Free That Night With the Rich Rancher by Sara Orwig Page B

had those take-charge ways that drove her nuts. Besides, he liked to play the field and never get serious. No, Tony was not for her.
    “One picture, Lindsay, just of you, so I can look and remember. Okay?” he asked, stepping away and taking her picture as she placed her hand on her hip and smiled.
    “We have to go. I need to get home,” she said, shouldering a delicate, jeweled purse that matched the straps on her dress.
    “Sure thing,” he said, taking her arm to walk her out to the car. As she slid onto the passenger seat, her skirt fell open and she glanced up to see him looking at her legs. She tucked her skirt around her while he closed the door and walked around to his side of the car.
    He was quiet on the ride to the hotel, and so was she. As he drew up to the front entrance a short while later, he stepped out and talked to a valet, then came around to escort her into the lobby. “I’m glad you were the high bidder. But I don’t want to say goodbye.”
    “We both know the weekend is over. Really over. Reality sets in now, Tony. As we’ve already agreed, it might be a little better than it was.”
    He nodded. “You take care.”
    “You, too. Thanks for a weekend that was worth my bid.”
    “That’ll go to my head. I didn’t dream I could bring such a price.” He smiled as he stepped away. “Goodbye,” he said, turning and walking out of the hotel.
    She stood watching him, unable to understand the feelings of sadness and loss as he walked away.

Four
    W hen he vanished from sight, she turned to go to her room to change to jeans and get her things to drive back to her real life at her ranch. She wished she had gotten a selfie for herself and then she laughed at herself. If she had, at the first ornery thing he did, she would have erased it. And she didn’t expect one weekend to change Tony’s alpha-male ways or his flitting from woman to woman.
    Even if he changed, which couldn’t happen, she didn’t care to break her rule about avoiding entanglements with cowboys and ranchers. Tony would be the last man on earth she would want to fall in love with because it would be disaster for each of them from the first minute. They were both ranchers, with clear ideas of how they wanted to run things and opposing ideas on most everything. Life with Tony would be a continual battle. Unless he retired and just stayed in the bedroom. That thought made her laugh out loud as she drove all alone in her car, heading west out of Dallas and back to her ranch.
    * * *
    Midmorning on Tuesday as Tony sat at his ranch desk and worked at his computer, trying to find Texas water sources, his phone rang and he answered to hear his brother Wyatt.
    “I thought I better call and see if you survived Saturday night. I heard you didn’t come home until Monday evening.”
    “Keane, my foreman, always knows how to get hold of me. You didn’t know I was worth so much money, did you?” Tony asked.
    Wyatt laughed. “You brought in a fortune at the auction. And it was all for a good cause, so thanks. You really contributed, but don’t let it go to your head. Even though this is bound to bring another slew of admiring females into your life.”
    Tony hadn’t thought of that. “Maybe, but there’s one thing I do know. I will never bet with you on saddle bronc riding events again.”
    Wyatt gave a belly laugh. “How’d the date with Lindsay go, bro? I was worried what she might want to do with you. I gotta tell you, I had no idea she could look like she did.”
    Tony recalled the blonde beauty who was such a surprise. “Lindsay’s looks sent me into shock, and once I caught sight of that red dress, the evening instantly improved. But you shouldn’t worry. We did fine together.”
    “I figured her looks would smooth things over. Don’t know if you know yet, but the two of you are all the gossip in Verity and in the sheriff’s office. I’ve been asked more than a few questions. I think around my office, they’re waiting for