Free Dream Lover (Denim and Spurs Book 2) by Aliyah Burke Page B

“Not trying, darlin’. I’m doin’. And you actin’ like a stubborn filly ain’t gonna throw me. I’m still waitin’ for my answer.”
    She rubbed her temples and moved back from his touch. Judd hid his disappointment and allowed the distance. “Let’s just say I’m not really well liked here.”
    That could—and would—be the understatement of the year. “Need more than that, Laciee.”
    “You really don’t. That’s why I’m treated how I am.”
    “Not really good as far as answers go,” he remarked, dropping his head to rest against the seat.
    “But it was an answer. Perhaps you should move your truck out from the middle of the road now.”
    He worked his lower jaw for a few moments before nodding. “Okay.” Two minutes later he’d parked them on the shoulder.
    She looked at him and shook her head. “Not what I meant, Judd.”
    “I’m still waiting for my answer.”
    “Take me back to the house, give me a beer, and I’ll tell you more.”
    “Beer?”
    “I don’t drink much, I know, and I suck at holding my liquor but I’m going to need something to bolster myself.”
    He put the truck in gear and drove them home, allowing her to withdraw into herself. She did it silently and even appeared to shrink on the seat. Damn it all, he wanted to gather her close to him and chase away whatever it was haunting her.
    The moment he drove up to the house, he knew their chat would have to wait. Laciee didn’t speak, just jumped out as he slowed to a stop, and it didn’t take her long to grab her bags. He shot out instantly after, only heading in the opposite direction. Caleb Sorenson, his foreman, spied him and headed in his direction on horseback, dirt churning up from beneath his sorrel horse’s hooves.
    “What’s wrong?” he demanded the second his foreman reached him.
    “Poisoning in the herd. Out along the eastern border.”
    Rage surged hot and fierce, pounding through his body with each pump of his heart. He hadn’t had a problem with this kind of thing for a long while now. Dashing to the barn, he had his gelding saddled in little time. Caleb awaited him, and they thundered off. As they crested the first hill, Judd thought about Laciee and the conversation they still needed to have.

Chapter Seven
     
    Laciee stood at the window of her temporary bedroom, fingers gripping the lace curtain. The clothing bags lay empty on the bed, her purchases scattered about. None of it mattered. Not at this particular moment. Right now, she was all about trying to figure out what the hell was going on with her.
    Why did it matter that Judd seemed as if he actually cared about her situation here? She should just leave now, while he was off handling whatever the emergency had been. No, she couldn’t do that. Her conscience wouldn’t allow her to do such a thing. Not when he’d been so nice to her.
    She flexed her grip on the curtains. They were soft upon her skin and momentarily distracted her. What had happened for him to leave that quick? Was there something she could do to help? The afternoon sun had lowered in the sky, bathing the incredible land in colors that took her breath away.
    “I seriously doubt you could do anything to help the wealthy Judd Travers, Laciee.” She shook her head and dropped the curtain, stepping back from the scene that wasn’t presenting her with the image she longed for.
    Judd Travers.
    It had barely been an hour since he’d ridden away with some of the other men. Obviously they’d been waiting for his return. Guilt surged up within her. Had he not felt the need to watch out for her, he could have been here to handle issues on his ranch.
    She blew out a ragged breath and returned to the bed and the purchases that lay strewn about. Jeans, tees, skirts, she’d more just grabbed items than actually shopped with any reasoning behind it. Now she had to just put them in some semblance of order. And figure out what her next course of action would be.
    “I should just