Free Bare Naked: Naked Cowboys, Book 4 by Desiree Holt

leaned toward him. “I’m not worried about myself. I don’t want them giving you any kind of grief. Not when—things—are going so well.”
    “I don’t know, Georgie. You planning to hide me away forever?”
    “You know I’m not. I just want to give us…time. A little time. To see what’s happening here.”
    “I won’t blame you if you change your mind, you know. I could always leave.”
    “Absolutely not.” She slammed her mug down so hard coffee sloshed over onto the table. “My place. My life. My choice. So forget about that.” She popped a piece of muffin in her mouth and chewed thoughtfully, then lifted her bad foot and wiggled it tentatively. “I may not be able to wear a real shoe on this tomorrow, but if I ice it all day today it will be a lot better. It’s my left foot so I ought to be able to drive.”
    “Not on your life.” He shook his head. “You think I’d let you out of here wounded like that?”
    Georgie threw back her head and laughed. “Did you say let me? Cade, I don’t need anyone’s permission for anything. I’m smart enough not to endanger myself or anyone else. Let me set this up. If tomorrow I think I can’t do it, I’ll reschedule.”
    He held up his hand.” Okay. I don’t really have the right to tell you what to do anyway. Maybe the asshole in me is coming back after all.”
    She reached for his hand and linked her fingers with his. “Not when you’re trying to do something nice for me. Thank you.”
    He raked his other hand through his hair. “This is all strange to me, Georgie. Having something like this—” he pointed at her and then at himself, “—I don’t even know what to call it.”
    “Me either. So like we said, we’ll play it by ear.”
    “You stay off that foot while I’m outside,” he reminded her.
    “I will. If you’ll get me my iPad. When I signed up for satellite service I included Internet in the package so I can get online. I can start looking for furniture and stuff. Although I’m hoping to check out some moving sales around here too. Maybe pick up some authentic Hill Country artifacts and things.”
    “Too bad you weren’t shopping when they had the fire sale at our ranch.” There was no missing the bitterness in his voice.
    “Forget about that. There are plenty of places to look anyway. I plan to study the ads in the newspaper too. Now get my iPad, fill up your thermos and get on outside. Do you think you’re ready to start scraping the paint yet?”
    He grinned at her and eased his hand away from hers, saluting her with two fingers. “Yes, ma’am. On my way.”
     
     
    “So tell me again how you hurt your foot?” Jinx helped Georgie into the booth at Bit and Bite before sliding in across from her.
    “Stupid, stupid, stupid. Sheer stupidity.” She sighed. “I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing and dropped a hammer on my toes.”
    “Jesus, Georgie. Sounds like you need a keeper. I thought you were hiring someone to help you?”
    The waitress set two mugs of coffee in front of them and then left to take care of other customers.
    “I, um, did.” She buried her nose in the mug, sipping the hot dark liquid.
    “So?” Jinx cocked an eyebrow. “Who is it and where did you find him? How come we didn’t get to check him out?” She sat back. “You can’t be too careful who you hire.”
    “I, uh, don’t think you know him,” she waffled.
    Well, actually, that’s true. She wouldn’t know this Cade Hannigan.
    They took a moment to scan the menus and place their orders. Then Jinx leaned forward, an eager grin on her face. “Amy and Reenie hated it that they couldn’t make it today. They’re so jealous I get you all to myself. So give me all the dirt. How’s it coming? How much have you gotten done? When can I see it? And when do you think it will open?”
    “Hold it, hold it.” Georgie laughed. “I’m a long way from that right now. Still doing the basics.”
    “So how far have you gotten? I don’t