Page 2 of Cowboys at Coconuts

Desperate to escape the maddening intrusion, Cheri spotted a tall, lanky, hat-wearing cowboy who appeared nonplussed about the commotion. Gathering every ounce of courage she’d ever had, she rushed across the room to where he stood, grinned her brightest smile, and flung both arms around his neck. Nuzzling his neck, she whispered, “Kiss me. I’ll explain later.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The handsome cowboy’s eyes crinkled as he wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned in for a deep, passionate kiss, which she returned.Twice.

With his arm still around the socialite, the cowboy leaned in, lips still close. “Are they chasin’ you?”

Weak and confused by her body’s reaction to the cowboy’s kiss, Cheri stumbled.

“Whoa. You okay?”

His arms still on her shoulders, Cheri attempted to gather herself.I don’t know this guy. I can’t tell him the truth.Straightening her sunglasses, she asked, “Who? Me? Why would anyone chase me? I’m a simple girl.”

The rugged stranger eyed her. “You don’t look like a simple girl to me but whatever you say, Ma’am.”

“Ma’am? Are you serious?”

Chuckling, he said, “I was raised to respect women and my elders. You’re definitely not the latter.”

Cole held up his hand as the flashes nearly blinded both of them. “Looks to me like they’re houndin’you.” Chuckling, he said, “They’re definitely not here for me.”

“Mistaken identity, I guess. You know what they say, “everyone has a twin somewhere.”

“I’ve never heard that.” He kept his arm across her shoulder.

Glancing toward the photographers, Cheri decided to hug the cowboy again. She lingered and stared into his sapphire eyes, hoping the paparazzi would leave. It worked. Lowering her voice, she said, “They’re gone.”

“Nice job throwin’ them off the scent.” He winked. “Does that mean we should stop huggin’ and kissin’?”

She grinned. “Um, yeah. Thanks, cowboy.”

He tipped his hat. “I should be thankin’ you. I haven’t been kissed like that in a long time.” Tipping his hat, he reached for a small, worn bag and headed toward the parking lot. “See ya around, I hope.”

Studying his lean, taut backside a little too closely, Cheri stepped across the room to get her luggage.That was interesting. Wait until Alex, Suzy, and Hope hear about this.

Chapter 4

As she gathered her bags still rotating on the carousel, Cheri realized her phone was turned off from the plane ride. After powering it on, her cell vibrated with several texts from Gage, her limo driver. She frowned at the multiple messages, assuming something was wrong, and sighed when she read:

Sorry, Cheri, I’m sick. I’ve had bronchitis for three days. I’m in bed and on antibiotics. I’ll be well in a day or two but I’m not taking any chances. Trust me, you don’t want this. You’ve probably landed by now. Can you take a cab home? I’ll make it up to you. Again, my apologies. Gage

Great.Cheri piled her smaller bag on top of the largest piece of luggage while slinging her huge purse over her shoulder. Bags fell to either side as she struggled toward the front door. Peering from side to side, she didn’t see a cab.. Not. One.I’ve never heard of an airport without taxi drivers.

Steadying her luggage, she reached into her purse for her cell phone. As she studied the desolate parking lot sprinkled with cars, trucks, and a few passengers coming and going, she scrolled through her contact list to find her friend Alex’s phone number.

Before she pressed the button to call Alex, the slow rumble of an engine caught her attention. Glancing up, she spotted the cowboy who’d just made her knees weak. He sat behind the wheel of an ancient light-blue pickup. Slowing to a stop in front of her, the cowboy reached across and hand-rolled the window down. Grinning, he asked, “Lost?”

“What gave me away?”

Shrugging, the cowboy said, “I don’t think you’re from around here.”

“What makes you think that?”

He gestured with his hand. “Does anyone else look like you? Most people are pretty casual in the Ozarks.”

Cheri stared at her four-inch hot-pink stiletto heels, short, white denim skirt, and silky, pink blouse. A gold cuff bracelet circled her tiny wrist. Diamond hoop earrings completed her outfit. She chuckled. “Thisismy casual outfit.”

“Gotcha.” He chuckled. “I’m not complainin’. Need a ride?”

Quickly weighing her options, she said, “My dri—” Stopping herself before she showed her rich hand, she added, “The guy who was going to pick me up is sick.” She thought the cowboy’s face fell a bit.

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