Page 3 of Marrying a Cowboy

“Either way, Mr. Maverick, your thought process is a bit Neanderthal forme.”

Natalie was released, leaving them to stand together at the start of theaisle.

“Emma, Ididn’t—”

Before he could continue, the wedding planner nodded and Emma took a step forward. There was no way she wanted to stay hooked to this man for a moment longer. She didn’t need him to tell her she was beautiful and that a man would be interested in her someday. And she definitely didn’t need him to tell her that she was ugly and perhaps, she should just settle for an apartment full of cats and a crochetinghobby.

Vincent had broken her heart already, no need to open up old wounds. As she made her way down the aisle—practically dragging Austin with her—she attempted to ignore all the pity glances that were aimed in her direction. Frustration boiled back up inside of her. Why was being a single person so bad? Why did the world expect her to get married? She dropped Austin’s arm and made her way over to stand behindNatalie.

After Cara found her place behind Emma, the wedding march started and Shannon made her way down the aisle. Emma swallowed as she realized the answer to her questions. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she did want to get married. She did want to find that perfect guy. But, if she let her heart win out over her head, she’d be hurt again. And right now, she wasn’t sure she’d survive anotherheartbreak.

Chapter Two

Austin

The band’smusic carried through the open doors as Austin walked into the reception hall. He tugged at his collar and glanced around. Thankfully, the priest was not long winded and the ceremony lasted only a half hour. But it felt much longer when Austin spent the entire time trying to keep his attention from slipping over toEmma.

After her snappy wit and no-nonsense attitude, memories of her at the retreat came rushing back to him. Even though most of them were clouded with the foggy haze of alcohol, he remembered her. How could heforget?

And now she stood on the other side of the chapel with a strange expression on her face. Almost as if she was about to jump out of her skin. It made him wonder if him not remembering her was the only reason for her frustration—which she seemed to have a lot of. And for some reason, he wanted to askher.

When the wedding was over and they’d joined back up again, she’d barreled down the aisle where she promptly peeled off and he hadn’t been able to track her down since. He was hoping to explain himself and the idiotic response that had come from his mouthearlier.

Now at the reception hall, he spotted her. She was sitting at the wedding party table, talking with an elderly woman. It may have just been the lighting, but it seemed as if Emma’s face was growing redder and her look of desperation deepening. It made him feel sorry forher.

“Hey, man.” Thomas’ hand landed on Austin’s shoulder, drawing his attention away from Emma. “Thanks for coming on such shortnotice.”

Austin stuck out his hand and they shook. If only Thomas knew what he was saving Austin from, he’d be the one expecting a thank you. “Of course, buddy. Anything to help out an oldfriend.”

When he’d gotten the call last night to fly to New York, Austin jumped at the chance. Anything to get away from his ranch and the mess his life had become there. Even though the last time they’d talked was the retreat, nothing was going to keep Austin away. Running to New York seemed prudent when his whole town seemed only capable of casting pity stares at him. He couldn’t stand one morehang in thereora better girl is just around the corner. It only takes getting stood up once for a guy to realize that love wasn’t forhim.

“I’m sorry to hear about your grandpa,” Thomas said, nodding to a waiter who walked by him with a tray of champagne flutes. He grabbed two and handed one toAustin.

Austin moved to tell him that he didn’t drink anymore, but Thomas didn’t seem to notice. Not wanting to be rude, Austin took it from him anyway. “Thanks,” he mumbled. He’d inherited his grandfather’s ranch when he’d passed away, but his grandmother had given him the stipulation that he had to find a wife before it would become fully his. She didn’t want to see him waste away his future by hiding behind the rough life of arancher.

Thomas downed the champagne and then set the empty glass on the table where it was instantly whisked away by a passingwaiter.

“You’ve met Emma?” Thomasasked.

Austin’s gaze slipped back over to her. The older woman had left, leaving Emma alone. She was staring off into the distance. Her blonde hair was pulled up, accentuating the length of her neck and soft skin. Heat crept up his neck when he realized that he wasstaring.

“Hey, you okay?” Thomasasked.

Austin cleared his throat and turned his attention away from her. “Emma? Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. “We met a few years ago. At that retreat. She’s um. . . well, she’s something else, isn’tshe?”

Thomas snorted. “Oh, that’s right.” Then he leaned in. “Interesting is definitely one way to describeher.”

Trying to seem nonchalant, Austin leaned forward. He wanted to apologize to her, but wasn’t sure what he was getting into. Perhaps Thomas could give him some information. “What’s her storynow?”

Thomas grabbed a few appetizers from a passing tray and shrugged. “Her mom’s this journalist for the Times. Apparently writes the wedding announcements. Emma’s wanted to be a photographer for the newspaper but hasn’t gotten her chance, or something.” He wheezed and coughed as he pounded his chest. Austin moved to help him, but Thomas waved him away. “That’s just what Shannon’s told me. I’m not even sure if I’ve gotten it right.” He rasped as he grabbed another glass of champagne. “I should go mingle. Shannon’s going to kill me if she sees me just standing around.” He shoved the rest of the food into his mouth and clapped Austin’sshoulder.

Austin nodded and in a few moments, was standing there alone. He reached up and undid his bow-tie. The pressure around his neck lessened, helping him relax. This scene was not him. Before his grandfather had gotten sick, he was going to move to New York where he’d gotten a job at one of the top law firms. But he’d turned that down to stay back and help at the ranch. Maybe that’s why his grandmother was not giving up on the whole married stipulation. Even if she thought he’d gotten stuck, Austin knew that he’d picked the perfect life for himself. Animals were simple. They weren’t attractive bridesmaids who seemed to hatehim.

With the champagne glass in hand, he weaved his way through the crowd. He’d offer her a drink. That was a good ice breaker. Right? His heart pounded in his chest the closer he got. Emma had received her food but an older gentleman had stopped to speak to her. She kept nodding and glancing down at herplate.

“—he would just be so perfect for you. You know, you’re not getting any younger,” Austin heard the mansay.

“You know, I’m just not really looking for someone so young,” Emma said. Austin could hear the strain in hervoice.

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