Page 13 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“Nite, pool shark.” Grinning, he patted the gift. “Thanks again for the boot candle.” As he stepped onto the porch, he said, “Hold on. Your luggage is in my truck.” Cole insisted on bringing the heavy bags inside, placed them in the hallway and left.

She watched him drive away through the peephole.What is it about this cowboy?Searching the pantry, she found a bottle of Smart water and retreated to the guest bedroom. Cheri still didn’t have the heart to sleep in her late grandmother’s bed. After flinging her purse on the bed, she opened a bag containing toiletry items.I should have brought more casual clothes. I’ll have to shop at Target in Branson and pick out some type of cowgirl attire.

Grinning to herself like a schoolgirl, she stared at her phone and noticed a text from Gage:Sorry again about the airport. How did you get home?

Glad he couldn’t see her silly smile, she texted:I’m resourceful. I hope you feel better. Take a few days off. Nite.

No one else had called. Cheri groaned when she realized she and Cole didn’t exchange numbers.I didn’t give Cole my number nor my last name. And I don’t have his. It never would have worked anyway. We’re too different. He might as well live on another planet.

Suddenly exhausted, Cheri stretched and yawned.I need to see my girlfriends.As she powered on her laptop, her favorite Internet dating site popped up. Internet dating had become a bad habit—almost an addiction—since becoming unhappy with Sebastian, plus it was an easy way to feel normal in her not-so-normal socialite world.

Having difficulty breaking her ridiculous online behavior, Cheri scanned a few new images, but her thoughts turned immediately to Cole.Why do I feel guilty trolling this site now? I barely know the cowboy. It never bothered me when I was with Sebastian.Before she turned the computer off, she noticed the image of a handsome man with dark hair and prominent eyebrows. He had a nice smile and wore a pinstripe suit but Cheri immediately imagined him wearing a cowboy hat.How is this country guy already under my skin?With a heavy sigh, she vowed to stop her Internet dating compulsion once and for all. Probably. Maybe.At least until I hear from a certain cowboy. . .

Chapter 13

Best friends Alex and Hope gathered at Coconuts, their favorite Happy Hour oasis. Seated at their favorite high-top table, Alex studied the growing crowd, practically shouting above the racket. “It seems like the whole town has discovered Coconuts.” Groaning, she said, “I hate it. It’s good for business, but hell, I miss the old days and regulars.” Crawling with singles, couples, golfers, college students, and suit-wearing conference goers, nearly every table and bar stool were full.

Nodding, Hope said, “I guess they like the relaxed island theme too. Have you noticed everyone who comes here seems so, I don’t know, routine. Ever wonder if their lives are as crazy as ours.”

“They should make movies about our lives.” Alex giggled as she sipped her chardonnay. “I’m so ready for boring and normalcy. I’ve forgotten what it is.”

Plunking a lime in her margarita, Hope said, “Actually, my life is a study in boredom.”

“Silly girl.” Glancing around the crowd, Alex denied a patron their third bar stool. Grabbing it, she said, “Taken.” She turned to Hope. “Where’s Suzy Q?”

As if on cue, Suzy appeared. Clutching the table in an obvious attempt to steady herself, she placed a hand over her mouth. “Damn morning sickness.”

“Actually, it’s late afternoon,” Alex said.

“Okay, damn all-day sickness.” Suzy eased herself onto a bar stool. “I feel like a queasy green Martian. I can’t shake the nausea.”

Wrinkling her nose, Hope said, “That sounds dreadful.”

“Yuck.” Alex winced. “Sorry, Suzy Q. Can your doctor give you something for nausea?”

Reaching into her purse, Suzy unwrapped a piece of ginger candy. “This helps a little. The doctor told me to put dry saltine crackers by my bed and eat them before my feet touch the ground every morning, but it doesn’t help much. The nurse also suggested popsicles.” Sighing, she said, “They don’t work either.”

Shaking her head, Alex said, “Make that reason 101 why I’m not having kids.” Brightening, she said, “The good news is you don’t even look pregnant.” Patting her best friend’s belly, she said, “It’s as if you had a big burrito for lunch.”

“Alex,” Hope said.

“What?” Shrugging, she said, “That’s a compliment.”

Absentmindedly rubbing her belly, Suzy chuckled. “Thanks, I think. With twins, it’s only a matter of time before I’m bigger than this table.”

“Better you than me.” Hooting, Alex said, “Can you imagine me with a baby, and twins at that? Nada. No way in hell. I like my single life too much.”

Suzy tapped her watch and raised her eyebrows. “You do have a biological clock, you know, honey. No pressure but it’s ticking while you’re trying to figure out your relationship with the cop. Do you think you’ll ever want kids?”

Alex sat silent, staring into her wineglass.

Hope raised her hand. “I can answer that. I have plenty of kids at school. I don’t want any of my own.”

Mouth open, Suzy swiveled toward Hope. “That shocks me. You’re so caring. You treat that student, Britney, like she’s your own daughter.”

Hope shrugged. “Brit’s close enough to my own kid for me. I can’t manage caring for an animal right now. I’m always at school.” She laughed. “Or at Coconuts with you guys. A man would be nice but . . . kids? Nope.”

Alex leaned forward. “Hey, is this about Hope or about me?”

---