Page 2 of Rough Cowboy
The smell of barbecue filled the air, mixing with the sweet scent of freshly cut grass. A band playing on a makeshift stage adds to the festive atmosphere. The gentle breeze carries the chatting and laughter of the folks. Children run around, playing games and chasing each other. Their laughter blends in with the sounds of the party. In the distance, horses and cattle graze peacefully in a nearby field. It’s a scene straight out of a country fairytale, and everyone is having a great time.
The two women glance at the money in the cash box.
Faye whistles. “We did good.”
“That we did, sister. Now everything shall play out perfectly.”
They clink their glasses together.
“
Chapter One
ELSIE
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“HOLY SHIT. IS THE ENTIREtown here?” I watch another truck park alongside the Wilde’s sprawling ranch house.
My fingers clutch the edge of the sheer curtain until I feel my fingernails dig into the flesh of my palm.
“You’re hosting a baby reveal for the town’s biggest family. And not a gender reveal. Oh, no, not my sister. You’re hosting awho’s the daddyreveal. What did you think would happen? No one would show?” Lena stops at my side to peek out the window.
I hadn’t planned on hosting anything until the Wilde twins showed up out of the blue, and my big mouth announced a party in front of everyone.
Sometimes I think I read too many rom-com books my sister writes under the pen name Dianna Jenkins. They’re funny and sexy and not entirely realistic. Yet, here I am, hosting awho’s your daddybaby reveal.
“Look, even Rita’s here, and she hates kids.” Lena waves at one of the town councilors.
Rita’s big red hair is teased ridiculously high today. Her red spiked knee-high boots and sheer red stockings under a winged red mini-dress give her an eighties rocker-style vibe.
The older woman’s arm swings in the air before she drags both hands over her front, imitating being pregnant. It’s not even lunch, and she’s already half in the bag. Her single-life commitment would impress me if my nerves weren’t savagely on high alert.
Nerves.
Pfft.
