Read Welcome To My World (Hell Yeah!) for Free Online

landslide up that way, took out a whole community. We found some survivors, though, so it was worth it.”
    “Well, I’m just glad you’re home. We need you here.” At that proclamation, George gestured toward a seat. “Let’s have coffee and let me tell you about these two jobs, then you can go call that little girl who’s got your boxers in a knot.”
    “How’d you know?” Bowie stared at his friend. There was no use denying it, thoughts of Cassie had plagued him almost constantly.
    “Hey, I picked you up from the airport and drove your butt home.” George shoved his cap on his head. “You talk in your sleep, Romeo.”
    Hell.
    After a few hours of listening to George talk about drillers mud and pond liners, Bowie was ready to call it a day. Besides, he had something important to take care of, a phone call he needed to make. After seeing his partner off and giving him a message for his uncle, he locked up the shop and headed for the house. Malone Earthworks was situated only a few hundred yards from his home. The sun was beginning to set and the canvas of colors that spread out over the sky made Bowie thankful for life. He let his eyes rove over his property, from the log house he’d built with his own two hands to the rolling green pastures which framed the front section of the camp. He ran a few hundred head of cattle and several dozen horses which he took care of when he could, but the main responsibility for the livestock he hired out to the Edgar brothers who lived next door. A chorus of barks and meows met him as he made his way up on the porch. “Who’s hungry?” He waded between jubilant little bodies. Everybody wanted a hand-out and everybody wanted some petting. Even Petunia. People questioned his devotion to his menagerie but Bowie didn’t care. People who didn’t like animals couldn’t be trusted. Rushing without neglecting anyone, he filled bowls, checked water and scratched behind a dozen ears. “I got to get in the house now. I’ll check you guys later.”
    Making his way into his home, Bowie chunked his Stetson over to one side and decided to shower while he came up with a plan. Cassie’s place was just down the road a few miles but he didn’t figure she’d welcome him just dropping in. The fact that he didn’t have her phone number irritated the crap out of him. What had he been thinking? As Bowie mulled over his mistakes, he shucked his clothes and headed for the bathroom. Maybe the hot water would help him come up with a strategy.
    Stepping under the refreshing spray, Bowie let his mind travel back to the night he’d met Cassie. Why couldn’t he forget her? For him, wanting to contact her was about more than just returning her bracelet. It was also tied up with the look of desolation on her face, the hopeless shadows that had clouded her eyes after he’d asked her to dance. Hell! What was he going to do? Every word they’d said to one another—the teasing, the banter, the conversation—came pouring back through his mind. And then it dawned on him. Circle C Candles. Bowie laughed. “Now, I know how I’ll get in touch with you.” Rinsing the soap from his body, he ignored his erection. He’d been ignoring it for days. Every time he thought of Cassie, he got hard and Bowie refused to do anything about it. Maybe after he saw her today, he’d get her out of his system and get on with his life. Maybe.

    *  *  *

    “Almost done here and then you can watch The Good Wife ,” Cassie mumbled, making a promise to herself as she lowered the fire on a pot of wax. Thank goodness for the DVR. She had splurged and allowed the cable company to install one. “I just hope the Amazing Race didn’t run overtime this week and mess up my recording.” Suddenly the fact that she was having a running conversation with herself hit Cassie with a wave of sadness. She was lonely. Resentment rolled up her spine like fire. Why did the accident have to happen? Why her? Tears cascaded down her