Free Loving You: A Cowboy Romance (Texas Hill Country Romance Book 1) by Mae Martini Page A

help with the heavy bag, moron,” Calista said sarcastically.
    Cord laughed as he put down the cake and fruit, then helped Calista place down the bag.
    “Sorry, darlin’, you looked like you had it under control.” He teased.
    “Yeah? And just how would you know what I looked like, you didn’t see anyone but Annie.” She teased back. “Annie didn’t make my famous wings for you, I did. I slaved all-”
    “Aww, C., you know I love you, sweetheart,” Cord said. “Thanks for the wings. You do make them soooo good.” He embraced her and kissed her forehead.
     
    Everyone busied themselves as they set up food and drink on the huge island in the middle of the kitchen while Cord said he’d be right back. He disappeared upstairs again.
    In addition to the wings, there was penne vodka, meatballs, and Annie’s favorite dish to make, eggplant parmesan.
    When he came back down, he was donning a black tank top and watched Annie as she was walking around the first floor, studying his home. He watched her hips sway in the white and baby blue skirt she wore. It was neat, it wasn’t too short, but enough so that it showed off her long, shapely legs. Legs he was dying to have wrapped around his waist in the worst way. She had on a baby blue, what do they call it, a bustier tank or something.
    Dan walked over to her and handed her a glass of wine.
    When did Dan get here ?
    Dan felt Cord’s eyes on him and turned around,
    “Hey, Cord,” he said as he stuck out his hand.
    Cord came over to them and shook Dan’s outstretched hand.
    “Hey, I didn’t hear you pull up.”
    “Me an’ Rory just got here. Dude, what the hell happened between you and Lisa’s dad?”
    At that question, everyone piled into the living room, where they were, to hear the explanation.
    “Fuck, I hate fuckin’ small towns. What’d you hear?”
    “Just that you basically called Lisa a whore,” said Rory with his hand stretched out. Cord shook it.
    “Hey, man,” Cord said in greeting, “Yep, I pretty much did, didn’t I?” He turned to Annie.
    She nodded her head.
    “You were there?” Jennie asked.
    “Yeah.”
    “Did he say anything to you?” Dan asked Annie.
    “Oh no, not really, he just called me a… what was that, Cord?”
    “A floozy,” he replied.
    “A floozy?” Jennie repeated.
    “Before, or after you called Lisa a whore?” Rory asked, addressing his question to Cord.
    “Before, which is why I didn’t hold back.”
    Cord and Annie filled them all in on the incident. Jennie was stunned that Cord pulled a rifle on Lisa’s father, but knowing Cord as the rest of them did, it didn’t faze them.
    Everyone started walking into the kitchen to grab something to eat. Cord grabbed Annie’s hand and held her back.
    “So what do you think?”
    “About what?”
    “My house?”
    “Cord, it’s beautiful. From the outside to the inside, it’s just simply beautiful. I’m finding myself a little bit intimidated to tell you the truth. I had no idea. At the risk of sounding naïve…, are you rich?”
    Cord chuckled, “No, I mean I live comfortably. I’m not lacking for anything... um, well… maybe there is something I am lacking,” he said as he swept his gaze over her.
    She mockingly rolled her eyes and smiled. “You’re such a charmer.”
    “What could I say, I see beautiful things and I must have them,” he said as he lifted his right eyebrow, grinning.
    She burst out laughing, “Hahaha, okay, George.”
    He cracked up “Seinfeld fan, too?”
    “Yep, one of my favorite shows of all time.”
    “Me too…. Seriously, I have a share in my parent’s ranch and I used whatever equity it allowed to buy and train horses. I love working with them and I actually found out, I’m good at it.”
    Annie nodded and he continued. “I make a lot of money and it has allowed me the affordability to build my home and furnish it. I’m not saying it’s easy, I work hard. I’m sure Calista told you I’m always working.”
    “Yes, she