Page 16 of Cowboy Wolf's Secret Baby

Beth insisted that Taryn go to bed after the movie was over. Shedesperately needed to talk to Savvie. Plus, it was past midnight.Tarynwanted to argue, but Beth gave her the “mom look” that noone,in the history ofmoms,dared to defy.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t watch her tonight,” Savvie said. “I can’t turn down any of my shifts offered at the bar.”

“I know. Tarynunderstands,” Beth said. “I’m glad that I have the shop. I just close it whenever I need to.”

Beth owned a mystical shop with special stones, potions, and other items that especially appealed to tourists, although Beth did have loyal local customers as well.

“So, what’s up?” Savvie asked. “I noticed that you were staring off into spaceduringthe entire time the movie played. Youdidn’tevenget upset when the clown pulled the little boy under the bed. Iknow how much clowns terrify you.”

“I know, right?Andthere are clowns at the rodeo.Theydon’t scare me too much, though,because I know they are the good guys.”

“There’sa really oldcountry song called Bandy, the Rodeo Clown, by Mo Bandy,” Savvie said.

“Random piece of trivia.” Beth laughed.

“Back to my question. What’sgoing on?”

“I talked to Conner at the rodeo tonight.”

“Oh, my heavens, you did not.”

“I did. I was sitting in the stands waiting on Taryn and he came up to me. He said that he knew it sounded like a pick-up line, but asked if we had met before.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I just asked him where we could have possibly met.”

“What did he say?”

“Nothing.Hecomplimented Taryn.Itold him that she came by her rodeo skills naturally, and thenafter a minute,he went on his way.”

“Wow.”

“He shook my hand, and I could feel the electricity and firesthat he ignited with justa single touch.Mylips tingled from his kisses,andI could feel his body pressed to mine.”

Beth wiped a tear from her face,andSavvie put her hand over hers. “Honey, I’m so sorry.”

“I always said that I justwantedfive more minutes with him and just to talkto him once more, but now I know that it will never be enough.”

“What are you going to do?”

“There’s nothing that I can do. Ican’t tellhimwho I am or who Taryn is to him. Iwould sound like a crazy groupie.”

“What if he talks to you again?”

“I’ll do my best to pretendlikeI don’t know him. Iwish there was a way that I could talk Taryn out of competing, but you know that she has her heart set on it. Ican’t disappoint her that way,” Beth said, and then she laughed. “Plus, I would never give Mother the satisfaction of thinkingthat Iam keeping Taryn home to please her.”

Savvy laughed. “I don’t know why you let her come around.”

“Try to stop her,” Beth said. “Short of moving far away, I can’t keep her away from me.SheknowsthatI resent her andthat Iwill never join her little coven.Herlatest schemeis usinga spell to force people into handing over their cash to her. Theydon’t remember doing it. Peoplejustknow that one minutetheyare going about their businessandthe nextminute,theyare standing on the sidewalk with no money.Thevictims call the cops,buttheycan’t tell them anything.”

“That’s awful.”

“What can I do? Ican’t go to the cops. Theywould haul me into the psych ward,” Beth said.

“True enough.” Savvie laughed. “Back to Conner, I know that it hurts. Thegood thing is that the rodeo only lasts two weeksandthen he’ll move on. Seeinghim tonight ripped open the scab on a festering sore, but once he’s gone, life willget backto normal again.”

“I know. And I’ll do everything I can to avoid seeing him, although I’m not sure how. I have to be there to watch Taryn perform.”

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