Read Her Bucking Bronc for Free Online Page B

cousins, as well as the most taciturn, he’d acted like a cop since he was three years old. No one ever expected him to be anything but a lawman.
    He lived alone, ate alone, and the only time she saw him with other people was during family functions. She loved all her cousins, but Kyle made it hard to know him.
    “Hey.” She walked up beside him and smiled.
    “Hannah.” He nodded but didn’t take his gaze from the construction workers who were cleaning up for the day.
    “Are you here to check on the progress?”
    “I had a noise complaint.” Kyle’s Texas drawl snuck out when he said more than one syllable.
    “From who? It’s a construction site!” She huffed out a breath. “What kind of asshole would call about the noise?”
    “It was anonymous.” Kyle finally looked at her. “I’m glad you’re rebuilding it.”
    She momentarily forgot about the anonymous asshole and took her cousin by the arm. “Thank you! You’ll come in for opening day right? I’ll have biscuits.” He always had a soft spot for her baked goods.
    “I wouldn’t miss it. As long as I’m not on duty.” He pushed his hat back, revealing those gorgeous whiskey brown eyes he inherited from his mother.
    “Good. I want the whole family there.” She squeezed his arm.
    “I’m glad to see you off the ranch. Dax says you haven’t left much.” He never had a problem in being blunt. They had that in common.
    “No, but I’m here now.” She knew her cousin was showing he cared, but it irked her to have yet another family member point out her hermit ways. “Do you have dinner plans?”
    “On duty.” He patted her hand. “Whatever noise was going on, it’s within acceptable limits.”
    She shook her head. “Roger that, Deputy Blackwood.”
    “Is there a problem?” Dylan’s voice cut through the air.
    Kyle straightened up, the alpha male in him coming to the surface. “I’m investigating a noise complaint.”
    Instead of being annoyed or angry, Dylan nodded. “I appreciate that you took it seriously. Many cops would have ignored it.”
    “I don’t ignore complaints.” Kyle sounded as serious as a heart attack.
    “Good to know. Anything we need to do?” Dylan asked.
    “No, sir. I’ve established there is no infraction occurring here.” Kyle nodded at Hannah then returned to his car.
    “You about done reviewing the plans?” Dylan turned to Hannah and put his hands on his hips. His tone was neutral, but there was an undercurrent of something she couldn’t identify.
    “Yep, I am. I, well, that is, they look better than I thought they would.” She didn’t mean to sound petty, but the words tumbled out in a rush before she could stop them.
    “Ah, I get it. You weren’t the one who hired me, right? Why would you expect a hick like me to do a good job on your slick restaurant?” This time Dylan didn’t wait for an answer. He spun on his heel and stomped to the construction trailer.
    Hannah should go home and see to supper. But she stood there with the cat winding itself around her legs like an infinity symbol. She never intended for most of what came out of her to actually exit her lips, but it did anyway. That was one glaring reason why people thought she was a bitch.
    She owed Dylan an apology. Giving it wouldn’t be fun. If she was going to pull herself back into living again, she needed to start by acting like an adult.
    Of course, it would be nice if there were an adultier adult to apologize to.
    Hannah squared her shoulders and walked toward the construction trailer. Just as she reached it, the door banged open and she jumped backwards to avoid being hit. Dylan poked his head out and scowled.
    “I thought you’d be gone.”
    She shook her head, looking for the balls to do what needed doing. “I, uh, need to say something.”
    “If you’re going to fire me, get on with it. I don’t have time for bullshit.” A muscle twitched in his jaw.
    “I’m not going to fire you. I was trying to apologize.”
    He