Page 2 of Caught By A Cowboy

“`I mean, no, I’m not okay. I’ll take the paper bag.” I grip the bar and try to focus on breathing.

“Well, I ain’t got one.” He looks back at me as if I’m the one not making any sense.

“What do you mean you haven’t got one? You offered.”

“I was being polite.” He shakes his head and frowns at me. “Here, take another one of these.” He grabs the bottle and pours me a double.

“I can’t.” I shake my head.

What was I thinking?

“Please, don’t cry…I…I can’t handle it when females cry.” Suddenly he’s the one looking panicked.

“How am I supposed to live? I can’t take care of myself. I’ve never had to.” My eyes start to fill with tears as it dawns on me how stupid I’ve been. “I can’t go back, my parents will be so mad. Adam’s parents will be disappointed. I’ve made him look like such a fool.” I look up at the ceiling and pray that God has got some answers for me.

“I can’t even pay for this goddamn drink.” I slide it back across the bar to him before burying my head in my hands and sobbing.

“Hey, hey. Stop that. This one’s on me.” He gently pushes it back toward me, and when I see the way he’s smiling, I nod gratefully and lift it up to my mouth.

“Today must be your lucky day because I got a solution to your problems.” He reaches over the bar to the corkboard that’s being used as a noticeboard, as well as displaying a selection of drunk photographs.

“Jace Sullivan happens to be looking for a new housekeeper, job comes with accommodation.” He rips the Post-it note off the pin and hands it to me.

“A housekeeper?” I laugh despite my helplessness, “Do I look like a housekeeper to you?” I’m wearing Italian lace and bespoke heels. I come from a house thathasa housekeeper, and I’m hit with another dose of reality when I realize that I’ve never workedfor anyone in my entire privileged life. Everything I buy goes on a credit card that my dad pays for. In fact, I’ve never paid a bill. Suddenly, the world feels as if it’s spinning too fast for me to stay on.

“You may not look like a housekeeper but youarelooking kinda desperate.” He grits his teeth awkwardly.

“Well, that was fuckin’ painful.” A growly voice comes from behind me and when I turn around, I find myself staring at a real-life, tattooed-to-his-neck cowboy.

He narrows his eyes when he notices me, and as he looks me up and down, I feel under scrutiny. Eventually, he pulls a weird face and shakes his head like he’s unimpressed. I don’t know why but it bothers me.

“Here’s next month's on-call rota, I switched us on that first Saturday night so you can take Beth Delaney on that date you’ve been promising.” He slams down a piece of paper on the bar and places his Stetson beside it.

“Don’t worry, we weren’t in the middle of a conversation or anything,” I point out, unable to believe how rude this guy is.

“Good.” He nods his head at me curtly, before looking back to my new friend. “Sawyer, give me a bottle of the good stuff to take home, I’m all out,” He lifts his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans and holds out a fifty.

“Did I miss anything important?” Sawyer laughs as he reaches into one of the boxes stacked up by the back door and takes out a bottle.

“Same old shit. Eli’s still on his one-man mission to take this town into the stratosphere, and the tattling trio are still flapping over the new sheriff we’re getting.” He shakes his head as Sawyer hands him his change.

“Are you seriously telling me this town completely shut down for a meeting?” I glance out the window and notice all the people bustling back toward their stores and unlocking the doors.

“It’s a town meeting, ain’t it?” The cowboy creases his forehead at me.

“Honestly, that's ridiculous.” I shake my head and laugh, trailing off when I realize his face remains stern and very fucking serious.

“I should go.” I slide off the stool and slip my poor achy feet back into my shoes.

“How do I find this ‘Jace’ person?” I turn to Sawyer and hold up the Post-it he gave me. He says nothing, just scratches at his stubble and tries hiding the smirk on his face as his eyes gesture toward his friend.

“You havegotto be kidding.” I feel any hope inside of me shrivel.

JACE

“I’m Maddison. Maddison MacKenzie.” The girl holds out her hand and smiles at me awkwardly. I can tell just from looking at this woman that she’s used to getting her way.

“Jace Sullivan.” I take that delicate hand and shake it firmly, appreciating how soft it feels in mine. Damn, she’s pretty, so pretty that I can’t seem to tear my gaze from those crystal blue eyes.

---