Page 11 of Cowboy Peril

Colt carried Parker’s purchases outside and put them in the trunk. He’d noticed the man watching her in the butcher section of the store, but a woman with her looks, dressed in clothes worth a regular person’s weekly wage, merited a second glance. When he spotted the man outside the store, he thought there might be more to his attention.

His eyes narrowed as the man darted across the street and ducked into the mercantile.

Colt stashed the groceries in the truck before leading Parker into the co-op. He wouldn’t grow too suspicious unless he saw the man again.

“Howdy, Colt. Willy called in the order, and it’s waiting out back for you.” The owner, Henry strained against the denim overalls he wore. “Do you need anything else?

“I need a new tool to shave the mule’s hooves, a couple of shovels—” he rattled off items destroyed in the barn fire. “Send the bill to the ranch, okay?”

Henry nodded, glancing to where Parker browsed the shelves of cowboy boots and hats. “She yours?”

“Hardly. She’s a new employee. Parker will be helping Mrs. White with the rooms.”

“Hmm. Doesn’t look the type.”

Parker set a pair of pink cowboy boots on the counter. “I’ll take these. Do you have a hat to match?”

Henry’s eyes widened. “Yes, ma’am. What about jeans? You’ll need some sturdy ones if you’re working at the ranch. Women’s duds are over there.” He jerked his thumb toward the back of the store.

“Do we have time?” She asked Colt.

He nodded, eying the hat Henry set next to the boots.Pink? He shook his head.

Parker returned with a plaid pink top with fringe, another one with pearl buttons, and two pairs of sturdy jeans. The jeanswere the only sensible items, in Colt’s opinion. Parker whipped out a credit card. “You do take credit, right?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Henry shook his head and rang up the items. “That it?”

“That’s it.” She grinned and hefted the bags he’d set on the counter.

Colt took them from her. “We’ll drive around back to pick up the things for the ranch.”

AT “I’m a cowgirl now.”

“Clothes do not a cowgirl make.” He set the bags with the groceries.

“I can ride as well as you, and now I’ll look the part.”

“Okay.” He wanted to quote her Gene Autry’s Cowboy’s Creed, but wisely kept his mouth shut, reciting it to himself.

Gene Autry’s Cowboy Code of Honor

A cowboy never takes unfair advantage—even of an enemy.

A cowboy never betrays a trust. He never goes back on his word.

A cowboy always tells the truth.

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