Free AdriannasCowboy by Savannah Stuart

Chapter One
     
    Adrianna Campbell grabbed another scarf and shoved it into
the side pocket of her overflowing suitcase.
    “Did you hear what I said?” her friend Lindsay asked.
    Holding her cell phone against her ear with one hand, she
grabbed a pair of boots from her closet. “Yes, I heard you but I’m not going to
sue them so forget about it.”
    “You should. Firing you without any notice after you worked
your ass off for four years is wrong. And all because you wouldn’t screw your
boss. Stupid fucker,” Lindsay muttered.
    Adrianna sighed as she folded another pair of jeans. “I know
but I was planning to quit soon anyway. Taking that sleaze ball to court is the
last thing I want to do.”
    “Fine, how about we trash his car then?”
    She chuckled. “Sometimes I can’t tell if you’re kidding or
not.”
    “Who’s kidding? Teach that jerk a lesson he’ll never
forget.”
    “Okay, no, because that’s crazy and I don’t want to end up
jail. Besides, this is going to be a good thing in the long run. I’ve already
called my dad and he’s excited I’ll be spending some extra time at home.” Even
though she only lived two and a half hours away, she hadn’t been home in four
months.
    Her dad might have an idea why she’d been avoiding Campbell
Ranch but if he’d guessed, he hadn’t let on. A year ago he’d rehired Sam
Blackwood so she’d made sure to schedule her visits around the cattle runs,
knowing she wouldn’t see Sam.
    “I’m going to miss you,” Lindsay said.
    “I know but I’ll call you when I get there, I promise.”
    “Okay, be safe.”
    After they disconnected, she gave her room one last glance
before rolling her suitcase down the hall and stairs.
    Her phone rang again so she fished it out of her purse. She
smiled when she saw the number. “Hey Dad, I’m walking out the door now.”
    “Adrianna, it’s not your father.”
    Her throat clenched at the intoxicating, familiar voice.
Somehow she made her throat work. “Sam? Why are you calling from my father’s
phone?”
    He sighed. “Listen, I don’t know how to say this but uh…your
dad….”
    “Is my dad okay?”
    “Shit, sweetheart… Your dad had a heart attack. He passed
away about ten minutes ago.”
    Her purse slid to the floor and she leaned against the wall
for support. “You’re wrong.”
    “I’m going to send someone to pick you up—”
    “No! I’m leaving right now.” Without waiting for a response,
she hung up the phone and shoved it in her purse. It continued ringing until
she made it to the highway.
    It was almost easy to tune out the sound but finally she
shut it off and turned the radio on low. Talking to anyone right now was
impossible. If she talked to Sam of all people, she’d start crying and then
she’d never make it home.
    * * * * *
    Sam Blackwood paced the length of the front porch and tried
calling Adrianna. Again. Went straight to voicemail. Again.
    Sighing, Sam scrubbed a hand over his face and headed back
inside. Even if he was annoyed with her, he sure as shit couldn’t show it when
he saw her. She’d just lost her dad. She might put on a tough façade sometimes
but he knew the woman would be hurting something fierce. Hell, everyone who
knew Jacob Campbell was hurting.
    The sound of a car door slamming stopped him. He rushed back
to the front door but before he made it, the door swung open. A gust of icy
wind blasted him but he could barely feel it as unexpected heat swept through
him.
    It was her . The woman he’d wanted for longer than he
cared to admit. Big blue eyes he remembered well stared at him with raw pain.
She had the type of eyes a man could drown in if he let himself.
    “Sam.” The ragged way she said his name tore at his heart.
    He took a few steps toward her, closing the distance between
them. He’d regret holding her later but for now he didn’t give a damn. Tears
spilled down her fair-skinned cheeks as she stepped into his arms and he fought
the guilt he experienced