Page 66 of Sheriff's City Girl

After the gala.

I’ll tell him tonight after the gala.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Mason

Man, I hated wearing a damn suit. It was my least favorite piece in my closet—not that I even paid attention to what the hell was in there. I rolled my shoulders as I pulled up in front of Emma’s house, putting the truck in park. The front door opened as I slid out of the driver’s seat, ready to walk her to the Bronco. However, I froze in place as her full figure came into view.

Whoa, she is something.

She was in a long, olive gown, cinched at the waist. It complimented her creamy skin, and dark hair, falling in waves down her back. She had a full face of makeup, her plum shade of lipstick accentuating her green eyes… Emma was stunning.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” she quipped, coming down the porch steps and heading for the Bronco.

I broke myself from my thoughts, giving her a grin. “You look like a movie star.”

“So… fake?”

I laughed, thankful that the glamor hadn’t changed her humor. “I meant Hollywood kind of beautiful, but you know, I still think you’re Hollywood beautiful without being all dolled up.”

She smiled, letting me open the door for her. “I like that. Thank you.”

I leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips before shutting the door and rounding the front of my truck to hop in. The nervous jitters of what was to come for the evening were hanging overhead. I was stepping well out of my comfort zone, and after earlier today…

It was not going to be a pleasant experience.

“You look so spiffy,” Emma’s voice interrupted my thoughts. “I’m really impressed.”

I ran my fingers along my clean-shaven face, not sure if I agreed with her. “I hate to say this, but I look older than ever with my face like this.”

She laughed, tipping her head back. “I think you look handsome.”

“You’re too kind,” I teased, reaching over and grabbing her hand as I backed out of her driveway. “I hope tonight goes well. I don’t know about dragging you into this. I didn’t realize how high the tensions are running between Lucas and the Hudsons.”

She pursed her lips. “I can imagine it must be high after the way Brittany talked like they were for sure going to take the ranch.”

I nodded, thinking back to the nasty conflict. “Yeah, Graham showed up to the ranch with some outrageous numbers. I don’t know why he’s damn determined to buy the Lowe Ranch. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me—other than it’s become a pride thing. He doesn’t want to lose.”

“But my guess is that Lucas still didn’t agree. Brittany told me that we wouldn’t even be presenting at the gala—she was sure that he was going to take the money.”

I shook my head. “Yeah, well, she should’ve known better. They’re gonna have to kill him before he gives it up.”

She looked concerned. “You don’t think they’d escalate to violence, do you? I’ve read some downright terrifying stories of stuff like that.”

“I don’t think so, but you never really know. Besides, the ranch wouldn’t go up for sale if Lucas passed. It would go to his cousin. He’s got all that shit lined out. He’s not going to let anything happen to that place.”

She nodded, letting out what sounded to be a relieved sigh. “I just don’t understand why people can’t let things go.”

“They’re just greedy, and for some reason, those big guys think they can move into these small towns and just buy it out—and maybe sometimes they can. But that’s not how it works here. We’re a tight knit community, and I don’t look for us to back down.”

“I find that very appealing about this place,” Emma admitted, squeezing my hand. “I like the way that everyone stands up for what they believe in. I’m so thankful that everyone accepted me as one of their own.”

“I think that’s the thing, people here don’t mind welcoming in new folks,” I said, thinking of the way Emma was welcomed with open arms. “But you didn’t try to buy out everyone’s land to build shopping centers, either.”

“That’s true,” she laughed, before glancing at the folder on the dash. “So do you want to do most of the talking? Or do you want me to?”

“I figured you could talk about the way the community welcomed you into their arms and your experience at the ranch. Beyond that, I don’t want you pushing it too much, to be honest.”

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