Page 25 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
Josiah stepped around until he ended beside Lisa. He looked down at her. “I planned to have this conversation earlier, but Cherry Blossom decided to take priority.”
Uncertain if she should roll her eyes or huff at him in annoyance, Lisa kept her tone steady as she responded. “I didn’t think it was your responsibility to do this. That’s why I came out to the barn.”
A low rumble of annoyance slid from Caleb. “You two mind? What the hell is going on?”
Josiah slid an arm around Lisa before turning to face his friend head on. “Lisa and I are seeing each other, that’s all.”
He’d spoken no louder than usual, but the words seemed to echo in the unexpected silence that had fallen in the barn.
This was definitelynotthe way Lisa did things. So much for her calm, cool, and very much under-the-radar method.
She debated goosing Josiah on the butt but went with slipping a finger into a belt loop instead, tugging gently to let him know she was at least moderately annoyed.
It meant she was close enough she could stomp on his feet if necessary. She took a deep breath and smiled as brightly as possible at her brother-in-law.
6
It was on par with being thrown on the stage with an improv item. Josiah had never expected to see his best friend looking at him with something like betrayal in his eyes.
“Josiah?”
Before Josiah could dive into any kind of explanation, Kelli James marched forward. The woman, whose five-foot-nothing frame was clad from top to bottom in jeans, wore a stone-cold expression. Not her typical attitude by a long shot and with her narrow face framed by her long ponytails, she looked like a pissed-off Pippi Longstocking.
She was a long-time Silver Stone employee, recently engaged to Luke Stone, which made her Tamara’s future sister-in-law. More importantly, though, over the months that Lisa had been in town, it seemed the two women had hit it off.
As the petite ranch hand stomped past the shocked males in attendance, Josiah kept an eye on Kelli in case he needed to protect any body parts.
Only she ignored him, marching straight up to Lisa. Kelli folded her arms as she glared at her friend. “You’re datinghim?”
“Seems that way,” Lisa drawled.
Kelli made a face, shaking her head before she shrugged. “Fine.” She grinned hard and slapped out a hand, palm up. “You owe me twenty bucks.”
Lisa rolled her eyes. “You’re such a jerk.”
“Hey, you’re the one who loves making bets. Just so happens this time I won.” Kelli grinned at Josiah. “Good job, man. She swore she wasn’t going to see anyone while she was in town. I was beginning to think I’d have to bribe one of the ranch hands to ask her out if I wanted to win.”
“I did it just for you,” Josiah said, sincerely as possible.
Kelli snickered before turning her attention back on Lisa with a warning glance. “Catch you later.”
Josiah assumed that meant she planned to get all the details out of Lisa some other time.
“Stop by the house when you’re on your break. I’ll make apple turnovers,” Lisa said.
“Is that offer open to everyone or only Kelli? Because damn, I could use an apple turnover.” Dustin declared as Kelli planted her hands against his back and shoved her youngest future brother-in-law toward the door. “I’m just saying.”
“Your taste buds are fine with frozen popovers,” Kelli teased. “Come on, kiddo. Ashton said he had a job for us. Standing around gossiping like old women—we’ll leave it to the old men.”
“Who you calling kid? You’re barely older than me.” But Dustin snickered as the two of them disappeared out the door.
Josiah glanced back at the foal and mare, but Luke was taking care of them. His friend glanced up, though, a warning in his gaze, and Josiah offered a stage-worthy sigh. “If any of you three have something to say, save it.”
Lisa shook her head. “I thought you were supposed to be charming,” she muttered, amusement in her voice.
“He’s having a rough day,” Luke suggested. “Lisa, you’re old enough to know your own mind. That said—”
“Is this where you insert some kind of warning about impending physical doom if he steps out of line?” She was leaning against Josiah’s side, the warmth of her body like a comfortable blanket. “Because if you are, I’m going to side-eye you really hard.”
