Page 5 of Come Home to the Cowboys

Preston glared at him. “No, I don’t. This ranch has really nice grasslands with rolling hills, perfect for cattle. Why divide up the land and sell small parcels to homeowners who will soon learn they don’t like living where pizza can’t be delivered.”

The man grinned a cocky smile that made Preston want to punch him.

“For the money, of course,” Jim said. “It’s all about the money.”

A growl came from the horse stall and Preston knew it wasn’t an animal but Colby. The man was close to the breaking point, worried about losing his job and hating the fact that the Parkers who had taken in a convict and helped him find room and board and a decent wage were now gone.

It was time for the man to go. “Good afternoon, Mr. White. Don’t let the barn door hit you in the backside on your way out.”

The man knew he had gotten to them and his grin grew even wider.

“Enjoy the land while you can,” he told them. “Because soon, you’ll be drawing unemployment checks.”

Colby jumped up, and Preston knew if the devil didn’t leave now, he’d soon have a black eye. Seeing the expression on Colby’s face, Mr. White hurried out of the barn.

Once the door closed, a groan came from Colby. “Greedy son of a bitch. I’d like to take him behind the woodshed.”

Unfortunately, Preston felt the same way. Glancing at his friend, he shook his head. “Let’s just hope the new owner doesn’t agree with him and decides to keep the ranch. That would definitely ruin all his plans.”

“From your lips to God’s ear,” Colby said. “Now I’m going to head to town to get us that beer and run by the post office. Oh, and pick up two juicy hamburgers.”

Preston grinned. “I’ll be here waiting. Maybe we can watch a new episode of Yellowstone. I’m dying to know what happens next.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’ll be back soon,” he said, walking out of the stall. Colby picked up his cowboy hat and headed toward the door.

“Colby,” Preston said, hoping his friend knew better, but just wanting to warn him all the same, “leave Mr. White alone. Let the lawyers and the new owners figure out what to do.”

With a sigh, he opened the door, letting a beam of sun light up the space. “Not even that asshole is worth going back to prison for.”

CHAPTER3

After Colby pulled into the lot of the local grocery store, he parked his Harley and then climbed off the bike, pulling off his helmet and locking it down. The motorcycle had been his one and only extravagant purchase since he’d gotten out of prison two years ago.

Even a bad boy needed something to keep him going. Some kind of incentive to keep the demons at bay.

He ogled the sight of a dark-haired woman in a pair of jeans clinging to her well-defined bottom and long legs walking into the store. The swing of her ass left him breathless.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” he said out loud to himself.

His body hardened at the sight of her, his breathing becoming shallow, and he groaned.

How long had it been since he’d noticed a woman in town? Hell, since he’d noticed a woman, period? Too long.

Maybe he needed a little diversion from the tension at the ranch. Would she be willing to spend a little time with him beneath the sheets?

Never before had he been so attracted to a woman. Sure, he’d seen women in town, but not like this. This woman had his heart racing and his balls tightening.

The traffic noise from the street didn’t even penetrate his brain as he walked across the parking lot, only knowing that he had to follow her inside. See if he could catch a glimpse of her face. Her eyes. Her lips. Her breasts.

He hurried into the bustling store, racing up to talk to her. Just as he reached out to touch her shoulder, she stopped and bent over to pick up something and he ran smack into the back of her, his jeans-clad penis sliding against her tight pants.

A rush of desire swept straight through him to his cock and his heart. Dear God, what was he doing?

“Oh,” she said, standing and turning, her large emerald eyes flashing annoyance.

“Sorry, ma’am,” he said. Damn, he’d probably frightened her, and she now thought of him as some sexual pervert. Maybe he was, but he’d enjoyed the feel of her buttocks against his cock.

Her emerald eyes flicked over him and he smiled, wanting to know more about this woman. There was something about her slim figure, full breasts, and shapely ass that had him harder than a softball in a baseball cage.

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