’t need that any longer either. Mom would be sad to know
what you’ve turned into.”

“Don’t talk to me about your mother. She would be
ashamed of what you’ve turned
into
. You’re a damned
thief. It would make her sick. And it’s good that you don’t’ need my respect
because you’re not ever going to earn it the way you’re going!” I noticed he
didn’t mention “love” at all.

“Rob! Please, both of you stop this! I can’t stand
it!” We both looked up. Lydia was standing a few feet away. “I don’t understand
what is happening to the two of you…”

“It’s not just happening, Lydia, he’s never liked
me…at least not since my mother died. Isn’t that right Dad? You would have been
happier if I would have died and she lived.”

“Oh Mark, you shouldn’t say things you don’t mean
just because you’re angry,” Lydia said. My father on the other hand was silent.
His chest was heaving and his face bright red with anger.

“I mean it, Lydia. I’m sorry you have to be in the
middle of this. I’ll find somewhere to go when I get back from the rodeo this
weekend and get out of your way.”

“Mark, you’re not in our way.”

My dad looked at her and then at me. Looking back at
her he said, “I think it’s for the best.” Then he walked away. Lydia looked
distressed.

“Don’t worry Lydia, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will. I just have issues with people
who walk away from their children. Even if those children are adults…it’s not
okay.”

I kissed her on the cheek and said, “Thanks for
having my back. I think I’ll take off for Livermore tonight. I think they have
things going on at the rodeo grounds tomorrow and then the rodeo is Saturday
and Sunday. I need to get out of here before we both completely blow up, I
think.” She nodded, obviously believing that was as good of an idea as I did.
“Can I ask you a favor?”

BOOK: Ride Me Cowboy #3 (The Cowboy Romance Series - Book #3)
2.26Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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