Page 4 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

The next morning, she entered the lodge and glanced around but didn’t see Jaxon anywhere. After introducing herself to some of the other guests, she picked up a plate and headed for the buffet of food. Every type of breakfast food imaginable was there. Choosing scrambled eggs and sausage, she took a seat beside another guest at a long wooden table.

The woman beside her smiled as she looked at her. “There are a lot of married couples here.

I feel like a fifth wheel.”

Presley laughed. “I know. I didn’t even think about that when I made my reservation.”

“Me neither. I’m Bett Gordon.”

“Presley Reynolds. It’s nice to meet you, Bett. What are your plans here?”

“Well, I’m going on a camping trip today. I signed up when I saw the hot cowboy leadingit.” She laughed.

“I’m going on the camping trip too,” Presley said with a smile.

“Did you see the gorgeous man taking us? Oh, my. He is so hot.” Bett fanned her face withher hand.

“I don’t know if I have or not,” Presley said.

Bett laughed. “Oh, you’d remember if you saw him.”

Presley nodded and turned her attention to her food. Glancing around the table, she picked out at least two other single women and four single men. Bett was now talking with the other women and they all thought the same thing about the cowboy leading the ride.

“He has the most gorgeous silver eyes,” another woman said.

Presley knew then it had to be Jaxon Callahan leading the ride.Fate. Plain and simple.

“The other cowboy taking the trail ride is hot too, but he’s married,” one of the other women said.

That made Presley sit up. “The one taking the camping trip, isn’t?”

“Not sure, but I didn’t see a wedding band. Of course, that doesn’t mean anythingsince some men don’t wear them,” another woman said.

“If I had a man who looked like that, I’d make damn sure he wore a wedding band,” Bett said laughing.

“Just because he wears a band doesn’t mean he’s faithful,” another one said.

Presley tuned them out. This wasn’t a singles get together. Even though she wanted Jaxon, she didn’t come here with getting a man in mind. She might have a fascination with cowboys, and it was one reason she decided to vacation here, but she wasn’t here to find a man. By the way the other women talked they came here specifically looking for a cowboy, and Jaxon fit the bill.Shit! Shit! Shit!

Someone announced that everyone should leave now and go to the barn for their activities. The guests rose and walked out of the lodge. Presley took a deep breath and followed.

Chapter Two

Jaxon stood inside the barn alongside Devin and watched as everyone entered then stopped and looked at them expectantly. Devin stepped forward.

“Good morning. I’m Devin Callahan, this is my brother, Jaxon, and this is the manager, Ken. Those of you who are going on the trail ride will follow me. If you’re working the ranch, good luck with that by the way, you’ll follow Ken. The rest of you will go with Jax on the camping trip.” He gave them a nod and walked from the barn with his group following him.

Ken stepped forward. “As Dev said, I’m the manager, and I run the ranch. I oversee all the work done here. It’s not going to be easy. Those of you, who have signed up for this, follow me and we’ll get started.” Ken strode from the barn with his group following him.

Jaxon took a deep breath and faced his group of eleven. “Good morning. We’ll be going up through the north pasture toward the Glaciers. It will be a little cooler up there, so you all have blankets in your bedrolls,along with your tent. I’m not sure how many of you know how to ride, but anytime you go down a steep embankment, lean back. Otherwise, you’ll go over the head of the horse. Going up an embankment, lean forward. The horses are trained to follow each other, just let them do their job. Single file. This is Chip Clayton. He’ll be leading the horses—”

“I thought you were taking us?” A buxom blonde asked him.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be following to make sure you all stay in line and leading the pack horse.”

She smiled at him. “Good. You can follow me anywhere.”

Jaxon cleared his throat as the group laughed. “Let’s get going. The horses are ready. You can

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