Read With This Ring (Denim & Spurs Book 1) for Free Online Page A

driver’s doors were side by side, each truck facing opposite directions, she’d not expected him to get out. He had and she’d become all too aware of how little room there actually existed between them.
    “Yes?”
    “Have dinner with me.”
    Words escaped her. In all honesty she wasn’t sure what to believe. The kiss she thought was a dream and now this? “You want to have dinner with me?”
    “I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.” He skimmed her with his gaze, an almost possessive gaze, and chucked her under the chin. “See you then.”
    She didn’t move as he drove away. “Strange days.” Finn noticed quite a few people watching her from across the street. “I think I should honestly consider never drinking again.” Opening her door, she climbed up and started the diesel before leaving the parking lot and heading back home to handle chores.
    “Care to tell me why Dustin Kane dropped by to pick you up, Finn?”
    She flexed her fingers around the shovel handle before stabbing it back into the large pile of sawdust in the corner of their indoor arena. Gripping the wheelbarrow’s handles, she answered her father. “He drove me home last night because I had too much to drink.”
    “Just like that?”
    She shrugged. “Just like that.”
    “Is he expecting something because he hired you?”
    So shocked by the question, she stopped and met her father’s gaze. “Like what?”
    “He’s a man. It wouldn’t be the first time a man gave a job to a woman with expectations.”
    Oh, she’d noticed he was a man all right. All man. “He’s been a perfect gentleman, Daddy.” Except for that kiss—although to be fair she could have initiated that. “You can always ask him when he picks me up for supper.”
    Oh how she wished to retract her flippant remark. Her father frowned before leaving, the crutches making slow going over the dirt.
    “I just might.”
    “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” she admonished herself as she took the wheelbarrow across the large arena and got back to work.
    She shoveled, raked, and sweated until all the stalls were cleaned and had fresh sawdust. Then she brought the horses in and gave them some feed, spending quality time with each. A late afternoon storm rolled in, and she was about to dash through it when her phone rang.
    “Finn.”
    “Hi, Finn, this is Jack Martin.”
    “Yes, sir.” Mr. Martin owned the dressage farm she’d also been working in Branchwater. “What can I do for you?”
    “I know it’s last minute, but Fool’s Gold threw a shoe. We leave before the rooster’s awake tomorrow for competition. Do you have time to come replace it tonight?”
    She glanced at her watch. “On my way.”
    After ensuring everything she needed resided in her truck, she told her father where she was going. On the road, she noticed the time and hoped she’d make it for supper with Dustin. She still wasn’t sure why he wanted to share a meal with her. Not sure why he kissed me either. Or let me kiss him, however it happened.
    At least the storm was short-lived and the sun had returned by the time she reached her destination. Jack met her as she drove up and parked at Golden Star Farms. Since she also worked there, she knew which barn housed Fool’s Gold.
    “Thanks so much, Finn.”
    She slammed her truck door behind her. “Not a problem.”
    “He’s all hooked up and ready for you.”
    “I’ll let you know when I’m done.”
    His smile was genuine as he walked away. She watched him depart. Jack, a very handsome man, had lost his wife a few years ago. Her father had called her about that. She’d sent flowers in lieu of attending since she just couldn’t get away.
    She turned from staring at him. Yep, she’d said handsome all right. He had silver at his temples, which enhanced his appearance. The man now lived with his sister-in-law and her children who also rode in dressage.
    “Good-looking man,” she muttered, dragging her gaze up the side of the barn before her. Now was