Page 150 of Ride a Cowboy

“I didn’t realize you had a boyfriend when you met Granddaddy.”

Vivi nodded. “Oh yes. Charles and I had dated for well over a year, and I doubt there was anyone in Clarke who wasn’t expecting wedding bells in our future. Charles had dropped hints about us getting married and, at the time, I’d been pretty sure that was what I wanted too.”

“Granddaddy JD changed your mind?”

Vivi seemed to relive the memory as she told Sienna the story. “He did indeed. JD’s gaze took in the barn, studying every person there, but he stopped when he saw me. It’s a cliché, but the moment his eyes captured mine, it was as if time stood still.”

Sienna sighed. “Sounds romantic.”

“It was. He walked straight over to me, never taking the time to notice that Charles was standing right beside me. He said, ‘My name is JD Compton. Would you care to dance?’”

“And you said yes.”

“Of course I didn’t. I informed him I was Vicky Murphy and that I was attending the party with my boyfriend, Charles. Then I suggested that he find someone else to dance with.”

Sienna’s eyes widened. “What did Granddaddy say to that?”

“He bowed slightly and apologized. While his words were nothing but courteous, I knew I was still in trouble.”

“Why?”

“Because JD gave me this infuriating, meaningful smile that let me know he had not been deterred.”

“And obviously he wasn’t. So what happened then?” Sienna asked.

“Charles and I danced together a few times, but my gaze kept drifting to JD. It didn’t seem to matter where he was in the room, my eyes followed. He asked a couple different girls to dance and I tried to ignore the jealousy that ran through me when he smiled at them, making polite conversation. After a little while, Charles went outside for a smoke. The band played a faster song and a conga line formed. I hopped in, grabbing the waist of my cousin, Shirley. A few seconds later, a pair of hands touched me. It was like I’d been struck by lightning. I didn’t have to turn around to realize whose hands they were.”

“JD’s.”

Vivi nodded. “The train grew longer with people laughing as they moved around the room. Unfortunately, Shirley took one turn a bit too sharply and I lost my footing. JD’s grip tightened, preventing me from falling. I stepped away from the train and JD joined me, his arm still wrapped around my waist. He leaned close and said, ‘I’ve got you, Vicky Murphy. I won’t let you fall.’”

Sienna pulled her pillow to her chest. “That’s so sweet.”

“And such a lie,” Vivi said with a grin.

“What? Why?”

“Because I did fall. Right at that moment. And JD did nothing to prevent it. Just let me tumble head over heels in love with him.”

“What about Charles?”

Vivi’s attention turned back to Sienna, her eyes suddenly serious and sad. “I was a bit stubborn in those days and set in my ways.”

“In those days?” Sienna teased.

Vivi playfully tugged Sienna’s hair. “Very funny, Miss Pot. Meet Miss Kettle. You do realize you get your stubbornness from me.”

“Mom says I get it from my dad.”

“And where do you think Seth got it?”

They laughed together.

“Can I continue with my story?” Vivi asked.

Sienna gestured for her to go ahead.

“Regardless of what my heart knew to be true about JD Compton, my head wasn’t going down without a fight. It’s funny how we can trick ourselves into thinking we’re perfectly content, simply because it’s easier than taking a chance on finding true, genuine happiness.”

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