Page 5 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“Not okra.”

“Then what?” he asked.

“Pasta, salads, seafood, sushi, and vegetarian dishes.”

“Try the okra,” Cole said.

Her brows knitted. “It’s fried, isn’t it?”

“Just try it.”

As they waited for the food, Cheri’s curiosity got the best of her. “What do you do in the country? I mean for entertainment.”

His eyes twinkled. “Let’s see. Besides farmin’, calvin’, and hayin’?” He ticked off his fingers. “There’s county fairs, hoedowns, pool parties, go-cart rides, ATV races, truck pulls, muddin’, fishin’, skippin’ rocks, findin’ arrowheads, drive-in movies, and picnics.” Cole chuckled. “It’s a pretty hectic lifestyle.”

Grinning, Cheri said, “I don’t have any idea what some of that is but it sounds fun.”

He raised his eyebrows. “I figured a big city girl would think country life was boring.”

“Nope. I can’t say I’ve done any of it, but I’d like to try.” After the heaping plates arrived, they ate mostly in silence. After devouring every bite, Cheri patted her round belly. “I can’t believe I ate that much. Look at my stomach. It’s sticking out. This is all your fault.”

Cole winked. “You need some meat on your bones. You could gain fifteen pounds and still be the skinniest girl in town.”

While Cole insisting on paying the bill, Cheri browsed in the country chic gift shop. Standing behind a tower of costume jewelry, she stole a glance in his direction and downright stared as he sauntered toward the restroom. Unable to take her eyes off his slow, sexy gait, her eyes fell to his tight jeans and even tighter white tee. Tingling like a hormonal teen, she spotted a cowboy boot candle, rushed to the cashier to buy it, and hid the candle in her purse.

When Cole returned, they stepped into the fresh air. Cheri commented on the row of rocking chairs on the elongated sidewalk and noticed a giant game of checkers on a wooden table.

Grinning, Cole said, “It’s pretty excitin’ around these parts.” Strolling toward his truck, Cole opened her door. Cheri smiled to herself. She wasn’t used to having men open doors for her unless it was her limo driver And decided she could get used to the cowboy’s sweet manners.

After he swung her door open wide, she thanked him and grabbed the handle above her seat. Climbing in, she leaned back against the headrest. “I’ve been in Crystal City several times but realize I haven’t been in this part of town.” Glancing out the window, she said, “Missouri is so different from New York.”

Cole nodded. “Never been to the Big Apple but I can only imagine.”

Thoughts of Manhattan flooded her mind. On many occasions, she had jumped into one of the thousands of yellow cabs to avoid paparazzi. Horns honked incessantly, cars drove literally inches apart along several lanes deep on roads that snaked Manhattan. Millions of pedestrians flooded the sidewalks below towering skyscrapers and provocative billboards. She loved the city but hated being chased by eager photographers. She would often close her eyes behind dark, shaded oversized sunglasses as cameras clicked and flashes practically blinded her. Photographers were always trying to get a glimpse of a Van Buren for some rag magazine. Occasionally, she’d smile at the camera or wave if she knew the photographer since he or she would make a tidy sum on the photo. But, usually, she wasn’t in the mood for their antics.

Normally only racing to Coconuts to meet her friends or to the grocery store in Branson to buy food for new recipes, Cheri realized she had never taken the time to revel in the lush green, peaceful scenery. She marveled at the fact there wasn’t one photographer. There were no yellow honking cabs and no one rushed to an unknown destination on city sidewalks. There were no smells of salty pretzels or hotdogs from street vendors. Just Cole and Cheri riding along in his truck. In fact, it was so quiet that if she heard a sound, she jumped. She wondered if she could get used to this unobtrusive, Midwestern life full time.I doubt it. I think I’d be bored.What do they call Missouri? A flyover state. So why am I enjoying it so much?

“Someone’s in deep thought over there,” Cole said.

“I’m just relishing the peacefulness. It’s extremely quiet here.”

“I suppose I take it for granted. Ready for some fun?” Cole asked.

“Like what?” Cheri asked.

“I think you need an official Missouri welcome from my friends. What do you say?”

She glanced at her watch. It was almost eight—actually nine to her—since she was still on East Coast time but she was wide-awake now. “Sure.”

Chapter 7

Cole reached for the radio dial. “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band blared. “Too loud?”

She shook her head. “I like it.”

He kept beat by tapping the steering wheel.

“Nice song. I don’t hear a lot of country music in New York.”

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