Page 75 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

Miley puffed out her chest. “I was not —”

“I’m sick of the lies, Miley. You did me a favor when you dumped me. I’ve moved on, and I’m happy.”

Miley wrinkled her nose and switched her attention to Becky. “I can’t see how a girl like her would be happy living on a ranch. There’s no hot celebrity actors hanging around in the middle of nowhere.”

Becky tensed. “I’m going to find the restroom.” She shot Miley a defiant look. “Don’t follow me.”

Miley switched on her fake smile and saccharine tone. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Becky walked away, leaving Sam with his nemesis.

He wanted closure. He needed closure. He stared at Miley. “You have no class.”

“She’s bad news, Sam.” Miley clucked her displeasure. “I found out why she ran away from Australia.”

He shook his head. “You don’t know anything.”

“Mrs. Alleghany showed me the article. Becky will break your heart. She was seen with Logan. Why else would they be hanging out?”

“That’s your problem. Don’t put your standards on Becky. Just because you’d have an affair with Logan if he so much as looked at you doesn’t mean everyone else would.”

Miley rolled her eyes. “He’s Logan Miles. The Logan Miles. The man is smoking hot.”

“He’s a man who gets paid a lot of money for his work. He’s Becky’s friend. He’s my friend.”

“Sam, are you an idiot? No one in their right mind would say no to a fling with Logan Miles.”

He shook his head again. “Have you shared this opinion with your husband? The man you promised to be faithful to when you got married?”

“I’m not talking about me. I’m talking about Becky.”

“We’re done, Miley. I’m selling my house in Gilead and leaving town for good.” He stood. “Have a nice life.”

He walked away, heading outdoors. He needed to let off steam and calm down. Miley wasn’t worth it. She was his past, and Becky was his future.

Sam checked his phone. Good news from Mom. Dad was on his way to Colorado. Thank you, Jesus.

He sent Becky a text, letting her know he was outside. He’d walk and pray and calm his temper. He’d never been more thankful that Miley had dumped him. Their breakup had been hard, and his sympathies were with Pete’s brother. Miley was Matt’s problem.

* * *

Becky closed the restroom door and walked back along the hall toward the reception room. She might hide in the hall if Miley was still with Sam at their table.

Miley was brazen to accuse Becky of being a cheater in front of Sam. A mortifying experience that reminded her of why she’d left Sydney last year. Gossip was horrible. People were horrible. Miley was horrible in how she’d weaponized the article.

How awful of Miley to take the fake news story and create her own version of Becky’s relationship history to suit Miley’s own twisted narrative. Becky loved Sam for standing up for the truth and calling Miley out. He’d said little about his own history with Miley, other than the reasons for why he’d need a plus-one today. Miley the maneater was on the prowl, and Sam was her target.

Her phone beeped and she checked the screen. Sam. Her pulse slowed. He was outside. She sent him a text and made her way to the courtyard.

He gave her a terse smile. “We can talk in the rose garden.”

“Sure.” She reached for his hand, linking her fingertips through his. A stroll in the garden would provide privacy.

They walked in silence. Sam seemed lost in thought. She waited for him to initiate a conversation.

“I’m sorry about Miley,” he said.

“It’s not your fault.”

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