Page 11 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“My father thinks he knows best about…” She waved a hand. “Everything. Particularly about making money and being successful.”

“Sounds mighty sure of himself.”

“That’s because he’s been very successful in his career. He’s a lawyer and a state legislator, and he played hardball to get there and stay there. If he had his way, I’d come work for him as his chief of staff, help him get reelected, and eventually follow in his footsteps.”

“SenatorWinslow is your father?” The man had a high profile in state government.

“Yup.” She finished off her wine. “And we disagree on pretty much everything.”

Made him appreciate his father even more. “You want more?” Rusty pointed to the empty basket. He had just polished off the remaining nachos.

“No thanks.” She closed her eyes and then opened them just as quickly. “Fatigue is setting in, so I best be going.”

He reached across the table and stayed her hand. Her skin was soft and warm. “I’d like to see you again.”

She took a deep breath, her chest rising. She had a nice chest. “I’m not interested in dating or a relationship right now. It’s nothing personal, just that I’ve too much on my plate at the moment. But I am happy I came out tonight. Tired as I am, it was better than sitting in a hotel room.”

Perfect. Pretty, smart, and nothing serious. “I’m not looking for a relationship, at least not a serious relationship, either. Maybe we should at least trade phone numbers? This way if I come across a good apartment, or make a connection you’d be interested in, I can get in touch.”

She hesitated. Stared at him. His heart did a funny dance with skipped beats.

“Sure,” she finally said.

“And if you want another set of eyes when you’re looking for a place…” He was grasping to come up with something, anything that meant he could see her again.

“Rusty to the rescue?”

“If you think I don’t like that nickname, you’re wrong.” It was how he defined himself. The standard he tried to meet.

She grinned. “That’s what I like about you, cowboy. You’re comfortable in your skin.”

He shrugged. At least she liked something about him. “I’ll give you my number, and then you can text me and I’ll have yours.”

She nodded as she picked up her phone. He rattled off his number. His phone buzzed a few seconds later. The text readI had a nice time, Rusty.

He texted backSo did I.

Chapter 4

Rusty’s heart pounded as he sat in the van and looked at the text message. She was coming. To look at apartments and meet with the gala committee. He’d asked his sister about the next committee meeting, so he’d had an inkling she’d be coming back soon, but here was confirmation.

Kristy’s last line made him smile.Rusty to the rescue again?

Happy to help you assess apartments. What day?he texted back.

No reply.

But as he pulled into the long driveway to his family’s former ranch house, his phone dinged. He glanced at the screen.Arriving Monday. Can meet you in the VA parking lot at 12:30? First apartment is 1 pm.

He let out a heartfelt yippee for no one but him to hear. After he pulled into the ranch’s gravel parking area, he typed backI’ll be there.Junie would just have to use the high school kid for deliveries.

***

“So the cowboy is coming along?” Ariel clucked in a most annoying way as they drove along Route 59 through the grasslands of the Thunder Basin. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and all seemed right with the world. “I knew he had it bad for you when he offered to park cars. But something else must have happened the other night.”

“We paid him for that time.” Although not near enough for all the hassle. She’d actually enjoyed parking cars with him once she’d worn his old sneakers. The thought made her grin.

“How’d you pay him?” Ariel’s playful tone did not amuse.

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