Page 22 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“I’m just glad they have veggie fajitas.” Ariel wrinkled her nose.

“Did you see they have spinach and veggie enchiladas too?” Mel, who sat next to Ariel in the booth, tapped his finger on her menu.

Ariel beamed. “Thanks for pointing that out.”

He nodded and smiled back.

Maybe Ariel had found a friend. Kristy glanced across at Rusty. “I’m going to try the steak fajitas.” One of her favorites.

“Sounds good to me.” Rusty winked, and a flutter erupted in her stomach.

Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to take Rusty up on his offer to help her move in. It had certainly solved a big problem for her, but he seemed to have taken it as encouragement. And why shouldn’t he have?

Trouble was, she was attracted to him. He seemed kind and caring and always willing to help. Going up the steps behind him as he’d held one end of the sofa while Stetson held the other, Kristy had viewed a nice butt, sinewy legs, and bulging deltoids. It had made climbing those stairs so much easier. And truth be told, her mind had wandered to a naked body, a shared shower, and a tumble into bed.

Fantasizing was not a crime. Nor a commitment.

If her life hadn’t unraveled, she’d probably have jumped at the chance to explore more. But the idea of starting over when her heart was still bruised by betrayal, and when she was overwhelmed by business, seemed too much to handle. Just thinking about it caused her stomach to crush inward.

She peeked over her menu at his handsome face, blue eyes, and kissable mouth. Maybe someday.

The waitress took their orders and, within minutes, came back with the drinks. The guys had beers, while she and Ariel had sodas. Kristy was so tired that if she had any alcohol, she’d no doubt fall asleep at the table. Her arms and legs ached, and her head felt fuzzy enough as it was. Plus, she had to go back to an apartment crammed with boxes.

“So you guys are event planners, like weddings?” Stetson took a sip of beer.

“Yup,” Kristy replied. “We coordinated our first Gillette wedding a few weekends ago. With Rusty’s help.” Kristy would never forget that, without hesitation, he’d stepped in and parked cars.

“And are so many people getting married that you think you can make a go of it?” Mel seemed genuinely perplexed. “When my brother got married, they held it in the bride’s family’s backyard, and the two mothers cooked all the food. Not much to plan.”

Mel’s response was a common one.

“That’s certainly an option,” Ariel answered. “But if people want something a little more involved, something unique, they can hire us to deliver that for them.”

“And we aren’t just for weddings. People use planners for big events, including family reunions, charity fundraisers, corporate conferences, conventions…” Kristy shrugged. “Just about any big gathering.”

“You should have seen the inside of the VA hall after these two got done. You wouldn’t have recognized it.” Rusty tipped his beer bottle in Kristy’s direction.

Stetson snorted. “Because it was clean?”

“It was clean, but they’d transformed it into a banquet hall worthy of a palace. They did a remarkable job.”

“Your check is in the mail.” Kristy winked. And instantly felt her cheeks heat at Rusty’s wide smile.

“So how exactly did Rusty help you at this wedding?” Mel asked.

“I delivered flowers.” Rusty took a swig of beer.

“That would be how Junie helped her. She specifically referenced you,” Stetson said.

“He didn’t tell you?” Kristy was surprised. It had been such a generous act.

“Apparently not.” Mel frowned.

“My college-aged car parkers called in sick. Ariel and I would have been parking cars, but Rusty offered, and we took him up on it. And boy, did we need his help.”

“Rusty here worked as a valet?” Stetson practically guffawed the words.

“I helped them out with parking cars. Any reason why I shouldn’t have?”

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