Country Courtship (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

an entire mountain.
    At least they weren't toting shotguns, although something about the bulge under their arms told him they were packing. He supposed they were private security guards.
    "You Bobby Gray Nelson?"
    He hesitated a moment, wondering if he should claim some other name. At first that seemed the lesser of two evils, but then he saw Kelli walking toward them and he pondered whether he couldn't somehow turn this to his advantage.
    "What if I say I'm not?" he asked.
    "Then we'd have to ask for ID."
    "And if I were this guy—what did you say his name is?"
    "Bobby."
    It annoyed the hell out of him when people called him only half of his name. It was patently clear, judging by the expressions and tones of the men, that Kelli had set him up as a bad guy who must be kept away from her.
    It took only seconds for Bobby Gray to come up with a plan. He knew just what to do. Unfortunately, it was going to require a world of hurt. Too bad he'd be the one hurting. But he didn't have any other ideas.
    "Well, I'll be seein' you," he said to the men, with a fake turn-away. Then he darted around them and toward Kelli.
    The little security guard flash-punched him in the gut.
    As Bobby Gray had expected.
    And it hurt.
    As he'd expected.
    He merely hadn't expected to double over. Nor had he expected to land noggin-first on the ground and be unable to breathe for several seconds. He hated to think what his condition would be if the big security guard had gotten his punch in first. As it was, Bobby Gray's eyes and teeth were both clenched, mainly because he'd bitten his tongue.
    Then he heard Kelli saying, "Why'd you go and hit him?"
    Bobby Gray grinned inwardly. His ploy had been brilliant, but then his ploys generally were. Except for the pain.
    He opened his eyes and tried to look at her soulfully. The woman didn't stand a chance.
    * * *
    "Are you okay, Bobby Gray?" Kelli didn't think he looked good. The odd light in his eyes made her wonder if he was dazed.
    She jabbed the security guard, whose nickname was Mount St. Helens, in the arm again. "You weren't supposed to break him, Mike."
    "No, ma'am. It wasn't me. It was Larry."
    Kelli glanced at the other guard and shook her head.
    He said sheepishly, "Was only trying to look after you."
    "I told you not to harm him."
    That was when the cowboy opened his mouth to interrupt and Kelli almost swooned at what she saw. "Call 911. He's got internal injuries."
    "Just the tongue." Mike straightened his tie.
    She leaned over Bobby Gray, close enough to feel his heated breath on her face and despite her concern, a small frisson of awareness chased down her spine. "Just lie still until EMS arrives."
    "No EMS."
    "We'll see. Get me a cloth, guys, to clean him up." They hightailed it, but the cowboy kept trying to get up.
    "Sit still."
    "I'm okay."
    "No, you're not."
    "Am."
    "You're injured."
    "Look, Kelli. I know if I'm injured or not. Mainly my dignity is hurt."
    He kept struggling to rise and it was all she could do to keep him semi-prone. "I'm in a better position to know if you're injured."
    "Oh, yeah?"
    "I'm a doctor."
    "You're a horse doctor."
    "Veterinarian. And your point is?"
    "I'm okay. It's only a tooth wound."
    "Oh."
    The two security guards returned then, each carrying one of her mom's best damask tablecloths. She'd scold them all if Bobby Gray stained them. "Stay back, guys."
    "Help me," moaned Bobby Gray, struggling to sit up.
    She shot him a quick look to see if he'd gotten worse, but he didn't look bad.
    "I need some protection, men. There's a mad doctor determined to treat me."
    "Very funny." She glanced at the guards. "You guys go take those tablecloths back where you got them and I'll get him to the kitchen for some ice."
    * * *
    Once they were in the kitchen, he allowed Kelli to wash his face and stuff a boatload of ice into his mouth. Then he figured it was time to get to the point.
    "Woo eww gewww ouee wie me?" he asked. Did that sound like, will you go out with me? Maybe too