Page 34 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

I grimaced just imaging the cost. Back in Japan, I'd only been given new clothes once a year, and then it was only two sets. If anything happened to them, I had to either repair them or go without.

"Get your puppy and bring him downstairs. Mrs. Gibbons can keep an eye on him while we run into town and get you something to tide you over until we can order you a new wardrobe."

I lifted the puppy into my arms without comment. While I understood the concept of a new wardrobe, I had no practical experience with it. I wasn't exactly sure what all it entailed.

I followed Jos downstairs to the kitchen. He directed me to the new doggy bed set up in the corner. I gently laid the puppy down as to not aggravate his injury and then gave him a gentle pat on the head.

In Japanese, I told him to behave himself and not cause Mrs. Gibbons any trouble. I also told him I would be back as soon as I could and I would take him outside for a bit.

I doubted he understood a word of what I said, but he licked my hand anyway. I didn't care what anyone said, this little guy was a keeper.

When I stood, I turned, pressed my hands together, and gave a respectful bow to Mrs. Gibbons. "Thank you."

"Of course." Mrs. Gibbons smiled as she glanced at the large puppy. "He's a sweet boy. He'll be fine until you get back."

With one last glance at the puppy, I followed Jos out to his pickup. I climbed into the passenger seat and secured my seatbelt before folding my hands in my lap and looking out the front window.

"Ready?" Jos asked.

I nodded.

"There are a couple of places in town that we don't go," Jos said as we got underway. "A bar called Bobby's Place is at the top of that list. The people there aren't very nice."

Jos gave me a look that made me think they'd eat me for breakfast. "There are a few other places. I'll point them out as we go through town. You should never frequent those places, okay? Especially not alone."

"Yes," I answered just so he knew I'd heard him.

"If anyone gives you any trouble, you just tell them that you're my husband and you belong to the Cross Creek Ranch. They should leave you alone."

I leaned forward a little as I turned my head to look at Jos. "Is okay to say husband?"

Jos's eyebrows snapped together. "You're my husband, ain't you?"

I wasn't so sure.

We'd come in from the airport without any stops so I hadn't had that much time to look around. I had been too afraid of where I was headed to take much notice anyway.

This time was different.

We were apparently quite a ways out of town so there was nothing but woods and open field for awhile. When I slowly started to see houses I knew we were getting closer.

"How big is town?" I asked as I glanced at Jos.

"Well, let's see." Jos frowned for a moment. "I think we had somewhere around seven thousand people at the last census, but there could be more or less now. That was a couple of years ago."

I knew enough to know that was pretty small. Osaka, Japan had almost three million people. Huge difference.

When we reached town, Jos began pointing out different businesses, some we could visit and some we could not. It was a quaint little town, something I was totally unfamiliar with. Osaka was a bustling city. This was not.

Jos parked the truck in front of a small clothing store. I glanced out the window and stared at it for a moment.

Jos climbed out of the truck and walked around to my side, opening the door. I undid my seatbelt and then slid out onto the sidewalk. I stuck pretty close to him as we walked inside.

I wasn't exactly afraid, but I didn't know the rules for a place like this. It wasn't like I'd been inside of a clothing store before so I had no idea what to expect.

"Hey, Agnes," Jos called out.

"Jos, what brings you in today?"

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