Page 61 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

“Wasn’t your original plan to tell the world about your faith next week?”

“Yeah. The good people in Gilead don’t need any more annoying media disrupting their town. It’s easier to control the narrative from home.”

“That makes sense.”

He stood. “Please wait here for twenty minutes. The paps should be gone by then. Take care.”

“Okay.” She’d struggle to cope with his celebrity fishbowl lifestyle and the constant intrusions on his privacy.

He glanced at his phone. “I’ll keep you updated. Call me if you need me.”

“Will do.”

Logan jogged back along the path toward town. Three people emerged from behind trees and bushes, holding cameras and tracking Logan.

Becky leaned back in her seat, a headache brewing. Sam canceling dinner was good timing. She wasn’t ready to talk about Logan and the stupid fake news story. Once Logan had killed the story and publicly shared his faith, then she could open up and tell Sam the whole sorry saga. Go horse riding and take her time unpacking why she’d run away to Gilead. Swallow her pride and own her past mistakes.

She loved Sam. He deserved to hear the truth.

She prayed Sam would listen and believe her. Her remaining morning classes were a blur. She met Cindy for lunch in the cafeteria and tried to focus on their conversation. Tried to forget about Logan.

Zach sent her a message. What did her brother want? She opened the message. A video call with their parents. ASAP.

She left Cindy in the cafeteria and returned to her dorm, each step full of dread. A text from Logan arrived, confirming Jarrod was the unnamed source.

She made a mug of hot chamomile tea, the familiar scent with a wisp of vanilla failing to calm her nerves. Jarrod’s lucrative revenge plan was outlined in Logan’s text. She’d almost gagged at the eye-watering sum Jarrod was paid to sell her out.

Becky curled up in her comfortable chair and hugged a pillow. A tissue box was beside her mug of tea. She wasn’t going to cry. She’d already shed enough tears over Jarrod’s betrayal.

She connected the video call and Zach answered.

“Hey, Bek. You know why we’re calling, right?”

“Logan Miles. You know it’s not true.”

“Yeah. Dad and Mum are here.”

She said hello and appreciated the concern on their faces and in their voices.

Dad cleared his throat. “Can you tell us what happened?”

She nodded. Mum’s eyes widened and mouth gaped as Becky provided the summary version of her friendship with Logan.

“Bek, what were you thinking?” Mum shook her head. “Logan is too famous for you to expect any meetings to stay secret.”

“I know that now. How did you find the story?”

“Mel.” Mum drank from her favorite coffee mug. “I’ve no idea why she’s following Logan and reading gossip.”

She nodded and stayed quiet. Mel had kept their conversations secret.

Mum moved out of camera range. “I’ll leave you all to sort this out. Call me if you need anything.”

“Sure, Mum. We can talk on Sunday night. Aussie time. I’ll be at a wedding here on Saturday.”

“That works. Love you. Chat later.” Mum left the room.

Becky sipped her tea. Dad’s face was red. His ears were red. He had his red cranky pants on and pulled up to neck level. She prepared for Dad’s wrath to spill.

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