Free Resisting Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 5) by Rhonda Lee Carver Page B

years of therapy hadn’t even worked to erase the tragedy.
    “Don’t worry about me. I’ve got this, Crystal.”
    ****
      Keefer slid out of the driver’s side of the truck and started across the parking lot of Mickey’s Bar when he saw Buck throw up a hand. The man was standing by the back door smoking. Keefer shifted his direction and headed toward the bartender.
    “I see she’s up and running again,” Buck pointed at the truck.
    “Yup, back on the road.” Keefer rubbed the bridge of his nose.
    “She’s a beauty. I bet the engine purrs.”
    Keefer nodded. “Great for hauling trailers. I bought a piece of land not too far from here and she’ll come in handy when I start looking for horses. Only issue is, I have to get the gas gauge fixed.” He smiled.
    Buck dropped the cigarette to the ground and snuffed it out with the toe of his boot. “You going to be hiring?”
    “Sure will. Here in the next six months. Right now construction is about to start on the house. I plan to move in as soon as possible and watch over things.”
    Buck tugged his scraggly beard. “I’m not much for asking favors, but I’ve been thinking about getting out of the bar business, selling this ol’ place. I’m not a spring chicken any longer and would like to give Edie more. I’ve been thinking on this long and hard.”
    “You have any experience working a ranch?”
    “Born and raised on a ranch. Bought this place fifteen years ago figuring it’d be a nice, peaceful future. The only thing that hasn’t let me down is meeting Edie.”
    “Consider yourself hired. Real thankful that you helped us out last night,” Keefer said.
    “I didn’t expect to see you back, but glad we got the chance to talk.” Buck pushed off the frame of the door.
    Keefer dropped his hand to his side.  “I wouldn’t leave Violet here.”
    Buck blinked. “Didn’t she tell you?”
    “Tell me what?” His gut wrenched.
    “Her sister picked her up almost fifteen minutes ago. Hell, you two probably crossed paths on the road.”
    A good three seconds passed before Keefer managed to gain his thoughts enough to plaster a smile on his face. “No, she didn’t tell me.”
    “Well, she probably tried to call you but we have shitty service out here, as you know.”
    Keefer nodded. “I better get going. Busy day ahead.”
    He stomped toward his truck, hating that he felt like he’d been punched in the stomach. Why? After all, he understood what he shared with Violet wasn’t the beginning of a relationship. Wasn’t anything more than a one night stand. So why wasn’t his head convinced?
    Sliding behind the steering wheel, he started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. He should be grateful Violet was gone before he got back. He might have done something stupid and asked her to breakfast, or for a third date, or something far more dangerous. A repeat of last night.
    Pulling out onto the road, he pushed his foot into the gas pedal and headed toward the city. Yeah, he was pretty damn lucky.
    They had a good night—an amazing night. Now it was time to move forward in his life. He had property. A new job. Commitments. He didn’t have time to allow a gorgeous brunette with luscious curves to get in his way and steer his mind off the rainbow.
    Why didn’t the acid burning in his stomach go away?
    Why didn’t his heart return to a normal, boring beating?
    It would. He was still reeling from post orgasmic release.
    A few miles on the interstate, he pulled off the exit and hit a drive-thru for a quick bite to eat and a much needed coffee. He reached for his phone in his pocket and was glad to see he was back in the land of the live-and-kicking. He had service again. Scrolling through the contacts, he found the number he was looking for and hit ‘call’. On the second ring it was answered. “Hey buddy, I wanted to finalize my plans. I’m ready to get out of the city.”

CHAPTER SIX
     
    Three months later
    Walters Ranch
     
    Violet glanced at