Read Between Two Sisters (contemporary western romance novella) for Free Online

preferred to chase his women, not the other way around. As he watched her ride off until she was nothing but a speck on the horizon, he hoped he was right about his ability to handle her and keep it from blowing up in his face. His job depended on it.
    To his disappointment, she didn’t come visit him on the fence line again that day. He worked as long as he could, until the light began fading in the sky. It was good to keep busy. By the time he pulled his truck back into the drive at his little cabin, his confidence about taking Cass out on Friday night was swiftly waning.
    It had been an impetuous thing, asking her out like that. He knew all the reasons that he shouldn’t have, but out at the fence line, laughing in the sunshine with Cass, all he wanted was to see her again. Now he questioned his own judgment about it all.
    Too late now; he couldn’t back out of their date. He rubbed his temples and vowed it would be a one-time thing, and he wouldn’t sleep with her, no matter how tempting the offer was. He could take her out for a few beers, just to hang out together, and nothing more.
    His anxiety about Friday night left him tossing and turning in bed again that night. Unable to stand it another minute, he threw on a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt and headed out the door. No use staying in bed if he couldn’t sleep. He might as well go for a walk and visit Gobie.
    The fresh air and walk to the barn did him some good and helped him to clear his mind. He could date Cass, if he wanted to. They would just have to go slow. He was an adult, damn it, surely he could handle this without jeopardizing his job.
    As he approached the barn, he saw the interior lights were on. With a frown, he slid open the door and stepped inside, wondering who else was up at this hour. The aisle on his side was clear, so he crossed through the tack room to the other side and stuck his head out the door to see who was in there.
    It was Melanie. She was grooming her mare in the aisle, singing a quiet song to her while she brushed her. She was in flannel pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt, with her hair piled up in a knot on top her head.
    Billy watched her for a moment before stepping out into the aisle and clearing his throat to announce his presence.
    “What are you doing out here, at this hour?” he asked her as he approached her mare and patted her flank softly.
    “I could ask you the same thing,” she mused. “I couldn’t sleep, and the barn’s one of my favorite places, so I thought I might as well come out here. What about you?”
    “Couldn’t sleep either,” he shrugged. He tried not to notice how beautiful she looked, even as disheveled as she was.
    “I heard you’re taking Cass out this weekend.”
    “Does your father know?” he asked quickly. He wondered exactly how many people Cass had mentioned it to.
    Melanie threw her head back and laughed out loud. “Yes, he knows, and he’s fine with it. He knows you’re a good man, Billy. Don’t worry about it.”
    Relief flooded through him at the news that Mr. Haffner knew about his date with Cass, but didn’t mind. He was slightly embarrassed that Melanie knew though, and he chastised himself for caring. It didn’t matter; she had a man already.
    Melanie caught his eye. Her expression was solemn as she stepped closer to him. “I wish it was me instead,” she whispered.
    Billy’s breath caught in his throat when her words reached his ears. “But you’re with Marty.” His voice was husky and low, and his throat tight.
    “I know,” she replied softly, as she grasped his face i n her hands and drew him to her with a tender look.
    He knew he shouldn’t do it, but the years of yearning pent up inside him drowned out his common sense. He met her lips greed ily, but then reigned in his passion to allow her to set the pace of their kiss.
    It was gentle, and sweet, and everything he had dreamed of for most of his life. He rested one hand on the small of her back and pulled