Page 33 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

Now Kelley was more curious than concerned.

“Best if you take Kelley and a dozen of her blackberry turnovers with you,” Rosalind suggested. “Those can soften up even the sourest of moods.”

“I’ve got some leftover in the back,” Kelley offered. Although they were meant for her cowboy’s private stash.

Beside Asher, Beatrice clasped her hands together and exclaimed, “Oooh, if we’re going to be on TV, we’ve got to have flower garlands for the horses like Asher’s mother used to make.”

Finally, Asher flinched and held up his hands. He shook his head and said, “I’m afraid those just might be way out of my wheelhouse.”

“But your sweet momma taught us.” Beatrice’s words were soothing.

“Everyone wanted to be on her flower committee, but she was rather selective.” Lynette bumped her shoulder against Asher’s and sighed, a wistful note to her words. “We had such fun weaving those flowers for the horses in the parade.”

“You will, too.” Beatrice patted Asher’s shoulder. “When we teach you all that your dear mother taught us.”

Asher’s eyebrows pulled together. He was starting to look slightly ill at ease.

Up until now, he had taken everything in stride. Wanting to offer her support, Kelley said, “Count me in for the flower weaving, too.”

Asher gave her a small, grateful nod.

“Well now, that will be fine.” Beatrice looked from Kelley to Asher and back. Her gaze gleamed and she murmured, “Yes. That will be just fine indeed.”

It would be fine for Kelley. Even though she only just realized if Asher was entering a float he would most likely still be in town for the parade and her sister’s wedding. That meant Laura-Beth would be expecting Kelley to ask Asher to be her plus-one for the big day.

However, asking Asher on a date would invite Kelley’s inner hopeless romantic back into the game. But that mischief maker tended to set caution aside and leap swiftly forward. And a wedding reception was the worst sort of venue. Love would literally be in the air all around her. There would be no avoiding the other dewy-eyed, love-struck guests, even at the singles’ table.

Good thing Kelley was all about mind over heart these days. Otherwise, she might have considered it all the perfect recipe for romance.

CHAPTER EIGHT

It was notthe eye contact that did him in. It was the cowgirl in the passenger seat of Walter’s truck. The one Asher did not want to let down.Troublesome territory, that.

Now here he was driving to Herman Whittaker’s farm to find out about a trailer for a parade float that Asher would rather not design or build for a July Fourth parade he had not even planned to be in Gold Finch for. All because Asher wanted to show a certain hazel-eyed chef that he could be counted on.Definite trouble there.

Apparently, Asher had tossed his intention to steer clear of his cowgirl right out the window. There was nothing for it but to buckle down. He would get the trailer, get home and get back to unraveling the accounting books in his father’s office alone. After all, he was good on his own. Asher knew how to succeed at being alone. He preferred it that way. At least, until recently.

Kelley laughed. The bright sound filled the car until even Asher’s frown softened. He slanted his gaze toward his pretty yet bothersome-for-his-peace-of-mind passenger. Kelley was on the phone with her older sister working through what she’d dubbed just another wedding crisis before she answered the call. Kelley glanced his way and gave him a thumbs-up, signaling all was well on the wedding front.

Minutes later, the call ended yet her amusement lingered. Kelley said, “Sorry about that. Laura-Beth wants her dream day, and any little hiccup throws her into a frenzy.”

“And you are making sure she gets that dream day by handling all the details,” Asher said.

“I’m doing everything I can.” Kelley gave a quick but firm nod. “Laura-Beth deserves it. It’s her wedding. Everything should be perfect, right?”

“Was yours?” he asked, then clamped his teeth together and said quickly, “You don’t have to answer that. I shouldn’t have pried.”

“No, it’s fine.” Kelley set her phone in the console and ran her palms over her jean-covered legs. “Obviously, my marriage was not perfect, seeing as we are now divorced. As for our wedding day…”

At the sudden silence, Asher glanced over and watched Kelley slowly deflate as if backing away from the memory that was suddenly staring her down. If only he stopped there. Instead, he reached over and curved his fingers around hers and said, “I didn’t mean to bring up any painful memories. Again, I’m sorry. Just ignore me.”

Her chin lowered and her head tilted as if she suddenly noticed his hand over hers. Asher started to pull away. Kelley was faster. One flip of her wrist and she linked their fingers until their palms pressed together. Then she anchored her other hand on top of their joined ones as if to ensure he wouldn’t let go. Finally, she turned her gaze on him and said, “In case you aren’t aware, you are sort of hard to ignore.”

Right back at you, cowgirl. He squeezed her fingers and said, “I could say the same about you.”

Asher caught a glimpse of her pink cheeks before she ducked her head again and said, “I got married at the courthouse. No fanfare. No fuss. Just a judge and a standard courtroom script.”

Not what he would have pictured. It didn’t sound special or dare he say magical enough for someone like her. “Is that what you wanted?”