Page 19 of A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy

Horse pocky, she couldn’t. He leaned toward her. “I had a good day, Paisley. How was that for enunciation?”

Her startled gaze met his as Enchantment shied away from something Weston couldn’t see. Paisley began to slide off the saddle, but Weston was close. He pressed against her arm enough that she kept her balance.

When she sat tall in her saddle again, she gave him three slow claps. “Excellent job with the big word, cowboy.”

“I rescued you from landing on your duff on the trail.” And the tingle on his palm might never go away.

“And you want thanks for that?” Paisley lifted her chin.

“If I have to thank you for a not excessively horrible day, then, yes, I do.”

“Thank you for saving my life,” she said primly.

“You’re welcome, drama queen.” The smirk on his face refused to dissipate.

Paisley feigned shock as she looked at him. “Why, cowboy, I think that’s the third time today you’ve smiled for at least two seconds. I consider today a success.”

Weston considered the day a success, too. Not only had they found a suitable site for the tween backcountry trip next week, but he’d felt a camaraderie with Paisley that had made the hours zip by. It was a different affinity than he experienced hanging out with Jude, the only person who’d ever tried to understand him… before Paisley.

That didn’t make her a good idea.

But why did it make her a bad idea?

Because once she saw what a loser he really was, she’d bug out as quickly as Rayna had.

So… why not hurry that along? Why not reveal his ugly heart sooner rather than later so that they’d both get through this more quickly?

There were only two reasons he hadn’t managed to repel her completely already. One, it was kind of nice to have someone’s undivided attention, even when — especially when — he didn’t deserve it. Two, if he put his deep problems on display, he’d likely find himself without a home, without a job, and without a family. The Sullivans would drop him like a hot potato, and Mom was so enthralled with her newfound father that she’d side with her birth family. His brother? Jude wanted those pilot lessons. He’d cross to the Sullivans, too.

Weston would be alone. Which he totally deserved, but that didn’t mean he actually wanted it. At Sweet River Ranch, he could pretend to be a lone wolf while enjoying being in the shadows of a functioning family unit. He could watch and get a little peace by seeing the peace in others.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

He startled. Right. Paisley was beside him as their horses plodded toward the corrals, bathed in the late day sun.

Weston shook his head. “They’re not worth a red cent.” He squeezed Ranger’s flanks and the gelding shifted into a trot, pulling ahead of Enchantment. A moment later, he swung out of the saddle and led Ranger into the stable, pausing so his eyes could adjust to the semi darkness.

Voices from somewhere in the building caught his ears, and he stood still, the gelding blocking the doorway. Who was in here? Why? The dinner bell must have rung, and the day’s rides should be over. Darrell might be around, currying a horse or checking a hoof, but that wasn’t Darrell’s voice.

“I told you; I’m leaving. Dad needs me… and he needs me with David.”

Weston cocked his head. He knew that female voice.

“Heather, please. I can’t do this without you.”

Heather… and Maxwell.

“Sure, you can. Good help isn’t that hard to find. Jordan can do everything I’ve been doing.”

“Heather…”

There was silence for a long moment. Was this where they’d fall into each other’s arms and admit they loved each other? Because everyone seemed able to see it but them.

Weston rolled his eyes and waited for the sounds of smooching. Instead, he felt Enchantment’s breath on his neck. He stretched his hand back and touched Paisley for the second time today. “Shh.”

“I made a promise, Max. Some of us take promises seriously.”

Maxwell guffawed. “What you’re talking about was a contingency clause between kids.”

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