Free The Cowboys Heart 1 by Helen Evans Page A

“The oil…it’s a good thing, and I’m happy you found it.”
    “But?”
    “Is it safe?”
    I nodded and then shrugged. “For the most part. There are
some risks, but they’re minimal. It’ll be fine.” I studied him, realizing just
how worried he was about this. Maybe that’s all this was – worry. Maybe he
didn’t hate the idea or being here. “A representative from the gas company is
coming out here tomorrow to talk to me, to explain the process and the risks.
You’re welcome to stay home from school so you can be here if you want.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah.” I smiled, hoping he’d take me up on the offer. It
would do both of us good to have a mother son day. If he stayed home, I could
cook him his favorite breakfast like I used to, take him to lunch, maybe let
him buy a new video game before we had to meet with the gentleman about the
oil. “We can make a day of it if you want.”
    “Okay, I’ll let you know.” He gave me a half smile then went
up to his room.
    Well, it wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d hoped for, but it
was better than yelling at me and demanding to go back to the city. The more I
thought about it, the more I realized it was probably just his nerves making
him act the way he was. Once I got the information, I could share it with him,
and he’d see there was nothing to worry about.
    I set about making dinner, humming softly to myself, feeling
pretty good about the future when I heard the side door open. “Richard? Is that
you?”
    “No, it’s me,” Hudson said, entering the kitchen. He walked
up behind me, slid his arms around my stomach and kissed my cheek. “But if
you’d prefer to have your ranch hand in here with you, I’m sure I can go find
him.”
    Turning in his arms, I gave him a proper kiss. “Hmm, no,
you’ll do.”
    He laughed, the sound filling me with so much joy. “I’ll
do?”
    Giggling, I nodded, kissing him again. “Yeah, you’ll
definitely do.”
    “Good, because I’m not going anywhere.” He pulled me closer,
the evidence of his arousal pressing against me. If only we were alone right
now… “So,” he stepped back, clearing his throat, “how was your day?”
    “Oh my god! You’ll never believe what happened!” I led him
to the table and made him sit, then I divulged the details of my day – finding
the letter, calling the gas company, their offer. He sat silently until long
after I finished. When the moments ticked by and he still didn’t answer, I
said, “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
    He sighed. “I’m glad you’re excited, but do you really think
it’s a good idea?”
    I stared at him, stunned and hurt that he didn’t share in my
excitement. “Of course it’s a good idea. Why wouldn’t it be?”
    Hudson shrugged and avoided my gaze. “Just seems dangerous
is all.”
    I stood. “Well, it’s not.” What was with everyone being so
negative about this? Couldn’t anyone see how great this was? Sure, there were
risks, but there were risks with everything in life. I went to the counter and
finished putting seasoning on the steaks. Behind me, Hudson remained at the
table, not saying anything, the silence between us awkward and tense.
    “Do you even know what this entails? It’s not just you this
affects you know.”
    Spinning around, I glared at him. “And what does that mean?”
    “Our properties touch, Heather. And while the gas company
will stay on your property the noise and equipment and land disruption will
affect my animals, the operations of my ranch.” He stood and came over to me.
“And the Jennings… They’re on the other side of you. How do you think they’ll
react to this?”
    My jaw dropped as realization sunk in. The Jennings, now it
all made sense. Their desperation to buy the ranch, their scare tactics and
threats. They must have known about the oil, that was why they wanted the land.
They didn’t want it for the property or the house or the ranch. They wanted
what was beneath it. Oh, those