Free Country Courtship (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 2) by Kathy Carmichael Page A

label it—passion? Or something far more?
    Even now, he could almost smell her, like a memory niggling to come alive, and he darned well wasn't ready for her to go away. She provoked his inner male, the one that was determined to catch her and make her his own.
    With that thought, Bobby Gray took off after her and within minutes was close on her heels. He saw the same thing she observed—her dad was no longer there.
    She had no protection here, at least not from him.
    Her expression, when she turned, told him she saw the rodeo champion who'd been awakened by her touch.
    * * *
    Why wouldn't Bobby Gray leave her alone? She wasn't ready yet—not for him, not for any man. Was she?
    She darted to the clubhouse, thinking her dad would be waiting for her there. As she opened the door, air conditioning whipped her but she ignored the chill and checked the main room and the restaurant.
    No luck.
    "Maybe he's outside in the parking lot," suggested Bobby Gray as if they'd been in conversation all along.
    Which they hadn't.
    She didn't like the way he'd caught up with her and now held the front door to the clubhouse open for her so solicitously, either.
    "Thanks. But I don't need your help."
    He dropped his arm and stepped through the door so that it almost slammed into her nose. He marched off.
    Finally, she told herself, but a little voice deep inside nagged that she was a liar who didn't really mean it.
    Yanking the door open herself, she stepped out and searched the parking lot for her dad's long white stretch limo.
    It took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the blinding sunlight reflecting off the pavement and glinting off cars. A wave of wispy heat rose from the concrete.
    The limo wasn't anywhere to be seen and she couldn't keep the flash of hurt from her face, although she quickly threw on a grim smile as a silver pick-up truck approached.
    Her father must have assumed that Bobby Gray would see her home.
    "Need a ride?" asked the cowboy in question as he guided the truck beneath the green canvas awning in front of the country club. He dangled two glistening bottles of ice cold water from his hand as if offering her diamonds. She had to admit, he knew exactly how to get her attention.

 
     
     
    Chapter 8

     
    Bobby Gray felt a tug at his heartstrings as he looked into Kelli's face. She wore her emotions for everyone to see and, if one were so inclined, to discover exactly how to hurt her. An inward cringe yanked at his protective instincts.
    Her dad had forgotten her. Perhaps it was because he had so many children, or because he was so busy with important oil deals. Whatever the reason, no wonder Kelli was hurt.
    Bobby Gray wanted to take charge of making sure she'd never be hurt again—or at least that they were only necessary minor hurts, like the kind from getting a vaccine.
    He'd like to give the man a piece of his mind, but all Bobby Gray could do right now was apply figurative bandages and some much-needed cold water. She needed cheering up. He beckoned for her to get in the truck. "Climb on up and I'll take you home."
    She hesitated, so he leaned across the seat and swung open the passenger door, adding, "Dare ya."
    "I'll just catch a cab." She shook her head with a forlorn expression.
    Man, she was really hurting. "If you ride with me, I've got a great surprise for you."
    "I'll take the water, but will pass on the ride."
    He handed her the bottle. "This isn't the surprise."
    "All the more reason for a cab." She twisted the lid and took a gulp. "Thanks. I'm all better now."
    "My surprise will be even better." Good. She didn't look quite so upset. "It's one surprise you won't want to miss."
    "If it involves you, I probably do."
    "It involves babies." He drawled out his words to emphasize the treat he offered.
    "I don't want to make babies with you."
    "You sure about that?"
    She blushed.
    "What I have in mind are newborn colts."
    "You got some hidden in your truck bed?"
    "Nah. Friend has some newborns that I'm