Page 8 of A Miracle for the Confident Cowboy

Both Allie and Pippa glanced at each other. Their expressions sobered. Hopefully they’d realized that it wasn’t nearly all fun and games anymore. Sophie was tired of being in the spotlight. Pippa looped her arm through Sophie’s. “You’re right. We needto pick out the perfect presents for our men. And since you know Rob better than I do, I want your help.”

Relief washed over Sophie. That was something she could handle. However, she was disappointed to realize it was taking a great deal of her energy not to look over her shoulder once again in Duke’s direction. The fact that other women so blatantly threw themselves at him only made matters worse for reasons she didn’t quite understand.

Sophie didn’t want him. She was certain of that fact. So why did he keep popping into her head unsolicited? The whole situation was infuriating to say the least. It was time to call the shelter and tell them they have a volunteer with plenty of time on her hands. They’d be happy to hear that. And she’d be happy to stay busy enough to avoid thinking about a certain Brit her brain struggled to ignore.

CHAPTER FOUR

Duke gruntedas he lifted the oversized bag of dog food out of the back of his truck. He tossed it over his shoulder then trudged around the back of the animal shelter. Normally at this time of year he would be back in England. He’d be visiting with his mother and his sister.

Not this year.

The reasons weren’tbad. He’d sent them money for Christmas last year and they’d promptly chosen to spend it on a cruise. Unfortunately, their cruise that had been scheduled for November had been pushed to the middle of December. Right about now, they were probably packing and preparing to leave. Then when they got back, they’d be off visiting family.

He didn’t mind. His mother deserved to have something nice and if a holiday was what she wanted, he was more than happy to give it to her. But now he was stuck in Sweet Bloom, Texas for the month. He took on more shifts at work, but that wasn’t enough to fill his time.

At one point, he’d thought that going out on that blind date could be the start of something else to fill his time—but boy, he was wrong about that.

Duke released the bag of dog food at the back entrance with a groan. He’d forgotten to prop open the door. He wiped a hand over his brow and sighed. He’d put all the food out here then he’d go through the front to open the back door.

He continued moving the bags of donated food to the back, his thoughts drifting to a familiar subject. When he’d bumped into Sophie in town, he’d been instantly reminded of her beauty. Her brown hair had been pulled up into an adorable messy bun. Some of her hairs had fallen around her face, giving it a wispy look.

Man, she’d been angry to see him. He had to laugh at that. Apparently she was the type to hold grudges—yet another reason why they would never work out. Deep down, he’d been pleased to notice that she’d been staring at him. He didn’t know what it was about her that stirred up these sorts of feelings, and he didn’t have to. Sometimes mysteries could remain as such.

Pippa had a point. Maybe there would come a day when Sophie was open to getting to know him better without feeling cornered. For someone who didn’t like cats, she sure had a pair of claws on her.

He headed back to his truck after depositing the last bag and closed the tailgate. Then he marched up to the entrance and through the door. There were two new volunteers with their backs to him when he entered the shelter. The head vet tech was giving them the rundown. They were likely going to help with cleanup. There were a lot of stalls that needed to be sprayed out both from sick animals to those being boarded.

Good. The flyers were working. He’d taken on as many shifts as he could, but there was only so much he could do to help out this place. He wandered the halls until he reached the back entrance and then he pushed open the heavy door, letting in the bright afternoon sunlight. One bag of food was used to prop the door open while he brought in the others to the storage room. Once he’d grabbed the last one, he let the door slam behind him then he returned to the storage closet.

Duke had just put down the last bag when the door opened and the vet tech ushered the new volunteers inside. He might have laughed out loud if he wasn’t in shock. Sophie stood before him beside a girl he didn’t recognize. The vet tech gestured around the room. “Over there you’ll see the bedding we have on hand. And over there are our assortment of food. There are also toys we let the dogs borrow when they’re here for more than a day or two, otherwise they get bored.” The tech smiled at Duke. “And this is one of our best volunteers. Duke, meet Sophie and Debra.”

Sophie scowled. Debra smiled shyly. Duke touched the brim of his cowboy hat. “Afternoon, ladies.”

The tech ushered them out, probably to finish the tour and leaving Duke to set to work getting the kibble ready for the dogs. He was in the middle of pouring measured amounts into metal bowls when the door opened. “If you have any questions, you can ask Duke. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to help.”

Duke glanced over his shoulder and his heart skipped. Sophie hugged the wall as the door to the storage room closed. She sure resembled an angry stray cat. Her sharp eyes stared daggers at him, almost as if to say ‘mess around and find out’.

He rolled his shoulders and returned to his work.

“Nothing?” she finally snapped.

“Hmm?” he murmured.

“Nothing,” she repeated. “You don’t have anything to say.”

He pretended to think about that for a moment, tilting his head upward to the ceiling then he shook his head. “Nope. Can’t say that I do.”

She marched across the room and stood beside him, her face peering up at him. “Are you stalking me?”

At that question, he stilled. Then he slowly turned his irritated gaze on her. “What?”

She blinked as if startled by his dark tone, but she quickly recovered. “Are. You. Stalking. Me?”

He leaned his face closer to hers, surprised when she didn’t immediately back away. “I was here first,” he said firmly. “How would I have known that you were going to volunteer?”

She blinked a few more times then looked away. “I think it’s a little suspicious that you happen to be at the same shelter as I am.”

“I’ve been volunteering here for over a year. If anything, you’re the stalker.”

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