Page 43 of What the Cowboy Wants
Ellie patted Willow’s arm.“Of course we will.She always seems so strong and healthy.”With her bag over her shoulder, Rose followed her friends but soon they were far ahead of her.She stopped by every, single stall.There were the most amazing jewelry pieces, made by locals, gorgeous pottery and artwork that simply took her breath away.Excited, she asked everyone for a business card.When they heard what she did, everyone wanted her number as well.
As she was admiring a beautiful pair of turquoise earrings, a shiver ran down her spine, the same one she always got when Cooper was near.Quickly, she turned around, but he was nowhere to be seen.Argh, she was hallucinating, and the sun hadn’t even set yet.
“Well, well,” a familiar voice said behind her.“If it isn’t Miss Rose Dalton.”
Smiling, she put the earrings back and turned around.Nash Johnson was behind her.“Just Rose will do.”
“Well, just Rose, care to walk with me?”he asked holding out his arm.
Laughing, she put her hand in his arm.“Why thank you.My friends are somewhere ahead, looking for food but I was waylaid by all the lovely art.”
“Can I buy you a hot dog?”He grinned.
“I’m with my friends,” she said.
“I know.Doesn’t mean I can’t buy you a something to eat.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Nash was nice and charming and kept her laughing.He would make some woman a really great husband.A pity she’d lost her heart to someone else.Still talking and joking, he escorted her back to the table.
She was laughing at something he’d said when she turned toward the table to introduce Nash to her friends.And met Cooper’s eyes on her.Everything around her faded, all she was aware of was Cooper.
“…nice to meet all of you,” Nash’s voice finally penetrated her foggy brain.
“Thanks for the hot dog.”She smiled.
Nash lifted his hat.“Remember to save me a dance tomorrow night?”
“Of course.”
“What a nice young man,” Janice said as Nash walked away.
Only then Rose noticed Becket was sitting where she’d sat before, and the only open seat was between Annie and Cooper.Of course.
Pasting a smile on her face, she sat down.“Hello, everyone.”
“I was wondering what happened to you,” Willow grinned.“The one moment you were behind us and then you were gone.”She winked.“I now see why.”
“I couldn’t walk past all the amazing art and jewelry and not stop to admire it,” Rose said.“There is a pair of turquoise earrings with my name on it.That was when Nash showed up.He really is a nice guy, Janice,” she said.
“Turquoise is a symbol of friendship and unity, a stone lovers give one another,” Arlene said with a wink before she looked down the table.“So, what are all you eating?”
Fortunately, everyone started talking about their food and stopped looking at Rose and Cooper.
His knee was close to hers, his big body radiating warmth.Help.
*
By the timethe first artists got on to the stage, the sun had already set.Rose, apparently completely oblivious of him, had been talking nonstop to Annie, who was sitting on her other side.Cooper didn’t mind.She was here, next to him, her wildflower scent filling his being with every breath he took.
He was glad he wasn’t slobbering all over the table.His first glimpse of her had left him just about salivating.In a pair of jeans hugging her curves in all the right places and a soft apricot-colored top dipping low at the back, she was so beautiful, he ached with the need to touch her.
As the first song began, everyone fell silent.Rose fidgeted with her jacket until he turned and held the jacket for her to put on.
“I’m fine,” she snapped but he ignored her efforts to grab the jacket.Clearly ticked off, she eventually slipped her arms through the sleeves.
He made a point of dropping his hands on her shoulders for a moment.Briefly, but her soft gasp heated his blood instantly.There was something here and she knew it, damn it.
