Free Taking the Bull by the Horns, a Cascade Texas novella by MJ Fredrick

sharpened on a white horse trailer hitched to a battered blue Ford pick-up. And the long, lean cowboy with his arms folded over his chest, leaning against the fender. Her heart kicked hard, but she schooled her steps, excusing herself from her mother and grandmother to cross the lot toward him.
    He’d had his gaze on her since she walked out of the church but he only straightened when she was a car length away. She wanted to throw herself against him but was too aware of the entire town no doubt watching. His eyes flicked behind her, confirming her suspicions.
    “I thought you’d be on the road already,” she said, stopping a few feet away, close enough to smell him but not close enough to be tempted to touch.
    “I thought you might want to say goodbye to Angelina.” He inclined his head toward the far side of the trailer, away from the curious eyes of the congregation.
    “Yes, I would,” she murmured, her pulse picking up as she followed him.
    Once they were out of sight, he spun and caught her in a fluid move, scooping his hand under her hair and covering her mouth with his. Only a moment passed before she overcame her surprise and parted her lips, sliding her palms across his shoulders, pressing against him, wanting the feel of him against her.
    “I wanted to say goodbye,” he said, easing back just enough to look into her eyes, his fingers still threading through her hair.
    She tilted her head and smiled. “You said goodbye last night.”
    “That was last night.”
    “How did you know where to find me?”
    “I checked each of the churches until I saw your car.” He inclined his head toward her Toyota.
    Surprise and pleasure bubbled up in her. She hadn’t even realized he knew her car. They’d only known each other three days.
    “Who’s that with Gertrude?”
    She followed his gaze between the truck and the trailer to where Eleanor stood on the steps, in the same clothes she’d been wearing last night. Lavender hadn’t seen her bring in any luggage, but then, Lavender had other things on her mind.
    “My mother showed up last night.”
    He raised his eyebrows. “Not good news?”
    She sighed. “That remains to be seen. Usually, no.”
    He stroked his fingers down her cheek and kissed her again, slowly, regretfully. “I’ve got to go. I’ll be back in three weeks.” He released her and backed toward the cab of his truck. She folded her arms in front of her and watched as he drove off with a wave out the driver’s side window.
    And then he was gone and she was left to face the congregation, all lined on the sidewalk, watching.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    “You did get in late last night,” Gertrude chided when the three women filed into the house after a silent ride from church.
    Lavender rubbed a hand over her stomach as if that would relieve the tension tightening it. “You didn’t notice last night?” She was determined to remain casual as she walked to the fridge for eggs and sausage.
    “I didn’t realize you’d been making a fool of yourself with a rodeo cowboy.”
    Lavender bent to retrieve the cast iron skillet from the cabinet beneath the stove, struggling to find words to defend herself. Heck, why should she have to defend herself? “Why shouldn’t I have some fun?”
    “Having fun is one thing, but making yourself an idiot over a man is something else.” Gertrude gave her daughter a pointed look, which Eleanor ignored as she spooned coffee into the filter. “Has he promised he’ll be back?”
    This time, Lavender glanced at her mother. “I know better than to believe those promises.”
    “It’s different with a man, when sex is involved,” Gertrude said in the most matter-of-fact tone Lavender had ever heard her use.
    Lavender’s face heated. She did not want to discuss sex with her mother and grandmother. She never had in the past and didn’t want to start now, with the memory of Taylor’s touch so fresh.
    “Do you want breakfast or not?” Lavender clanged the pan