Page 6 of Her Saltwater Cowboy

Willow turned all the way around now. “You okay?”

He stared at her for a beat, tipped his head, and touched his hat lightly before stepping backward. “Goodbye.”

“Wait a second. Chance? You haven’t given me your answer about Friday.”

“No.”

“No, as in, you did give me your answer? Or … Chance, are you telling me you won’t help me?”

He smiled now, that cockiness showing up out of nowhere. “Bingo.”

Willow narrowed her eyes. “That’s not actually an option.”

“Really now? You asked me a question, so the presumption is that I was being presented with a choice.”

“Your father asked me to recruit you.”

That sharp jaw appeared again, and his eyes dulled some. “Did he now?”

“Are you too busy or something?”

“Yes. That’s it.” He took another step back and half-pivoted, like he was about to leave. “Let my father know.”

“What? I can’t do that.”

“Sure you can.”

“No.” An icy panic began to rise in Willow’s veins. She’d spent the last half hour of her morning off dreaming up a menu for the party, not to mention how she would coordinate the kitchen and have it all ready to serve at one time.

She snapped a look at Chance, ready to beg, when it occurred to her. “You’re angry that your father hired your cousin, Rafael.”

Chance pursed his lips, and, in a small way, Willow recognized Ace in him. “This subject is?—"

“He didn’t tell you about it ahead of time, did he?” Willow pushed herself up from the ground. She crossed her arms, considering him. “That’s why you were upset the other day at breakfast.”

“I wasn’t upset.”

“Grumpy then.”

He sputtered out a sharp laugh. “Leave it be, Willow. This is of no concern of yours, all right?”

“Because I’m just the cook?”

“Because it’s between my father and me.”

She nodded. “As is my predicament … between your father and me, I mean.”

Chance let out a garbled groan, and Willow looked away. What was she doing confronting the boss’s son like this? Had she lost her mind? He could have her fired, and then where would she be?

She blew out a breath and glanced around at the beautiful trees that framed the creek. If only life could be as simple and picture-perfect.

Truth was, Willow needed this job, not only for the money, but for the living arrangements it provided. Part of her compensation was the coziest, sweetest little cabin she’d ever seen. Already, it had become home to her, the place she laid her head each night and slept away her stresses.

She couldn’t let anything happen to change that. That was that. Willow would have to find a way to make this party work with or without Chance’s help.

She dropped her arms to her sides and took a step back, but Chance lunged toward her. She gasped as he wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her so close she could see tufts of spiral hair sprouting from between the buttons of his shirt.

She attempted to yank herself from his arms. “What’re you doing?”

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