Read Sweet Texas Fire for Free Online

“Jack Cooper was a wily old bastard and I loved him, even though I hadn’t seen much of him since I left high school. Gavin and I used to compete with each other academically in high school. Jack saw it, and sometimes he would encourage me to challenge Gavin because he knew it would make his son work harder. He had a backward method, and maybe he saw something we didn’t see as kids. Anyway, it’s because of the house that Gavin and I reconnected again. Sorry if I shocked you with my laughter—it’s because I know Jack is looking down on us with a big smile on his face.”
    Jack had left Macy a house? And he’d left her a piece of land. Should she mention that to Macy or not? If she did, would Macy think the same as Gage, that she’d tricked Jack into making her a beneficiary of his will?
    She’d keep her inheritance to herself for a little while longer.
    They ate their meal, making small talk about general things. Macy seemed so down-to-earth for a country star, and the people of Sweet Ridge let her eat in peace. Maybe because she grew up in town they weren’t as star struck by her.
    “So, are you a big country-and-western music fan, Charlotte?”
    “Ahh, not really. I don’t listen to it much. Sorry.”
    Macy chuckled. “It’s okay. You either love country music or you don’t. I won’t hold it against you.”
    “Thanks.” Charlotte pushed her plate forward. “I swear if I lived here, I would put on so much weight. Betty Lou’s fried chicken is the best.”
    “Tell me about it. I’ve had to make sure I keep up with my exercising, otherwise I’d be stacking on the pounds, too. I’m a judge on
America’s Next Country Star
, and we’ve just started filming again. The cameras add pounds.” She laughed as she said it. “Have you had Betty Lou’s donuts? I swear I tried every donut shop in Nashville to find something that tasted half as good as Betty Lou’s with no luck.”
    “Yep, I have and I’m addicted to them, too. I’m thinking of getting some to take back to the hotel with me so I can have them for breakfast.”
    “Well, make sure you get one of the orange-flavored ones. They are to die for.”
    Not wanting to offend Macy, she nodded. “I’ll have to do that.”
    Charlotte slid out of the booth. “It’s been great meeting you, Macy. Maybe I’ll see you again this weekend in my travels.”
    “Oh no, girl, you can’t leave yet. Betty Lou would take me to task if I let you go back to a lonely hotel room. You’re coming with me to the Silver Spurs.”
    The last place Charlotte wanted to be was anywhere near Gage Cooper. Although, would he act differently in a relaxed, non-work environment? Would he let his animosity toward her show, or would he be pleasant in front of his brothers?
    As much as she was tempted to throw Gage off-balance by turning up at the local watering hole, she thought better of it. She had to set up a meeting with him or at least call him to let him know that selling the land wasn’t a possibility now.
    “Thanks for the invite, but I don’t want to intrude.”
    “Oh, girlfriend, trust me, you won’t be intruding. Besides, I won’t take no for an answer. So let’s get your donuts, drop them off at your hotel, and then go to the bar.”
    Did she really want to spend the night alone in her hotel room? And who said she had to stay and hang around with Macy and the Cooper boys all night? She might find herself a cute cowboy to hang out with. Maybe she wouldn’t need the work-sponsored green card after all. She could fall in love with a Texan and get married instead.
    Charlotte laughed out loud at the absurd thought.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Nothing, just letting myself think pie-in-the-sky thoughts. But okay, I would like to see the Silver Spurs and spend some time with you. Thanks, Macy.”
    “You’re welcome. It’s going to be fun. Trust me.” A wicked gleam entered Macy’s eye.
    What had she just agreed to?

CHAPTER 5
    Gage eyed the multicolored