Page 19 of Marrying a Cowboy

She nodded, trying to push down the feelings that had resurfaced from his close proximity. He gave her a strange look and then nodded toward thehouse.

“Let’s go, Mrs.Maverick.”

Still trying to control her emotions, Emma just nodded and followed afterhim.

He led her up the front steps and across the wrap around porch. A swing sat in the far corner and shifted in the breeze. It was like this whole place was straight out of amovie.

Austin pulled open the screen door. He reached out and turned the handle of the front door and then pushed it open. Some rock music could be heard coming from the back. Austin glanced over at her. “Sean,” he said, rolling hiseyes.

Emma just nodded. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say to that. She made her way into the small entryway and Austin shut the door behindher.

“You can leave your stuff here. I’ll introduce you to Sean and then once we kick him out, I’ll show you where your roomis.”

He led her through the house to the back where a small kitchen had a light on. A tall guy, probably six-five, stood at the stove singing loudly to the music blaring from the speaker next tohim.

“Sean, I’m back,” Austin said, dropping his keys in a bowl on thetable.

Sean just keptsinging.

“Dude, I’m back,” Austin said again, walking up and tapping Sean on theshoulder.

Sean whipped around, wielding his spatula like a sword. His blond hair stood straight up and his bright blue eyes danced when his gaze landed on Austin. “Hey, man! You’reback.”

Austin nodded and moved to turn the music down. They did some bro-handshake and then brokeapart.

Sean’s gaze met Emma’s and a confused looked passed over his face. “Who’s the girl?” he asked as he set down his spatula and wiped his hands on the towel that hung from the stove door. “Sean Petty,” he said, extending his hand and engulfing hers in ahandshake.

“Emma George—err, I meanMaverick.”

He stopped pumping her hand up and down to look over at Austin. “Is this your relative or were you gone way longer then itfelt?”

Austin shook his head and grabbed an apple off the counter. “That’s mywife.”

Sean sputtered as he whipped his gaze from Austin, over to Emma. “You know this loser isn’t rich, right? He’s as poor as the dirt—ouch.” He winced as Austin threw a fridge magnet athim.

“That’s not why she marriedme.”

Sean leaned in. “Then why’d you marry him? A pretty girl like you? You could have done so muchbetter.”

“We’ve got an arrangement. It’s not real. It’s what one would call afakemarriage.” From the corner of Emma’s eye, she saw Austin ready another magnet. “I’ve got a lot of these,” Austin said, waving his hand in Sean’sdirection.

Sean straightened and pulled Emma closer to him. She felt like a dwarf in hisshadow.

“Not when there’s a little lady around. Especially not yourwife.” Sean glanced down at her. “Excuse my friend. He doesn’t know how to be a gentleman. Us Pettys have gentleman bred into us. You let me know if he ain’t treating yougood.”

Emma laughed and nodded. She liked Seanalready.

“Hey, I whooped you in the third grade, don’t make me do itagain.”

Sean waved him off. “I was shorter back then.” He turned and grabbed Emma’s hand. “M’lady. I will bid thee farewell and leave you to your husband.” He stooped low in a bow and kissed the top of her hand. Then he straightened and shot her a smile. When he turned, he pointed at Austin. “See you bright and earlytomorrow.”

Austin nodded and gave him a small wave. Once the room fell silent, Emma’s laughter died down and she glanced around. The kitchen was modest. Decked out in some yellow daisy wallpaper that she doubted was even made anymore. It was homey. Like a grandmother. It didn’t fit the twenty-nine-year-old man living here. “How old is this house?” sheasked.

Austin shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Over a hundredyears.”

“It’s beautiful.” The real wood floors. The craftsmanship of the cabinets. Back when people took pride in what theydid.

Austin nodded. “Yeah. It’s been in my family for decades. I’m inheriting it from my grandfather. He inherited it from his father.” He rolled his hand out in front of him as if to indicate how the progressionworked.

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