Page 18 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

“Her name is Presley Reynolds. She’s from Idaho Falls. A nurse.”

“Really?”

“She was in the ER when I was there two years ago.”

Devin’s eyebrows shot up. “Did she come here looking for you?”

“I don’t think so. She looked surprised when she first saw me. I knew she looked familiar but couldn’t place her.”

“So, she knows about Bethany?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

“You see what?” Jaxon growled.

Devin shrugged. “You’re interested even if you don’t want to admit it.”

“Devin, I am too damn scared to take a chance with another woman. I don’t want togo through that again. Losing someone I love. It about killed me losing Bethany.”

“I know that, but you can’t live your life being afraid to love again. You have to take what time you have with anyone.”

“Fuck off, Dev,” Jaxon muttered as he walked away. He could hear Devin laughing behind him, so he threw his middle finger up for emphasis.

Walking toward the other barn, he knew he needed to help clean the stalls. It would help the day pass quicker, and he wouldn’t be thinking about Presley lying by the pool.Yeah, right!

****

At the end of her first week, Presley stretched out on the lounge chair beside the pool. The sun was shining down brightly, so she picked up the suntan lotion and applied it.

“Do you need some on your back?”

Presley looked up at Bett standing over her. “I’m good for now. Thank you.”

“Do you mind if I sit here beside you? Trixie is taking a nap, and I hate being here alone.”

Presley almost laughed. She hated being alone? Hell, she was a woman on the prowl. Presley was sure Bettdidhate being alone. Presley put her sunglasses on. After a week of trail rides, cattle drives, and hayrides, sheneeded time to relax. She’d only been able to look at Jaxon, not touch him like she so wanted to do. It seemed he was staying away from her as much as possible. Couldn’t he just let her close? One kiss had not been enough.

“It’s fine,” she said and closed her eyes. She could hear Bett getting on the lounge chair and putting on suntan lotion.

“Oh, there’s Jaxon. Damn, that man is fine,” Bett said.

Wonderful!Presley sighed. “He’s handsome.”

“Handsome? Honey, that man is tall, dark, and gorgeous.” Bett sighed. “I’d love to get him between the sheets.”

“So, why don’t you?”

“He doesn’t seem interested. Maybe he’s gay.”

Presley burst out laughing. “I don’t think so.”

“Really?” Bett murmured. “I’d love to find out. He has such a great body. I’ve seen him without a shirt, and his jeans leave little to the imagination.” She laughed.

Presley clenched her jaw. “I haven’t noticed.”

“Are you dead?” Bett chuckled.

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