Page 57 of Soldier Cowboy
Colton exchanged a glance with Jennifer, who smiled up at him and nodded, as if indicating he should take this one. Right.
“We met through her father, who was my mentor.” He kept it short and simple so that if their stories varied it wouldn’t be quite as noticeable.
“Actually, we haven’t known each other for long,” Jennifer added. “We fell in love super fast.”
“Yeah, that too,” Colton added.
“I heard Cherisse is about to spit nails.” Jo laughed. “Did you know she’s here?”
“No.”
Colton wondered how in the hellshe’dscored an invite. Then again, it seemed that half the town’s residents were here, and they sure wouldn’t turn a woman away from the party. Not every man had a plus one as it didn’t usually work that way around here. In years past, they’d actually had a service called the “rented ladies” who’d come from out of town to round out a party.
“Fair warning. First, three kids in three years. All boys. Next, Taylor cheats on her and moves out of town. She’s been in a bad mood foryears.”
“Oh, how awful.” Jennifer squeezed his hand.
“That’s…sad.”
Jolette Marie laughed. “You two are hilarious.”
“I like to think so,” Jennifer said, batting her eyelashes. “Aren’t we funny, babe?”
He bit back a laugh. “Let’s go find a seat.”
Jennifer thoughtthat Jolette Marie was not only beautiful and sweet, but also petite. Her teensy waist matched an equally teensy weensy behind and she briefly reminded Jennifer of a flower petal. She’d come dressed in decidedly western-style glam and Jolette Marie rocked the look. She wore the western version of a little black dress: a V neckline with fringe detail throughout. She’d paired the dress with a matching black hat and boots with turquoise blue inlay. Jennifer wanted boots like that. Suddenly she felt out of place here, like the former contestants from the show most of whom were clearly out of towners. Around her, she saw plenty of similar western chic and amazing boots in all colors and designs.
Again, Jennifer didn’t fit in. She was trying too hard, and everyone would notice.
Colton led her to a family table where they were seated next to Delores, Riggs, and Winona. But Winona and Riggs were getting up every few seconds, taking turns chasing their twin boys.
The dinner was a sit-down affair and catered. For now, waiters were walking around the tables carrying hors d’oeuvres and goblets of drinks.
“No, thank you.” Jennifer held up a hand when the waiter bent toward her with the tray of wine glasses.
Colton smirked. “Want me to see if they have rum?”
“Ha, ha. I need 100 percent of my faculties today. I want to be prepared and alert in case your ex comes at me.” She shadowboxed back and forth. “I’m ready.”
He stood. “Stay here with Delores. I’m going to go talk to Riggs for a minute.”
Delores pulled on Jennifer’s elbow once Colton took off in that direction. “Those two really need to chat. Surely Colton has told you about the tension between him and Riggs.”
This sounded like something she should know more about so Jennifer faked it. “Sure, but I just thought it was over with.”
“I’d like to think so, too, but there’s been years of disagreements between the oldest and the youngest brothers. Sean, of course, played the proverbial middle child brokering the peace between them. He kept the lines of communication open with Colton no matter how long he was gone. Those two have always been close. But see, Riggs didn’t want Colton to enlist in the service. He didn’t think he could serve two masters and he turned out to be right. Colton basically gave up the ranch and pretty much his family while he was in the service. But the military was important to him, too. Now, it looks like he’s home to stay, and I’m not sure Riggs is buying it.”
“He should. Colton is serious about staying.”
Delores smiled, then glanced down at the ring on Jennifer’s finger. She’d almost forgotten.
“It looks good on you.”
“Thank you, I love it.”
“How did he put it on you? Did he make a big production or just slip it on your finger? I imagine the proposal itself was the big deal. If I know Colton, he goes all out with the woman he loves.”
Jennifer didn’t know why this made her feel bad. Maybe because she pictured some other lucky lady getting the full treatment. But she couldn’t expect anything at all when this was all pretend.
