Page 15 of Falling for the Cowgirl
Around them, both inside and outside the store, the commotion came to a halt.
“You’re a pig,” she ground out, burning with fury but not sure why.
In an instant, Hance Payne was at her side, his face creased with concern. “Miss McQuaid, is everything alright?”
Jericho’s cheek darkened with the print of her hand, but she didn’t care. He deserved it for being rude. “I’m fine. Thank you for being so kind and polite, Mr. Payne. It’s good to know such men still exist in this world.”
“You’re welcome, Miss McQuaid.” Hance’s gaze darted between Jericho and her. Of course he wouldn’t know who Jericho was since he was fairly new to town. “If I can be of any assistance, just let me know.”
The hurt inside Ivy swirled like a dust storm, growing stronger with each passing second. She didn’t know the first thing about flirting or playing coy. But she slipped her hand boldly into the crook of Hance’s arm and batted her eyelashes up at him. “You still interested in coming for a visit?”
“I’d love to.” Hance nodded eagerly but then focused on Jericho’s fingers moving to the handle of his pistol. “I, uh...”
“Tonight?” she persisted.
“Sure?”
Jericho gripped his gun.
Hance’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
Ivy reached over and swatted Jericho’s hand away, unable to stop the perverse pleasure in knowing she was irritating him. “Quit trying to scare Hance.”
Jericho’s expression didn’t falter. “If he’s getting scared already, then he won’t stand a chance.”
She bristled. “A chance against who? You?”
“No, against you.”
Against her? What did that mean?
With eyes narrowed in contempt at Hance, Jericho started on his way, his boots hitting the plank sidewalk with a forcefulness that nailed into Ivy’s heart, making it ache with each step he took.
Hance watched Jericho’s ramrod straight back before turning to her with wide eyes behind his spectacles.
“Don’t worry about him.” She wanted to stomp after Jericho, spin him around, and ... and what? Slap him again?
He made her mad enough to bust. That’s what. He was back less than twenty-four hours, acting like her brother, and already scaring off suitors worse than Wyatt or Flynn had ever done. Come to think of it, Jericho had always been worse at that. It was past time to show him he had no sway over the men she chose to court.
Chapter
6
“Then you’ll sell me the land?” Jericho sat in the chair across the desk from Landry Steele. As longtime mayor of Fairplay, the man had done everything he could to build up the town’s businesses and prosperity. He was good and fair, and Jericho had the utmost respect for him. His dark hair, mustache, and sideburns were threaded with more silver than had been there the last time Jericho had seen him, but Steele maintained a powerful and youthful appearance in his tailored black suit.
“I don’t know how I can turn down your offer.” Steele reclined in his chair and clamped down on his cigar. He inhaled before releasing the spicy-sweet tobacco smoke, adding to the haze that already clouded the room.
“But?” Jericho sensed Steele’s reluctance and had ever since he’d stepped into the office and brought up the purchase.
“But...”
Steele met his gaze levelly. Did the man see through his ploy? Did he sense something was off?
Jericho didn’t blink. Maybe he should have made a show of visiting other parcels that were up for sale. Problem was that most of the rest of them would take him too far from Fairplay.
Besides, he didn’t want anyone else purchasing Steele’s land before he did. If that happened, then he’d forfeit his reason to stay in the area. Without an excuse, he’d all but announce he was in town for something else. Wouldn’t take Rodney James long to get suspicious of him.
Jericho steepled his fingers against his chin and forced himself to remain quiet and unruffled. Even with the self-doubt escalating, he had to wait and let Steele speak his piece.
