Page 41 of The Cowboy Fix

She spun around and came face to face with the one man who had the power to knock her off her rails. In the meantime, Sylvia was standing back and watching the show, a knowing smile on her face. Izzy ignored her mom.

“How did you know we were here?”

“I just finished my meeting and saw you come in.” He looked over Izzy’s shoulder. “Hi, Elizabeth. I see you’re busy. Is the table on the back porch taken?”

“Not if you’ll be joining the ladies.” Elizabeth matched her house. Both were out of this world exquisite. And it appeared that Nathan knew his way around the Emporium and the lady who owned her. “It’s been a long time since you’ve come by.”

He nodded. “If it’s okay with the ladies, I’d love to have tea with them.”

“I’m sure they won’t mind,” Elizabeth said as if it would be sacrilege to turn down an opportunity to have a sit down with the very handsome Nathan Lohmen. She turned to Izzy. “I’ll gladly take your flyers and put them on the tables.”

Elizabeth accepted the remaining advertisements, then led the way to the back porch where there was a lone table with four chairs. Hydrangea blooms in a small vase graced the middle of a white lace tablecloth.

Izzy tried not to think about how happy the Emporium owner was to see Nathan. For a man who hadn’t made much effort to be polite when they first met, he sure was comfortable around the lady making eyes at him.

She didn’t miss her mother’s pointed look. In a valiant effort to ignore the silent nudge, Izzy laid the napkin across her lap. “How did the meeting go?”

He’d dressed for business in blue jeans, a crisp white shirt, and black vest, so he’d at least made an effort, although Izzy admitted she liked his everyday cowboy look too. “I met with the association president and got a sponsorship spot for the Triple L.”

“That’s good.” Izzy wasn’t surprised. It wasn’t like the town leaders didn’t know about the working ranches in the area. She’d been counting on Nathan having more pull than he realized.

Their tea arrived. And then a plate of finger sandwiches and another of fruit tarts.

Dang it, she liked Nathan. Too much, in fact. It didn’t help that her mother was aware and happy to occupy a seat, front row center, so she had a good view of her daughter’s potential romantic downfall. That wasn’t what Izzy would call it but she could interpret Sylvia’s evaluating look.

She scrambled to come up with a good excuse to leave, but before she could, Elizabeth joined them, waving one of the flyers at Nathan. “The Wedding Cottage is lovely.”

“Thanks to Izzy. It’s her idea and design,” he said with an approving nod at Izzy. A flutter started in her belly.

Elizabeth shifted her attention to Izzy. “Have you given any consideration to linking with caterers on the website?”

“Like the Rose Tea Emporium?” Izzy suggested, fighting off the brief stab of envy that Elizabeth had no qualms about asking for what she wanted business-wise or letting the cowboy sitting across from Izzy know that she fancied him.

She was tempted to do the same, but nothing about her future plans had changed.

Elizabeth looked at Nathan and back again. “The Emporium would be a nice fit for your brides and grooms, and their guests, don’t you think?”

Here to do a job, not make a judgment on Nathan’s entanglements, Izzy agreed with the astute businesswoman. “Send me your information and web page address and I’ll set up the link tomorrow.”

“You’ll have it in your inbox tonight,” Elizabeth promised, turning her grin on Nathan. “I’d better get back to my customers.” She made a quick exit, the lace of her dress swirling around her ankles and showing off white half-boots.

She turned to Nathan, but he wasn’t watching Elizabeth. His gaze was squarely on Izzy. It didn’t make sense. What could be more romantic than a good-looking rancher and a pretty Tea Emporium owner finding common ground?

Taking a sip of her tea, Izzy stared at Nathan over the gold-lined rim and took the bull by the horns. “Will you do me a favor?” His brows went up, but he didn’t object. So far. “I need you to sketch a self-portrait—head and shoulders—with Duke next to you or behind you.”

“Why?” The arch of his brows flattened.

Here was the Nathan she knew and lo...liked. “I’m working on your brand. The image will also go on the ranch’s business cards.”

He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Why can’t Blake and Jonas be part of the sketch?”

“Because they didn’t ask me to give them a new look.” She propped her elbows on the table.

Sylvia broke in. “If you two are done fighting—”

“We’re not fighting—” Izzy said without looking at her mom.

At the same time, Nathan sort of agreed with her, “We’re discussing.”

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