Page 31 of A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy

“Did you see what Luke bought last week?”

“I didn’t. I knew he came in, but I had to go to lunch.”

Rob’s ears perked up. It was possible there was more than one Luke in this town, but it was more than likely they spoke of Pippa’s brother.

“He got Allie the most beautiful necklace—that delicate ruby set in gold.”

“Oh, I love that piece.”

Rob turned his attention to the rings he was looking at in the display in front of him. There were so many different styles he had no clue where to start. But knowing Pippa as well as he did, he should be able to figure out which would be best for her.

“Do you think Pippa will find someone, now that her family has all settled down?”

Rob froze. He couldn’t bear to tear his eyes away from the glass, but he wasn’t actually looking at anything. Did these women know he was the one dating the woman they were talking about?

“I don’t know,” the other answered. “I heard there’s someone new around town she’s been spending time with. But word is he's just a friend.”

There was a pause and Rob didn’t know if it was because they were assuming he was that stranger or if they had decided to stop gossiping in front of him. Relief washed over him when they started up again. He set his sights on a turning display with several pairs of earrings and twirled it with his fingertips.

“That’s too bad. She really deserves someone as amazing as she is. I’ve always thought she’d be a good match for that one deputy. You know, the taller one?”

“Oh, I know who you’re talking about! He’d be perfect for her. He’s so sweet. I wish I could remember his name.”

“It’ll come to me tomorrow.” The first one laughed. “I’m pretty sure I saw them on a date last month. I wonder if anything has come from it.”

Rob’s hand slipped, causing the display to topple over.

The women gasped and he lurched forward to return it to its upright position. His face and ears burned hot as he forced himself to look to the women.

“Sorry about that,” he said.

“It’s fine, dear. Did you see anything you’d like us to pull out?”

He shook his head as he shuffled backward, bumping into another display. Rob grunted and turned around to make sure he didn’t dislodge anything. “I’m good. I don’t need anything after all.” With that, he spun on his heel and escaped the confines of the jewelry store.

That could have been so much worse.

Who was he kidding? It went about as bad as it could have.

There were people in this town who worried about Pippa. These girls hadn’t paid enough attention to notice he was the stranger they’d been talking about, but they did have someone in mind for her.

Whoever that deputy was, he probably had his life together. He was likely the perfect specimen who could take care of her and make her laugh. What did Rob have to offer? What could he give her that she didn’t already have?

Nothing.

Things between them had been going great—so great that he’d been delusional enough to go to a jewelry store. What had he been thinking? If anything, that little adventure had taught Rob one thing. He might have been ready to pop the question, but the truth was, he had no idea where Pippa stood. She’d gone on a date with the deputy last month. Had it been serious? She hadn’t mentioned it to him.

Rob’s mind reeled with this new information. He’d never been the jealous type. At least, he hadn’t been in Rocky Ridge. But Pippa hadn’t been in Rocky Ridge. He hadn’t had to fight for her affection because whenever she’d come to town, she was the one who made time for him.

He was such an idiot. Of course someone like Pippa would be dating around. Just because she was spending most of her time with him lately didn’t mean she was as ready as he was. Rob didn’t know what had gotten into him, but he wasn’t going to let it ruin what he had with her. Maybe he could drop some hints when he saw her next.

He nodded more to himself than anyone else as he hurried away from the jewelry store. He bumped into someone and muttered an apology.

Yes, that was what he’d do. He’d tell her he was interested in something more. He’d tell her he was wrong about wanting to float through life without the responsibilities of growing up and that was one of the biggest reasons he’d left Montana. He had to figure out a way to phrase it so it wouldn’t completely put her off.

“Rob?”

He froze, his blood running cold.

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