Page 80 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

“You already showed me who you are, Dean. I don’t need a reminder.”

“Then you know how sorry I am.”

She moved her lips closer to his ear. “I know that you’re a cheater and a liar and someone I’m not interested in.”

“I hurt you that much, Kristy.” He shook his head. “I had no idea, which is all the more reason to let me make it up to you.”

“No thanks. And whatever hurt there might have been is long gone. I wish you the best.” She turned, heat climbing her neck. Now she had to figure out how to explain Dean’s presence to Rusty.

Chapter 21

The place was filling up. People milled around the tables, chatting with acquaintances, pointing to the straw maze and the jail, and lining up at the saloon-type bar. The band was tuning up. Kristy checked her watch. A few more minutes before the Matthews would officially open the proceedings, but so far things were going well.

Ariel assured that all the props were in place, and Greta handed out the volunteer assignments. Kristy looked down her checklist. All seemed in order.

Except for the fact that her father was holding court at the table in front of where Rusty and his family were sitting. And Dean was flanking dear old dad.

Taking a big breath, she stole a peek at Rusty’s table where, he sat chatting with his brother-in-law. He looked in her direction and winked. Like he knew she’d been checking him out. He cleaned up well, looking more handsome in a tuxedo than Dean did, at least in her opinion. And she had to laugh at the tips of the black snakeskin cowboy boots that peeked out from under the hem of his pants.

He was so comfortable about who he was. She loved that about him.

And that thought brought a blush to her cheeks. When had love entered her mind?

She made a decision. Much as she dreaded it, there was no time like the present to introduce him to her father and Dean. Maybe then her ex-fiancé would realize things were over. If nothing else, Dean would get a good look at his competition. An air force veteran, cowboy, and soon-to-be officer of the law. Dean was no match for the likes of Rusty Russell. Not even close.

As she strode across the room toward the Russell table, Rusty’s gaze followed her. His two sisters flanked him, their respective husbands next to each of them, and his parents were across the table. Mel sat next to Cort, his boss, making up the table of eight. All the men looked mighty fine. Must be something in the Campbell County water.

When she reached him, he stood, and she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

He placed his hand on the small of her back. “You look sexy as hell,” he whispered.

She couldn’t help the smile. “You saw me earlier.”

“And Ariel was hanging around, so I couldn’t say it.”

Her heart fluttered as she shook her head.

“How are you, Kristy?” Lexi was the first to greet her, but from the smiles everyone was wearing, even Jewel, Kristy felt her welcome was a warm one.

“I won’t lie. A little stressed. But it comes with the territory.”

“Everything set for the bail-out-of-jail event?” Junie asked. “I wish they had that when I was single.”

“Would you have bailed me out?” her husband asked.

“Of course. If I could afford to. You know all the women love a corporate engineer.”

“Do they?”

The table laughter was good natured.

Kristy pointed at the centerpiece. “The flowers look stunning, June. Who knew that a cowboy hat could look so elegant.”

June beamed. “Thank you.”

“Whose watching little Parker?”

“Todd’s mom and dad. But he would have loved the chuck wagon and the maze and the jail. This is such fun and yet very chic. Well done, Kristy.”

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