Read Wyoming Sweethearts for Free Online Page A

a date.” She grimaced in good humor. “Yikes. We probably don’t want that. I’ll get mine, you get yours.”
    “Wow, I guess I know where I stand,” he quipped, following her down the breezeway.
    “I’ve been on a lot of first dates lately. Did I sound defensive?”
    “Only a little.” He was glad to be with her. Eloise was fun and interesting. He was looking forward to finding out exactly how much.

Chapter Four
    “T hank you, Sierra.” Eloise lifted the iced coffee from the silver tray and took a cooling sip. Across from her on one of the inn’s comfortable porch swings, Sean did the same.
    “That engagement ring looks good on you,” he told the waitress.
    “Thanks. It’s taken some getting used to.” Sierra blushed rosily. Happiness radiated from her as she admired the impressive diamond on her left hand. “We have finally agreed on a July wedding.”
    “This is news.” Sean leaned back, stretched his legs out and crossed them at the ankles. He was an interesting man to watch, all long, lean lines, strength and old-West charisma. “Tucker said you wanted to make sure not to interfere with Autumn’s wedding next month.”
    “More like in three weeks. Haven’t you noticed the flurry over it? You live in the same house.” Sierra shook her head merrily as she padded away, off to wait on the Neilsons who were at the far end of the porch, holding hands and talking intimately.
    “A bachelor tries to ignore all conversations, activities or magazines with the word ‘wedding’ inthem,” Sean quipped as he sipped at his coffee. “Self-preservation.”
    “Typical. I suppose you’re the carefree-bachelor type. Never one to settle down.” He was handsome enough to have his pick of women. “You probably left a dozen broken hearts behind when you moved here.”
    “Only one.” His grin didn’t lessen but the shine inside him did. His personality dimmed like a cloud passing before the sun. “And I didn’t leave it behind. I brought it with me. It was mine.”
    “Yours?” He didn’t look like a man with a broken heart. He certainly didn’t act like one, not with his charm and easy humor. When she looked closer, emotion worked its way into the corner of his eyes, leaving attractive little crinkles. Perhaps he wasn’t as easygoing as she first thought. She gave the swing a little push with her foot, setting it into motion. “Are you sure you weren’t the one who did the breaking?”
    “I was probably responsible for it.” His confession rang low with truth and sincerity. He gave the appearance of a tough, untouchable man but she suspected his feelings ran deep. His grin was gone along with his easygoing manner, replaced by a solid realness that was attractive and manly. He swallowed hard before he spoke again. “I landed a good job at a software company. I was in management overseeing this great project, but I wasn’t happy being trapped indoors all day.”
    “That can be hard for a country boy.” She could picture it.
    “I worked long hours, not that I mind hard work. I liked being a programmer, but I didn’t love it. When Uncle Frank called on my birthday in February, I admitted to him that I would rather be in a saddle all day. That he had my ideal life.”
    “And he offered you a job?”
    “He did. Temporary to start. To test the waters, he said, but I think he didn’t want to upset my dad too much.” He shrugged, glancing over his father’s disappointment. He took another pull on the straw, letting the cool settle across his tongue and glide down his throat. It helped wash away the tough feelings he was trying to avoid. “I gave my notice and talked my folks into seeing the positive side of this. I was really psyched. Uncle Frank has a lot of land and livestock. This is a good opportunity for me to do what I love for a living. It was my decision that changed everything.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “A special someone didn’t want a blue-collar ranch hand for a husband.” He