Page 6 of Love Me, Cowboy

He tried not to take the cold treatment personally. Both the Campbell and Holly families had a hand in founding the town. When it came down to picking a name, the founding fathers couldn’t agree and settled the dispute the old-fashioned way—with a hand of poker.

Holly won, Campbell lost, and a rivalry that would last more than a hundred years was born. In fact, when Claire and Mary Catherine had become friends, you’d have thought international borders had been breached. Tyler liked to think their generation would put an end to the pettiness.

“Since when are you two spending time together?” Mrs. Campbell asked. “I wasn’t aware of this.”

Claire set her tray of desserts on the back corner of the table. “We aren’t spending time together, Mother,” she said, blowing a lock of hair out of her eyes. “We bumped into each other on the way here, and Tyler was nice enough to help me out.”

Tyler gave Mrs. Campbell his best smile, determined not to give her the pleasure of affecting him. “Us Hollys might not be in civil service, but we’re still good for a helping hand now and then.”

The older woman’s face took on the look he expected, as if he’d shit on her shoe. The shot was petty, but the hit felt good anyway.

“I’ve got everything under control, Mother,” Claire said. “Georgia should be here somewhere.”

“She isn’t,” Mrs. Campbell replied. “Why does it not surprise me she’s dumped everything on you once again?”

Claire sighed as she closed her eyes. Tyler could see her mentally counting to ten.

“I’m not in a hurry,” he said, stepping closer to Claire. “You give the orders and I’ll hang or move whatever you need until Stretch gets here.” Though hanging purple wedding bells was not Tyler’s idea of fun, he’d have volunteered to hang a hundred of them to get Claire’s mother off her back.

“Really?” Claire asked, looking up at him with relief on her face.

“Sure. Tell me where to start.”

The smile he received for his offer sent heat into Tyler’s gut. If only this tiny woman knew how much he’d like to put that smile on her face every day.

“See, Mother,” Claire said, keeping her eyes on Tyler. “We’ve got it completely under control.” With a wave of her hand, she added, “You’re free to go.”

Before Mrs. Campbell could respond, Claire moved into action, calling for the hotel employees to gather around near the front of the room. Tyler shot his nemesis a beaming smile, ignoring the tug on his scar from the effort. The woman actually growled before stomping off, leaving the smell of a decaying flower garden in her wake.

* * *

A half hour later, Georgia had yet to make an appearance, and Claire was quickly losing patience. Where could she be? Annoyance shifted into concern as she contemplated her friend stuck in a ditch somewhere. Claire checked her phone for the sixth time, but Georgia had yet to return her calls or texts.

“I’m really getting worried. Should we send someone out to find her?” she asked Tyler.

“Stretch can take care of herself. I’m sure she’ll be here any minute.” Tyler dangled a large purple crepe-paper bell in the air. “Now where do you want this one?”

“I really do appreciate this,” she said, stifling a giggle at the cowboy with the dainty decoration. “I know you only volunteered to save me back there.”

His full lips tilted up. “What are friends for? You can return the favor when Marilyn gets here by helping me sneak past her.”

“Crap.” Claire glanced at her watch. “She’ll be here any minute. How could I forget about her?” If everything wasn’t done, Marilyn would take charge, and Claire would lose control of the whole affair. The woman would also start barking orders at Tyler, and he’d never get away.

He’d saved her. Now Claire owed him the same.

“You’d better leave now if you want to make a clean getaway.” Claire took his hand and dragged him toward the ballroom doors. “I’ll scan the entrance to make sure we don’t run into her before we get you out.”

“You’re making it sound like we’re trying to outsmart some movie villain,” Tyler said, trailing behind her. “She isn’t that bad.”

Claire pulled up and turned on Tyler, who stopped mere inches before running into her.

“She’s forcing your sister to open endless boxes of underwear in front of half the town. Does that sound ‘not that bad’ to you?”

“When you put it that way...”

“That’s what I thought,” she said, dragging Tyler farther down the hall until they reached the entrance to the lobby. Claire peered around the corner. “I don’t see her. Wait here while I check outside.”

“But—”

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