Page 48 of Wrangled Love

“Prickly Pear Diner.”

Walker lets out a low whistle. “Interesting. Isn’t that where Briar’s on her date tonight? According to the town gossip, she’s gone out with a fancy lawyer from California who moved here to work at his uncle’s practice.”

I clear my throat to hide my jealousy. “A lawyer?”

“Don’t worry, I doubt he’ll last very long. He’s a vegan. We don’t have tofu and avocado toast around these parts. Although he does have dreamy blue eyes,” Walker says with a swoony flair. “Come to think of it, why do you care so much who Briar dates? Aren’t you a little old for her?” he jokes, not letting up. “I hear the lawyer is only twenty-six.”

“That’s five years younger than you,” I point out.

“Yeah, but six years younger thanyou,” he quips. “Plus, he’s not family, so I can’t question his intentions with Briar like I can yours.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. The truth is, I don’t even fully understand the feelings I have for her. Would the age gap stop me from going after her if that was even an option? Hell no. I’d even let Walker and Heath grill me on my intentions. But for now, my only focus is cutting Briar’s date short. Unpacking my feelings will have to wait.

“Walker,” I growl, “can you and Heath come or not?”

He chuckles, clearly getting a kick out of pushing my buttons. “What’s in it for us? I was going to swing by Blue Moon Tavern tonight and wasn’t planning on leaving alone.”

Son of a bitch. This is why I prefer Heath. He’s straightforward and doesn’t play games. Walker, on the other hand, has the reputation of a cowboy Casanova. Rumor has it he’s been with half the women in town and left behind a trail of broken hearts.

“I’m helping bale hay next weekend,” I say.

He scoffs. “If I’m giving up a night with a pretty girl, there’s no way you’re getting off that easy. I want you working three full Saturdays on the ranch.” He pauses, giving me a chance to think about it. “Do we have a deal?”

“Fine.” Whatever it takes to get him here and fast.

“Awesome.” I hear a door creak open, followed by the low grumble of a truck engine. “Heath just pulled in. We’ll be there soon. And if that kid wakes up while we’re there, I’m cashing in another Saturday of hard labor.”

“His name is Caleb, and that won’t be necessary. He’ll stay asleep.”

Not a promise I should make, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

The whole drive into town, my mind runs through every worst-case scenario. What if Briar’s angry when she finds out I’m here? What if she’s making out with the guy? Or what if they’ve already left for his place? I’m a damn pressure cooker when I reach Prickly Pear Diner. The flickering neon sign has me clenching my jaw hard enough to crack a molar.

I slam the truck door and march inside. I’m relieved when I spot the “Seat Yourself” sign near the hostess station. It’s a small victory to avoid an awkward interaction that could land me in thetown gossip column. I’d rather not explain why I’m here to keep an eye out on my kid’s nanny, who’s on a date with another man.

Nothing odd about that, right?

I fall behind a group of patrons heading into the dining area, tugging the brim of Walker’s cowboy hat lower to avoid drawing attention to myself. He insisted I borrow it on my way out the door, claiming I’d stick out like a sore thumb without it, and tonight, I’d much rather blend in.

I move slowly, scanning the room until I spot Briar at a corner high-top table. She’s seated across from a man with wavy blond hair, wearing a colorful floral shirt that must have come from a beachside surf shop, paired with black skinny jeans that seem painted on. He sticks out like a sore thumb, and several patrons keep shooting him wary glances, clearly not used to his flashy style.

Walker was right about the cowboy hat. No one’s given me a second glance so far. I’m almost to the bar, where I’ll have a clear line of sight to Briar’s table, when a voice cuts through the low buzz of conversation.

“Hey, urban cowboy. You’re blocking my view.”

I turn to find a woman sitting at a nearby booth with red hair pulled into a ponytail beneath a green baseball cap, sunglasses hiding most of her face. She’s wearing an oversized T-shirt that saysStakeouts are my Cardio.Subtlety doesn’t appear to be her strong suit.

“Can I help you?”

She motions to the empty side of the booth. “Take a seat before you ruin my surveillance.”

I glance around, unsure what to do, but when she sighs, tapping her red-painted nails on the table, I figure it’s best if I do as she says.

Once I’m seated, the woman pushes a glass of water my way. “This is yours. Took you long enough to get here. I was starting to think you weren’t going to show up.”

I take a cautious sip, frowning. “Who did you say you were?”

“I’m Charlie, Briar’s best friend and your fairy god-matchmaker tonight.”

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