AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Brad Hill was the name on his original fake ID. The first chance to drive a stake into his share of the Hartmann legacy and put some much-needed distance between him and his father. Now, with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association championship on the horizon, a chance to make the name he’d chosen for himself was more important than ever. And the name he’d make famous? It wouldn’t be the one he’d garnered from dear old dad.
When asked, he’d offered the pseudonym by reflex, just shy of a decade ago when, as a runaway, he’d met Rodney “HotRod” McAllister. No looking back since. He’d now answered to Brad for so long, he wondered if on some level it wasn’t his real name.
Jackson nodded toward the bartender, a blonde inundated with drink requests. The flood of orders didn’t sway her. He slapped a ten on the table, waving away her offer of change. She’d earned it, and the last thing that motivated Jackson was a few bucks.
He supposed the boys were right to be jealous. It had been a big win tonight. A gold-buckle win and the purse to go with it. Of course, by the time HotRod took his cut, Jackson would be left with substantially less. That was their deal. At least, for now. Truth was, it didn’t matter much. Money only mattered to people who didn’t have any.
Tonight he was going to let the boys have their fun. In the meantime, he’d drink.
“Don’t you think it’s a little disgusting?” The voice insulting him was anything but. His ears perked up to an adorable Boston accent, chewing on the words and sounding delightfully foreign in this neck of the woods.
He shifted on his stool, spinning to address the mystery woman. He swallowed, suddenly dry-mouthed despite a generous sip of Scotch only moments earlier.
She was beautiful. Unconventional perhaps, but undeniably beautiful, red hair with strawberry highlights tucked behind dainty ears. “I beg your pardon, ma’am?”
“Ma’am? Now you break out the chivalry? Might be more effective if I hadn’t heard you discussing bets about women only moments ago.”
She was making fun of him. Her reproach wasn’t serious; at least, he didn’t figure it was. Large blue eyes sparkled at him, as though daring him to deny it.Too bad this one isn’t wearing apricot.
“As it happens, I’m particularly fond of women.”
The bartender placed a fresh drink in front of the woman, who smiled appreciatively.So she does have a soft side.As she reached into her purse Jackson waved her away, putting another ten on the countertop and offering, “Please, this one’s on me.”
Jackson watched as she picked out the straw, licked an errant drop of the minty drink from the tip and put it on the countertop.
“Straws are for children.” She shrugged, as though totally unaware of the way his body tightened in response.
“I’m Brad.” He extended a hand, hoping she’d take it.
“I’m Hannah.” She smiled at him. “Thanks for the drink.”
Hannah. She must be new to the circuit. He hadn’t seen her around, and she stuck out. A fish out of water, no denying it. True, she wore the standard uniform of blue jeans and a plaid shirt, but her shirt was oversized, looking more like a man’s shirt than a fitted top. She’d tied in a knot just above the waist of her jeans. She was curvy. Soft. Delectable. And precisely molded to his taste. Hannah wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat, but that megawatt smile? This wasn’t just another girl chasing the rodeo. Hannah wasall woman. It was hard not to appreciate her.
“That’s quite a smile,” he noted aloud. His observations served mainly to improve upon what he had falsely assumed was perfection.
“I’ve had a great day,” she admitted, taking a sip of her drink while keeping eye contact.
“How’s that?” It was difficult, not being drawn in by her smile.
A moment of shyness passed over her and she lifted her glass so quickly some of the drink spilled over the edge. Her eyes searched for a paper towel dispenser or cocktail napkin. Finding none, she lifted her glass and licked again, up the side of the cup. Then she caught his gaze and darkened to the same shade as her hair. “I had an interview today. A job I really wanted. It went better than I’d hoped.”
In an effort to look anywhere but at her knotted shirt, he stared at her drink. “Oh yeah, what’s that?”
Her blush was starting to fade and Jackson studied her face intently. She had a light sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of her nose.
“It’s not the job, so much as the opportunity. No one thought I could do it. Or that I shouldwantto do it.” Her chin jutted forward as though he had been a part of the offending “no one.” He swallowed, reckoning this little ball of fire could do pretty much anything she damn well set her mind to.
“So what’s a nice girl like you—”
“Doing in a place like this?” She laughed. “Obviously giving in to a lapse in judgment, accepting drinks from strangers.” She smiled again. Her good mood was infectious.
“Hey, I’m not a stranger, I’m Brad. Your new friend, Brad.”
“Ahhhh, so we’re friends now?” She looked him square-on, eyes widening under her raised brows.
“Sure.” He gave a slight shrug, fighting the niggling feeling of regret at having been friend zoned with such efficacy. He was losing his touch.
She leaned forward. “Well, that’s too bad.”
