Free Loving A Cowboy by Anne Carrole

also have a history that isn’t a pretty one. And, by the way, I signed that affidavit, so there is nothing stopping you from marrying anyone you want.”
    Strange that she hadn’t given a thought to the affidavit. “Thank you. And our history is precisely what should keep us from making any future mistakes in the attraction direction.”
    “So you don’t deny there’s still an attraction between us?”
    She took a deep breath as she felt her cheeks flush. “I don’t deny it. But it’s a physical attraction, and you’re in no shape to act on it…so we’re good.”
    He shook his head. “Honey, a few things were broken, but take my word for it, that’s working just fine.”
    She took another deep breath. She bet it was working fine. But she’d been counting on a good deal of pain to keep it corralled, not to mention his anger. No matter. He did need her, health-wise. “We’re two adults, Chance. I think we can handle this. You want to get better. I can help you.”
    She turned her head and surveyed his room. “Look at this place. It’s only been a few days since you got out of the hospital. What will it look like in a week? And food?” She motioned to the empty bags of potato chips and pretzels. “You can’t live on snacks and get better.”
    He snorted and looked in the direction of her Louis Vuitton suitcase, part of her high school graduation gift. But Chance wasn’t looking at her designer bag.
    “What the hell is that?” he said, nodding toward Cowboy’s carrier.
    “That is Cowboy.”
    “What?”
    “His name is Cowboy. He was a stray, and I’ve given him a home.”
    “Seems like you’re planning to give him my home. I’m not a fan of house cats, Libby.”
    “Cowboy won’t bother you, but you may find you like this one. He’s a lot like you.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “Just what I said. He’s brave, independent, acts like he doesn’t care about people but can be very loving.”
    He stared at her a moment. “I don’t know what you mean by that last comment, but I’m pretty certain it wasn’t a compliment.”
    She waved her hand. “Cowboy will grow on you, is all I’m saying.”
    “No, he won’t, because I don’t want him in this room.”
    She rose off the bed. Hanging around a dealership all her life, she knew the rules of making a sale. When you’ve got the customer’s commitment and closed the deal, leave. “You won’t know he’s about, I promise.” How she was going to keep that promise with an independent-minded cat, she didn’t know.
    Chance eyed her. “Libby, do you really think this is a good idea? Us being together after all these years, with everything that’s gone on between us. I’m not a man to forget a wrong someone has done me. But I am a man.”
    “I know, Chance.” There was no mistaking it, she thought as she gazed at his wonderfully muscled torso. He was definitely a man. “I’m not here hoping you’ll forgive me or anything. I know that’s pretty much impossible.” She stared down at her fiddling hands. “But this is something I want to do for you, so whether you want me to or not, I’m helping you.” If for no other reason than to assure he didn’t do something stupid, like use his foot before it was fully healed.
    He stared at her a moment and huffed like a snorting Brahman. “Sounds like you’re trying to grow a spine, Libby. But trying it out on me isn’t a true test, you know. Besides, if you think this will square us, think again.”
    “I know that—you’ve already warned me.”
    “There was once something between us. Something intense. You must be pretty sure that’s all gone to propose this.”
    Libby took a dry swallow, definitely not sure of anything, but she nodded anyway.
    He stared at her a moment longer than a heartbeat. She wondered if those cold eyes of his could read her mind, her heart. She wondered what either would tell him, because she sure didn’t know.
    “Have you eaten yet? Real food?”