Page 4 of Cowboy

A glance at his watch told him he needed to get busy. The client he was doing this sketch for was in town and wanted to see it in just over an hour.

“I’m glad you’re not feeling too bad, but I need to get back to work. I’ve got a meeting soon and I need to be ready.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I assumed you’re off today like I am. I’ll let you go but really quick I wanted to take you to lunch, as a thank you for bringing me home.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“But I want to. I don’t know many people who would do something like that, and lunch is the least I can do.”

“All right but I’m busy today. I can do tomorrow if that works for you?”

“I can do that. Where do you want to go?”

Cowboy named a diner he liked but didn’t get to often, she didn’t know where it was but said she’d figure it out and she’d meet him there tomorrow, then rang off.

The music turned back on in the headset he wore, and Cowboy turned his attention back to the sketch he was working on. He was running out of time and as much as he’d wanted to keep talking to Ava, this was more important.

4

Ava walked into the little diner and looked around. How would she know if he was already here? She hadn’t realized until this moment she had no idea what he looked like. It felt like everyone was staring because she had been standing there an inordinate length of time when she spotted a man near the back waving at her.

She smiled and made her way back to where he sat, weaving in between tables. She took her time so she could get a good look at him. He was handsome, a red head going gray, but he didn’t look old enough to be that gray. It was hard to tell while he was seated but he looked like he was in good shape. At least his t-shirt clung to him in all the right ways. As she got closer, she couldn’t help but notice his bright green eyes that seemed to speak to her despite his not saying anything yet.

“Are you Cowboy?” she asked as she got close enough to be heard without raising her voice. She felt dumb enough using what was obviously a nickname without knowing him, or at least she hoped it was a nickname.

“I am,” he said with a nod. “I’m glad to see you more aware of your surroundings.” He stood and offered her a hand. She took it and shook it. “Have a seat.” He motioned to the other side of the table.

Ava pulled out the chair and tucked her skirt under as she sat. Cowboy took his seat again as soon as she did. The waitress appeared next to the table before she had a chance to say anything. The name tag on her shirt read ‘Betsy’.

“I know you just got here, sugar, but any idea what you’d like to drink?”

Ava blinked, not having been ready to order yet. Coffee? Didn’t sound good, she’d had enough already.

“Water, please.”

“No problem, you want lemon with that?”

“No thanks.”

When Betsy left, Ava took a deep breath and forced herself not to bite her lip, no matter how badly she wanted to.

“Thanks again for the night before last.” She shook her head. “It was a stupid thing to do, I know. I wish I could say I didn’t know better, but I did. I knew I should have gone with someone, but I just moved to town, and I only know a couple of people. They were busy and I was tired of waiting for life to happen to me.” She didn’t know why she felt like she needed to explain her actions to him, yet found herself doing it just the same.

“Hey, I get wanting to cut loose once in a while. Next time you want to go out and don’t have anyone to watch your back, I’d be happy to go with you, if only to make sure you make it home safely. No strings attached.”

“That’s a very generous offer.” She didn’t know what else to say, not now. She picked up her menu and took her time deciding what she wanted. She couldn’t help but notice Cowboy never touched his menu.

By the time Betsy returned with her water, Ava knew what she wanted. Betsy took their orders then left.

“Where do you get a name like Cowboy?” she asked before he had a chance to ask about her.

He chuckled.

“Rest assured, it’s not my given name. I’ve had several ask that. It’s a nickname. Given to me a long time ago by my club.”

“Club?” What kind of club gave you nick names? She knew a lot of men ended up with them in the military, but a club?

“I’m part of a riding club, have been for years.”

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