Luke (Armed and Dangerous Book 2) Read Online Free

one like that.”
    When her voice faltered, Luke realized she was about to cry.
    Ah, hell.
    Did he have a handkerchief?
    With his free hand, he felt the back pocket of his pants through his duster, but he hadn’t come prepared for this.
    “I mean, it’s just—well.” Gina’s voice dropped. “Everything’s so expensive. I didn’t realize I’d have to pay for more than the tickets. But it’s charity. And like Skylar said, if you own a ranch around Douglas or Bisbee, it’s expected.”
    Luke thought he was beginning to understand. “If it’s too much for you, Ms. Garcia, you don’t have to stay.”
    “Gina, please.” She lowered her hand, and seemed to relax even more. She wasn’t flirting with him, not really, but Luke could tell flirting was a natural habit she was suppressing—probably because it seemed out of place at a highbrow event like this.
    “It’s hard, getting in with the ranching and business crowd in Douglas, Luke.” Gina nodded toward Bull Fenning, who was terrorizing the bartender, who apparently didn’t want to serve him another drink so quickly. “My herd’s small, but the stock’s strong. I need them to know I’m going to keep building—and that I can hold my own.”
    Luke took a taste of his beer. “Got it. Tough for a woman to make it as a rancher, even in the twenty-first century.”
    “Skylar’s doing it. I can, too. No matter what it takes.” Gina’s anxiety shifted to anger so quickly Luke almost raised his eyebrows. “My daughter deserves a fresh start and a good home. She’s only eight. I have to show her how to be strong.”
    Fresh start—now that’s interesting.
    How far would this woman go for her daughter’s welfare?
    Guerrero’s people were opportunistic and ruthless as hell. Luke wouldn’t put it past them to use a child to get what they wanted from the girl’s mother.
    We need to put more surveillance on the old K & K.
    He was about to offer to help Gina feign illness and make her exit before she bankrupted herself for a soft drink when a loud female voice intruded into their conversation.
    “Hello, there. You are one fine slice of cowboy.” A good-looking gray-eyed brunette edged up beside Gina Garcia, smiling at Luke and sticking her chest in his direction. The curve of her breasts was halfway to obscene through her thin black dress, and her manner left no doubt she’d be a willing roll in the hay.
    Luke tipped back his beer bottle for another swallow. He had no interest in women who were that obvious. A little chase was more interesting.
    “I’m Joyce Butler,” the woman said, extending her hand.
    Luke made himself give her fingers a squeeze, but only because Ms. Joyce Butler was on his list. Rich father, politically connected. Her family had a massive amount of border land on the outskirts of Douglas—and Butler’s Rocking B hooked on the old K & K ranch. More importantly, Joyce Butler had reportedly been tight with Gary Woods, the sheriff’s deputy who went bad, rustled cattle for Guerrero, and tried to kill Skylar. Joyce Butler had dated the bastard at one time, and she might have information about the Guerrero operation, whether she knew it or not.
    When Joyce Butler gave him a quick wink, Luke sighed and took another drink of his overpriced beer. Damn. He’d bet his Stetson she was already planning a make-out session in the corner, or imagining that they’d do it right on the dance floor.
    Gina Garcia mumbled a few excuses, then hurried away into the crowd, abandoning Luke with Joyce.
    “Who are you, handsome?” Joyce’s voice had a rich, silky quality.
    “Hired help,” he said, hoping it would back her off a step. “I’m here for Skylar MacKenna.”
    Joyce pushed a strand of her curly hair behind one ear and moved even closer to him. “Then you’re Luke Rider. Her foreman. I’ve heard half the girls in town talking about you.”
    “Guilty,” Luke admitted, making note of all the potential exits in the room.
    “A foreman.”