Page 19 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

If his words affected her, she simply smiled and her grip on his arm as they maneuvered over uneven ground might have increased…whether by fear of twisting an ankle in the high heels or something else, he didn’t venture to figure it out. It was enough to have her on his arm. The feeling was a strange mixture of exhilaration and pride. It was a surprise to him. Second only to the kiss they shared. That reminded him how awkward it had been afterward. Luckily, the explanation for his ending up all wet took some of the spotlight away from any other comment. People enjoyed laughing over the story of falling into the river and still coming up with the watermelon. That had been fine by him. But it left him in the dark as to what Jessie had thought. He could assume that her quietness had at least a little something to do with the unexpected kiss. And he had debated on going to her room and just asking her if she was upset and then trying to smooth things over. But something held him back. Maybe at some point before the end of the evening he might have an opportunity to bring up the subject. He wanted to know what she thought…what if anything she might have felt.

*

The compliment cameout of left field and totally unexpected. Jessie had to take a moment to consider the words and her feelings about them. It was all an uncharted course, much like the gravel she was navigating with the help of his reassuring arm. Usually, she was the one providing reassurance and maybe that was an even trickier ground to navigate than the physical one beneath her.

“Thank you. Emmie played a big part in helping me choose it.”

“She likes you…a lot. I realize that may be more of a problem when this is all over and you leave us. Her, especially.”

Did she sense an awkwardness in the words he just spoke? Of course, he meant that Emmie would miss her. She would miss Emmie, too. But was he talking about more than his daughter’s feelings? She didn’t need to think along those lines when she was about to be placed on a stage to play her part in front of a crowd of strangers. Nothing personal was allowed…remember?

“That’s a bridge to cross when we make it through the assignment, and all is well. And it will be…okay. I gave my word.” She made the mistake of looking up at him and meeting his gaze. He paused with his hand on the door. Her breath was caught by the intensity she saw before it disappeared behind a wall she had seen slip into place before when he didn’t intend on sharing something with others.

“And you always finish your assignment.” His words had lost the emotion of his previous ones…a level of emotion that simmered just beyond the gaze of his eyes as they had looked at her as she walked down the stairs and later in the car when she caught his glances. “Guess it’s showtime.” And he pushed open the door for her to step through into the brightly lit room.

Let the show begin, indeed. Those words registered more than once in her thoughts in the next few minutes as she shook hand after hand, smiled until she thought her smile was frozen to her face. It was a surprise to herself that she responded coherently as best she could in response to all the well-wishes and congratulations. She couldn’t hope to remember the names of all the people as Cole attempted to guide her through the crowd and to the table where Uncle Joe already sat.

Jessie was immensely grateful for the chair Uncle Joe pulled out next to him. She gladly took it. He patted her arm. “Hang in there. You’re the new gossip in their midst. You’ll be old news in no time.” They both laughed.

A lady walked up at that moment and Uncle Joe was out of his seat in a swift move. Cole also stood. Jessie met the woman’s smile with one of her own.

“Miss Jessie McCord, I’d like you to meet a dear friend of ours, Katie Schulze.” The elder woman put out her hand and Jessie took it. She guessed her age to probably match Uncle Joe’s. She had a very easy smile and kind brown doe eyes and there was something familiar about her. “Have we met before?”

“I don’t believe so, but you might have seen my twin if you had to shop at the mercantile in Red Cliffs. She owns it and runs it most days.”

“That’s right. I remember her. I did go in one day to pick up something. She was very nice and helpful.” Jesse didn’t add that it was her in a different person’s guise…the saloon keeper.

And she wouldn’t mention the yellow folder was involved.

Uncle Joe had pulled out the chair and seated her. Jessie noted the fact that his right hand lingered for a moment and was that a slight squeeze of his hand as it rested there? Then he sat down again. “Katie is joining us this evening.”

Jesse smiled. “How wonderful. It’s very nice to get a chance to meet you.” And she also nudged Cole’s leg with her foot which brought a slight frown to his face, but he took the cue.

“I agree. Welcome, Katie.”

Servers appeared at that moment beside the tables and dinner service began. She had a feeling there was more going on concerning the woman’s arrival and Cole’s less than enthusiastic greeting. But her attention was then claimed by the plates being served to each of the fifty linen-covered tables in the large banquet room. For a few minutes, the meal was the center of their attention.

“Not bad for banquet food, is it?” Uncle Joe made the comment as his salad plate was removed and he had begun the main course of steak and stuffed baked potatoes and grilled broccoli.

“It is really very good. The room is lovely, too,” Jessie said.

“Well, you can thank the decorator in person. She’s at our table.” Uncle Joe beamed with unmistakable pride on the woman who had a soft pink blush rising along her cheeks.

“You did the décor, Katie?” Jessie was very impressed. The soft ivory of the cloths highlighted the centerpieces of old porcelain pitchers holding fresh bouquets of mixed wildflowers and yellow roses. The gold chargers set off the fine ivory and gold-rimmed plates. “It’s wonderful.”

“Thank you, Jessie. Yes, I have an event business based out of my home. I enjoy it.”

“She does some beautiful weddings in case anyone is interested.” Uncle Joe’s advertisement on her behalf was met with an embarrassed shake of her head in his direction. “It’s not bragging, Katie, just stating a fact.”

“I think it’s time to head for the dessert buffet before it’s swamped,” Cole spoke up. He stood and extended his hand to Jessie. She was surprised by his sudden move but recovered to place her hand in his. She murmured an excuse for the both of them before he led her away.

Cole brought them to a halt next to a huge display of assorted desserts. “What is your choice?”

“My choice is to ask you what’s up?”

That drew his surprised attention to her and not the sweets.

“Why the coolness of your greeting to Katie? She seems nice enough and your uncle certainly likes her.”

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