Page 1 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Chapter 1

Cheri’s stomach plummeted when she spotted her almost-forgotten, happily ignored engagement ring shoved to the back of her armoire. She had pushed the engagement to the furthest recesses of her mind hoping the ring would somehow disappear, yet here sat the enormous diamond, almost taunting her.Why didn’t I end my engagement when I had the chance?Mouth dry, she felt extreme guilt as she considered her betrayal to her workaholic fiancé, her parents, and her girlfriends.

Sebastian didn’t have any idea the magnificent five-carat diamond he had purchased over a year ago sat cloistered inside a Tiffany’s box deep within Cheri’s jewelry armoire rather than on her ring finger. But Cheri didn’t have remorse. She didn’t feel anything except freedom. No tears. No second thoughts.He’s such a workhorse he won’t even miss me.I’ve wasted over a year of my life worrying about this. I’ll explain it to Sebastian when he returns from Dubai.

Considering what would likely be an unspeakable shock to her fiancé and her parents, Cheri rubbed her temples.God, they’ll be furious.A tiny twinge of guilt tugged at her but the weight that had been lifted far outweighed her brooding thoughts.

At the sight of the flashy ring, Cheri swallowed hard. With her Nana’s death, her move to Branson, and her busy catering business, she had tried to forget about the ring—and Sebastian—which was no small feat. Their families knew one another. They were often in the society pages. It was messy. It was embarrassing. It was o-v-e-r.

Sometimes she wondered why she had accepted the ring to begin with. She and Sebastian had never had chemistry, nor an iota of the romance she witnessed in most couples. Staring at the dazzling diamond, she realized she had accepted his ring because it was expected by their peers and especially by their high-society, uber wealthy parents. Cheri’s parents thought Sebastian was marriage material. His parents thought she’d make the perfect wife because she had an impeccable pedigree. Constantly worried about keeping the broken engagement from her parents—especially her mother—Cheri didn’t want to add stress while they were jet-setting in Europe, plus Sebastian was an architect who had built and renovated several of her dad’s corporate buildings. The last thing she wanted was to confuse business with her love life.

Still, she didn’t love him. And, honestly, the fact that she rarely received any contact from him—a quick text once a month, if that—made Cheri think he felt the same.Maybe I’m doing us both a favor. Maybe he’ll be relieved too.

Timidly she placed the ring on her manicured finger for the first time in over a year. The diamond was flawless. The enormous ring overpowered her small hands. She yanked it off, placed it back inside the signature blue Tiffany’s box, and shoved it to the back of her armoire.

The engagement was a secret, dreadful noose around her neck, albeit tucked safely in her closet in Manhattan.Ending the relationship should be simple, but with the family expectations, society pages, paparazzi, it was all too much right now. Plus, she couldn’t bring herself to tell her former—although he didn’t know it—fiancé via email or the phone. She had to end the relationship properly—in person. The fact that he had been working in the Middle East for over a year made an in-person breakup an impossibility. Unable to resist Googling him months ago, she read an online article which included a photo of Sebastian standing on a concrete slab wearing a spotless construction hat while overseeing construction sites for two new modern hotels. Naturally, he’d never get his own fingers dirty.At least I don’t have to worry about running into him on Fifth Avenue or at a Starbucks.And he’d never find me at Coconuts.She laughed to herself.I hope he meets someone else.She blew her bangs out of her eyes.I’ve got to finish packing.

Zipping her leopard print bags closed, Cheri plunked them near the front door and called the doorman to remind him to arrange a car service.

She grimaced while pacing across the plush, white carpet.I wish I hadn’t seen the damn ring.At least Suzy, Alex, and Hope will never know. They’d be upset I hid it from them and wonder why I went on those ridiculous Internet dates. Hell, I wonder why I went on them. I guess I was trying to make darn sure. Or feel normal. Or both.

Crystal City awaits.Cheri took a few deep cleansing breaths in an effort to calm herself. Glancing at her gold Rolex, she said to no one, “Coconuts, here I come.”

Chapter 2

The next morning while her driver made his way through heavy traffic to LaGuardia, Cheri answered emails to her head chef at Fifth Avenue Catering who was already complaining about Julio “getting into his business.” Rolling her eyes, Cheri knew she never should have hired Julio, her former childhood chef. After reassuring Chef Liam O’Leary that he was the one in charge and pleading with him to work it out with Julio chef to chef, she emailed menu options to three celebrity clients, turned off her phone, and tried to relax. But images of her fiery redheaded Irish chef in his almost daily kilt and chef’s jacket filled her mind.I can’t lose him. He may have a temper, but he’s the best. He knows our clients’ likes and dislikes, allergies, plus the staff actually like him.What have I done?

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After the plane landed, Cheri pushed negative thoughts out of her mind, gathered her leopard print carry-on from the overhead compartment, and accidentally banged a man in the head with her bag.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay?” She opened her shiny black designer bag and reached for her hot-pink wallet. “I can pay for the doctor.”

Waving his hand in the air, the man said, “I’m fine. I don’t need no doctor, pretty lady, but if you want to have a drink later, I wouldn’t mind that—”

Gulping, Cheri said, “Thanks, but my, er, husband is waiting.”

The man glanced at her ring finger. “I don’t see no ring.”

With her brightest smile, she said, “We don’t need material things. We decided not to buy rings. They’re expensive.”

Guffawing way too loudly, the portly guy said, “From the looks of your fancy clothes and shoes, you like material things just fine.” He shifted in his seat and unlocked the tight seatbelt across his bulging belly.

Cheri decided to ignore the rude comment. Stiffening in the aisle, she half turned toward him and said, “Again, I’m sorry. Have a nice evening.”

“Let me walk you out. Help you with your bags.”

This guy is a real piece of work.“No need. My husband will help.” Willing the passenger in front of her to move forward she locked eyes with the flight attendant who was merrily talking to another stewardess and oblivious to her plight.

Determined to outpace the annoying passenger, Cheri edged closer and closer toward the door, bumping a couple of passengers with her bag. After several “sorrys,” she sprinted through the airport like a long-distance runner. After stepping past a female security guard perched in a chair, she spotted them.The enemy. Paparazzi. Dammit.How could they have known?

Chapter 3

Wearing a hat, Cheri did her best to blend in with other passengers as she made her way toward the baggage carousel. But it was no use. Three paparazzi with giant camera lenses pointed toward her face took photo after photo, seemingly hundreds within seconds. Placing her arm over her eyes as protection against the blinding flashes, she glanced from side to side but Gage, her limo driver, was nowhere to be found.He’s never late. He sure picked the wrong day. Crap.

Onlookers inside the Crystal City Airport gawked at the unusual Midwestern chaotic scene and began taking their own photos, likely assuming she was someone important. Cheri noticed a TSA guy even snuck a photo with his Smartphone.

As Cheri covered her face, she overheard several comments. “Who is she?” “Must be famous.” “Is this a Branson entertainer?” and “Maybe I can sell this toThe National Enquirer.”

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