Stealing The Cowboy's Heart - Debbi Rawlins

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it yet?”

      “Well, it’s not like I came from the city. Sage Springs isn’t that much bigger and just as bad for gossip.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth when the memories rushed back. The pitying looks, the averted gazes, the whispers...

      And not just in the neighborhood. She hadn’t been able to put gas in her car or run into the market without someone mentioning they’d heard she and Gary had broken up. And wasn’t it just awful, especially with them being high school sweethearts and all. The day Kylie decided she’d slug the next person who used the stupid term was the day she started packing her things.

      Clearly it hadn’t been enough that Gary had spent most of his time on the road and she’d moved across town. She had to get away from everything and everyone. Her mom included. Darlene couldn’t understand why Kylie was unwilling to give Gary a second chance. And a third and fourth, had it come to that. Though not because her mom liked Gary all that much. Darlene had always been quick to overlook a man’s flaws as long as he kept coming back.

      Landon had moved closer without her noticing. “I guess I should’ve called first,” he said and touched Kylie’s hand. “I can see you’re on your way out.”

      “What?” Once again she’d lost track of the conversation. And then it registered.

      Kevin.

      How could she have forgotten? He was likely to show up at any minute. Talk about awkward. She moved her hand so Landon was no longer touching her.

      “So, is it a big date?” he asked casually. “Or a night out with the girls?”

      She noticed how his gaze drifted briefly in the direction Rachel had headed. “You were right the first time.”

      “Ah.” Surprise flickered in his eyes. Followed by disappointment if she wasn’t mistaken. “Lousy timing on my part, huh?” he said, and moved back a couple steps.

      “I’m not sure what that—” Kylie thought she noticed a limp. “Is something wrong with your leg?”

      “Nah.” Landon brushed her off too quickly.

      “What happened?”

      “Nothing. It’s fine.” He frowned at something behind her. “Is that him?”

      She glanced back. Kevin, who’d just gotten out of his red Mustang convertible, was wearing dress pants and a navy blue blazer and as nice and as good-looking as he was, he couldn’t hold a candle to the cowboy she’d never expected to see again.

       Chapter Three

      “Guess you’re stepping up in the world,” Landon murmured low, so the dude with the crisp white shirt and shiny black shoes couldn’t hear.

      “What are you talking about?”

      “Mr. GQ...isn’t he your date?”

      Kylie laughed, and it was the best sound he’d heard in a very long time. Then she ruined it by turning to smile at the interloper. Although, technically, it was Landon who’d shown up unannounced and uninvited.

      “Kylie, you look stunning.” The guy’s gaze took in the low neckline, the way the red dress hugged the curve of her hips.

      “Thank you.” Blushing, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

      He seemed surprised, which made Landon feel a lot better. Couldn’t be anything serious if that little peck raised the guy’s eyebrows.

      “Well, you kids have fun,” Landon said, trying to ignore the pain that shot up his leg when he stepped back the wrong way.

      “Wait. Let me introduce you two.” Kylie’s smile faltered when her date slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Landon, this is Kevin Braun.” She turned to him, dislodging his arm. “This is Landon Kincaid, an old friend of mine.”

      Landon was forced to move forward. Grinding his teeth harder with each step, he shook the man’s hand.

      “You staying long, or just passing through?” Kevin asked. His tone was casual but Landon wasn’t fooled.

      “Staying,” Landon said, and noticed how Kevin’s jaw tightened. “Hey, I don’t want to hold you guys up. I’ll see you tomorrow, huh, Kylie?”

      She frowned at his leg. “I can see you’re hurting. Why won’t you tell me what happened?”

      “Tomorrow,” Landon assured her, wishing they’d leave already so he could hobble and whimper in peace.

      “Where are you staying?” Kevin asked.

      “I’m gonna check out the motel.”

      Kevin pulled out his wallet. “I manage the place,” he said, holding out a business card. “Give this to Patty at the front desk. She’ll know to give you a discount. How long did you say you’re staying?”

      “Don’t know for sure.” Landon pocketed the card. “Thanks, Kevin. That’s real nice of you.”

      “My pleasure.” He turned to Kylie with a smile. “Ready?”

      She was still studying Landon’s leg, so he bit down hard and managed to walk around his truck without too obvious a limp.

      Landon heard her say something to him, but pretended he hadn’t and slid in behind the wheel. The sooner he checked in someplace where he could stretch out, the better. He thought briefly about having a look at the other inn that Kylie had mentioned. The motel seemed fine but he wasn’t keen on Kevin keeping tabs on his comings and goings.

      By the time he pulled away from the curb, the two were on their way to Kevin’s Mustang, his hand pressed against Kylie’s lower back.

      Landon reminded himself that he hadn’t been at all sure how she’d react to seeing him. She’d been living here for a year. Plenty of time to carve out a nice life for herself. Hell, it wasn’t a surprise that some guy had swooped in—there’d probably been quite a few.

      Part of him was glad because after what Gary had done to her, Kylie deserved to feel desirable and wanted. The other part of him itched to send Kevin on a one-way trip to the moon. Though Landon didn’t think she was too into the guy. He knew Kylie pretty well, probably better than she suspected.

      Or did he?

      He turned into the motel parking lot, wondering what she was doing with a buttoned-up guy like Kevin. This rural corner of Montana had to be crawling with ranchers and hired hands. Had she sworn off cowboys like she’d said that night? Decided they were all lying cheats like Gary? Landon figured he’d find out real soon.

      * * *

      THE NEXT MORNING, her arms loaded with bakery boxes, Kylie looked for Landon’s truck as she crossed the motel parking lot. There it was, the deep maroon color easy to spot. He’d parked in the far corner, away from all the other vehicles. Probably worried about his paint job. Not that she blamed him. The truck looked new. She wondered how he’d scraped the money together to replace his old white pickup with the duct-taped side mirrors.

      She’d come extra early to deliver the motel’s standing order of muffins and Danish for their continental breakfast. From what she remembered, Landon wasn’t a particularly early riser but she decided not to take any chances. Of course she couldn’t avoid him for long, but she was too tired to see him first thing.

      Once she opened the bakery, she’d have a steady stream of customers. So even if he showed up right away, she’d be too busy to talk.

      Patty, who worked the front desk, was setting out plates and utensils when Kylie entered the lobby. The strong smell of coffee had her inhaling deeply, as if she hadn’t already downed half a pot.

      “Hey,” Patty said, looking over at her. “I figured you’d be late, not twenty minutes early.”

      “Why

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