Conall's Legacy Read Online Free Page B
Author: Kat Wells
Knight’s side and rode over to turn off her music, guiding the horse’s shying steps all the way. She kept one eye on the man climbing out of the truck.
Luisa dismounted and pulled air deep into her lungs to slow her heart rate and cool her temper. As she did she counted to ten. It wouldn’t be good form to strangle the stranger where he stood because he frightened her horse.
He stood by his vehicle, squinting in her direction obviously having difficulty looking into the sun sinking behind her. She jerked the clip from her hair and shook out the braid before leading Knight out of the arena toward the stranger.
#
Drake watched the woman loosen her hair and shake her head to cascade the dark brown waves around her face. The gesture was one he knew, totally feminine--and vain. Waves of hair flowed across one side of her face like a ‘40s movie star. Sunlight glistened off red highlights. He was sure she knew exactly the way she looked -- innocence hiding behind sexy seduction.
“Swell, just what I need. A good looking neighbor,” he grumbled.
He let his gaze slide over the ranch yard. Two white clapboard residences stood in the shadows of giant cottonwood trees. A hitching rack rested in front of the larger of the two. Across the wide farmyard, a faded red barn leaned slightly to one side. He wondered how a barn could remain standing when you could see inside from outside through holes in the ancient boards.
The woman walked toward him, all confidence and stubborn indignation. The horse, on the other hand, appeared to be walking on eggs. Its nostrils flared, reminding him of a fire-breathing dragon.
“You do know you’ve come onto private property, don’t you?”
Her voice caught his attention. His gaze captured hers.
“You can turn around over there and go out the same way you came in, if you’re lost.”
The heat, dust, and long day on the road didn’t put him in the mood for a temperamental woman. He drew on his police training to keep from letting his temper erupt in the face of hers.
“This is La Puerta de Paraíso , isn’t it?” He glanced at the envelope in his hand.
“It is. I didn’t order any ball bearings or whatever you’ve got rattling around in that trailer.”
His jaw clamped tight before the expletive left his brain and reached his lips. He didn’t take kindly to men who swore in front of women and children. It was sure tempting to do so in front of this woman. Drake took a deep breath and regained control.
“I’m Drake Forrester.” The blank look on her face spoke volumes. Someone neglected to tell her he was coming, if she was the right person. “I’m looking for Luisa Montoya.”
Suspicion shimmered across her features. “That’s me.”
“Good. ‘Cause I’m hot, tired, and ready to settle in.” Shock registered on her face. The lady didn’t have a clue. “I’m staying in the bunkhouse for a few weeks.”
“The BLM didn’t tell me anyone was coming. The bunkhouse is supposed to be empty this summer.”
She didn’t seem very happy about having company. Good thing she didn’t have a shotgun in her hands. She’d be telling me to get outta Dodge . Drake shook his head. He’d been watching too many old westerns lately.
“Look, I’m not any happier about this setup than you are. This was a last minute arrangement.” He handed her the letter and dangled the keys he pulled from his pocket. “Here’s the authorization from the regional manager.”
She snatched the envelope from his fingers and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. Her frown deepened as she scanned the words. This was one unhappy lady.
“All I need is a place to unload this trailer, and I’ll get out of your way.”
“What’s in there?” She nodded at the trailer, her hair swinging against her cheeks. “You scared Royal Knight half to death.”
“I’m sorry about that. It’s scrap metal.”
“Excuse me?”
He started to answer, but she held up a hand.
“You are not going to
Luisa dismounted and pulled air deep into her lungs to slow her heart rate and cool her temper. As she did she counted to ten. It wouldn’t be good form to strangle the stranger where he stood because he frightened her horse.
He stood by his vehicle, squinting in her direction obviously having difficulty looking into the sun sinking behind her. She jerked the clip from her hair and shook out the braid before leading Knight out of the arena toward the stranger.
#
Drake watched the woman loosen her hair and shake her head to cascade the dark brown waves around her face. The gesture was one he knew, totally feminine--and vain. Waves of hair flowed across one side of her face like a ‘40s movie star. Sunlight glistened off red highlights. He was sure she knew exactly the way she looked -- innocence hiding behind sexy seduction.
“Swell, just what I need. A good looking neighbor,” he grumbled.
He let his gaze slide over the ranch yard. Two white clapboard residences stood in the shadows of giant cottonwood trees. A hitching rack rested in front of the larger of the two. Across the wide farmyard, a faded red barn leaned slightly to one side. He wondered how a barn could remain standing when you could see inside from outside through holes in the ancient boards.
The woman walked toward him, all confidence and stubborn indignation. The horse, on the other hand, appeared to be walking on eggs. Its nostrils flared, reminding him of a fire-breathing dragon.
“You do know you’ve come onto private property, don’t you?”
Her voice caught his attention. His gaze captured hers.
“You can turn around over there and go out the same way you came in, if you’re lost.”
The heat, dust, and long day on the road didn’t put him in the mood for a temperamental woman. He drew on his police training to keep from letting his temper erupt in the face of hers.
“This is La Puerta de Paraíso , isn’t it?” He glanced at the envelope in his hand.
“It is. I didn’t order any ball bearings or whatever you’ve got rattling around in that trailer.”
His jaw clamped tight before the expletive left his brain and reached his lips. He didn’t take kindly to men who swore in front of women and children. It was sure tempting to do so in front of this woman. Drake took a deep breath and regained control.
“I’m Drake Forrester.” The blank look on her face spoke volumes. Someone neglected to tell her he was coming, if she was the right person. “I’m looking for Luisa Montoya.”
Suspicion shimmered across her features. “That’s me.”
“Good. ‘Cause I’m hot, tired, and ready to settle in.” Shock registered on her face. The lady didn’t have a clue. “I’m staying in the bunkhouse for a few weeks.”
“The BLM didn’t tell me anyone was coming. The bunkhouse is supposed to be empty this summer.”
She didn’t seem very happy about having company. Good thing she didn’t have a shotgun in her hands. She’d be telling me to get outta Dodge . Drake shook his head. He’d been watching too many old westerns lately.
“Look, I’m not any happier about this setup than you are. This was a last minute arrangement.” He handed her the letter and dangled the keys he pulled from his pocket. “Here’s the authorization from the regional manager.”
She snatched the envelope from his fingers and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. Her frown deepened as she scanned the words. This was one unhappy lady.
“All I need is a place to unload this trailer, and I’ll get out of your way.”
“What’s in there?” She nodded at the trailer, her hair swinging against her cheeks. “You scared Royal Knight half to death.”
“I’m sorry about that. It’s scrap metal.”
“Excuse me?”
He started to answer, but she held up a hand.
“You are not going to
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