Page 33 of One Summer Day (Prosperity Ranch 1)

Or one hour. Whatever.

Her phone buzzed.

In the driveway, come out when you’re ready.

She texted Barb. Coming out now.

Macie slipped the phone into her back pocket, then opened the bathroom door. The house was quiet. Heidi and Rex must be in their bedroom already. Macie crossed to her room and listened at the door for any sound Ruby might make. Not that Ruby would be quiet if she wanted something.

With a soft smile, Macie walked down the hallway. She opened the front door as quietly as possible. A Cadillac sat idling in the circular driveway.

Barb popped open the passenger door as Macie approached, and three women squealed.

Macie’s brows shot up. Apparently, she was the last on the route to be collected.

“Get in, hon,” Barb said. “We saved shotgun for you.”

Macie slid into the front seat and shut the door. The Caddy pulled forward with a jolt, and Macie fumbled for her seatbelt. One look at Barb told Macie she was way underdressed. Barb wore a dark red cocktail dress that left little to the imagination.

And the two women in the back seat were equally decked out . . .

“Macie, this is Jana and Patsy.”

“Hi,” both the women said at once.

“And y’all, this is Macie,” Barb continued, “the ex-wife of Knox Prosper.”

All the women giggled, and Macie didn’t know how to react. Did these women know him? And how well? Her face went hot, and she was grateful for the darkness of the night.

“Nice to meet you,” Macie said lamely. What did one say to a group of women who were giggling, and about one’s ex-husband no less?

“Oh, don’t mind them,” Barb said. “They’ve already started their alcohol consumption for the night.”

More giggling from the backseat.

Macie stole a glance at the women again. Jana was a redhead with enough makeup on that it looked like she’d bought out the store. Patsy’s hair was a short pixie cut. Her eyes were beautiful, almost cat-like.

“What’s our bet tonight, ladies?” Barb asked.

“Men,” Patsy said.

“Well, duh,” Barb said with a scoff. “What about the men?”

Macie looked from Barb to the other women. What were they talking about?

“I bet twenty bucks that Macie will be asked to dance in less than five minutes after we arrive,” Patsy said.

“There’s dancing at this bar, too?” Macie wasn’t prepared for this . . . Was she supposed to dance with a guy on girls’ night out?

“Oh, there’s all kinds of dancing,” Barb crooned. “You name it. Cowboy, line, slow, dirty, and everything in between.”

Laughter erupted.

Jana piped up. “I’ll bet twenty bucks that Briggs trips when he sees your dress, Barb, and spills his drink straight down his silky shirt.”

Laughter filled the interior of the car.

“Briggs wears silky shirts?” Macie asked. When she’d seen him, he was wearing a regular cotton button-down.

---