Page 56 of A Cowboy's Heart

“No one,” Devin growled making Jaxon chuckle.

Gray raised an eyebrow at him. “Is that so?” He glanced at Jaxon and grinned.

“Her name is Willa Foster. She’s Rocky’s assistant, and she has Devin by the balls,” Jaxon said making Gray laugh.

“Fuck you both,” Devin said as he waved Rocky over.

“Devin. Jaxon,” Rocky said when he reached them with Willa in tow.

“Rocky, this is a good friend of ours, Gray Beckett. Gray, this is Rocky Fontaine, and his assistant, Willa Foster.” Devin introduced them but kept his eyes off her.

“Gray, it’s nice to meet you,” Rocky said as he put his hand out.

“Nice to meet you, Gray,” Willa said.

“You too, Mr. Fontaine. Miss Foster,” Gray said as he touched the brim of his hat and smiled.

Devin watched as her cheeks turned pink while she smiled at Gray. Damn Gray. He never had problems with women fawning all over him. It was probably those ice blue eyes and the fact he was a sheriff.

“I just wanted to stop in for a few minutes. I’ll see you all later.” Gray slapped Devin on the shoulder then gave Rocky and Willa a nod and walked out of the barn.

Devin noticed Willa’s eyes following his friend as he disappeared. In fact, as Devin glanced around, quite a few women were watching him. Shit. He didn’t need to be jealous of Gray. He loved him like a brother. When Willa turned back to face him, she caught him staring at her, and her cheeks turned even darker.

“You wouldn’t be interested in him. He’s younger than you.” When she gasped and spun on her heel then walked away, he felt like an ass.

“Way to go, Devin. What the hell is wrong with you?” Jaxon asked him with a frown.

“I have no idea.” He shook his head. “I’m going home. I’ll see you Monday, Rocky.”

Letting his anger grab hold, he strode from thebarn and walked home. Climbing the steps, he opened the back door and then slammed it behind him. A long night stretched out in front of him.

****

On Wednesday after the trail ride, Devin walked out of the barn and headed for the van to take some of the guests to town. It was hot but not as bad as the previous day. Since he was running on no sleep, he hoped the trip was a quick one. Too bad, he couldn’t find someone else to take it. He’d been tempted to ask Jaxon but he was working in the north pasture cutting hay.

Hell, Devin would rather take the guests to town then deal with the heat out in the fields. Unlocking the van, he climbed in and started it up. It was as hot as a furnace inside, so he opened the windows until the air conditioning cooled it down. The van seated up to fifteen people and Josie told him only one would be needed this time, so Chip wouldn’t be taking the other one.

As he drove it through the barn, he almost slammed on the brakes when he saw Willa standing by the entrance.Damn it to hell!She was going on this trip. It hurt to look at her, but he was done having her make a fool of him. He hadn’t seen her since the dance when he’d pissed her off, and it had been a week since they’d been together. He wrapped his hands tight around the steering wheel until they hurt. To say he missed her would be a huge understatement. Pulling the van to a stop, he climbed out and knew by thelook on her face, she hadn’t been expecting him either.

“All right, let’s load up, and I’ll take you into town. We’ll be there for two hours, and you’re welcome to look around and buy whatever you want. Within reason anyway. I can’t bring back large objects for you or someone will have to stay in town,” Devin told them making them laugh.

Sliding the side door open, he watched as they climbed in and completely ignored her when she stepped up into the van. Slamming the door, a little harder than necessary, he swore and walked around the vehicle and climbed in behind the wheel. After making sure everyone had buckled their seatbelts, he drove off the ranch and headed to Spring City.

The guests talked all the way to town, and he welcomed it. It helped take his mind off her. Why did she have to be on this trip?Son of a bitch!Damn her for making him hurt. He’d known it might happen though. There was no denying it.

When she’d first shown up, he knew his heart was in trouble, and he should have had the balls to stay away from her. There had been so many women here over the past five years, a lot of them came on to him and Jaxon, and not once did they ever go for it with any one of them. It just wasn’t done. Now he had and worse, he’d fallen in love and what does she do? Throws it back in his face. Well, fuck that shit. He was so done. Yes, he hurt, but he’d get over it. Someday. Some way. He’d get overher.

Driving down Main Street, he parked the van and turned in his seat to face the passengers.

“Meet back here in two hours. Please don’t make me come looking for you. As I said, you are welcome to do anything while here.” When no one said anything, he nodded. “All right. Go have some fun. It’s a quaint little town.”

Once everyone had piled out, he locked the van and strode across the street without looking back. He didn’t want to see where she was going or what she was doing. Slapping his hand on the door of the feed store, he entered the building.

****

Willa watched as he disappeared inside the building across the street. He hated her now, and she couldn’t blame him. He probably thought she’d led him on from the beginning. Staying away from him from the very start would have been the smart thing to do, but she couldn’t. No man would ever make her feel the way he did. Taking a deep breath, she turned and looked up and down the street then stepped onto the boarded sidewalk. Walking along the storefronts, she saw an antique store, entered, and immediately fell in love with almost everything in the store.

Weaving her way through the furniture, she then spotted several racks of old clothing. Smiling, she pulled out an antique wedding gown with a row of satin buttons from the high collar down to the hem. It was beautiful. Her fingers touched the lace lovingly, but then she sadly hung it back up. Turning, she smiled when she spotted the old dollhouses. She’d never had one when she was a little girl. Her parents had been so strict and thought such a toy was a waste ofmoney. Something she’d grow out of and then it would only collect dust. She’d secretly wanted one for years and had forgotten all about it until now.

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