Page 41 of Holiday Hire

My heart almost stops. Phoebe's wearing skinny jeans and a turquoise midriff-baring, long-sleeve top with hints of yellow and orange. She has a tan jacket over it, brown and turquoise suede cowboy boots, and a matching hat. Her long magenta hair is in curls, and her lips are painted red.

They walk toward me, and my blood buzzes. The same floral scent I've been smelling all week flares in my nostrils. I hold in a groan. It's the most intoxicating thing I've ever smelled, and it's been driving me nuts.

My sister chirps, "She cleans up well, doesn't she?"

I keep an annoyed look on my face, wishing Willow wasn't coming with us. The rest of my family's already left for the rodeo, but Willow seems to have made it a mission to become besties with Phoebe. I normally wouldn't care, but Willow is intent on parading Phoebe around all the bull riders.

I don't care.

I do.

No, I don't.

She's only here until Monday anyway,I remind myself.

"Those cowboys aren't going to know what hit them when they see you," Willow says to Phoebe, beaming at her and continuing to annoy me.

I go to the passenger door and open it. "Let's move," I order. It comes out sounding a tad nasty.

Phoebe meets my eyes and offers, "Sorry we took so long."

"It's fine. Let's go before we miss the whole rodeo," I reply.

She gets in the front, and Willow climbs in the back next to her nephews. I shut the door, go around, and slide into the driver's seat. I start the engine and then pull through the gate, barely listening to my sister babble with my sons and Phoebe. I concentrate on the road, wishing her scent wouldn't stay so pungent in the cab.

I don't say anything the entire ride to town. And before I know it, Willow's pulling Phoebe through the crowd, and my uneasiness grows.

"Dad, can we go with Aunt Willow?" Wilder asks.

"No," I say, knowing she's taking Phoebe where the bull riders hang out. It's a VIP lounge, and it's not far from our VIP area, but I don't like it. I steer my kids into the room where my family already is, and sidle up next to my brothers.

"Where's Sebastian?" I ask.

"He just called. He and Georgia are running late. They should be here any minute though," Mason answers.

I nod. I have some things I need to talk to Sebastian about, and I've always preferred to do things in person. I wish he'd come back to live on the ranch, but I also know someone has to stay in Dallas. Plus, it's where he and Georgia thrive. Their careers are there. My brother is brilliant at running the corporate end of our businesses and doing all the things in Dallas I would never want to do. And Georgia's cupcake franchise is taking off.

As if on cue, my brother bellows out, "What are you all waiting for? Where's my drink?"

I spin toward his voice.

Georgia laughs, shaking her head. Everyone greets them with hugs and kisses.

Georgia embraces me.

I ask, "How are the plans for the new bakery coming along?"

Her face lights up. "Great. I love our new franchise owners. They're going to do well."

I grin. "That's great news. I'm really proud of you," I tell her, excited that her dreams are coming true.

"Thanks. I couldn't have done it without Sebastian though."

I grunt. "Eh. Not true. You would've gotten there on your own."

Sebastian joins us, declaring, "I keep telling her that. She doesn't listen though." He hands Georgia a can of seltzer and then takes a long sip of his beer.

She takes a sip and asks, "So, how are things going with Phoebe?"

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