Free Rio by Georgina Gentry

shoein’?”
    It would mean he could spend some time with the uppity beauty, but did he want to? She had treated him shabbily up to now. Maybe that was what intrigued him about her. He had plenty of women who were his for the asking, but the snooty girl who had had him thrown in jail was one he wanted to know better. “Senor, I might consider your offer. I have one vaquero who can keep my small ranch running for a while.”
    “Good.” Trace Durango pushed his hat back and smiled.“I like you, amigo. Would you consider havin’ dinner with me tonight at Delmonico’s?”
    “Senor Durango”—he made a dismissing, embarrassed gesture—“I do not have the clothes for a fancy place like that.”
    “Nonsense. I have a private table in the back and the food is very good.”
    “I have heard.” He was tempted. “Will we be alone?”
    Trace shrugged. “No, my ward will join us, Turquoise Sanchez.”
    “Oh?” He didn’t know for certain whether he wanted to face her sharp tongue. Suppose she told her uncle Trace about him abandoning her this afternoon? But the little vixen couldn’t do that without relaying what and whom she’d been out there with.
    “You sound hesitant.” Trace grinned.
    “She’s—she’s a great beauty.” Rio looked away.
    “She’s that,” Trace agreed, “but has the temper of a sidewinder.”
    “I agree.” Rio nodded. “Some man needs to take over.”
    “No man so far has had the
cojones
to do so,” Trace said.
    Rio smiled. “Maybe no
hombre
has been
loco
enough to want to. It would be breaking a mustang filly.”
    Trace looked him over, nodding as if in approval. “
Si,
I think I would like to have you join us for dinner. It would be amusin’. Shall we say eight o’clock at Delmonico’s?”
    Rio nodded. “Thank you, senor. I look forward to meeting your ward again.”
    Trace turned back to his buggy. “Speakin’ of which, she ought to be gettin’ home from shoppin’ and her luncheon about now. I should be gettin’ back.”
    Rio ought to let the little rascal get into trouble, but somehow, he didn’t want that to happen if she hadn’t returned to town yet. “Please, senor, I know you have a lot ofexpertise when it comes to beef and horses. Could I get you to look around my little ranchero and see what you think?”
    Trace shrugged. “You do me a great compliment, senor, but
si,
I would be happy to see your place, especially if there’s some
cerveza
at the house.”
    Rio grinned. “Beer cold from hanging in the well.” He nodded. “Let’s go!”
    With the little dog accompanying them, they headed for the barn farther up the road.
    Edwin finally returned and the farmer’s team pulled the buggy out of the mud. Edwin tipped the farmer handsomely. “There you are, my good man.”
    The old farmer shook his head and muttered to himself about “dudes” as Edwin helped the soggy Turquoise into the buggy, snapped the little whip, and headed back to town.
    “I’m so sorry, my dear. It was just an accident.”
    Turquoise shaded her face with her limp, dripping hat. “I just hope my guardian isn’t back at the hotel yet.”
    Edwin’s pale face turned even paler. “I hope not, too.”
    They drove at a fast clip back to the hotel, Edwin looking very nervous as he reined in out front and rushed around to assist her. “Do you think your guardian will be upset?”
    “Only if he finds out.” She stepped down.
    “I’d like to see you again.” He took her hand.
    “Send me a message,” she said, turned, and hurried into the hotel lobby.
    Fern was pacing the lobby and turned. “Oh, there you are! I was worried sick when you didn’t meet me for lunch.” She glanced down. “Is your dress wet? What …?”
    “Too much to tell. Have you seen my uncle?”
    Fern shook her head. “Was that Senator Forester I saw helping you out of a buggy?”
    Turquoise nodded with a conspiratorial grin. “Let’s go upstairs so I can change and I’ll tell you all about it.”
    “My