Page 48 of A Cowboy's Bride
“Julia said you can tell a lot about a man from how he treats animals and how animals treat him back. Jinx was quiet for a bit, but you could tell she was putting two and two together and coming up withDeclan is a good guy.”
“That’s a good solid base for what we’re building here at High Water.” Aiden patted the seat and held the ropes. “Hop on.”
Petra twisted and sat. “Our story?”
He was enjoying this immensely, Aiden realized. Chatting with Petra, coming up with plans. Sharing bits of his past.
It helped that she took his simple job in stride, and even seemed to admire what he was able to do without a list of shiny letters behind his name. None of which was necessary for their deception, but all of it very important if he wanted to take their relationship past simply being an obligatory lie.
“Keep it simple,” he suggested. “We met three years ago right here in Heart Falls—which is no lie. We just don’t mention more than the public portion of the evening.”
She snickered. “Let me guess. We’ve been messaging and getting together when we could ever since.”
“Absolutely. And when my brothers and I decided to make a new home here in Heart Falls, I proposed to you.” He brushed his cheek over hers from behind and whispered. “It was very romantic.”
“Of course it was,” Petra said with amusement.
“A horseback ride followed by a picnic. We sat by the creek and decided we’d start our lives at our new home engaged.” Aiden pushed her gently. “You didn’t want a ring.”
“Convenient for you.”
“Very.” He pushed harder, and she flew higher. “Sound like enough story?”
“Yes. Especially if both of us remember the cardinal rule of lying. Less is more.” Petra dragged her feet on the ground to stop. She stood and twisted to face him. “Ask more questions than you offer answers.”
Aiden raised a brow. “You speak as if you have lots of experience at this,” he teased.
Her expression changed for the briefest moment before her smile returned. “Well, no more than the average person. Did you bring your guitar?”
Interesting. Aiden might not have magic, but he did have a highly tuned sense of intuition. Petra was absolutely keeping a secret, more than the one he’d tangled her into.
Now he had to decide what to do about that tidbit of information.
If Petra hadany doubts about how appropriate it was to ask Sasha to help Jinx, they vanished within the first five minutes of the girls meeting at Buns and Roses.
After the initial hellos and greetings were exchanged, Sasha guided Jinx through ordering at the counter before leading the entire group to a table at the side of the room. It was amusing to watch Sasha organize to her heart's content, putting Jinx in a corner spot where she could look around but not easily be stared at in return.
Sasha plied Jinx with a few questions but mostly shared everything about herself and her family. She told stories about her little sister Emma, and even littler brother Tyler, her three uncles and aunties, and her horse. She shared how the math teacher at the high school had no sense of humour at all and asked if Jinx liked math or English better.
“Sasha’s like a well-trained border collie,” Julia told Petra quietly but with great amusement. “Doesn't matter how many chicks she's got under her eye at one time, she tries to keep them all close enough to care for.”
“Sounds like the kind of backup Jinx might need at school.” Gaze still on the girls, she spoke sideways to her sister-in-law. “Anything else you need to share? How are you these days?”
Julia gave her a questioning glance.
Petra shrugged. “Every time I’ve seen you over the last week it's been because I've been in dire need. Just reminding you that I like you for yourself and not your emergency rescue abilities.”
“I love you too,” Julia assured her. “As for the rest, don't worry about it. There are times for reminiscing or getting to know people better, and others to offer a helping hand. Family doesn’t keep an IOU list.”
Petra squeezed her fingers. “You’re awesome.”
“I am. I'm also curious.” Julia lowered her voice. “What's this I hear about you and Aiden sharing a room?’
Good grief. Petra’s face flushed. “Fishing for information again?”
“I'm not fishing. I'm listening to what’s happening on the other side of the table. Jinx just told Sasha how the house is arranged now. Sasha had been in the house before because the previous owner used to babysit her and Emma at times. Jinx said Mrs. Fallen’s room is now PetraandAiden’s.”
“The fact you heard that while we’re talking means you have Superman-level hearing,” Petra complained.
