High-Riding Heroes Read Online Free

very rough exterior, she felt that there was something to be wary of around this smooth man.
    “I have interviews tonight, but thank you. Don’t concern yourself, Mr.
    Cooper. We all have a job to do and we’ll do it.”
    He continued to stand, silently, smiling at her. But behind that smile lurked something else.
    An arrogance maybe? A secret? She couldn’t be sure.
    Victoria fidgeted. First, she had a hard time understanding exactly why Mr.
    Cooper thought it necessary to seek her company. Second, she couldn’t believe that out of all the rooms, Buck had given him the one right smack next to hers.
    She liked her privacy. She’d have to deal with him more than she wanted to. And having to share the adjoining bathroom wasn’t going to alleviate that.
    Reconditioning one of the other bathrooms on that floor would have to be one of her first priorities. Disjointed thoughts rambled through her head.
    They were standing there, he calmly and coolly, she a little nervous and warm. Perhaps she was coming off too haughtily. After all, she was the outsider here. “I hope you like your room.” She didn’t know what else to say or why he kept standing there.
    20
    www.samhainpublishing.com

    High-Riding Heroes
    “I’m sure I will. I thought living here would give me accessibility and a good bird’s-eye view of everything. Buck said everything I need is in the hotel.”
    She didn’t miss the glint in his eye or the merely male suggestion in his voice. And women had a reputation for flirting. This man found everything amusing. Including himself.
    Ignoring his teasing implication, she glared up at him. “Look, Mr. Cooper, I’m sure Buck is using good judgment hiring you to train the men. Let’s face it.
    I’m a little angry because I was supposed to choose the man. So if I seem irate, I am. I’m almost assured you’ll be just fine for the job. I’m eager to learn, too, but you’ll find some of the boys a little less interested…a little less willing. A lot less cooperative, I’m sure. But they’re good men, if a bit cocky. I think it must come along with being a cowboy.”
    He grinned. A wide sweep of a smile that brought an actual glint to his dark eyes. Black diamonds. “Your first lesson is to wear your blue jeans on the outside of your boots,” he challenged.
    She looked down. Her raggy, skintight jeans with the pegged legs were all the style in Virginia. And she always wore her riding boots outside. “My jeans don’t fit over my boots,” she informed him, irritated, but forcing herself to take it as a suggestion.
    “I see that,” he answered quietly and took a long time to examine them. “But out here boots aren’t just for riding. They’re everyday life. They protect the feet.
    Buy some new jeans. You might want to visit the general store here in your own town. Last time I was in there, they were well stocked on the essentials for Western living. English won’t do around here.”
    Chagrined, Victoria had the feeling that this was going to be a run of lessons not easily learned. But she wanted to know. She wanted to do it right. She loved the West. Loved the whole idea of the wild, untamed, get-right-to-it attitude. She

    www.samhainpublishing.com
    21

    Joey Light
    was determined to change from the demure Virginian she had been molded into to a full-fledged Oklahoma cowgirl.
    “I’ll consider it. Now, Mr. Cooper, if you’ll excuse me, I have some paperwork to do.” She moved to push the door against his foot, and after taking a good long look down at it, he moved and let her shove the door closed.
    She’ll do, Wes thought as he let himself into his new living quarters. She’ll do just fine. He saw enough determination in her stance, in her eyes, that led him to believe she would keep at something until she mastered it. He liked her. Soft yet sturdy. There was a spark in her that warmed him. There was also a volcano of activity boiling around inside that woman, he suspected. He planned on