Page 6 of Cowboys at Coconuts

“That’s all I listen to.” As Cole approached the town square, Cheri noticed pickups were parked side by side like Dominoes. The storefronts were dark. She threw her head back and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Cole asked.

“Like I said before, doesn’t anyone drive a car in this town?”

“Never noticed that before. Let’s get out.”

Eyebrows raised, Cheri asked, “And do what? Shop?”

Cole howled. “Stores around here are closed. We roll up the sidewalks at six. How late are shops and restaurants open in New York?”

“Seriously? Something’s always open 24/7.”

“Guess they don’t have cows to milk or roosters crowing at five in the morning.”

“No, thank goodness.” Cheri winked, opened her door, and stepped down. Her stiletto caught on the running board. Reaching for the handle, she yelped as she sprawled into an embarrassingly ungraceful position, half splayed on the ground with one foot still partially in the truck.

In seconds, Cole ran over to help her. Once he steadied her, he asked, “Are you okay?”

Cheri brushed off her skirt and inspected the four-inch heel on her designer shoes. “I’m fine. Looks like I need to buy some new heels.”

“Nice entrance. If you wanted to get noticed, you just did.” He steadied her. “Sure you’re alright?”

“I’m fine except for my ego.” Cheri noticed his biceps bulged when he reached for her.

Keeping his arm around her, he said, “You took quite a fall.”

Cheri felt her cheeks redden. “I know how to make a grand entrance, don’t I?”

His eyes twinkled. “That you do.”

Cheri dusted off her clothes as another, tall, lanky cowboy with long, dark hair appeared. “I see Cole has a new friend.”

She stared from Cole to the stranger. Patting the man on his back, Cole asked, “How’s it goin’, Wyatt?”

Grinning a sideways smile, the man extended his hand. “Wyatt.”

She took his hand. “I’m Cheri.”

“You’re not from around here, are you?” Wyatt asked.

“How can you tell?”

He laughed. “You don’t have a Midwestern drawl. Or a southern drawl, for that matter.” He shrugged. “Don’t matter none. Want a beer? I’ve got a cooler in my truck.”

Cole’s sky-blue eyes twinkled. “A beer sounds good to me.”

As the threesome popped the beer tabs, they stood on the quiet square and stared at the stars until a loud motorcycle roared. Turning in the direction of the sound as the motorcyclist ripped around the square, Cheri watched as the motorist drove in a big circle twice, kicked up gravel, and eventually braked barely a foot away from their feet.

Frowning, Cheri turned in the biker’s direction. The driver wore a black leather fringe jacket over a low-cut white tee, black boots, and skin-tight jeans with holes at the knees. As she put the kickstand down, the woman glared at the trio.

Removing her helmet with a flourish, jet-black, flowing hair cascaded past her shoulders. She was well built and tan like everyone else. Cheri noticed the woman had an air about her that commanded attention. All eyes were on the gorgeous motorcyclist.And it’s obvious she enjoys having all eyes on her.Cheri sized her up quickly. Her height was average but her confidence made her seem six feet tall.

Without saying a word, the woman strapped her helmet to the handlebars and bent over, giving the guys full view of her nice, round bottom. She stayed in the same position for, far too long and eventually retrieved a small leather purse from the back compartment.

Amused, Cheri watched as the woman eyed her, opened a compact, and applied lipstick. Red lipstick just like Cheri’s. The motorcycle mama took her time applying the lipstick to her full lips. The men never took their eyes off her. Cheri wasn’t sure the guys even swallowed or blinked.

When she finally spun around to face them, Cheri noticed a small tattoo beneath her short tank top. It peeked out the bottom of her exposed belly but Cheri couldn’t determine what it was. The woman glanced briefly in Cheri’s direction, and then swiveled toward Wyatt and Cole.

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