Page 39 of Reckoning with the Cowboy
“I was just on my way to my office,” she said. “I didn’t mean to distract you from your work.”
“Darn, I thought maybe you were wondering when I was finally going to ask you to dinner.” He saw her flush. She almost looked nervous, but that was so not like her. “How about this weekend? If you’re free.” Before she could answer, he rushed on. “I could use a woman’s input on the furnishings in the hotel. If you’re interested.”
* * *
Josie knew hewas toying with her and probably had been for a few weeks now. She eyed him, unable not to notice how good he looked in an old T-shirt under a pair of faded denim bibs. A tool belt hung from his slim hips and he smelled of sawdust and paint. He was tanned from outside work she heard he’d been doing on local ranches to help pay for his endeavor. His arms were more muscled from all that labor plus the work he was putting into the hotel. She often would see lights on at the hotel and knew he’d be working late. His hair was longer again, blonder from the sun. A lock fell over one blue eye as he grinned.
She breathed him in, liking the smell of the sawdust, the paint and the sweat. The man had never looked more male or sexier and he knew it. She swallowed, feeling heat race across her cheeks. “Yes.”
His grin broadened. “Yes?”
“Yes, to all of it,” she said, meeting his gaze and holding it.
He looked surprised, but equally delighted. “Great. Why don’t you come to the hotel Saturday night. Say seven o’clock. I’ll be ready for you.”
Her heart was already thumping wildly in her ears. “I certainly hope so,” she thought but didn’t dare say as she nodded, turned on her heel and walked toward her office. She could feel his gaze hot on her backside and felt the exquisite heat shoot straight to her center. No man had ever fired her up like Cordell, but six years ago he’d been more like a teenage boy than the man who’d just asked her out to dinner.
She found herself smiling, anxious for her dinner date with the new owner of the Lander Hotel and Resort.
Dear Angel,
It’s a miracle. I got that new lawyer I told you about. Thanks again for sending the money. That really helped. He got me a hearing. I might be getting out of here. I don’t understand all the legal stuff. But it seems my public defender really messed up.
I’ve dreamed of you every night. I just never thought I’d ever get to actually meet you in person. If all goes well, I might be making a trip to Montana. I hope I’m not being too forward since you never thought I’d ever be getting out of here. I never thought so, either.
Write me. Let me know how you feel about this. I’ll understand if you don’t want to see me. Just know, I’m going to pay you back every dime I owe you. I loved finally hearing your voice when I called you a few weeks ago. Mind if I do it again? Sorry it has to be collect.
Your very happy pen pal,
Shane
“Wow, you look nice,” Amy Sue said as Josie came down the stairs at the farmhouse. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you in a dress. That’s quite the dress. Is that new?”
Josie smoothed the silken fabric down over her hips. “Is it too much?”
“Depends on where you’re going and who you’re meeting,” her sister said.
She knew Amy Sue wasn’t going to approve. “I’m having dinner with Cordell at the hotel.”
“Is the hotel restaurant even finished?”
“I don’t know. He keeps the window covered so it’s hard to see inside. Yes, I’m curious. You might as well say it.”
Her sister shook her head. “Would it do any good to warn you that he’s going to break your heart again?”
“No, it wouldn’t,” she said, “but thank you for worrying about me. We should talk about your love life instead.” Now that Josie thought about it, her sister had been wearing makeup lately and seemed more cheerful. “Is there a man in your life?”
“Maybe, nice you noticed.”
“Who is he?” Josie asked, instantly worried. Her sister had never been any better than she herself was when it came to finding a good one. Wasn’t that why she’d waited in hopes Cordell would return?
Amy Sue chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough. You’d better get going. You don’t want to keep Cordell waiting. You do look beautiful. I like your hair up like that.”
“Thank you.” She hugged her sister, hoping Amy Sue had found someone. She deserved the best. “I’m staying in town tonight.”
“Of course you are,” her sister said with a chuckle. “Enjoy yourself.”
Josie planned to, but she couldn’t help being anxious to see how much Cordell had accomplished at the hotel. It seemed a monumental job and she questioned if he had it in him to see it through.
