Page 68 of Cowboy of Convenience
She rolled her lips together, pressing them into a frown. “Elizabeth. It’s my mother’s name.”
That explained why she jumped to his initials so fast. “EEW.” He grinned. “Sounds like you might not mind changin’ your last name.”
“Itwouldbe nice to be able to have monogrammed towels.” She took a deep breath, shoulders lifting and dropping. “For the record, I think seeing my grandma and Bernard last night might have diminished our mental capacity.”
“That mean we’re taking a trip to the jewelers after our class this morning?” He held his breath, caught on the edge of something bigger than he even considered hoping for.
Since his dad died, he’d just been trying to keep his head above water. Doing his best to work the job he loved and maintain the ranch that paid for his mother’s care. Burning the candle at both ends so he wouldn’t lose what his family worked so hard to build.
The most he ever hoped for was a day off. Maybe a morning to sleep in. But neither of those held a candle to having Evelyn in his corner for the rest of his life.
She rocked onto her feet, hands gripped together as she pursed her lips. Finally, she nodded. “Yeah. We’re going to the jewelry store.”
* * *
“WELL LOOK WHAT the cat dragged in.” Gertrude crossed her arms. “If it isn’t the happy couple.”
The girls were waiting for them outside Evelyn’s studio, decked out in the brightest collection of spandex he’d ever seen.
And not a single one of them was smiling.
“Hey.” Evelyn’s voice was soft and hesitant. Like she thought she had something to feel bad about.
But she didn't. She didn't have a single fucking thing to apologize to anybody for, and if they thought they were going to make her feel guilty—
Muriel slapped at Gertrude. "Stop giving her a hard time." Her eyes came their way, studying them for a second. "Are you two really engaged or are you just fucking with Griselda?"
Grady draped one arm over Evelyn's shoulders, pulling her closer. "A little from column A. A little from column B."
Helen held her hand out. "Pay up, bitches."
"Goddammit." Gertrude huffed out a dramatic breath as she dug into her purse. "I knew I shouldn't let you talk me out of my guess, Muriel."
Muriel shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a romantic at heart." She gave Evelyn a wink. "And what’s sexier than a man in uniform?"
Helen shoved her hand closer to Muriel, wiggling her fingers. "A man in cowboy boots. Give me my money."
Muriel's brows lifted as her eyes moved to Gertrude. "She's got a point, but that would've only convinced me I was righter." She slapped a twenty-dollar bill into Helen's hand before coming at Evelyn, squeezing her in a tight hug as she rocked them from side to side. "It's about damn time you found a nice young man to get you off."
Evelyn's eyes widened. "Oh my God."
Muriel’s focus came his way, looking him over. "That didn't sound too promising. Do you need some pointers? Maybe a diagram?"
Evelyn groaned. "Please don't give him any pointers. I have thought about old ladies having sex way too much already."
Gertrude looked from Muriel to Helen to Agnes. "Wait a minute. Who’s having sex?"
Helen leaned toward Gertrude. "Griselda's fucking her butler."
Grady lifted his hands in the air with a scoff of disbelief. "How did you know? Did she tell you?"
Helen looked at him like he was an idiot. "How could younotknow? It was obvious as hell."
Grady raked one hand through his hair. "Shit." Maybe he was going to have to start taking Helen around with him. Make her some sort of civilian liaison and give her a badge.
But not a stun gun and definitely no pepper spray.
Gertrude clapped her hands together, expression warm as she looked between them. "So when’s the wedding? I need to find something to wear."
