Page 64 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
Emma tried to ignore a stab of jealousy, though she supposed she ought to be grateful for the reminder that he wasn’t hers to keep. The moment she was gone, he’d be fair game, and from the sounds of it, he could have his pick.
A sour taste filled her mouth and her voice was a little too forcefully cheerful. “Are either of you going to be bidding?”
Casey pursed her lips and pretended to consider. “Although I’d love to see Ryan’s face if I bid on a bachelor days before our wedding, I’m gonna pass.”
“Good idea,” Ellie said with a laugh. “And I’m out too, I’m afraid. Although I don’t think my husband would care all that much either way.”
Emma caught a sympathetic wince from Casey but Ellie shook her head with a determined smile. “What about you, Emma?”
Emma hesitated, scrambling for what to say. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m, you know… I’m with… he’s my boyfriend and…” She huffed out a little laugh. Lying to these two was a tricky business. It didn’t sit right, but she couldn’t betray Nash’s trust, so she cleared her throat and tried for a last minute save. “I’d be happy to donate money to the cause, though.”
Casey snorted. “I want you to bid just so I can see Nash’s face go green with envy.”
Emma’s stomach dipped with disappointment. He wouldn’t be jealous. Not really. Maybe he’d pretend to keep up their ruse, but the thought of lying even more to these kind, welcoming women made her stomach turn.
She forced a smile and pointed to a shop in front of them. “Is that the grocery store?”
“That’s it,” Casey agreed. “And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, Hazel at the bakery can help you out.”
Ellie paused in front of a narrow, two-story brick building. “This is my stop.”
“We’ll see you at the festival tomorrow?” Casey asked.
“Of course.”
Casey turned to Emma. “I’m sure I’ll see you there tomorrow, right?”
“I...I don’t know,” she said honestly. This was the first she was hearing about it, and while she felt ridiculous even admitting it to herself, she felt a stab of sadness that Nash hadn’t invited her.
“Well, I hope I see you there,” Casey said, leaning forward to peck her cheek. “But if I don’t, I know I’ll be seeing you at my wedding.”
Emma was still laughing at the high-pitched squeal Casey let out at the mention of her big day. Her unadulterated excitement was contagious, and Emma found herself still smiling as she perused the aisles of the small store, gathering ingredients for cherry pie. There was no way she’d be able to outdo that peach cobbler. It was definitely the best she’d ever tasted, but her cherry pie was pretty good too and the idea of making it for Nash had her insides bubbling with giddy joy.
As she loaded up her cart with butter, cream and flour, she tried not to think about what little time she had left in Aspire, but how best to use it.
She needed to stop thinking ahead and focus on the moment. Be present, count her blessings and enjoy this small town and the O’Sullivan ranch.
By the time Kit came to collect her, she was feeling more like herself again.
A trip to town was exactly what she’d needed.
21
The smell of cherry pie hit Nash like a ton of bricks when he walked into the house later that afternoon.
His mouth watered instantly at the delicious aroma and he followed it into the kitchen like some cartoon dog being pulled by his nose. When he turned the corner into the kitchen, he stopped short.
His breath left his lungs in a whoosh at the sight before him.
Emma waltzed around his kitchen like she belonged there. She did belong there, obviously, being her kitchen and all. But he’d never seen her like this. Her hair was pulled up in some messy updo, her feet were bare, and she was singing softly along to the radio.
His lips twitched with amusement. He recognized the pop country tune, but he never would have guessed Emma was a country music girl.
He watched in a daze, his chest tight as she moved her hips in time to the beat while finishing some task at the standing mixer before turning to check something in the oven.
That was when she spotted him and she jumped with a gasp. “Nash!” She blinked a couple times. “Why is everyone sneaking up on me today?”
He chuckled. “I don’t know that I was sneaking. I walked in here like I always do.” He glanced toward the radio with a smirk. “It seems you were just distracted.”
