Page 15 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

Another giggle followed.

Cole shot his daughter a look and then straightened to move back to the business at hand at the counter. “Are we finished here?”

That sounded a lot gruffer to his ears than necessary and instantly he apologized.

The woman shook her head and whispered more to him than anyone else. “No harm done. I’m sure your wife is just being nice to be nice. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

And that struck another raw chord in his chest and whatever the reason for it, he needed fresh air. He touched a finger to the brim of his hat and thanked her for her time. “Let’s go, Emmie.”

Emmie skipped a couple steps to catch up in the hallway with his long strides. “Is there a fire somewhere?”

Cole hesitated at the top of the stairs and looked at his daughter. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re walking so fast. But guess you want to get out there and let that sheriff know that Jessie’s spoken for and she’s yours. I hear that’s what guys do when they are crazy about a girl. Do you think someone will be crazy about me one of these days?”

The abrupt change of direction of her questioning threw him off and he almost missed the first step he was aiming for going down the stairs. He halted and faced Emmie.

“Emmaline Marie, what is this question about a guy being crazy for you? Where is this coming from?”

“It’s just a question, Dad.” She sized him up with that look he had learned was really her way of bringing up a tough subject. Did all females practice that from the time they were born or was it an inherent trait even before they were born? He didn’t know how his dad’s heart was ever going to survive.

“Is there a specific guy we are talking about?” He dared put the question out there. His grip on the railing increased ready for whatever impact was coming.

“Geeze, Pops, can’t a girl ask a simple question? It’s just an in-case kind of thing you know? Some girls I know already have had two or three boys like them. But I’m different. I don’t dress up all the time. I like horses better than most of the boys my age anyway.”

“Horses are a lot better for you.”

“That’s what Jesse said yesterday.”

“You talked to Jessie about this? And not me?”

“She’s a girl, Dad. And you and her are almost on the same page.”

“What does that mean?”

“She said that I should enjoy what I like right now like my horses and animals. That I shouldn’t worry because one day when I get older, she bets that there will be a boy who will come along that will like me just for myself and the things I like, too. Until then, enjoy being my age and don’t worry about others. I know you love her because she is really smart and pretty, too. So, she’s right, isn’t she?”

“Absolutely.” That was the best he could do at that moment. Seems he and Jessie needed to find time to catch up on some things. The woman was definitely fitting into their lives more than he thought she would. But then she was good at her job. And that thought only served to darken his mood rather than lighten it. They left the building in silence.

“Sheriff Parker,” he addressed the man as he neared the pickup. The lawman’s hand shot out to meet his offered one as Cole came to stand next to him at the open window. “I see you’ve met my fiancée, Jessica McCord.”

The sheriff’s smile broadened, and it encompassed the woman sitting quietly beside the window with a pleasant smile turned on him. He didn’t miss a beat.

“Yes, we’ve just met, and I wanted to welcome her to Destiny’s River. And it seems congratulations are indeed in order. Please accept mine with everyone else around these parts.”

“Thank you, very much. Drop by the ranch when you’re out our way. But we need to get out to Uncle Joe’s place for dinner.”

Emmie had taken her spot in the back and there was nothing holding them there. The two shook hands again and the sheriff stood on the sidewalk watching them pull away, a fixed smile on his face.

“You make friends wherever you go,” Cole commented. “Hope he didn’t bore you with his talk of how great life is in a small town.”

“Not in the least. He seems very pleasant.”

Cole couldn’t fault her response. “You know he is popular with the ladies…or so I hear.”

“Really? Well, he seems nice enough. You two have something in common.”

Cole was caught off guard. Was she complimenting his looks? “Something in common?”

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