Page 55 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

Asher nodded. The indifference in his expression gave nothing away.

“Noraisn’t the only one in need of a plus-one,” Laura-Beth offered all too sweetly.

Kelley wrinkled her nose and gave her big sister a knock-it-off glare.

Laura-Beth tapped her wrist and mouthedtick-tock. Then her big sister made eyes at Asher.

Worried the eagle-eyed retirees would catch on, Kelley blurted, “Speaking of the parade horse garlands, Asher and I still need to have our first flower weaving lesson.”

“That we do,” Asher said casually, although something sparked in his blue eyes.

“I’ve got a brilliant idea.” Beatrice clasped her hands together and grinned. “Skyline would be the perfect place. There’s more than enough room to spread out and work. If we need more flowers, we just pick them.”

“Unless Asher mowed the wildflower field on the knoll.” Lynette frowned.

“I believe the wildflowers are still standing and all good,” Asher said.

“Oh, and there’s a double feature playing tomorrow night,” Lynette said, looking rather delighted herself. “I do so adore romantic comedy movies, and we get two for the price of one. It’s double the dose of feel-good.”

Beatrice laughed. “We’re practically guaranteed to feel our best when we leave.”

“Can’t ask for more than that,” Big E offered.

“A double feature date night.” Lynette grinned wide. “What could be better than that?”

Kelley was struggling to come up with something better than spending an evening with her cowboy. A worry if she allowed it to become one.

All she had to do was double down on her heart lockdown and remember Asher was not her second-chance romance.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

At Skyline Drive-In, Asher spotted a familiar cowgirl standing in the middle of a wildflower patch. Her curly hair fell past her shoulders and her laughter floated across the knoll.Finally.He caught his breath, even though he was standing still.

Kelley saw him and waved. “Hurry up, cowboy!” She shook a large blanket out and let it float down to cover the grass. “You don’t want to miss all the fun!”

He had been missing his cowgirl all day by mere minutes. He missed her at breakfast. When he was with Derby Dreamer that morning, she was prepping in his kitchen. When he headed back to his house, she was already with the staff in the break room barn. And so it went for the entire day, from the Blackwell Stables to the Galloping Fork and everywhere in between. Their paths did not cross. Until now. And now he realized how much he missed her.

Asher turned to look for his carpool crew and said, “I see the others. They’re heading this way.” Then he wasted no more time and made a beeline straight for Kelley.

Up on the knoll nearby, the Arbor sisters set a basket of wildflowers on another blanket and smiled brightly.

“I recruited extra hands to help weave,” Asher announced by way of a greeting.

“We are more than happy to have them.” Beatrice scooted around Asher to hug Frannie, Owen and then Big E. She linked her arm around Owen’s. “The more, the merrier, in my mind.”

He was feeling slightly merry himself suddenly. Asher dropped down onto the blanket, barely giving Kelley time to make room. As it was, he sat close enough that their knees and shoulders touched. Just where he wanted to be. Right beside his cowgirl.

“Sorry, we are late.” Big E eyed Asher under the brim of his cowboy hat and added, “We got a bit delayed riding out on the trail.”

Kelley glanced at Asher.

He kept his expression contained and shrugged, even though he knew full well he was the reason for that.

“We took the pasture patrol trio out for some exercise.” Frannie joined them on the blanket. “Pride is enjoying his new friends, by the way.”

“I know,” Kelley said, meeting Asher’s gaze. “I checked on him first thing this morning.”

Asher was not surprised, only disappointed he had not thought to catch up with Kelley then.