Free The Cowboy's Secret (Cowboys After Dark: Book 3) by Maggie Carpenter

neighborly,” he nodded. “I’ve got a great ham, cheese and tomato grilled sandwich today, served with a crunchy iceberg salad and fries.”
    “I had your fries last night,” she laughed. “I loved them, but I’d better not have them again so soon, you’ll have to roll me out of here. The sandwich and salad sounds great though, and coffee.”
    “Comin’ right up,” he smiled.
    As she watched him disappear through the swinging doors, she was sure he’d been fishing.
    Clint has been coming here for, how long did he say he’d lived here? Two years, and it seems that guy knows nothing about him. Weird.
    Staring out the window she saw the clouds gathering, and hoped the weather would hold long enough for her to ride. Her mind wandered to the various tradesmen she’d spoken with that morning. Having renovated many houses she knew the right questions to ask, and what the answers should be; none of them had impressed her.
    Thank goodness Clint has offered to introduce me to the fencing guy. I’ll have that under control at least.
    Tom returned with her sandwich, and mouth watering, she smiled as she studied it. The sourdough bread had been grilled, leaving dark stripes on both sides, and had been dusted with a variety of spices.
    “Wow, that’s one heck of a sandwich,” she declared.
    “I use Gouda cheese and heirloom tomatoes. Hard to get those tomatoes this time of year, but it’s worth the effort. I sprinkle them with some balsamic,” he said proudly. “Hope you like it.”
    “Oh, my gosh, Tom, this place is a like a gourmet restaurant,” she said. “No wonder you do so well.”
    “I love to cook,” he nodded. “I guess I shoulda been a chef, but that’s a whole other business. Too complicated for a simple soul like me.”
    “Can I ask you something?” she began, if you can fish, so can I.
    “Sure thing.”
    “Do you happen to know where Clint Hogan originally came from? I’m sure I know him from somewhere, but I can’t put my finger on it. I’ve wanted to ask him but I didn’t want him to think I was being nosey.”
    At the word ‘nosey,’ her salacious fantasy flashed into her mind, and she felt a small churning in her stomach.
    “Honestly, Amelia, I have no idea,” he answered as he dropped into a chair opposite her. “He’s kept his history to himself, and I’m not talkin’ outta turn here. Press him and he’ll be the first to tell you, where I’ve been and what I’ve done stays where I left it .”
    “Really? How interesting,” Amelia remarked.
    “The sheriff checked him out, he’s got nothin’ criminal chasin’ him, and he’s a good, honest guy. I’m not sayin’ anything he wouldn’t tell you himself. He’s just a bit of a mystery.”
    “I guess so,” she nodded.
    “Enjoy your lunch,” he smiled, standing up, “and I’ll be right back with your coffee.”
    Biting into the warm sandwich she rolled her eyes in pleasure, and when Tom returned with her coffee she grinned up at him.
    “This is the best sandwich I think I’ve ever had, and I’m being serious.”
    “Thank you,” he beamed. “I sure appreciate you sayin’ so.”
    As she ate her meal and drank her coffee, the conversation with Tom stayed with her. Clint really was a man of mystery, and the voices in her head began in earnest.
    No-one can keep secrets today, not in this world.
    Apparently Clint Hogan can.
    She finished her lunch and glanced at her watch; she still had thirty-five minutes to kill.
    Hmmm, I wonder what I’d find if I showed up to the ranch this early.
    Probably nothing.
    You’re probably right, still, you never know.
    It’s rude to be early, just as much as it’s rude to be late.
    I won’t be any bother. I’ll go straight to Jiminy.
    This isn’t a good idea.
    I know, but I’m still going to do it.
    Leaving a generous tip on the table she waved to Tom as she headed out, and as she settled behind the wheel of her car she felt her pulse accelerating.
    You’re sure you want to