Read Nothing Sweeter (Sweet on a Cowboy) for Free Online Page A

breeds occupied the twenty stalls: Arabs, Thoroughbred crosses, a Tennessee Walker, and most prevalent, the quarter horse, king of the West. By the time they’d worked their way back to the tack room, Aubrey had relaxed. Wyatt knelt at the door to her room, pulling a screwdriver and a small paper bag from his back pocket.
    “What are you doing?”
    “I’m installing a dead bolt and a slide lock.”
    She crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. “Oh, thanks. That’s thoughtful of you.”
    As he looked up, she was struck again by his golden handsomeness. “Don’t thank me. This is Max’s idea. It’s his concession to allow you to sleep out here. It’s more to make him feel better than out of necessity.” He must have seen her stiffen because he said, “Look, Bree, you’ll find it’s best to choose your battles with Max.”
    “Is that how you’ve gotten along with him all these years?”
    “No.” He bent to his task and screwed the plate in with more force than necessary. “This is my first trip home since I left when I was seventeen.”
    “Can you tell me something? Does Max have a problem with mankind in general, or is it just me?”
    Wyatt smiled up at her. “Both, I think.” His smile slipped. “You may want to give Max a bit of a break. He’s taken a lot of hits lately.” His gaze sharpened on her face. “One of the hits had auburn hair. Just like yours.”
    “Oh.” The revelation hit her brain like a punch. She, of all people, could understand loss of a dream.
    Wyatt looked back to the doorframe. “Don’t feel bad. There was no way you could know.”
    She hesitated to bring up the next subject, but she didn’t want to put it off. Besides, she’d already put one foot in her mouth—God knew, it was big enough for two. “I overheard you and Max in the mess hall this morning.”
    Wyatt’s neck turned red and the screwdriver slipped off the screw head.
    “This must be a stressful time for you.” His head came up. She touched his shoulder. “I just wanted you to know that I’m here, if you ever want to talk.”
    “Hello the barn!” A female voice drifted down the breezeway, announcing the first boarder of the day. “Anybody here?”
    “Well, that’s my cue.” Aubrey glanced into the tiny mirror and slapped on a baseball cap instead of trying to tame her unruly mane.
    Wyatt stood and slipped the screwdriver into his back pocket. “That’s Sue Phelps. Her horse is Winter Park, thebig Appaloosa. You’ll do fine, Bree. This will all be routine in no time.”
    She took a deep breath and got to work.
    The days of her new life flew by, filled with simple tasks: grooming, feeding, and getting acquainted with the horses. Aubrey enjoyed their individual personalities, even Trouble, Max’s bad boy. She saw through his testosterone-fueled fractiousness. All he needed was more exercise and something to distract him.
    If only his owner were so simple.
The brothers seemed busy as well, appearing at mealtime to bolt food, then disappear back into the house. Their overheard conversations were all business, but she sensed a fragile truce between them.
    Bree finished picking out the hooves of a mixed-breed bay belonging to an executive in town before picking up his empty water bucket.
    “Where
is
everyone?” A shrill voice shattered the late-morning quiet.
    Bree stepped out of the box stall and slid the door closed. A raven-haired woman in tight jodhpurs strode the aisle, a riding crop slapping lustrous knee-high riding boots with every step. Her white blouse exposed a generous swell of creamy cleavage. A man in a business suit trailed in her wake, fingers tapping an iPhone, one eye downcast, wary of the shine on his Toschi loafers.
    “Why isn’t my horse saddled?” The woman stopped and looked down her imperious nose at Bree. “And who are you?”
    Well, la-di-da.
“I’m Bree, the new groom. Can I help you?”
    “Jesus, this place changes grooms like I change lipstick.” She