Page 2 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
“Grinch.” She glances over her shoulder and waves at the cowboy, who has slowed his walk to keep his eye on her. “We had chemistry, though.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Keep it up. You’re going to be just like Peggy-Ann. You know that, right?”
I jab the elevator button again. The lodge is swamped, and it’s only Thursday. I can’t even imagine how booming the place will be tomorrow when the women who booked the weekend for the Christmas calendar fundraiser arrive.
The demand for pictures taken with shirtless cowboys to create a custom calendar sold out in less than an hour. One afternoon extended into an entire weekend: Friday and Saturday photo shoots, Sunday supper, and cowboy signatures on their overnight produced calendars.
A lot of strings were pulled for this fundraiser. Mind you, each woman dropped a hefty buck for their calendar, my aunt Peggy-Ann included.
“I’m not married.” My sister rearranges her top to prominently showcase her breasts before turning back to flirt from a distance. “Not that Uncle Elmer cares. He has his own lineup of women from town to town.” She twirls one of her pigtail braids between her fingers seductively for her waiting cowboy.
This is the reason I left Rocky Ridge Creek. Well, one of the reasons. My family is a hot mess I don’t want to be a part of. One aunt is the town flirt—and that’s putting it nicely. Some might call her the town tramp. My other aunt, Rita, is the town’s deputy mayor but drinks like a seasoned barfly. And that’s only two out of eight aunts in and around town. The Rowe women tend to be untamed in these parts—again, except me.
“Uncle Elmer is a prick,” I say. “Don’t think either of them are happy. And don’t follow in their footsteps.”
“I don’t follow in anyone’s footsteps. Thats why I didn’t take up your invitation to move to the city after mom died.”
My chest squeezes at the mention of her. Echoes of regret linger inside me. I should’ve come back for her funeral. I should’ve said goodbye. I should’ve forgiven her.
Like always, I push the feelings deep down and smile at my sister. “There’s so much beyond the confines of this small town. My condo overlooks the ocean, and I work my own hours there.”
Hopefully, not for long. If I get the lead photographer job, I’ll travel the world doing what I love.
“But, are you happy?”
“Yes.”
Why does that feel like a lie? Why does it always feel like I’m chasing something I can’t catch? And is that the blasted Rowe curse? Chasing what you can never catch.
“Are you happy?” I ask her.
“Yes.” There isn’t even an ounce of doubt in her answer. “I’m just glad you agreed to come back.”
I hold up the camera hanging around my neck. “Work calls.”
“Charity work. Only charity could force you back here.”
“Force me?”
“Don’t make me say it.” We both know she’s referring to the funeral.
“Listen, Dani. About moms funeral—”
She holds up her hands. “Nope. We’re not doing this now. You’ve heard of Elf on the Shelf, right? Well, get ready for Cowboy in the Cozy Cabin.”
“We rented a room.”
“You know what I mean. Don’t bring my sexy mood down with your sad sob stories.”
“Alright. Let’s find The Enchanted Ballroom.”
“And find you a cowboy to unwrap.”
“No.”
“We’ll see.”
“We won’t.”
