Page 111 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

She snuggled closer to him. “And we did, and I enjoyed it. I don’t remember the last time I had a night with the girls. Butwe’venever had a night out, Ty, and I …” She gave him a guilty little smile. “I didn’t even know if you would dance.”

He laughed as he spun her around. “You’ve got no worries there, sweetheart. I’ll dance with you all night long if you want me.” He cupped her cheek in his hand before sliding his fingers into her hair. “At least, I’ll dance with you till they shut the place down. Then I’ll take you home – and you know what we’ll be doing all night long.”

He loved the way her whole body trembled against him. “We don’t have to dance for too long.”

He chuckled. “We’ll see how long we last. And Shay, anytime you want to come out, I’ll bring you. I didn’t want you to feel like this was one more thing that you have to fit into your schedule, but I’m happy to bring you out, show you off …” He held her gaze for a moment then winked “Get you tipsy and take you home.”

She laughed and held him tighter. “You don’t need to get me tipsy. I’m more than willing.”

~ ~ ~

The next afternoon, Shayna kept wishing that she’d worn a long-sleeved shirt. Ty kept scowling whenever he spotted the bruise on her arm where that idiot had grabbed her last night. It was nothing, it didn’t even hurt, but Ty was all growly about it.

She hoped that manning the grill at their family lunch would be enough to distract him. She’d hung out with him for a while,but when Kolby and Callie had arrived, Callie had asked her to come and sit.

She glanced over to where Kolby now stood with Ty.

Callie laughed. “Damn, girl! That man looks like he’d kill for you.”

Shayna smiled. “Doesn’t he? He’s mad about my arm.”

Callie took her hand and looked at the bruise. “Well, crap – you can’t blame him! Or … does it bother you?”

“No!” Shayna glanced over at him, and when he caught her gaze, his scowl turned into a smile. “I think it would if I felt like any of it was directed at me. Or even if … if he couldn’t switch it off, you know?”

“Yeah, I do. Kolby gets the same way. He gets mad at anything that makes life difficult for me, but he doesn’t cling to it.” Callie laughed. “I can still make him smile, even when he’s fuming.”

“Yeah, that,” said Shayna. “If being angry was more important to him than being happy with me, then I wouldn’t like it – but that’s not how it is.”

“They’re good guys.” Callie smiled at her. “And the two of you are good together. Have you figured out what you’re going to do here yet? Kolby said that you’ve been helping Tanner with the horses and helping out at the lodge.”

Shayna laughed. “I have. I’m doing much the same as I used to do at the lake.” She turned to look up at the mountains. “It’s just more beautiful here.”

“Does that mean you’re going to stay? I hope so.”

“I think so. I … you know why I came – because of that creepy guy at home. I talked to my family on Friday, and they said that there’s no sign of him. He might have left town. I might be safe to go back …” Her words trailed off.

“Would you want to go back – even if you knew for sure that he wasn’t there anymore?”

She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly as she looked around. She’d already come to love the ranch. She loved Ty’s family. She loved the work she was doing here. Riding with Tanner and Laney beat mucking out stalls – even if she did miss Booker. And serving behind the bar at the lodge was fun, especially since Ty was always popping out from the kitchen to check on her. She missed Davin and Alexis, she missed the lake and seeing people around – people she’d known her whole life but …

She met Callie’s gaze. “I don’t want to go back – I just wish I could bring some of my people here with me.”

Callie nodded. “I hear ya, girl. I wish I could bring my mama here. I miss her. Not that I got to see much of her when I was in Nashville either but …” She shrugged. “I guess we’ll just have to keep each other company, you and me. Have I told you how happy I am you’re here?”

Shayna laughed. “You might have said it once or twice last night.”

Callie grinned. “It wasn’t just the wine talking – promise.”

“I know. And I know for sure that I’ve already told you how happy I am that you’re here. I mean, I can’t believe that you’re … you know … Calypso Rayne! I hope that doesn’t sound wrong.”

“It doesn’t. If you want to know the truth – I love it. You’re happy to be friends with me because I’m me. The bit about me being a country singer is what doesn’t gel, right?”

“Yes, that.”

“In my old life I used to feel like people wanted to be friends with Calypso Rayne, but they really didn’t give a shit about me, the person.”

“That must suck.”

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