Page 33 of The Texas Cowboy's Lady

“Again, I plead the Fifth.”

“Well, if I were you and I was giving you free legal advice, you best do a lot better with your pleading. Because the lady in question just walked in the door with what I assume is the fiancé of the hour and their very interesting and beautiful lady friend.”

Jaxson didn’t turn and look over his shoulder. He didn’t need to. He felt her presence, and it was uncanny and disconcerting, and he wished he had just stayed on his ranch and drank alone. It didn’t help that Matt stood at that moment and threw open his arms in a smiling welcome. Laurel went straight into his hug, and they laughed and greeted each other. She made the introduction of her fiancé to Matt, and CeeCee and Matt had already met. Then she turned and the smile froze a bit. To her credit, she kept it from being obvious to all but Jaxson and herself. He slowly stood from the table, remembering his manners.

“Well, if it’s not the hero cowboy,” CeeCee spoke into the silence, smiling at Jaxson. “I heard about you saving the day and getting Sean to the airplane in the nick of time.”

“It was just my lucky day, I guess.” Jaxson’s response was double-edged. He caught the flash of something in Laurel’s eyes before she gave her attention back to Matt.

“Don’t let us interrupt you two and your night out on the town. I see a table over—”

“Nonsense! This booth has more than enough room and we’ll add a chair for your fiancé, and we’ll make it a party. You ladies just slide right in, and Sean, you pull up that chair over there.” Matt took control over it all as easily as directing a courtroom. So that is how Laurel and CeeCee were soon seated in the middle of the curved leather. Which placed Matt and Jaxson on either end. Sean, no longer smiling, sat in the chair.

Dorie came over, greeted the new arrivals, and then took their orders. Jaxson was thinking how much time he should stay in this uncomfortable atmosphere before escaping with a plausible excuse that wouldn’t sound too lame. He caught Matt’s raised eyebrow. He clearly was ahead on that score and just waiting for Jaxson to speak up and make an excuse. Well, the life of the party would have to be Matt or Sean. Jaxson was going to stay under the radar.

There was a lull, and Sean finally broke the silence. “Does the band know how to play anything other than country? Most bands usually try to change things up. But I suppose that’s unheard of in this small country town.”

CeeCee shook her head with a frown at the man. “This is a country dance hall in a country town, and these patrons love this music. And so do I. It’s time to get this party moving a bit. She looked at Matt and he stood up, allowing her the space she sought. But instead of reaching for Matt’s hand, she took Sean’s hand in hers and pulled him to his feet. He was very reluctant. Her grin dispersed the pout on her face, and she finally got her way. They were soon in the middle of the other dancers participating in a boot scootin’ line dance. Sean was clearly out of his element. But CeeCee kept him at it.

“Well, I’d say this would be a good time for us to join them.” Matt stepped up and did what he had wanted Jaxson to take the hint and do—he offered his hand to Laurel, who took it and moved to join him on the dance floor. That left Jaxson to nurse his drink in silence... alone. And watching with some interest how CeeCee was able to draw out Sean and Laurel wasn’t a bit concerned. This wasn’t the first time he had noticed how the trio seemed to change things up, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something between Sean and CeeCee. How could Laurel be so blind about it?

*

“In case Ihaven’t said it yet,” Matt began, as he led them around the outer rim of the dance floor in a perfect gliding two-step, “I’m among those awfully glad you decided to come home and stay put this time. Youdoplan to stay, right?”

“Not you too. I don’t know what else to do to prove that fact to people.”

He grinned and gave her a twirl, surprising her. Then brought her back into his arms. “You haven’t lost your moves, I will say that. It’s just that there are a lot of people here who want you here for good. For a variety of reasons.”

“Why do I think you laid out a hidden lead question there, counselor? You have something to say, then say it.”

“That’s our Laurel... always lay it out plain. Except when it comes to matters of the heart, that is. And I feel the heat from the fire beginning behind those beautiful eyes of yours. You know you say more with those blue gems than anyone else I know.”

“And you are stalling with your answer. Your legal two-stepping is almost as slick as your dance moves.”

Matt threw back his head and allowed a deep-rooted laugh to escape. “Very well, Miss Burkitt, answer yes or no. And there is no Fifth pleading. Our silent cowboy over there who has not stopped throwing daggers my way—you know that you and he are far from over, right? If ever two people were made to dance together for a lifetime, evidence proves the point. You agree, yes or no?”

Laurel’s smile slid away. “I know my constitutional rights, and I can and do plead the Fifth. And you should remember that there are also those pesky extenuating circumstances that can toss your sure-fire win into the trash can.”

“And that tells me all I need to know. Your secret is safe with me. It will be interesting to see how that wedding turns out in a few days. I do love a good party.”

“You got an invite? You are one of the favored few.” The pair paused, surprised by Jaxson’s sudden appearance. “I better get my last chance in for a dance with the bride-to-be before your ardent fiancé over there steals you away.” The trio glanced in the direction of Jaxson’s nod. The ardent fiancé was very definitely into the slow dance that had begun to play. One would be hard-pressed to find any daylight between the two bodies. No one said anything. Then Matt cleared his throat.

“Where are my manners? I feel the need for more libations, so you two have the dance floor.” He paused for a second as he went to step off the floor, and his words were for Jaxson in passing. “Don’t blow it this time.”

Jaxson looked down at the silent woman before him. He lifted his hand, palm up. She could turn and leave him flat. But she didn’t. After a second or two, she lifted her gaze from his hand to meet his eyes. Her hand was small inside his, but that connection was all he needed. Stepping forward, his other arm encircled her waist and they moved easily into the waltz steps.

They made a half turn around the wide dance floor before either spoke.Now or never.It was easy for Matt to tell him not to blow it. He had crashed and burned twice before with this woman. The third time would be the final strikeout.

“I saw Lacy in the barn practicing for her big debut as a grown-up bridesmaid. Although I wasn’t aware putting a book on your head was necessary.” That seemed safe enough a subject to begin with.

Laurel found her smile. “It worked for me and not so much for Sammi Jo. Grandmother made us do that, and Lacy heard us talking about it one day. So I guess she’s taking it to heart. Although, I think it did work.”

“The date is coming fast. I imagine you’re getting bridal nerves. I had no idea there was even a date set when I left here for the far north. I come back and the clock has done double-time. Why so suddenly?”

The smile faded. “Nothing sudden about it. We’ve never stated the date to anyone but our planner. We’re working hard to keep everything out of the press. People are concentrating on the big news about the movie studio and campus, and anything else is far less newsworthy. The wedding will be just what we want—nothing elaborate, just people who matter to us, a nice barbeque dinner, and then off to the islands.”

“I thought you always had this daydream about this wedding with all the flowers and huge cake and—”

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