Free Cowboy's Pride (Welcome to Covendale Book 1) by Morgan Blaze Page A

tomorrow.
    He’d pled exhaustion and headed home pretty soon after Cam left. Sydney was tired herself, but she wasn’t ready to go. Hanging out with Luka helped her calm down.
    Luka picked at the plate of nachos on the table and glanced at the door for the millionth time, while Sydney pretended not to notice her looking for Reese. Then she sighed. “What am I going to do with you, girl? You defended Cam Thatcher. Your mortal enemy. I don’t know what to think now.”
    “Neither do I.” Sydney’s third drink was almost gone. She drained the rest of it and shoved the glass off to the side. “Luka…what if we’re all wrong about him?”
    “Okay. Now you’re scaring me.”
    “I’m serious,” she said. “Didn’t you see how everybody acted when he came in here? Like he was a disease they could catch if he got too close.”
    Luka snorted. “That’s because he’s a big, walking asshole.”
    “See what I mean? Everybody thinks that.” She frowned. “You should’ve seen Jim Wyatt talking to him. And Kenny at the garage, earlier today. It was awful.”
    “Syd.” Luka suddenly looked serious. “He threatened to shoot your fiancé. Remember?”
    She shook her head. “That wasn’t a threat. It was more like…I don’t know. Wishful thinking, maybe. I just can’t believe he’d really shoot anyone.” At least, not after everything he’d done for her lately.
    “All right, I give up. You’re crazy,” Luka said. She glanced at the door again—and did a double-take. Her eyes got huge. “Oh my God,” she said in a loud whisper. “He’s here. Do I look terrible? Be honest.”
    Sydney couldn’t help grinning. “You look great.”
    “Well, I feel terrible. Or maybe awesome. I can’t tell.” Luka drew in a shaky breath and stood. “Okay, I’m gonna go say hi. I’ll be back in a few minutes, all right?”
    “Don’t come back.” Sydney got up too. “You hang out with Reese. I think I’ll go over and surprise Tommy.” He only lived a five-minute walk from the bar. Even if he was too tired to fool around—and she wasn’t sure she had the urge anymore—she could crash there and have him drive her home in the morning.
    “Sanity returns.” Luka stepped over and hugged her. “Wish me luck?”
    “You don’t need it.”
    “Right.” She rolled her eyes, waved and headed for Reese.
    Sydney slipped out of The Klinker and managed to avoid talking to anyone. It was still a balmy night, but a slight breeze kept the moisture from settling and felt delicious against her overheated skin. She walked slowly, trying to let her mind clear a little. It didn’t help that she’d already drank more than usual, including half the cocktail Tommy had bought her.
    By the time she got to his place, a second-floor apartment above a strip of boutique stores on the town’s main street, she felt a little better. More in control. There were still a few things she wanted to talk to him about, but they could wait until morning.
    She’d also resolved to apologize to Cam somehow, before the wedding and her permanent ban from the ranch. He probably wouldn’t accept it. But at least she’d feel better about it—well, she hoped so, anyway.
    She walked up the stairs, digging her keys from a pocket. Tommy had given her a key months ago, but this would be the first time she’d used it. No light shone from under his front door. If he was already asleep, she’d just crash on the couch. She unlocked the door and opened it as quietly as possible, then closed it gently.
    Inside, the only light came from the bedroom hallway. She was glad he was still awake at least, so he’d know she was here. She started down the hall—and froze when she heard laughter.
    Female laughter.
    Sydney’s stomach churned crazily. She couldn’t have heard that right. Maybe he was watching a movie or something…but he didn’t have a TV in the bedroom. She started moving again, slowly, holding her breath and listening for some sign that she was