Page 52 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

How bad was his news?

“Cort has decided he can’t be on the gala committee, and Lexi has volunteered me to take his place.”

Kristy cocked her head. “Seriously?” So now they’d be working together, sort of. “Hmm. I guess that’s good.” She worried her lip, thinking. “So you’ll be at the committee meetings now?” With a license to do more than help out. “Is this so she can keep an eye on us?”

“I was afraid you’d think that, so I asked her, flat out. She says she wants me on the committee because not only do I have the time, she knows I want this to be successful for your sake.”

Kristy straightened her shoulders and moved out of his embrace. “Will you be telling your sister about things like this?” She swept her arm over the pile of pipes and planks. She’d feel under a microscope.

“That’s exactly what I told her I wasnotgoing to do.”

Kristy crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s worried because I’m inexperienced.”

“She told me she thinks you’re capable, but she also knows a lot can go wrong. She says she wants me on the committee so you have another supporter. But I want to be sure you’re okay with it. I’m only willing to do this if you think it’s a good idea. I don’t want this jeopardizing us.” He pointed a finger at her, then himself.

Kristy was silent for a few heartbeats. He already had a straight line to Lexi, considering she was his sister. “Depends on how much you’ll interfere.”

“I am not going to interfere in anything. I know nothing about putting on an event. But I will provide as much support as I can. Like now.”

“And if I say it’s not a good idea?”

“Then I’ll say no, and she’ll find someone else.”

Kristy was silent for a few more heartbeats. She needed to think this through

She took a deep breath. “It could put a strain on our relationship.”

“Then I don’t want to do it. I like being with you too much.”

But if he didn’t take the spot, the committee might select someone who wouldn’t be as friendly. At least he was being honest with her.

“Don’t overstep your bounds.” Her finger tapped his chest.

He winked. “Okay then. Ready to get started?” He pointed to the piles of pipes, planks, and joints. “I’ll have to go back to the truck and get my toolbox.”

Chapter 15

It was hot and sweaty work standing out under the sun and trying to put the pipes together. They laid out each wall first, then placed the pipes into the floor plank that was drilled to hold them. Some went in easily, but others Rusty had to sand the hole here and there to get them to fit. Eventually the pipes took the shape of a wall, then another wall, and then a third wall. And finally the wall with the door, which was a little trickier, but nothing a screwdriver couldn’t fix.

Kristy worked alongside him like a trouper. Handing him the tools he needed, working with him to center the pipes. Much like she had done parking cars. A woman like Kristy would make some lucky man a good partner.

When it was finally built, they shimmied it into the storage unit via the garage-type door. Since it was mostly plastic pipes, it wasn’t too heavy, just unwieldy.

“I think I should buy you dinner,” he said as he surveyed their accomplishment. He figured he had nothing to lose by asking. The thought of leaving her and going home was not appealing.

She wrinkled her nose and looked down at her body, which looked mighty fine to him. “I’m feel like I’ve been through a sauna.”

“If we go to Smokey’s, no one will pay us any mind. It’s a working-person’s joint. They come in smelling like manure sometimes. You’ll fit right in.”

Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened to say something.

“Not that you smell anything but sweet,” he hastened to add. “I just mean that no one will notice or care. I’m betting you’re hungry. It’s close to dinnertime.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I’m starved. And so grateful that you were able to assemble this for us. With no printed words, I’m not sure Ariel and I could have done it as easily.”

He came to her, lifted up her chin with his finger. “You know I’m happy to do it. Anytime.”

She stood on her tippy-toes and gave him a light kiss on the lips. “Thank you. And yes, Smokey’s sounds like a plan. And you said they have good burgers.”

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