Page 88 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

And Cole’s new puppy from Brant had eaten only about a third of her footwear so far, so the young lab-retriever was learning. A bit slowly for her liking, though.

From the ranch Jackie was only a twenty-two-minute drive from her father, who had settled in fairly easily, charming the staff and already taming a squirrel to eat out of his hand when he sat under the ground’s large oaks.

He was doing well, and so was she.

And so was Cole.

Soon they would pick a date for their wedding and things would get crazy with preparations. She hoped he was prepared for a gigantic event with everyone she knew helping them celebrate.

She had finally found her happily ever after, the love of her life, and she hoped that during the coming football season she could find that same love for her friends Jenny, Violet and Daisy-Mae.

Because everyone deserved love like she and Cole had.

She hadn’t gone back to her job at the feed store, instead finding a position with the community college’s breeding study. The mayor and his wife Donna were delighted, handing her boxes of paperwork that they’d been managing, and Jackie had gladly dug in. Spending time with Cole, Levi, Brant and April on the project while out in the Texas sun worked well for her. She didn’t miss sitting at a desk, although she missed the constant interruption of townsfolk clomping up the stairs to stop by her office.

Then again, she’d told everyone on the ranch that auction day—every second Friday—was important to her new job, and they could find her in the diner those mornings. She’d be there picking brains and eavesdropping on various ranchers talking about breeding bulls. It was really just an excuse to enjoy Mrs. Fisher’s special pie of the day and get her fill of people.

As well, several days a week she found herself there with Cole, sitting at the back counter enjoying a Wylder special and starting new rumors around town. Sort of like this morning.

She lifted her cup of coffee as their meals arrived, and Cole raised his, clinking it against hers in a well-practiced toast. She took a sip, then set her cup down and leaned over, kissing her fiancé. The kiss turned deeper and Mrs. Fisher cleared her throat.

“A kiss like that? Hmm.” Garfield Goodwin raised his bushy white eyebrows at Mrs. Fisher. “Takes you back, doesn’t it?”

The waitress turned to him. “You and I never kissed, Garfield.”

“Not for my lack of trying,” he teased.

She gave him a stern frown. “Have you met my twin sister? She lives in Dallas.” She pointed to a woman sitting at the end of the counter, who had similar blond hair piled high and the same perky energy.

Garfield pivoted on his stool, eyes widening.

“She’s single and has heard a lot about you,” Mrs. Fisher said, as her sister turned their way, her smile big and bright.

Garfield’s eyes sparkled as he slipped off his stool and stepped toward her, extending his hand. “Garfield Goodwin at your service, my dear.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” the woman purred. “Are you single, honey?”

“I’ve been waiting all my life for the right woman to come walking through that diner door. Want to join me for lunch and see if you’re her?”

Mrs. Fisher’s sister allowed Garfield to lead her to their own table near the front of the restaurant.

From her spot on the stool beside Jackie, Daisy-Mae rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Is Cupid ever going to find me in this town or do I need to move somewhere else?”

“He’ll find you,” Jackie assured her. “I can feel it.”

“Can I make a request? Because I have my eye on someone.”

Jackie sucked in an excited breath. “Tell me!”

“No way.” Her friend lowered her eyebrows. “You can still work your matchmaking magic without me telling you who it is.”

Jackie nodded, fairly certain she knew exactly who Daisy-Mae had set her sights on. A guy who would knock her socks off.

Cole wrapped his arm around Jackie. “It’s a good thing I sat behind you at all those games, isn’t it? Imagine how lonely we’d be otherwise.”

She laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. “You know, I was thinking…”

He gave her a quick kiss as she straightened again.

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