Page 14 of Wrangling a Wild Texan

Mimi studied her. “So you aren’t like the other single women in town who are drooling over him?”

“Not hardly.” When Mimi lifted her eyebrows, Sunny quickly amended, “I mean he’s good looking and all, but I like my men to smile more than once every ten years.”

Mimi laughed. “He is a solemn man. But have you ever heard the saying, ‘Still waters run deep’? I think there’s a lot more to Reid than his stubbornness and solemn personality.” A twinkle entered her eyes. A twinkle Sunny had seen before when Mimi was up to something. “It will just take the right woman to dig deep enough to find it.”

Sunny’s eyes widened. “I hope you’re not getting any ideas that I’m the right woman, Mimi. Reid can barely tolerate me and I’m not real partial to him either.” At least, she wasn’t after finding out he thought she was a spoiled brat. “And even if I was, it wouldn’t work out when I live in Houston.”

The twinkle got even brighter before she looked away. “Well, you’re probably right.” She stood. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy other good-lookin’ Wilder men. Now get on home and get cleaned up. Young women shouldn’t be hiding away in an attic when they can be kicking up their heels at the Hellhole.”

After she was gone, Sunny moved back to the paint table to clean up. While she was closing up tubes of paint, she glanced out the window and saw a horse and rider crossing the pasture behind the barn. She didn’t need to see the face beneath the brown Stetson to know who it was.

She wanted to look away, but her eyes didn’t obey her brain. She continued to watch as Reid approached. As he got closer, she could see the way he sat a saddle. Comfortable. Easy. Like he’d been riding every day of his life. His body moved as one with the horse, his hand loosely holding the reins as if he didn’t even need them to guide the horse. Once he came around the barn, she got a view from the back.

It must have been a hard day on the range because sweat stuck his western shirt to his broad shoulders and his dark hair to his strong-corded neck. Sunny’s fingers twitched with the need to run through those damp strands. She fisted her hand and continued to watch as he swung down from the saddle in one fluid move that made her heart skip a beat. It skipped again when he froze and his head slowly turned in her direction and tipped up.

She jumped back from the window, squirting the red paint she held all over her shirt. She stared down at the mess and cursed. What was she doing? The man had told her to stay awayfrom him and here she was mooning over him like an infatuated fool. Well, she might be an untalented, spoiled rich girl, but she was no fool.

Mimi was right.

Just because an arrogant cowboy had hurt her feelings that didn’t mean she should hide away in an attic.

Reid Mitchell wasn’t the only handsome cowboy in Wilder, Texas.

Chapter Six

Unfortunately, Sunny didn’t end up dancing the night away with some hot cowboy. As soon as they got into town, Corbin took the turnoff to the Holiday Bed and Breakfast.

“I thought we were going to the Hellhole for dinner,” Sunny said.

Corbin, who sat in the driver’s seat in front of her, lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “We have to stop off at the bed-and-breakfast to pick up Liberty and Jesse.”

Sunny didn’t understand why Liberty and Jesse weren’t just meeting them at the restaurant, especially when Jesse loved driving his big ol’ monster truck with his wife tucked against his side. Sunny grew even more confused when she saw the line of cars parked along the road leading to the big mansion Jesse had bought and renovated. The bed-and-breakfast hadn’t opened yet, and even if it had, there weren’t enough rooms to accommodate this many people.

She was about to ask what was going on when Corbin pulled in front of the house and she saw the banner hanging between the columns.

Happy Birthday, Sunny!

A second later, the front door opened and what looked like half the town spilled out, yelling, “Surprise!”

Sunny was stunned. “But my birthday isn’t until next month.”

Corbin got out and opened her door with a big smile on his face. “Believe me, I know when your birthday is, Sunshine Brook. You start reminding me weeks before. Which is why I had Belle and Libby plan the party so early. For once, I wanted you to be surprised.”

So that’s why the sisters were acting so strange.

Tears filled her eyes and she dove into his arms. “I am surprised. Thank you, Cory!”

He drew back and smiled. “Anything for my little sister. And don’t thank me. Thank Libby and Belle. They did all the work.”

She turned to Belle who had come around to their side. “I don’t know what to say, Belly.”

Belle hugged her close. “You don’t need to say anything. That’s what sisters do. Although I thought for sure Noelle had given it away last night when she said she’d see you tonight.”

“Sorry.” Noelle appeared with the rest of the sisters. “I’ve never been good at keeping secrets.”

Sunny laughed. “And here I thought y’all were having a meeting without me.”

“Never.” Sweetie tugged her close. “You’re part of us now.”

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