Page 14 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“I’m just waiting to hear it’s official.” Picking up work from Junie and helping out his other sister, Lexi, at the ranch when needed, he’d felt like he was doing the doggie paddle in the ocean. Keeping his head above water but not making progress. Knowing he’d be going to the police academy would mean progress.

And a date with Kristy would be progress. But the vibe she was giving off was clearly a friends-only one. Maybe she just wasn’t that into him.

He shifted his gaze to Ariel. She was cute, but he didn’t feel the spark he felt when he looked at Kristy.

“As soon as they accept this signed lease, I should be able to text you a move-in date.”

“You didn’t ask my price.” What did he have to lose?

“Oh. You have a price?” She looked stunned.

“Dinner after for the guys that help. There’s a nice Mexican restaurant near here.”

Her face relaxed. “We like Mexican.” She looked at Ariel, as if seeking confirmation.

Ariel nodded.

He’d have to at least buy Ariel a drink for agreeing. “Then it’s a deal.” And he’d have to figure something else out to keep on seeing her. It was too early to give up. And she agreed to dinner, so there was that.

***

Rusty fingered his shot glass of Jack Daniels and leaned across one of Smokey’s iconic wood tables, dotted with multiple cigarette burns and a few initials carved in its surface. “So, guys, I need your help.”

Three cowboy hats bobbed as heads looked up from their various drinks.

“What’s cooking?” said the guy in the black hat.

Rusty could always count on Colby Johnson to start the conversation. The other two just waited for Rusty to answer the question.

“I need some muscle to help two lovely young women move on Friday. Anyone want to help? A dinner at Tex Mex is part of the deal.” The boys did like to eat, as evidenced by the huge plate of nachos and fried onion rings Charlene had just set before them.

“How lovely?” Mel, a cowboy who worked for Cort, took a draw on his beer.

“Mighty fine, but the one named Kristy is off limits.”

Rusty’s longtime friend Stetson chuckled. “So you offered to help this Kristy move in because you want to get in her bed? And you want us to help.”

“I want to get to know her better…”

“In the biblical way, of course.” Stetson could certainly be annoying.

“In every way.” No denying he was attracted to Kristy, but it was more than just for a roll in the hay. There was something about her that had him looking forward to seeing her, even if it was just to spend time with her. “And yes, I’m hoping you guys will help. I’ve helped you out a time or two.”

Colby placed his elbows on the table and leaned in. “Where did you meet this Kristy?”

“I was doing some work for Junie. Kristy’s an event planner and was looking to connect with a florist in the area. What does it matter?”

“You said two women. What’s the friend like?” Mel asked.

“Tamara’s not interested anymore?”

Mel had been hooking up with Rusty’s old high school girlfriend, but Tamara had a way of ghosting someone, as Rusty knew all too well.

Mel shrugged.

“Her name is Ariel, and she’s a pretty little blonde who is an event designer. The two are in charge of expanding the business to Gillette, and I thought we should give them a good western welcome.”

“How many floors?” Stetson, being a firefighter, was his practical self and getting the facts first.

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