Page 1 of Wrangling Nash

Chapter 1: Jovie

“What the hell am I doing?” I mumbled to myself as I surveyed the rows of work boots in front of me.

Irish Setter, Red Wing, Ariat, Justin Original – the names all blended together, and they all looked identical.

I should have researched these online before leaving.

I'd always been a planner, accustomed to researching, reading reviews, checking on Reddit – even for a simple purchase like work boots. However, this trip to Lonestar Junction couldn’t have been planned, and I’d had only two weeks to get my life in order before moving here, leaving little time for trivial matters like buying work boots. The realization that I didn't have any appropriate shoes hit me only after I had already pulled on to the interstate and looked down at the golden wedge sandals that I was wearing.

Sighing, I picked up a pair that looked like they might fit and turned them back and forth in my hands, examining them closely.

They have hard toes. That’s needed, right?

Shit, I’m so screwed.

Looking up, I noticed a man standing at the row diagonally from me, checking out the work gloves. He was tall, handsome, with dirty blonde hair, a muscular build, and the slightest scruff on his strong jawline – and he was wearing work boots.

“Excuse me,” I called out as I walked in his direction.

His eyes shifted to mine as he did a slow scan of my body, observing what I was wearing. I knew I was overdressed for the middle of who-knows-where-the-fuck-I-am-Texas, but the way he looked at me wasn’t just in observation of the high-heeled wedges and short jean shorts I was wearing. I could tell he found me attractive, and I figured I could use this to my advantage to get some help with picking out boots.

The closer I got, his features came into focus, and I noticed he had thick lips and bright green eyes to match his sandy hair, and when he grinned - dimples.

Damn, dimples are a weakness of mine.

“Yes?” he asked as I made my way to stand in front of him.

“I have no idea what I should be looking for in work boots, and I noticed you’re wearing them. What boot would you buy to protect your feet from the elements, animals, machinery, and won't cause blisters?”

He took a step back, observing the pair I held in my hands.

“This isn’t for your boyfriend, is it?”

I shook my head no and mustered my best seductive smile with a bat of my eyelashes, though I was feeling less than sexy at the moment. “It’s for me.”

His eyebrows raised.

“Carhartt might be a fad right now with the hipster guys and gals, but it’s really durable. Steel toe, waterproof. I’d go with those.”

“Thank you!” I said, smiling as I turned on my heel and hurried back to the aisle with the boots. I looked for my size in the Carhartt boots, grabbed them, and headed to the register while checking the time on my phone.

Damn it. Already 2 o’clock.

If I didn’t hurry, I was going to be late, and I couldn’t afford to be late.

I plopped the boots on the register as the cashier rang them up at a pace a sloth could beat. I tapped my foot impatiently, hoping the older man would notice and hurry his pace, but everyone in this town moved as if they didn’t have anywhere important to be.

While I waited, I noticed the man from the aisle earlier had walked up behind me and placed a pair of heavy-duty gloves and a box of matches on the register. I could feel his gaze hot on my body, and the hair on my neck prickled in response. There was something about him that screamed rugged cowboy and was nothing like the men I’d been around for the last eight years working in tech in Houston.

I turned to catch his eye and flashed a smile. Most guys would look away if caught staring, but this guy just continued smiling and staring, showing those damn dimples again and making my stomach flutter.

“$75.99,” the cashier chirped, bringing me back to reality.

I pulled out some bills and handed them to him as he slowly provided me with the change.

“Have a nice day.”

“Thank you,” I said and then waved to the handsome stranger as I exited. “Thanks again for your help with picking these out. I hope they work out.”

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