Page 38 of A Cowboy's Heart

“Nope and quit asking me to.” She shooed him away and went back to work.

He shook his head and glanced around then strolled to where Jaxon stood, leaning against the wall.

“You okay, Jax?”

“Yeah. I’m just taking a break. Josie runs me ragged.” He grinned.

“She’s almost as bad as Rosita,” Devin said laughing.

“Oh, hell. No one is that bad.” Jaxon shook his head but grinned. “We lucked out with those two.”

“I agree. Shouldn’t the band be here?” Devin glanced around.

“They are. I saw them pull up a few minutes ago. Don’t panic, you’ll be able to dance with her.”

Devin spun around and narrowed his eyes. “Who?”

Jaxon burst out laughing and folded his arms across his chest. “Come on, Dev. I’m not stupid.”

“It doesn’t matter. Willa keeps telling me she’s leaving at the end of the month and the age thing won’t die.”

“She’s hung up on being older than you?”

“Yeah, big time. I really don’t care one way or the other, Jax but she thinks I’d eventually leave her for a younger woman. Just like her ex did.”

“I see. I can see how hard it would be for her to trust another man and especially a younger one. She probably believes the older she gets, the more you’d want a younger woman.”

Devin folded his arms and leaned back against the barn wall. Glancing around the room, he spoke without looking at his brother.

“I’ve never gotten involved with a guest. Never. But yet the minute I saw her, I wanted her, and I can’t seem to stay away from her. I know it’s going to hurt when she leaves.”

“Then don’t let her.”

He blew out a laugh in response to that suggestion. “I don’t think there’s anything I can say to make her stay.”

“Not even that you love her?”

Devin glared at him. “Who says I do?”

Jaxon glanced away from him and back. “Just a hunch.”

He slapped Devin on the shoulder and moved toward the stage where the band was beginning to set up.

Hell!If Jaxon could see he was in love with Willa, why couldn’t she? No, he doubted that. It was probably just the connection he and Jaxon shared. Twins have a bond, and he knew it was true. When Jaxon had been hurt two years ago, he had known the minute it happened, and it scared the hell out of him. He’d been here in Montana and Jaxon had been in Idaho Falls. When the phone rang, he’d known it was bad news even before he picked it up.

Striding over to Josie, he wanted to see what else she needed to be done. She smiled up at him and told him everything was set except the bar and it was being worked on. The dance was to say farewell to guests leaving and a way to thank them for their patronage. The buffet sported all types of food from sandwiches and barbecue to steak. The bar served anything and everything—mixed drinks along with all kinds of beer and ofcourse, Callahan Irish Whiskey. Those who weren’t leaving yet were more than welcome to attend and most did.

Devin hoped Willa showed up. He wanted to hold her on the dance floor, smell her shampoo, and feel her soft skin.

By eight thirty, the barn had begun to fill up with guests. Some sat at the tables to stake a claim while others headed for the bar or buffet. He didn’t see Willa anywhere, but he knew the minute Rocky entered because the crowd stared in his direction. He made his way through the crowd to where he stood beside Jaxon.

“Hey, guys. You two look like you’re holding up the wall,” Rocky said smiling and looking around.

“We are,” Jaxon said to him.

“This looks great.”

Devin gazed around the barn. It looked the same every Saturday night. Bare light bulbs on wires hung from the rafters, hay bales sat along each wall, the cloth covered tables were close to the entrance, and the stage for the band was at the opposite end. A large parquet floor sat in front of the stage for dancing. The bar and buffet were beside the stage. The barn had the sweet smell of hay along with the aroma of mouthwatering food. The brochures stated that the lodge would close at one on Saturdays, so everyone would be hungry for the buffet at the dance. Some of the guests just came in to eat, while most stayed for the dance. It was always a success. He watched as Rocky leaned against the wall beside him, but he’d be damned if he wasgoing to ask him about Willa.

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