Free How to Rope a McCoy (Hell Yeah!) by Sable Hunter Page A

Cato?”
    “Yes,
Cato, Cato Vincent.”
    “I’m
Heath McCoy.”
    “I
know.” When he raised a quizzical eyebrow, she explained with another slow lick
to her lower lip. “You have the look of a McCoy…and your sisters came to
introduce themselves to me.”
    Her
announcement was like a splash of cold water to his face, as arresting and
riveting as a cup of punch.
    Nope—not gonna happen.
    Enough
was enough. He would not end up being manipulated by his matchmaking sisters.
“Look, I need to go.” He eased back from her. “It was very nice to meet you,
but I need to say goodnight and goodbye.”
    “What?”
Cato didn’t know what had happened. “I thought we were getting to know one
another…making a connection? And don’t ever say goodbye. Saying goodbye is bad
luck.” Thoughts of Tessa ran through her mind.   
    Heath
held up his hand as if to ward her off. “You’re a very beautiful woman, Cato
Vincent. It was nice meeting you and I wish you well.”
    The
sting of rejection almost paralyzed her. “Okay. I understand.” But she didn’t.
Cato wanted to ask him why—was it her looks, something she said? But shouts and
people moving around drew their attention away from the awkward situation.
    People
were holding up glasses and smiling. “What’s going on?” she asked a woman
standing near her.
    “Libby
had her babies! Colt and Jordan McCoy have arrived!”
    After
that, everything went crazy.
     
    *  *  *
     
    When
the party was over, Cato looked for Heath, but she didn’t find him. Living as
close as she did, staying at the ranch hadn’t been necessary. So, soon after
saying goodbye to Savannah and Harley, Cato couldn’t put off the inevitable any
longer. Touching her lips, reliving the kisses he’d given her, Cato began
walking toward her jeep.
    A
figure dashed in front of her, effectively halting her forward progress. When
she focused, it was Ryder, Heath’s sister. “Wait a minute.”
    “Hey,”
Cato said shyly, wondering if Ryder had seen the quick kiss Heath had given
her.
    “I
wanted to talk to you before you left.” Ryder was careful to keep in view of
Cato’s eyes, apparently having picked up on the fact Cato was deaf, when her
brother had missed it.
    “Okay,
sure.” 
    “We’re
having a BBQ next weekend. We have it every year at the same time. It’s a
tradition. You’ve got to come.” From the expectant look on her face, Cato knew
Ryder could sell ice to Eskimos.
    “I
just moved in, I don’t really have a lot of time…” Cato began, but Ryder didn’t
give her time to finish.
    “Everybody
is coming, except maybe Libby and the babies, and Isaac and Avery who will
still be on their honeymoon.” She motioned one of her brothers over. “This is
Philip. Philip, tell Cato we’d love to have her come to the BBQ.”
    “Sure.”
Philip looked at his sister and knew to fall in with the program. Cato almost
laughed at the sibling manipulation. “We’d love to have you.”
    After
everything that had gone on today, Cato doubted whether or not this would be a
good idea. Never one to beat around the bush, she took the bull by the horns.
“I’m not sure your brother Heath would appreciate you inviting me.” She looked
around again, as they did—Heath was long gone, which spoke volumes to
Cato. 
    Ryder
leaned in conspiratorially. “Don’t give up on Heath, Cato. We’ve been worried
about him. He works so hard. He never takes a break. He puts all of us first
and he hasn’t been lucky in love.”
    “Wait,
wait.” Cato held up her hands. “Your brother has no interest in me. He as much
as told me so earlier.”
    “Look,
we won’t do any type of matchmaking. I just want you to come for the weekend
and stay as my guest. Whatever happens between you and Heath will be strictly
up to you and Heath.”
    “Well…I
don’t know.” She was torn. Cato would’ve liked to know why Heath had been hot
one minute and cold the next. If it was because she was deaf, she wanted