Page 12 of The Rancher's Fake Fiancée

“Yes,” the older man nodded in agreement. “Those two seem to have hit it off. And I was watching and listening earlier at the lunch table. And now they are off to do some shopping? Since when does my great-niece go shopping like a girl and not spend her time fishing with me and dressed in her jeans?”

Cole had noted with surprise the same thing earlier that day when his daughter announced that she and Jessie were going into town and Emmie had actually seemed excited about the prospect. “Well, she is growing up Papa Joe. As much as we would like her to take some time in that process.”

“Well, I guess you know what you’re doing. Have to say that your Jessie might turn out okay if you pay more attention to her and not so much to the livestock around here.”

Cole flashed a surprised look at the man beside him. “Pay more attention? Are you giving me advice on how to handle a lady?”

“Someone needs to. You don’t ‘handle’ a lady. You romance her. Hold her chair and seat her at the table. You didn’t do that today. Ask her questions and seem interested in her answers. You said two sentences. ‘Pass the syrup’ and ‘There’s a new saddle blanket for Cinco in the tack room, if you want to use it.’ Stop talking to the cattle and start talking to your lady. Or you’ll find her heading back to where she came from.”

“I never knew you to profess to be an expert in the romancing department.”

“I romanced plenty in my younger days. And I still know how since I have a date to the Summer Nights shindig at the end of the week. Are you planning on introducing her around to everyone on that evening? Or you got some hot date with the latest Cattleman’s Report?” Papa Joe had not been far off with what he had just said. But part of him wanted to refute it with the fact that he wasn’t romancing anyone simply because he wasn’t really engaged and that would certainly open up an even bigger can of worms and he didn’t need his uncle to know anything about what was really going on between him and his fake fiancée. Every step he took seemed to get him in even deeper manure.

“I fully intend to take Jessie to the dance. I don’t usually share my social calendar with you. And she and I talk just fine.”

“Hmpf!” the man said in response. “We’ll see. Just mark my words. A woman likes to be romanced, no matter what their age. I’m headed home. Feel free to call me if you need any pointers on that score. You are nice to her. Emmie likes her and so do I.” His spurs made definite sounds as he stomped away across the dusty hard-packed earth towards his pickup.

“Thanks for the help this morning with the calves,” Cole called after him. A hand went up in a half farewell wave behind him as he continued on his way. “And for the unsolicited advice on romance.” Cole’s comment was in a quieter voice that only was meant to be heard by his own ears. His attention went back to the activity in the chutes. But his mind wasn’t there.

People were watching and people were noticing things that he wasn’t paying attention to. That could mess some things up if it happened around the wrong people. And his ex had the eyes of a hawk and hearing of a bat. She’d figure things out in a heartbeat if they…if he…wasn’t careful and more focused. Cole withdrew his cell phone from his shirt pocket and hit the button assigned to Jessie. On the third ring, she answered.

He wasted little time conversing. “There’s a dance that we need to go to on Friday night. So I thought you needed to know if while you’re in town you might need to pick up something to wear or whatever. Just giving you a heads-up.”

Silence for a few moments. “Thank you for telling me this. I might need to find something appropriate.”

“It’s not a date,” he said and then winced at how it sounded. “I mean it’s someplace that a lot of people around here will see us and that could be helpful on keeping our cover story in place. You might be used to this sort of thing, but I’m the novice here.”

“I understand and it is a good idea. You might still be a secret agent yet.” She was making a joke…he thought.

“I’m just a cowboy. I’ll leave the cloak and dagger stuff to you. And is Emmie still enjoying the trip to town? She doesn’t usually want to spend a lot of time going to the stores and stuff. Unless it’s a tack shop or feed store.”

There was an unpleasant soft sound of a laugh. “Emmie hasn’t once mentioned anything about a tack or feed store. She seems to really be enjoying herself and has made some sound purchases for herself. Have no fear, your credit accounts at the two stores we’ve hit so far, are definitely being put to good use by your daughter. Bye now!” The line went dead.

Cole couldn’t sort the words fast enough to reply to her statement before she was gone.

Emmie was buying things and had no fear about his credit accounts? How should he take that?

Was she kidding him? Or not? He had a feeling that he needed to keep a closer eye on Jessie McCord or whatever her real name was. She definitely was trying to needle him in some way. He dropped the phone back inside his pocket. Cole wanted things to be normal again. Normal he understood. But the feeling of being on a thin rope over a fire that was building higher and higher and would eventually reach him and send him into flames was not something he handled very well. And Jessie seemed to be the one standing with a no-worries attitude, tossing a lighter nonchalantly into the air and catching it and smiling as she repeated it. The end couldn’t come fast enough so the life he was used to could return. But with that thought came another quick thought of the woman laughing even more.

*

“I guess thatwas Dad on the phone checking on me?” The question came as Emmie took a long sip of the vanilla milkshake the waitress had sat in front of her.

Jessie smiled as she accepted the glass of iced tea the woman placed on the table for her. “Bingo! He also wanted to remind me that there is a dance we are going to on Friday…in case I might need to find something for it. Do you know the dance he’s talking about?”

The girl nodded her head. “It’s every year and it’s a big deal. We kick off the summer rodeos and the barbeques and dances that go along with them. It’s usually the people who give the money to make them happen and run it all and stuff like that. This year, I get to ride in the Grand Entry. And I bet you can, too!” The idea seemed to really please her. “That will be so awesome! Have you ever done that before?”

Jessie liked the enthusiasm. But she had to shake her head. “Afraid there aren’t that many rodeos in our neck of the woods. But I do enjoy seeing one now and then.”

“Well, you have to find a really pretty dress to wear. Dad likes the color blue, so maybe you should find one like that. I bet Deanna over at D’s Denim and More could help you. Lots of ladies go to her shop.”

“Well, thanks for the help. After our lunch here we might need to stop by there. I think you did some great shopping yourself today.”

Emmie lifted a nonchalant shoulder. “I don’t usually go shopping like this. It’s always been kinda boring before. My dad doesn’t understand a lot of what kids my age are into, and he sends me with Marcella some and she is not used to shopping with kids. But you made it fun. Do you think we can do more, and we can even plan a bigger day of shopping even in Lubbock or Destiny’s River, too? Especially when it’s time for school again. Would that be boring to you?”

“Boring?” Jessie responded, noting the waiting anticipation in the child’s eyes. Did she expect her to say no or something? And then the fact that there was every possibility that she would not be here to do just that in late summer, made Jessie feel an unusual sadness. But nothing was going to spoil the day. She grinned and nodded. “I think that would be super fun.” Emmie matched her grin. The two cheeseburger plates arrived at that moment, and the food consumed their attention.

A half hour later, they left the café and ignored the car. Both agreed that a walk over the next two blocks would be called for. The bell above the doorway sounded as Jessie pushed through it with Emmie not far behind.

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