Page 15 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“Hey, this is a special night and it calls for a celebration.”

“You’re right,” she replied, smiling as she leaned across the console and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.”

“Anything for my girl.”

“Wow, I’m your girl?”

“You’d better not be anyone else’s,” he replied with a grin.

Though she smiled back, he still sensed there was something on her mind but decided to wait until they were seated before asking again. It was a short drive, and they were soon being led to a table by a window offering a magnificent view of Moonshine Lake and the mountains beyond.

“Wow, this is fantastic,” she said with a happy sigh, “and being here at sunset is such a treat.”

“Sure is nice to have a break. There was a lot to do gettin’ ready for this group.”

“Are you done?”

“Pretty much, though there are usually last minute things that come up.”

“You know I’m ready to help if you need me.”

“Thanks, darlin’. Actually, there is something. There are six people comin’, and they each get a welcome gift when they arrive. I’ll be puttin’ all the bits and pieces together tomorrow.”

“What a great idea. What does it include?”

“A small bag of low sugar horse treats, a hoof pick, the double-sided groomin’ mitt I like to use, and a few other bits and pieces. It means they each have new groomin’ equipment, and I write their names on everything so there’s never any confusion.”

“That’s brilliant.”

“Thanks. The first time I held the event I realized it needed to be done. Anyway, the delivery should have come today, but Mack over at the feed store called and asked if it would be okay if they brought it tomorrow. Apparently they had a problem with one of their trucks.”

“Tomorrow? What time?”

“Around two-thirty, and here comes our waitress. What would you like to drink? How about we get a bottle of champagne? Though I guess you’re used to that.”

“Not really. We save champagne for special occasions at our house too.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Andy, really,” she replied with a giggle.

“Okay, let’s do it,” he said as the waitress stopped at the table. “We’d like a bottle of champagne. Is Brady bartendin’ tonight?”

“He sure is.”

“Great. Tell him Andy Baker wants him to make the choice for me. ”

“Will do. My name’s Becky, and here are you menus.”

* * *

Though Helen was deliriously happy, the meeting with Kenny hovered over her like a dark cloud. She’d promised not to say a word, and the last thing she wanted to do was lie to Andy, but she couldn’t be in two places at once,

“Hey, darlin’, what’s goin’ on?” Andy asked, lowering his voice as he leaned across the table, “And don’t say nothin’. I can feel it. There’s been something on your mind ever since you joined me in the shower. What have I done or said to upset you?”

“You haven’t done a single thing,” she replied earnestly. “I swear, you are the absolute best and you’ve made me so happy.”

“Then what is it? Maybe I can help.”

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