Page 26 of A Cowboy Takes A Chance

“Presley Reynolds. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I try to meet the guests, but I’ve been so busy that I haven’t gotten around to it. Is this your last night here?”

“No. I’m here for a month.”

Willa laughed. “I remember when I came here for a month, and now I live here.”

Presley tilted her head in question. “How did you end up doing that?”

“I married Devin. I came here with Rocky Fontaine. He wanted to learn how to ride a horse for the western he has coming out in two years. I was his assistant.” She shrugged. “I met Devin and fell hard. Fought it all the way too.”

Presley laughed and shook her head. “Wow. Rocky Fontaine. He is such a good actor, and I have to say it looks like Devin won.”

“Oh, he did. Damn man wore me down. But I couldn’t be happier. We were just married in July. I do the itinerary for all the activities. I love it here. The Callahans are a wonderful family to be a part of.” Willalooked at her. “Maybe we can have lunch together since you’ll be here a while.”

“I’d love it.”

“Great.” Willa beamed at her. “Now, I’m off to find my husband and get him on the dance floor. Have fun.” She waved as she weaved through the tables toward Devin who was leaning against the barn wall talking with an older couple. Presley watched as he straightened up when he spotted Willa walking toward him. He put his arm around her when she reached him and kissed her temple and Presley swore she heard Willa’s sigh from here.

“Lucky woman,” she murmured. Exhaling, she walked toward the table where Bett and Trixie sat with Rodney and another man.

“Take a seat, Presley,” Bett said as she smiled up at her.

“Thanks.” Presley pulled a chair out and took a seat beside Bett.

They all turned toward the stage as the band started tuning up. Presley looked around again but still didn’t see Jaxon. Maybe he didn’t want to see her again. She hadn’t seen him since he’d all but physically thrown her out after they’d had sex. Shouldn’t he attend the dance for the guests leaving the next day? Would he attend the last one she’d be here for? Her throat feltraw, just thinking of going. The sex had been so good between them. If only it hadn’t ended the way it had. She wiggled in her seat thinking about being with him again but since he’d made it clear it was a mistake, she didn’t see that happening ever again.

Tapping her foot when the band began playing a Brooks and Dunn song,Hard Workin’ Man, she watched as some people moved to the floor and started dancing. Sitting up, she smiled as she watched Devin spin Willa around the floor. The man could dance. He’d pull her close to him then turn her away, and she was having a ball with her husband. Presley laughed when he dipped her at the end of the song. When a slow song started, they remained on the floor. They looked so in love. Presley was sure Willa was older than Devin, but they looked like they belonged together despite the age difference.

An hour later, she sat at the table alone and ran her finger along the rim of her solo cup. Jaxon was still nowhere to be seen. Was he all right? Was he going to show or stay in his house and sulk? Should she even bother staying? Deciding to leave, she stood to do just that when she saw him enter the barn from behind the band stage. Flopping back onto her chair, she stared at him. He looked so good with his tight red T-shirt tucked into soft looking faded blue jeans. No cowboy hatcovered his head, and she wanted to comb her fingers through his thick dark hair. She watched as his gaze glanced around the barn and land on her then he made his way toward her and stopped by her table. She ran her gaze over him. On his feet were cowboy boots as usual but not his everyday ones he wore around the ranch.

“I need to apologize to you,” he said in a deep voice.

“All right.” Folding her arms, she stared up at him and saw that sexy mouth twitch as he tried not to grin.

“I apologize for yelling at you.”

“Apology accepted.”

Jaxon blew out a breath. “Are you having fun?”

“Yes. This is a fantastic way to say goodbye to the guests leaving tomorrow.”

“Have you danced?”

“A few line dances.”

“No man has asked you to dance?”

Shrugging, she stared up into those beautiful eyes. “Yes, but I turned them down.”

“Why?” he asked quietly.

“Waiting on you, cowboy.”

Jaxon glanced away then back. “Glad to hear it, but I’m not allowed to do the asking. This is the one time we’re allowed tofraternize, but the guests have to ask us to dance. So…ask me.”

“What if I don’t want to ask you?”

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