Page 20 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

Going to keep this short because you’re out with your friend. Of course you can text me anytime – I’ll answer when I can, don’t worry if it takes me a while.

In fact, I might send you a quick one now!

Shay

Chapter Six

Ty found a spot to park on Main Street just down from The Mint. He’d rather be going in there to hang out for the evening but …

“Oh my gosh, Ty! Look how busy it is! Do you think all these cars belong to people who are going to the gallery? I bet it’s going to be really busy in there, come on, we should hurry!” Nessa jumped out of the truck, and Ty shook his head with a smile as he followed her.

“Slow down, would ya? It doesn’t even start for another ten minutes.”

“Maybe, but there’s no one lining up outside, so I bet they opened the doors early.” She tugged at his sleeve. “Comeon!”

He allowed her to tow him toward Cassidy Remington’s Moonstone Art Gallery. “I hate to break it to you, Ness, but I don’t think there’s going to be much of a crowd here.”

Cassidy was a big-name artist, and he knew that some of the tourists who came through town visited the gallery, but Nessa seemed to think that the whole town would be here tonight. He didn’t see that happening.

“You just don’t get it, Ty. This exhibition is a big deal. It’s not just Cassidy’s art that’s on show, it’s Gina’s photography,andJessanie Archer’s, too. Don’t you think that’s a beautiful name? Jessanie? I do. I love it. I ...”

Ty stopped walking and shoved his hands in his pockets while he waited for her to notice. He had to smile as she carried on for another few steps, still chattering away.

“Do you even know who Jessanie Archer is? She’s a big deal nature photographer, she’s a regular in National Geographic – I can’t believe that I get to be in the same room as her and …”

He had to laugh when she stopped and turned back to look for him.

“Ty! What are you doing? Let’s go!”

“I think you need to chill a bit, Ness. You won’t just be in the same room as her, I bet you’ll be able to have a chat with her. I seriously doubt there’s going to be many people here. Yeah, Cassidy, and Gina, and this Jessanie might all be big names to people who know about art and photography, and stuff, but you seem to think you’re in the big city and …”

“Why don’t we go inside and see? Just because you’re clueless, it doesn’t mean that everyone else in this town is.Please,Ty!”

He gave in and caught up with her again. “All right, but when we get in there, you’re on your own. Don’t try dragging me into conversations with you. I’ll be lurking, keeping an eye out for you, but that’s all I’m here for.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. You’re the best!”

They’d reached the door to the gallery, and he held it open for her. He wasn’t surprised to see that there were only a few people there. Most of them were standing around in little groups, looking at the paintings and photographs.

There were some amazing shots of the critters in the park – bison, grizzlies, elk, and wolves stared at him from the walls. But none of it did much for Ty. He’d rather be out in the backcountry and see them in the flesh. He’d rather feel the sun on his back and listen to the river while he watched the local wildlifethan be cooped up inside with spotlights and the low hum of conversation.

He spotted Gina, who was standing with Cassidy and another woman. He touched Nessa’s arm. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to them, but then you’re on your own.”

Her eyes were huge. “That’s her, Ty!” She nodded toward the woman standing with Gina and Cassidy.

“Perfect, here’s your chance to talk to her then.”

After he left her talking to the girls and Jessanie, who insisted that they just call her Jess – much to Nessa’s disappointment – Ty wandered around looking at the pictures. He stopped in front of a photograph that looked as though it’d been taken from his own back porch.

He turned when a big hand came down on his shoulder, and grinned when he saw Shane Remington, Cassidy’s husband.

“What are you doing here?” Shane asked. “I mean, it’s great to see you, but I wouldn’t have thought this was your idea of a fun evening.” He chuckled. “If you were headed for The Mint, you missed by about a block and a half. But let me check with the Mrs., I reckon she might give me a pass and we can go get a beer.”

“I wish,” said Ty. “But don’t go getting either of us in trouble with Cassidy. I couldn’t go even if she was okay with it.”

“Why not?”

He jerked his chin toward Nessa, who was chatting animatedly with Cassidy, Gina, and Jess. “I brought Nessa.”

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