Carol Lynne [Cattle Valley 06] Out of the Shadow (pdf)

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

you.
The big twenty-fifth anniversary running you ragged is it?
Oh hell no. I could handle that stuff with my eyes closed. No, it s Quade. He s driving
me absolutely nuts.
The relationship between the mayor and his secretary was legendary. The two of them
constantly fought like husband and wife, but deep down anyone could tell they honestly
cared about each other. What s Quade doing now?
Not a damn thing. That s the problem. Ever since he got back from Hawaii he s done
nothing but mope around. I thought the new lodge going in up the mountain would light a
fire under his ass, but even that didn t do it.
He ll find his way eventually. I know that doesn t help much. You re the one who has
to work with him day in and day out, but it will get better.
Humpf. Carol picked her glasses back up and slid them on. To answer your
question, no, Mr. Lovell hasn t been in to register. Of course he may be waiting to do it the
morning of the rodeo.
Thanks, Shep said, and waved as he walked out of the office.
After stopping by the rodeo arena just outside of town, Shep headed his truck towards
Sheridan. He d been lucky enough to catch a friend of Todd s unloading his horse. Jim told
him he d received a call from Todd and he and Regina were staying in the city an hour north
of Cattle Valley.
Looking at Todd s truck parked in front of the single story motel, he gripped the
steering wheel. Talking to Todd was the last thing on earth he felt like doing, but this wasn t
about him. He d told Jeremy point blank that he d get a chance to compete against his father,
and by God, Shep was going to make sure it happened.
With new resolve, he got out of the truck and went to the door directly in front of
Todd s truck. He pounded for several minutes before he started yelling. Todd! Open up!
OUT OF THE SHADOW Carol Lynne
64
Finally, the door two down from him opened and Todd stepped out. What the hell do
you want now?
Shep turned and stalked towards his ex-friend. I wanna know why you haven t
registered for the rodeo?
Decided against it. I won t be part of some grudge match from my own son.
Todd talked a good game, but Shep was beginning to see through the fa�ade. He knows
he s going to lose, he thought. You ll ride, Shep stated. Because if you don t, the press will
get a call. What do you think your many fans would think if they learned the great Todd
Lovell physically abused his own son?
You wouldn t dare, Todd growled.
Try me. Shep spun and walked back to his truck. I ll expect to see you on Friday at
the qualifiers, he casually said over his shoulder.
* * * *
Jeremy woke with a cool wet body leaning over him. Hey, he said and pulled Shep s
head down for a kiss. You just get home?
Nope, Shep replied. Been home a couple of hours. I was pretty gross so I thought I d
come up and ask you to join me in a shower, but you were sound asleep. Shep settled beside
him on the bed.
You should ve woken me up. I need a shower anyway. I ve done nothing but lay in
this bed since the fall and I m getting pretty rank, he said, with a sniff to his underarms.
Mmm, Shep moaned, sticking his nose in Jeremy s arm pit. You smell like a man to
me.
Yeah? Then why did you shower off your manly smell? He circled Shep s nipple with
his finger, watching as it pebbled.
Cuz I was dirty, not just sweaty.
Dirty? Shep? What, were the ledgers dusty?
Very funny. I think you and Rance must ve gone to the same clown school.
Even though Shep chuckled, Jeremy could see that his words had wounded his pride.
He placed a kiss on Shep s neck. I m sorry. It s just that lately I m not used to seeing you
work outside of your office.
OUT OF THE SHADOW Carol Lynne
65
Shep sighed and ran his hand down Jeremy s back. It s the only part about this place
that I hate.
So hire someone else to do the books, Jeremy offered.
I could do that, but then what would I do? Shep shifted uncomfortably until he was
lying on his side facing Jeremy. My knee s fine for the most part, but after a couple of hours [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Podstrony