Page 61 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“Keeping him from bothering you.”

“That’s my brother, and he was tickling me. What’s it to you?”

Rusty instantly released the kid. “Sorry.”

The kid yanked his shirt down. “Mind your own business, cowboy.” The kid tried to sound belligerent, but it was clear that though he was angry, he recognized that Rusty was bigger than he was and not someone to pick a fight with.

Rusty held up his hands. “Sorry. I thought he was hurting you.”

The girl turned away and tucked her arm through her brother’s. “Crazy people out here.”

Rusty slunk back to her, his face red, and a frown had replaced the smile. “I was just trying to help.”

“I know but…”

“I should wait until I’m asked. Can’t believe I misread that situation. Didn’t you think she was crying?”

Kristy shrugged. “I thought she was laughing.”

“Guess I should have checked with you first.” He placed his hand at the small of her back and they moved on. “Now about Wednesday…”

Chapter 17

“So where are we going?” Kristy was mounted on Sheba, and Rusty was riding Marco. They trotted long the dusty trail they had been on the other day. The mountains were in the background, and the air was warm and dry, with not a cloud in the sky.

She had been anxiously awaiting Wednesday since Rusty had mentioned the possibility of a getaway, but riding out on horseback wasn’t quite what she’d expected. In fact, she had donned her pink sundress for the afternoon, thinking they were going out to dinner somewhere. At least she had put on her rhinestone-studded cowgirl boots and brought a western hat.

So many gala details were swimming in her brain that it felt good to get out on a summer’s day into the sunshine and view the blue sky and the prairie expanding before them. Didn’t mean she wasn’t second-guessing herself as the sun dropped in the sky. She checked her watch. It was close to four o’clock, so she’d almost put in a full day’s work. Though Ariel had sworn that she had everything under control and there was nothing more to do but set up for the event, Kristy couldn’t help but worry.

Like with a wedding, the big stuff had been done. Food, flowers, scenery, and the band had all been ordered, checked, and rechecked. But the details came next. The committee was taking care of handling the seating charts, since that was often a relationship-type thing. In this case, the executives from the energy companies and any local political figures would get prime spaces. Everyone else would come after that. Still, Kristy couldn’t help but worry that she was forgetting something.

She had sent a press release to the local newspapers, for coverage. She had hired the waitstaff through a temp agency. She’d assigned the volunteer posts, from greeter to maze coordinator to auction ticket counter. Maybe she should just breathe and enjoy the moment. Now that was a different perspective.

She glanced at Rusty. He sat tall in the saddle, reins lose in his hands, cowboy hat covering his auburn hair, and sunglasses hiding his eyes.

“You okay?” he asked. Guess he’d been watching her.

She nodded. “Just trying to decompress from the big to-do list. I’ll need another ride after Boots and Bells is over.”

He smiled that I’ve-got-you-babe smile that made her feel warm inside.This is just for fun, she reminded herself. If she didn’t watch it, she’d be falling for him.

“That’s why we’re doing this. You need some downtime. Everything will still be there when we get back. You did bring a change of clothes, right?”

“I did.” She should have changed into those jeans and T-shirt when she saw the horses. “Are we going swimming or something? Someone said there was a pond on this ranch.”

He frowned. “Not swimming in the pond.” His tone was firm.

“Then why the change of clothes?”

“Just in case. And maybe a surprise.”

“At this stage in my life, surprises are usually bad ones.” The last thing she needed was to be on edge.

“Not a bad surprise. At least I hope you won’t think it is.” He looked off into the sun, which was low in the sky.”

“This is the first time since we’ve, you know, been seeing each other that we’ve really been alone.” That had been another reason she’d agreed. Dining at Smokey’s was hardly being alone, with a roomful of other diners, including his ex-girlfriend, in earshot.

“Hard to believe, considering it’s been over a month since that last ride we went on.”

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