Page 63 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
She just barely stifled a sigh.
Kit patted her shoulder and gave her a sympathetic smile. “I’ll be back soon. Good luck.”
She nodded as she let Casey drag her over to the large group. There were a few familiar faces, including Nash’s Aunt Lisa, a sweetheart she’d enjoyed chatting with at the barbecue, and the elementary school principal Abigail, who greeted her like they were old friends.
She met a lot of new people as well, too many and too quickly to catch all their names right away. But she found out soon why they’d pulled all these tables together in the back. They were having one last meeting before some big festival the following night.
“It’s the Aspire Days Festival,” Casey informed her, tugging her into the inner circle as if she belonged there.
“It’s a celebration of the town’s founding,” the local librarian told her.
“An annual event since 1893,” Aunt Lisa added proudly.
“Wow, that’s quite a tradition,” she said.
“It’s a lot of fun.” Casey beamed. She was decked out in her scrubs, clearly on a break from her job at Dr. Dex’s office. “But it also serves a vital purpose for our local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.”
The librarian, a cute little redhead who looked to be about the same age as Emma, stepped in to explain. “We hold a lot of fundraisers throughout the festival to raise money for the local food bank, the library, the fire station…”
With that, she gestured to a handsome young man who was built like a fire-truck. His large, muscular frame looked comically out of place with this table full of women. He gave Emma a sheepish grin as he said to Aunt Lisa, “I’m still not sold on this idea.”
Clearly she’d come along in the middle of a conversation.
Aunt Lisa pursed her lips. “It’s too late to back out now, Ethan.”
He winced. “But a bachelor auction? It’s so embarrassing.”
Casey patted his shoulder. “Just think of all the money you’ll raise for the fire station.” To Emma she added quietly. “Except for Ethan and a couple other firefighters, it’s a seasonal station that’s mostly manned by volunteers.”
Ethan sighed wearily. “I suppose you’re right. But it’s still humiliating.”
There were a few chuckles but Aunt Lisa was already calling them back to order to discuss the next topic.
Casey whispered to her, “We won’t make you sit through the whole boring meeting. I’m guessing you came into town for a reason.”
“I just want to pick up some baking supplies,” she said.
Casey nodded. “I have to get back to work, so I’ll walk you over.”
“I’ll come too,” Ellie said, flashing Emma a shy smile. “The library calls.”
They made their excuses and headed out into the sunshine. Emma was struck all over again by the charming quaintness of it all. From the old-school movie theater to the cozy-looking bookstore with a large sign reminding the townsfolk of the weekly book club.
Yep, this place had ‘Hallmark movie’ written all over it.
Emma couldn’t help a grin. Just walking down Main Street made her heart feel warm with a sense of belonging.
You belong here.Nash’s low, comforting voice whispered in the back of her mind. He hadn’t meant it like that. He hadn’t meant she belonged here forever, just for now because she technically owned the land.
She knew that logically, but it didn’t stop her mind from calling up his words like it was a melody she couldn’t stop humming. She gave her head a little shake and came back to the present just in time to hear Casey and Ellie laughing about poor Ethan’s bachelor auction.
“It’s all just for fun,” Casey assured Emma. “He and the other single firefighters and volunteers do this every year.” She flashed Emma a wicked grin. “Even Nash took part one year when he was a volunteer for the station.”
“He did?” She laughed, trying to imagine the serious, quiet cowboy on some stage being auctioned off like a piece of meat.
“Oh yes,” Ellie giggled. “He was so in demand, I thought a fight might break out between Misty Traynor and Olivia Munster. Do you remember?”
Casey nodded and both women were laughing.
